Top gear guest paid to appear

[smtk]

I was reading an article regarding a little known UK presenter (think of him as your Larry king)


When they got on to discussing the paying of studio guests to appear

'Guest budgets vary in size, and are used differently by production companies,' says one industry source. 'Some shows might not pay anything for six months and then blow it all on a few big stars at the end of the series.' Even Top Gear, BBC2's flagship car programme, has been known to pay guests to appear, according to leading PR advisers.

We now know why ladyman show up on topgear

The amount depends on the fame of the guest and their news value. Public figures who have questions to answer but nothing to promote can command a premium, not least because the rules of engagement are different when money changes hands. They can expect a rough ride at the hand of their interlocutors, and, without a product to plug, the conversation is more likely to turn to controversial topics they might not otherwise agree to discuss

article for reference (nothing else topgear in it)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...es-celebrities

[stiggie]

Is that not pretty standard in the industry?

[PaperBiro]

Originally Posted by stiggie

Is that not pretty standard in the industry?

My thoughts exactly.

[Viper007Bond]

Originally Posted by stiggie

Is that not pretty standard in the industry?

[Cobol74]

Yep, generally the guests job is entertainment - if they are 'on' they are at work - would you go to work for nothing? If they are pushing a book/film/TV series/CD they the payment is indirect, through additional sales/film goers/viewers/fans.

[Momo63]

Well duh!
You'll be telling me next that Jeremy, James and Richard also get paid for doing the show....

[edkwon]

Ok i thought this was going to be about the guest actually having to pay money to the show in order to appear on the studio segment, not the other way around.

[Jos J.]

they often give the guests a Aston martin ore something else for the weekend as a thank you

[Mineworksfine]

Come on guys, you don't really think the likes of Miss Katie Price aka Jordan would appear on a pokey motoring programme on BBC2 unless a) she was getting paid for it and b) she had something to plug would you? There are four types of SIARPC as far as I have been able to make out:
1. Celebs who are massive petrolheads and/or highly competitive (Jay Kay, Stephen Fry, Jodie Kidd, Simon Cowell)
2. Flagrant Self-publicists or those with something to plug (Jordan, Gordon Ramsay, Simon Cowell)
3. People Jezza wants to talk to (Ellen MacArthur, Parkie) or perv over (Billie Piper)
4. People with BBC contracts who are gently presssed into appearing because they can't get anyone else (everyone from season 11 bar Jay Kay).

I think the problem is that many celebs are like rather shallow sheep - they follow everyone else and love jumping on bandwagons which is why so many of them drive Toyota Piouses and are therefore scared to appear on TG in case it damages their eco cred when in fact quite a few are itching to get behind the wheel of the Lacetti.

[fbc]

Originally Posted by stiggie

Is that not pretty standard in the industry?

QFT - I'm failing to see the point of this thread.

[watto]

No surprises here...

[argatoga]

I say they just get rid of SIARPC and use that money to make the show HD.

[tuesday]

Originally Posted by argatoga

I say they just get rid of SIARPC and use that money to make the show HD.

Or make it an occasional feature, like the cool wall. Doing it every week makes it less special. But I bet it's a cheap way to fill 10 minutes in the show compared to, say, a trip to Italy in some supercars, so cutting it out would probably make the show more expensive.

[MrBooby]

It's the classic formula of Top Gear just keep it. It seems like the people complaining are all from US, like me. We don't know most of the guests but why should we be allowed to change Top Gear?