BBC news: "Top Gear under fire after presenters puff on pipes"

phenergn · October 16th, 2007, 11:36 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7046498.stm

Looks like yet more controversy!

takuhii · October 16th, 2007, 11:41 AM

Talk about a nanny state, they were just having a laugh!!! Poking fun at pointless branded merchandise. As this would be a one off (and they DIDN'T smoke them for the entirety of the show), I don't see they can get into much trouble over this!!

upyourego · October 16th, 2007, 11:44 AM

It depends on the local authority - if they heavily push the smoking ban then the BBC could face a £2500 fine and Jeremy and James could face a £50 fine each.

But its more likely the LA (local authority) will just say "don't do it again" and give them a bit of a slapped wrist.

Viper007Bond · October 16th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Oh no, $5000! images/smilies/lol.gif

jensked · October 16th, 2007, 11:53 AM

Heh...if they had been smoking constantly I would have to agree, but in this case it's really stupid. They lit a pipe for like 30 seconds.

ahpadt · October 16th, 2007, 12:01 PM

Hahaha

ViperVX · October 16th, 2007, 12:06 PM

Lemme just say 5k fine is nothing. If such thing wud've taken place on American TV, network size of BBC, they'd be facing 150k fine per affiliate at least, about 150mil total (minimum).

upyourego · October 16th, 2007, 12:18 PM

BBC doesn't have affiliates - it's a single network - British tv works VERY differently to American television - plus BBC is publicly owned and funded so a fine would in fact hurt the people that pay for the BBC so the Beeb don't tend to get fined as much as the commercial networks.

However the BBC could still face a larger fine if OfCom decide to get involved.

£2500 is the maximum fine they can face from the local authority from a legal perspective but if OfCom decide they've broken a broadcasting code or something then they could impose a MUCH larger fine.

dylanblue · October 16th, 2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

After putting the wrong end of the pipe in his mouth, Clarkson, 47, was seen running from the stage.

ruuman · October 16th, 2007, 2:41 PM

My god people really don't have anything better to do with their time but moan, die in a fire hippie!!!

iongerm · October 16th, 2007, 3:02 PM

Surely the BBC watches the programmes before they are broadcast in their name. Someone has made a decision which is sureley based on some understanding that not much will happen in any case. The BBC knew clearly what could happen and have decided to show the smoking. I couldn't care less. No one in the audience was hurt, no one in the audience complained and therefore those people who have got nothing better to do than to cry out about something that's got NOTHING to do with them shoud PLEASE SHUT UP!

anti-net · October 16th, 2007, 3:15 PM

This really angers me. Its pathetic, there making a fuss over nothing, the media gets all over it, some idiots who never question what there been told jump on the band wagon and it just all spirals out of control.

Its 3 pipes in a hanger.....not a bong, there smoking in near children, they weren't making others smoke. No, just a bit of a laugh. But ohh no you can't laugh anymore! - there's some pressure group against it.

My message to these pressure groups: Piss off, Find a proper job.

Peter of the Cosmos · October 16th, 2007, 3:41 PM

The nanny-staters are ruining Britain. I share Mr. Clarkson's sentiments. Big brother/nanny state does not a civilized nation make!

stig_fever2409 · October 16th, 2007, 4:04 PM

lol this made me laugh(taken for bbc news)

Quote:

One audience member told the BBC News website: "No-one in the audience seemed to mind when they lit up - people laughed, although the room did get quite smoky."

WTF!! How on earth could the room get "quite smoky" when James and Jeremy smoked a pipe for all of 20 secs!!!It's a massive flipping studio!You'd think they lit a bonfire the way they are going on about it!!

Get a grip,it was a joke images/smilies/blowup.gif

(Sorry it just winds me up at how nit-picky and controlling people are nowadays)

Donington · October 16th, 2007, 4:09 PM

Nobody really complained except the anti-smoking group people. A bit of advertising really...

sonza68 · October 16th, 2007, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruuman

My god people really don't have anything better to do with their time but moan, die in a fire hippie!!!

When people have nothing going on in their life, they tend to find ways to restrict others from doing anything.

Austere · October 16th, 2007, 4:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anti-net

Its 3 pipes in a hanger.....not a bong

Now, now. Let's not drag the Bongs into this. My bong never hurt anybody!

Speedtouch · October 16th, 2007, 4:36 PM

Quote:

All three of the show's presenters pulled pipes out from under their chairs during a discussion about Porsche-branded products, but Richard Hammond did not light up, having recently given up smoking.

I love the way they make it seem random. That they just suddenly decided to light up during a segment on Porsches. As if it was nothing to do with the show.

Zuhaib · October 16th, 2007, 4:45 PM

WTF.. This is just plan stupid, especially for a nation that JUST BANED SMOKING INDOORS. I was in England in 2004 and remember seeing people smoke everywhere. Back here in the States, especially in CA we had a ban on smoking indoors at restaurants and bars for a much longer time.

Donington · October 16th, 2007, 4:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austere

Now, now. Let's not drag the Bongs into this. My bong never hurt anybody!

TONIGHT, the best bongs....IN THE WORLD!

October 16th, 2007, 11:36 AM	#1
phenergn Joined: Nov 8th, 2006 Last Online: November 2nd, 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 37 Car: 2003 Vauxhall VX220 na (AKA Opel Speedster 2.2) Rep Power: 0	BBC news: "Top Gear under fire after presenters puff on pipes" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7046498.stm Looks like yet more controversy!

October 16th, 2007, 11:44 AM	#3
upyourego VIP Joined: Nov 12th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Jersey, Channel Islands, UK Age: 28 Posts: 1,141 Car: Never learnt to drive Rep Power: 41	It depends on the local authority - if they heavily push the smoking ban then the BBC could face a £2500 fine and Jeremy and James could face a £50 fine each. But its more likely the LA (local authority) will just say "don't do it again" and give them a bit of a slapped wrist. __________________ --------- Ryan Morrison howtobeageek.net

October 16th, 2007, 11:50 AM	#4
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 5:41 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,275 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Oh no, $5000! __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

October 16th, 2007, 12:06 PM	#7
ViperVX Joined: Dec 27th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Age: 23 Posts: 1,161 Rep Power: 27	Lemme just say 5k fine is nothing. If such thing wud've taken place on American TV, network size of BBC, they'd be facing 150k fine per affiliate at least, about 150mil total (minimum). __________________ Top Gear Rullz 4ever!

October 16th, 2007, 12:18 PM	#8
upyourego VIP Joined: Nov 12th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Jersey, Channel Islands, UK Age: 28 Posts: 1,141 Car: Never learnt to drive Rep Power: 41	BBC doesn't have affiliates - it's a single network - British tv works VERY differently to American television - plus BBC is publicly owned and funded so a fine would in fact hurt the people that pay for the BBC so the Beeb don't tend to get fined as much as the commercial networks. However the BBC could still face a larger fine if OfCom decide to get involved. £2500 is the maximum fine they can face from the local authority from a legal perspective but if OfCom decide they've broken a broadcasting code or something then they could impose a MUCH larger fine. __________________ --------- Ryan Morrison howtobeageek.net

October 16th, 2007, 11:41 AM	#2
takuhii Joined: Jul 11th, 2006 Last Online: April 1st, 2009 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 7 Car: Ford Mondeo Rep Power: 0	Talk about a nanny state, they were just having a laugh!!! Poking fun at pointless branded merchandise. As this would be a one off (and they DIDN'T smoke them for the entirety of the show), I don't see they can get into much trouble over this!!

October 16th, 2007, 11:53 AM	#5
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 26 Posts: 4,056 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 49	Heh...if they had been smoking constantly I would have to agree, but in this case it's really stupid. They lit a pipe for like 30 seconds.

October 16th, 2007, 12:01 PM	#6
ahpadt Joined: May 7th, 2006 Last Online: 2:44 AM Location: The Norwaylands Posts: 4,572 Rep Power: 60	Hahaha

October 16th, 2007, 2:41 PM	#10
ruuman Joined: Sep 16th, 2004 Last Online: November 17th, 2009 Location: surrey, UK Age: 29 Posts: 627 Car: Range Rover, Defender 90, Suzuki DL-650 Rep Power: 22	My god people really don't have anything better to do with their time but moan, die in a fire hippie!!!

October 16th, 2007, 3:02 PM	#11
iongerm Not A Dude Joined: Feb 20th, 2007 Last Online: December 15th, 2008 Location: London Posts: 96 Car: Golf Mk 3 Rep Power: 12	Surely the BBC watches the programmes before they are broadcast in their name. Someone has made a decision which is sureley based on some understanding that not much will happen in any case. The BBC knew clearly what could happen and have decided to show the smoking. I couldn't care less. No one in the audience was hurt, no one in the audience complained and therefore those people who have got nothing better to do than to cry out about something that's got NOTHING to do with them shoud PLEASE SHUT UP!

October 16th, 2007, 3:15 PM	#12
anti-net Joined: Mar 17th, 2007 Last Online: September 16th, 2009 Location: Cornwall, UK and Birmingham, UK for uni Age: 19 Posts: 1,271 Rep Power: 23	This really angers me. Its pathetic, there making a fuss over nothing, the media gets all over it, some idiots who never question what there been told jump on the band wagon and it just all spirals out of control. Its 3 pipes in a hanger.....not a bong, there smoking in near children, they weren't making others smoke. No, just a bit of a laugh. But ohh no you can't laugh anymore! - there's some pressure group against it. My message to these pressure groups: Piss off, Find a proper job. __________________ My Twitter You'd be surprised how close it is. I've actually got 57 cubic feet of cheese in there, and if you covert cheese into dogs, that's 4.3 great Danes - J.Clarkson

October 16th, 2007, 3:41 PM	#13
Peter of the Cosmos Joined: Nov 10th, 2006 Last Online: March 13th, 2008 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 26 Rep Power: 0	The nanny-staters are ruining Britain. I share Mr. Clarkson's sentiments. Big brother/nanny state does not a civilized nation make!

October 16th, 2007, 4:09 PM	#15
Donington Joined: Jan 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:28 AM Location: Now in Plymouth, Englandshire Age: 20 Posts: 4,263 Rep Power: 176	Nobody really complained except the anti-smoking group people. A bit of advertising really... __________________ I live in Botswana, saving lives. DO YOU!?

October 16th, 2007, 4:45 PM	#19
Zuhaib Joined: Dec 11th, 2003 Last Online: 12:03 AM Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 777 Car: 07 VW GTI, 06 S500, 05 HD Softail Rep Power: 40	WTF.. This is just plan stupid, especially for a nation that JUST BANED SMOKING INDOORS. I was in England in 2004 and remember seeing people smoke everywhere. Back here in the States, especially in CA we had a ban on smoking indoors at restaurants and bars for a much longer time. __________________ I am Pakistani And No! I do not own a 7/11! And my NAME is not Apu! "MPG describes riding like biology describes Sex" -- Harley Davidson Ad Zuhaib's Blog

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