And that idiot William Woolard, who in the same episode described a 150MPH Honda motorcycle as "lethal" and a 160MPH Lotus car as "good for the British car industry."
That old crew knew nob all about cars and would perpetuate untrue stereotypes (VW reliability, Saab buyers all being architects, etc) in a smug voice. The three Amigos knew that wasn't going to win viewers so came up with the arsing about format which was quite entertaining, although probably coming to the end of the shelf life by the time they went.
In Clarksons position I'd have probably punched the producer too. It wasn't unprovoked as the BBC like to report. It had indeed started with a petty argument about a meal, but ended with the producer making a disparaging remark to Clarkson about his wife who had just left him. I don't condone violence but if some little pipsqueak punched my buttons like that I'd probably poke him the same.