Jeremy Clarkson, the renowned TV presenter and star of Clarkson’s Farm, has openly expressed a surprising source of frustration when it comes to his long-time farm manager, Kaleb Cooper. Since 2021, Kaleb has been an integral part of Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm, helping Jeremy navigate the demanding world of farming. Yet, Clarkson admits that, while Kaleb is highly knowledgeable about farm operations, his awareness of broader cultural and historical subjects leaves much to be desired.
Clarkson, 65, highlighted this unusual disconnect in his latest book, Diddly Squat: The Farmer’s Dog. He described many conversations with Kaleb as challenging, not because of Kaleb’s intelligence but due to his limited exposure to popular culture. “He really isn’t thick,” Clarkson wrote. “You can ask him how much diesel you’ll need in a 150-horsepower tractor to clear 40 bales from a nine-acre field and he’ll know in an instant. But he’s never heard of Robert De Niro. And he’s never watched a James Bond film.”
Perhaps most notably, Kaleb had never heard of the legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac, which Clarkson found particularly exasperating. “He tried to argue that they were before his time,” Clarkson recounted. “Yes, but so was Mozart,” he shot back – only to be met with the stunned reply, “Who’s Mozart?”
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Though Kaleb’s strength lies firmly in farming — managing complex machinery and overseeing daily operations — his knowledge of current affairs is equally limited. Clarkson notes that Kaleb’s understanding of global issues like the war in Ukraine comes down to its impact on fertilizer prices. Topics such as the conflict in Gaza or upcoming elections are evidently beyond his interest. In one amusing anecdote, Kaleb once mistook UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for “Ricky” the “president.”
Kaleb has become a fan favorite on the Amazon Prime hit series thanks to his down-to-earth personality and chemistry with Clarkson. He has also authored several books and embarked on a solo national tour, The World According to Kaleb, further building his public profile. Nevertheless, Clarkson’s reflections reveal that their friendship thrives despite, or perhaps because of, their very different knowledge bases.