Nicholas I have to agree with you. I have also met Clarkson at the motorsport show a couple of years ago. He is very funny and a nice guy all round. But he is also very good at his job and last night he was doing his job! He gets paid to get reactions like that and I laughed so much I cried! He is well know not to like Caravans, Bikes, healthfood and dozens of other things. But for many to say he is childish is wrong. He must make sure everything is just right to get it that funny. He and the others involved with that sketch must have planned it all to the finest detail. So I don't agree with Childish but I will say it was more child like! Fun just for the sake of it and the digs at caravaning are just light hearted and use the stereo type.
I have to say many caravanners and possibly some here fit in to that stereo type and just get angry because it touches a nerve because it is close to the bone. There are many here who do not fit that stereo type and caravan for many reasons outside the typical stereo type. I had a conversation with one of the journo's from one of the caravan magazines and said that typical caravanners were part of the ageing population and he did not agree, but someone in the 40 year plus age group is more typical of caravanners than in the 30 year age group. The most visible age group are those in the late 50's through retirement age these are the ones who give Caravanning this stereo type of slow moving, sitting in a field drinking tea, bird watching duffer.
I have to say if Clarkson came with me it would have been very different with motorcycle racing, jet skiing, snow boarding or skiing and kayaking being my pastimes of choice. But that would not have been funny....
LB I don't think your forum name is helping your cause just because it does relate to childish toilet humour. I don't think you are childish, your reaction to Top Gear shows you to have a serious side, but I would be careful when calling others childish.(Just a tip...)