TV Should the Stig be "allowed" to reveal himself? - Page 3

dyewat808 · 8 Sep 2010, 14:46 (Ref:2756206)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

In this instance I wouldn't take what what Stiff Petrol says as being totally impartial.

Clarkson had a go at Collins for being greedy and cashing in on his Top Gear fame, but isn't that exactly what Clarkson himself has been doing for many years. How many DVDs has he made that are basically just an extension of the Top Gear format. They may not mention the show specifically but the style is obvious and has even included guest appearances by the Stig, yet these are a commercial enterprise made outside of the BBC.

I had actually wondered about that - so they're actually separate from the BBC?

I really do agree with redshoes here - despite being a huge fan of Top Gear, and thinking its a great show, right now I have little to no sympathy for them and the BBC losing the court case. Copyright is a law and frankly an excuse that has ruined too much of mainstream media today. Numerous games have been wrecked by it - don't even get me (and the majority of other gamers) started on DRM - and it's had its effect on film as well.

I'm of the opinion now that Collins should have every right to make money out of something he has perhaps been underrewarded for - even if such a thing isn't legal, and even if he signed confidentiality clauses, especially as most people don't seem to care about the Stig's identity, and especially because of the blatant hypocrisy of Clarkson.

I think if it was someone else's money I wouldn't care as much. But seeing as the show (and part of the court case) are and were funded by people on this very forum, and people who have specifically expressed their lack of interest as to who the Stig is...well, that's the final nail.

Craner Curves · 8 Sep 2010, 17:17 (Ref:2756279)

I wonder if he'll be keeping a low profile at the Silverstone LMS this weekend...

**ScotsBrutesFan** · 8 Sep 2010, 18:23 (Ref:2756321)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

I wonder if he'll be keeping a low profile at the Silverstone LMS this weekend...

What in an anonymous white race suit and helmet

White flag man · 8 Sep 2010, 21:21 (Ref:2756426)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

What in an anonymous white race suit and helmet

...And lots of people wearing " I am Ben Collins" T-shirts

old man · 13 Sep 2010, 15:46 (Ref:2758791)

The name board behind the #25 pit had been changed and Ben's picture covered up with a rather rough sketch.

I wonder how much a corporate day with Ben Collins will cost now, will BBC stop him wearing a white suite and helmet for such events?

**Woolley** · 13 Sep 2010, 17:21 (Ref:2758836)

Exciting book, I imagine. Mediocre career as a racing driver. Became famous for no-one knowing who he is. Now revealed who he is, to which most people remarked "I don't know who he is".

Those who do know who he is mostly knew who he was anyway.

Next week's exciting revelation: Sooty is really Johnny Herbert.

chillibowl · 13 Sep 2010, 19:02 (Ref:2758884)

its really disgraceful.
well now that he's been paid i hope he at least remembers his family and buys his African cousin a proper race suit.

dyewat808 · 13 Sep 2010, 19:27 (Ref:2758901)

Lol

garcon · 13 Sep 2010, 20:00 (Ref:2758921)

And his American cousin a bigger race suit...

Speedworx · 14 Sep 2010, 19:36 (Ref:2759433)

The book is supposed to be out this week!

**Woolley** · 14 Sep 2010, 22:27 (Ref:2759510)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedworx

The book is supposed to be out this week!

Gosh, I can hardly wait.

Sorry, didn't mean to put the word 'hardly' in that sentance.

garcon · 14 Sep 2010, 23:45 (Ref:2759532)

I think I saw that it's called The Man In The White Suit.

I didn't realise he was The Saint as well.

VIVA GT · 15 Sep 2010, 08:53 (Ref:2759637)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

I think I saw that it's called The Man In The White Suit.

I didn't realise he was The Saint as well.

I thought it was Marty Hopkirk who wore the white suit?

garcon · 15 Sep 2010, 14:49 (Ref:2759832)

Blimey, this Collins bloke gets everywhere!

Fiorentina 1 · 16 Sep 2010, 17:10 (Ref:2760453)

I read the Sun interview of Ben Collins last night. His ego got too big for the part. He got greedy, simple as that. Why should he get royalties on Stig merchandise when he is just playing the part? There was a Stig before Ben Collins and there will be one after him as well. He didn't make the Stig famous, Top Gear and BBC did. He just played the part. As every actor who played James Bond; they are all replaceable. James Bond is bigger then Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, etc.

To be honest, if Ben Collins was really that good, he'd have Scott Dixon's career. They were teammates at Johansson Motorsport in Indy Lights and Dixon spanked him.

Top Gear shouldn't kill off the White Stig; they should just hire another driver to replace him. The Stig is bigger then Ben Collins; and no one will remember this episode in a year anyways. They should get someone in their 40's who is completely done with racing and is currently doing corporate events and test driving etc. A guy with no ego, who can pedal the car just as good or even better then Collins. There are dozens of guys around like that; just go to the Nordschliefe any day of the week.

Speedworx · 16 Sep 2010, 20:16 (Ref:2760569)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

ITo be honest, if Ben Collins was really that good, he'd have Scott Dixon's career. They were teammates at Johansson Motorsport in Indy Lights and Dixon spanked him.

..and Dixon got beaten by Jonny Kane, Philipp Peter, Casey Mears and Oriol Servia.

Whats your point?

strider · 16 Sep 2010, 22:22 (Ref:2760626)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

I read the Sun interview of Ben Collins last night. His ego got too big for the part. He got greedy, simple as that. Why should he get royalties on Stig merchandise when he is just playing the part? There was a Stig before Ben Collins and there will be one after him as well. He didn't make the Stig famous, Top Gear and BBC did. He just played the part. As every actor who played James Bond; they are all replaceable. James Bond is bigger then Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, etc.

I don't agree with much of that.

I read the article too and it came across to me as fair comment. If I remember correctly when Perry McCarthy did the same thing as Ben has done now he revealed he was only being paid £700. I expect it's more now, but that's really not a vast amount. It's not for one day's filming a week, it's also for coaching the celebrity guests who drive the Sensibly Priced Car and anything else the Beeb throws at him.

I know of at least two drivers who have played The Stig, maybe three and it's said there are four. I don't particularly blame the Beeb for that - you don't put all your eggs in one basket for a job involving a racing driver. Indeed, it was part of the contract between Ben's company and the Beeb that he had to provide alternatives.

I would like to see a new Stig in a different colour suit. Maybe a nice soothing shade of Blue.

VIVA GT · 17 Sep 2010, 07:14 (Ref:2760731)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

I read the Sun interview of Ben Collins last night. His ego got too big for the part. He got greedy, simple as that. Why should he get royalties on Stig merchandise when he is just playing the part? There was a Stig before Ben Collins and there will be one after him as well. He didn't make the Stig famous, Top Gear and BBC did. He just played the part. As every actor who played James Bond; they are all replaceable. James Bond is bigger then Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, etc.

To be honest, if Ben Collins was really that good, he'd have Scott Dixon's career. They were teammates at Johansson Motorsport in Indy Lights and Dixon spanked him.

Top Gear shouldn't kill off the White Stig; they should just hire another driver to replace him. The Stig is bigger then Ben Collins; and no one will remember this episode in a year anyways. They should get someone in their 40's who is completely done with racing and is currently doing corporate events and test driving etc. A guy with no ego, who can pedal the car just as good or even better then Collins. There are dozens of guys around like that; just go to the Nordschliefe any day of the week.

There is someone who springs directly to mind, a tad older than you suggest (maybe it was the mention of Sean Connery that got me thinking of someone of a similar age?).
He is still racing, has done (and still does) a lot of driver coaching, and can certainly handle a car.
Step forwards Barrie Williams. (OK Wizzo, I know you're younger that Sean really...)

Fiorentina 1 · 17 Sep 2010, 18:02 (Ref:2760981)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedworx

..and Dixon got beaten by Jonny Kane, Philipp Peter, Casey Mears and Oriol Servia.

Whats your point?

They weren't all teammates. Dixon & Collins were.

Fiorentina 1 · 17 Sep 2010, 18:15 (Ref:2760984)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

I don't agree with much of that.

I read the article too and it came across to me as fair comment. If I remember correctly when Perry McCarthy did the same thing as Ben has done now he revealed he was only being paid £700. I expect it's more now, but that's really not a vast amount. It's not for one day's filming a week, it's also for coaching the celebrity guests who drive the Sensibly Priced Car and anything else the Beeb throws at him.

That is between him and the BBC. Why did he except the job in the first place if he didn't like the wages? And, who is going to hire him now after this fiasco? He should have negotiated his fees better and waited until the end of the show to publish his memoirs. He got greedy, pure and simple.

It's like a member of a rock band who decides he's bigger then the band and cuts a solo album. They rarely work out.

The BBC should publish another Stig Memoir book at the same time; about Julian Bailey, who was also the Stig but also managed to get to F1.

terence · 17 Sep 2010, 19:24 (Ref:2760996)

Aunti certainly has done an excellent job of misleading the public.

garcon · 17 Sep 2010, 19:55 (Ref:2761014)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

Julian Bailey

Apparently, Richard Hammond managed to get a clause into his new Top Gear contract that the Stig could be no more than a foot taller than him... hence Julian lost the gig.

Speedworx · 18 Sep 2010, 16:46 (Ref:2761278)

I have in my hand a copy of the book. Covers Ben's racing career and his time as the Stig.

dyewat808 · 18 Sep 2010, 16:56 (Ref:2761282)

Lol, lets be honest, no surprises there.

Is it any good?

old man · 20 Sep 2010, 16:49 (Ref:2762026)

Will he now offer his services for corporate days? A friend of mine thinks he could charge quite a large fee now.

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