TOP GEAR co-host Richard Hammond issued a statement from his blog about the recent controversy with the popular BBC program.
TOP GEAR Co-host Richard Hammond
Titled Current News: The Mexican Affair, Hammond writes:
About time I spoke up on the Mexican affair.
Look, I was talking about the cartoon characters in western movies we all watched as kids and I am really sorry if I’ve offended anyone. Yes, we were stereotyping on Top Gear and yes, that can go wrong – as it rather has – but it can also be quite funny and that’s what we were hoping to do. We Brits are often portrayed as clumsy snobs in bowler hats with brown teeth and terrible food. And it’s funny. The BBC knows that and that’s why they’ve stated quite clearly that ‘stereotype comedy is allowed within BBC guidelines in programmes where the audience has clear expectations of that being the case.’ I don’t think anyone will disagree that Top Gear falls into that category.
Nevertheless, if we really have upset anyone, if they really feel I was expressing a genuinely held view that I believed Mexico to be populated by blokes in big hats and moustaches, then I am very sorry. Clearly, I don’t really believe this, any more than I imagine France to be full of amorous cyclists with onions round their necks.
Of course, if I really did believe in these things, don’t you think the joke would rather be on me? RH
As for the other two hosts, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, we have yet to see or read any statements from them. The last words they spoke in public about the incident were these:
Dear Mr. Hammond, we applaud you for trying to come out with a statement, although we find your reasons a bit faulty. However, your last line is actually pretty genuine, and that’s cool. But to bring up Speedy Gonzales as the reason you said what you said? Doesn’t cut it. So, in the end, you will still get THE CHORIZZO award.
UPDATE: Carkson has written about the incident in his column for THE SUN.
Let Britons laugh about themselves and let George Lopez do it for Mexicans. Only insiders know how far to go when stereotyping. What is acceptable in British humor is not acceptable in other countries’ and it must be respected.
Without the Internet, we would have never found out about the episode.
One down. Now to wait from the other buffoons. Wait, buffoons are funny right? Can these men be called that? Hmm
Yeah, buffoons are funny when you call them buffoons even when they don’t think they are buffoons.
The power of Social Media is not soon enough recognized by many in the world of conventional media. So it is great to see how these so small victories, in this eventual war for recognition, that propel that power forward.
Always in peace..papijulio
We think so.
Julio – Props to you brother! You were the first or one of the first to jump on this story. Also, you were the only one in the world, at the time, to HAVE THE VIDEO!!! Sweet! You took it Global, Julio. Congrats, bro!
Thanks, mano!
Bien dicho y bien hecho, Julito.
And Clarkson’s one is 100 times more arrogant. At least I think Hammond was a bit sincere.
Maybe if grease-ball spics like you showed as much sensitivity about the drug cartels ravaging your country as you do about some frivolous japery perhaps you’d be better off.
Other than that Julio, you’re just another talentless hack with paltry writing skills and limited mental dexterity trying to capitalized off Top Gear success.
By the way how’s that cheating Mexican son of a bitch Antonio Margarito doing? Because that beating he took from Pacquiao was really bad.
Thank you so much. Here’s to the BBC.
Last time I checked there are no drug cartels in Puerto Rico
Newsflash I am not Mexican. And I love Ricky Hatton. Sing it with me: There’s only one Ricky Hatton, one Ricky Hatton…
Hey Hedgefund — could you BE more ignorant? Way to sound like a complete racist.
Wonder if Hedge Fund would like to meet Lady. He needs a Bronx Italian wooden spoon!
He totally gives a bad name to all hedge fund guys — I work at one and he is a disgrace. Lady would take him downtown. I wonder if he would use like to use any other racist slang or is it just hispanics he had a problem with? Ignorant!!!
The presenters may know what they had in mind but there are a lot of foul mouthed , genuine Racists who would look at this and say…. “the BBC think it’s ok, so it must be ok” , you are not dealing with rational individuals here and for the BBC to think that all their viewers are competent enough to know the difference is absurd.
What country does Goerge Lopez live in? Oh..thats right! Sad
Why are latinos getting upset for something that was directed towards hispanics?