Last Clarkson Top Gear Tonight

[javacontour]

Yes, at least in the US, such clauses cannot be indefinite.

Also, some are only if the employee quits. If they are terminated, the clause often goes away.

Seems doubtful that you could legally prevent someone from working if you are not paying them if you terminated them.

If they quit, that's one thing. If you terminate them, that's quite another. Who knows if the BBC has to continue paying Clarkson.

Doesn't Clarkson own some of the TopGear franchise? I just looked, he owned 50% of it (with another party) until 2012 when he sold his share of the rights to the BBC.

Besides, I doubt any of them are hurting for cash.

Originally Posted By: earlyre
oh no,no,no,no.. these types of clauses are regularly put in place, either in the contract itself, or in the termination paperwork, and cover X amount of time after termination of the contract, whether of a natural expiration or early termination.

When Conan O'Brien and NBC separated ways, he had such a clause, which prohibited him from appearing on Television for 8-ish mos.( Deal Reached in Jan '10, not allowed on TV until Sept '10)
so during that time, he went on tour, did live shows around the country, on his Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour , which was documented in the film "Conan O'Brien Can't Stop"

More recently, when Brian Williams was let go by NBC, he was not allowed to appear on any other Network for 6mos. Which upset David Letterman, who wanted to have Brian on his show before he(Letterman) retired, to tell his side of the story...

 

[raytseng]

Please be clear on the distinction that you're not criminally "prohibited" and you go to jail if you do something. If someone directly is saying that, it's likely a non-enforceable clause.

It's more that that when you quit or get terminated, it doesn't just end there. There is a settlement deal and agree to be "prohibited" in order for the other parts of that agreement to be valid-usually meaning the payouts.

You still can do whatever you want, but if you break an agreement you don't get a payment or have to return a payment from the deal.

But you still have the option to be "free" to do whatever you want.

Just like how you're "free" to voice any opinion you want, but if it's non-PC, people are free to think you are bigotted or dumb and not do business with you anymore (see Trump).

 

[earlyre]

not intended as an argument, just answering specific points:
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Yes, at least in the US, such clauses cannot be indefinite.

in this case, not indefinite, just until Jan.2017

Originally Posted By: javacontour

Seems doubtful that you could legally prevent someone from working if you are not paying them if you terminated them.


The clause, as presented in the story i read, doesn't prevent any of them from working, the only thing they can't do, is present a Motoring programme.
if they wanted to, or were approached to do so, they could even all host another show on the BBC,(or ITV, or CH4, or Sky, etc) as long as it's not about cars.

they've all done non motoring programs in the past, Richard Probably more than the rest.
he's done game shows(host of the UK's Wipeout), documentaries,etc.
Richard Hammond - IMDB

James has done several entertaining, informative series/specials
James May's Toy stories
James May on the Moon
James May's Man Lab
James May's Things you Need to Know
James May's 20th Century
Oz & James' Big Wine Adventure
Oz & James Drink to Britain
etc.
James May - IMDB

Jeremy has done a bunch of Documentaries that I've never seen
Jeremy Clarkson - IMDB

They've all Done various Panel shows...

Originally Posted By: javacontour

Besides, I doubt any of them are hurting for cash.


no, probably not, Jeremy and James Still have their "day jobs" reviewing cars for magazines, and newspapers, won't take Richard long to Line something up.

they had pretty much cleared their schedules for Top Gear Live, and what would have been series 23 already, and counting on the Top gear paycheck for a couple more years, James had just ordered a new Ferrari(after selling his 458), but that was only around £250,000...

also James and Richard, both recently(since the "fracas")have auctioned off a bunch of Cars and Motorcycles.