Top Gear producer admits Jeremy Clarkson's 'slope' remark WAS joke about Asian man

[webfact]

Top Gear producer admits Jeremy Clarkson's 'slope' remark WAS joke about Asian man but didn't realise 'light-hearted wordplay' was offensive (but regrets it now)
Andy Wilman 'regrets any offence caused' by use of word 'slope' by Jeremy Clarkson
Top Gear executive producer issues comment amid alleged racism row
Term used during two-part Top Gear Burma Special, screened in March
Word is a derogatory term for people of Asian descent
Lawyers Equal Action claimed BBC could face million-pound damages
By JULIAN ROBINSON



LONDON: -- The executive producer of Top Gear has admitted presenter Jeremy Clarkson had called an Asian man a 'slope' when he joked about the construction of a bridge in Thailand during an episode.

There was outcry when Clarkson used the word, a derogatory term for people of Asian descent, during the show's two-part Burma special, screened in March this year.

Now the producer of the hit BBC 2 programme has said he regrets the 'light-hearted' wordplay and realises 'that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas'.

Andy Wilman made the statement after Indian-born actress Somi Guha instructed lawyers to make a formal complaint about the use of the word, which she described as 'casual racism'.

In a statement, Mr Wilman said: 'When we used the word "slope" in the recent Top Gear Burma special it was a light-hearted wordplay joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it.

'We were not aware at the time, and it has subsequently been brought to our attention, that the word "slope" is considered by some to be offensive and although it might not be widely recognised in the UK, we appreciate that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas, for example in Australia and the USA.

Full story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2611044/Top-Gear-producer-admits-Jeremy-Clarksons-slope-remark-WAS-joke-Asian-man-didnt-realise-light-hearted-wordplay-offensive-regrets-now.html

[dmail]2014-04-23[/dmail]

Related story:
Jeremy Clarkson accused of 'racism' during Top Gear series finale in Thailand
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711700-jeremy-clarkson-accused-of-racism-during-top-gear-series-finale-in-thailand/

[sustento]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

[IAMSOBAD]

I never heard that term being used by anyone. So the silly Indian chick is to blame for it being in the public eye.

Jeremy should sue her.

I thought a slope was a curve or side of a mountain. Nobody in the USA uses that term unless skiing.

[JeremyBowskill]

"Falang" should say sorry!

[Prbkk]

...he used to be entertaining but has well and truly passed his "use by" date

[Kan Win]

Other than USA Army in Vietnam used that first.

[Kan Win]

Prbkk, on 23 Apr 2014 - 17:56, said:

...he used to be entertaining but has well and truly passed his "use by" date

Sorry, but no.

Watched his shows last week-end on True in Thailand and they were great

Win

[thelongshoot]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

Jeremy Clerkson is a desperate old man? Realy? The Jeremy Clerkson in his mid 50's, worth millions, fronts the most exported TV show in the world of all time, been all over the world with his mates getting paid silly money to have a laugh and do whatever he wants... You mean that guy, right? Yeh. Desperate. Personaly I pity the fool. Poor bloke.

[Ulysses G.]

I thought a slope was a curve or side of a mountain. Nobody in the USA uses that term unless skiing.

They sure did when I lived there, but not really derogatory - more like wop or Jew, not considered insulting by most people.

I used to wonder what it meant until I was on a bus in Vietnam and looked out the window and saw a bunch of peasants wearing sloped hats. I got up and yelled to my friend, "I finally know why they call them slopeheads!" Luckily, no one but us could speak English.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[john1000]

Probably the most watched and downloaded TV series in the world. Says what he thinks and is funny.

Trouble with Marmite, there as many who dislike as those who love it.

[p_brownstone]

And the PC wagon rolls on; desperate to find some small niche to destroy the world of reason.

Patrick

[angsta]

555 this is the guy that most Thai Visa posters wanted to be in the 2013 TV poll so I guess he'll get some love from the 50/60 something year old men sat in Issan/Hua Hin/Pattaya with 8,000 posts and only a Chang for company.

He's about as funny as Aids.

[BwindiBoy]

Oh dear, several bitter people saying he's desperate or a has-been (on Facebook).

He's one of the highest paid people on tv, worth millions and absolutely couldn't give a fig what some bitter old nobodies think!

[Boycie]

When i heard that Jeremy Clarkson was in trouble about remarks he made in the show i was thinking "heroin, black cock" but no mention of them. "There was outcry, when Clarkson used the word slope." Wonder how many complaints they got, apart from Somi Guha?

I would like to make a complaint to all the news companies that quote 'In the show, presents Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May build a makeshift bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand.'

They were nowhere near the River Kwai!

[Bluespunk]

I never heard that term being used by anyone. So the silly Indian chick is to blame for it being in the public eye.

Jeremy should sue her.

I thought a slope was a curve or side of a mountain. Nobody in the USA uses that term unless skiing.

i've heard it used as racist slur in the uk in the past JC knew what he was doing.

[bigbamboo]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

I think it was the Indian actress who was looking for publicity. Everyone knows who Clarkson, who had even heard of what's her name?

Top Gear is a lad's (and ladette's) programme, you pretty much know what you're going to get. For those who are easily offended there's daytime TV.

[HooHaa]

i could not care less. the show amused me, and clarkson continues to.

Richard hammond on the other hand is offensive.

this is certainly excellent publicity for top gear.

[anotheruser]

JC saying something in bad taste? Where is the news in that, it is what he does for a living.

[sustento]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

Jeremy Clerkson is a desperate old man? Realy? The Jeremy Clerkson in his mid 50's, worth millions, fronts the most exported TV show in the world of all time, been all over the world with his mates getting paid silly money to have a laugh and do whatever he wants... You mean that guy, right? Yeh. Desperate. Personaly I pity the fool. Poor bloke.

Yes that desperate old man. Uses carefully contrived 'controversial' remarks that appeal to those who think that insulting others is a replacement for humour.

[sustento]

I never heard that term being used by anyone. So the silly Indian chick is to blame for it being in the public eye.

Jeremy should sue her.

I thought a slope was a curve or side of a mountain. Nobody in the USA uses that term unless skiing.

Slope - dink - gook. All from the same era. All insults.

[marstons]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

Earns estimated $4 million a year, dividends and bonus from owning a fair share of the Top Gear show $13 million per year and with replays an estimated audience of 350 million. worth $50 million, wished I was as desperate.

[sustento]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

Earns estimated $4 million a year, dividends and bonus from owning a fair share of the Top Gear show $13 million per year and with replays an estimated audience of 350 million. worth $50 million, wished I was as desperate.

My post didn't actually mention money.

[nonthaburial]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

I will admit his humour does not attract everyone, but as stated he is the host of one of the most watched and exported tv shows worldwide. He is open, not afraid to hit sensitive points and to me true entertainer. Unfortunately he is now getting knocked by the usual proper brigade. The latest is that he has what he terms as a brilliant dog, note the word brilliant, and as luck would have it, the dog is black in color. He named it Didier Drogberg after the Chelsea soccer star. What the hell is wrong with that.? But the moaning Minnie's are out in force saying he is a racialist.

It's total furking lunacy and I pray deeply that the BBC realise what a superstar they have on their books, but of course they do, he earns millions

[baxida]

....and now prepare for another 2000 odd comments on how racist and unfunny JC is.

[kuiburi]

Harmless joke I think . And funny .

We all get called named by other races . No harm done if its just a joke .

And the situation called for it .

[surangw]

people really care what these kind of fools say?

[01322521959]

Prbkk, on 23 Apr 2014 - 17:56, said:

...he used to be entertaining but has well and truly passed his "use by" date

Sorry, but no.

Watched his shows last week-end on True in Thailand and they were great

Win

What, you still haven't got UKTV. Watched it a month ago on BBC2...

[nonthaburial]

Prbkk, on 23 Apr 2014 - 17:56, said:

...he used to be entertaining but has well and truly passed his "use by" date

Sorry, but no.

Watched his shows last week-end on True in Thailand and they were great

Win

What, you still haven't got UKTV. Watched it a month ago on BBC2...

That's just the point that you seem to have missed Top Gear is timeless, watch the latest edition now or three months time, the end result is priceless and sorry enjoyable. Now watching Match of the Day three months later is not priceless.

[somchaismith]

Oh, but, but wait...this the British sense of humor and wit, which we're famous for .

[JesseFrank]

Desperate old man looking for a bit more publicity...

Can't answer that question without knowing your age.