Russell Brand / Jonathan Ross Radio 2 Debacle

[DPS Computing]

I've got to say that this is a sad time for the BBC. Losing the great comedian that is Russell Brand - and his show which increased listenership on Radio 2 by 40%! And also losing the talent that is Jonathan Ross off both Radio 2 and BBC1 for 3 months.

What a shambles - having listened to the show in full I found it rather funny. Yes, maybe a couple of bits are questionable (mainly by Jonathan Ross) but I don't think either of the deserved suspending, sacking or being forced to resign.

I mean, its a late night Saturday show with a comedian that is known for being outrageous and risqué - if you don't want to hear it then don't tune in!!

Also, there were only 2 complaints about the show (both relating to Ross's use of the word f**k rather than the content of the show) and this stayed the case for nine days after the show. More complaints we're only recieved after the Daily Mail sturred up a lot of histeria behind it.

I also note that Andrew Sachs (who being a comedian you would think he would see the funny side!) decided to complain after being told if he did he was eligible to £50,000 compensation - which I am sorry, is incentive in itself to complain, even if your not bothered - he's not going to get that kind of money from anywhere else these days!!

Also, the fact is his granddaughter, although denying sleeping with Brand yesterday, has admitted in the Sun today to sleeping with Brand. So straight away she's a liar.

And Andrew Sachs can't honestly say that he's more embarressed about the content of the Russell Brand show regarding his granddaughter when she works in a strip club, has provokative pictures on her MySpace and stars in porn movies!

I sincerly hope that the Russell Brand show finds a new home - and I think it will do, as Brand is very commercially viable and would be a great asset for any radio station to capture.

Also, the BBC is very hypocritical regarding Ross - they say they will do "what is right" yet the reason they are keeping him on (yes, the BBC confirmed today he is suspended for 3 months and will then be back) is because ITV have been sniffing about wanting him to move Friday Night with Jonathan Ross onto ITV1!!!

What does everyone else think about this?

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Brand and Ross: Apologies in full

[flesso]

The media is to blame here. No-one else.

As usual, the media have blown this out of proportion from the small issue it was in the first place. Now, if appologies were made in the first place then the media wouldn't have gone on and said anymore - we wouldn't even be discussing this now. Now, because of the media, we have lost 2 of the greatest comedians. If either of them are to appear on TV again, its not going to be for a very long time - at least 3 months for Jonathon Ross as we know.

[DPS Computing]

The media is to blame here. No-one else.

As usual, the media have blown this out of proportion from the small issue it was in the first place. Now, if appologies were made in the first place then the media wouldn't have gone on and said anymore - we wouldn't even be discussing this now. Now, because of the media, we have lost 2 of the greatest comedians. If either of them are to appear on TV again, its not going to be for a very long time - at least 3 months for Jonathon Ross as we know.

Yup, reminds me a little of the Kilroy-Silk affair.

I'm not too sure about that. Maybe not appearing on the BBC for a long time but Russell Brand still has other radio / tv shows / projects with C4 etc - he has his fingers in quite a few pies. And I can imagine most radio stations giving their left arm to get the Russell Brand show on there network.

And as is already being reported, Ross is wanted by ITV so if the BBC dumped him, he'd likely be on ITV1 come the next Friday.

[flesso]

Yup, reminds me a little of the Kilroy-Silk affair.

I'm not too sure about that. Maybe not appearing on the BBC for a long time but Russell Brand still has other radio / tv shows / projects with C4 etc - he has his fingers in quite a few pies. And I can imagine most radio stations giving their left arm to get the Russell Brand show on there network.

And as is already being reported, Ross is wanted by ITV so if the BBC dumped him, he'd likely be on ITV1 come the next Friday.

I can't see someone like him going for 3 months without pay, so he might just jump ship. Anyway, if ITV got hold of him then the BBC wouldn't be laughing much.

[DPS Computing]

I can't see someone like him going for 3 months without pay, so he might just jump ship. Anyway, if ITV got hold of him then the BBC wouldn't be laughing much.

I'm not sure - he'll probably stick around as ITV arn't willing to offer the £18 million that he is under contract for at the Beeb.

[Ben Stones]

The media has certainly taking it out of proportion and they're to blame most cases like this, including the Big Brother issue. We're humans. Mistakes happen, and certainly the only reason the BBC has suspended Johnathon Ross is because of what the media has caused - a big issue. Just like businesses the BBC need to take into consideration what is the best solution towards their good reputation, so they have a good reason to sack/suspend Johnathon. It just proves how weak politics is, the media is (and generally the people working in these fields). It's a boring thing to do, and this is why I absolutely hate reading newspapers/magazines and listening to the news.

Sort it out, is all I can say. Stupid.

[John]

Depends.

Was it in bad taste? Yes, Childish? Yes. Unexpected from those two? Not at all. 2 complaints from people who watched/listened to the show, 19998 after it gets on the news. I don't think those 19998 watched it, to be honest.

If I was Mr Sachs, I would be more upset over what my grand daughter seems to spend her time doing, at it seems to be worse than what these two said. She hasn't been out of the papers since, selling her "story". No doubt you she will be in all the trash mags over the next few months as well.

[Marksfish]

I don't particularly like either of them, but I think it has been blown out of all proportion and am fed with hearing about it. Is there nothing more important going on in the Country/ world today? At the end of the day it was a recorded show, it didn't go out live!! The production team have been said to be youngsters who may have been in awe of Ross, but that is no excuse for poor judgement in the editing suite. It' happened now, Russell Brand has apologised, let's get over it. I saw another quote from someone the other day (can't remember who/ where) that said editing exists, so the outtakes can be shown on it'll be alright on the night, or whatever.

Crikey, lets get back to the other equally press hysteria events such as the credit crunch or something equally as boring

Mark

[Eidolon]

I think the two original issues are...
1. Russell Brand & Jonathan ross making the phone call and their conversations in regards to it.
2. The pre-recorded episode being approved for transmission.

Interestingly according to Five Live the producer of Russell Brand's programme is an employee of Russell Brand, as it is indepindependent production by a company owned by Brand and his manager. Bearing this in mind it's fairly easy to understand how the programme got transmitted.

Up to the Daily Mail picking up on the incident there had been only 5 complaint (mentioned on Newsnight). Probably due to his wages Jonathan Ross is disliked by many in the media and with his involvement the media picked up on the headline and persued the story. I some TV media such as ITV (probably also Sky) were wanting Ross sacked, as it's been reported Michael Grade at ITV is keen to sign up Ross.

I think suspending Ross without pay instead of sacking him was the best option, baring in mind the pressure the BBC was under after the snowball of complaints. By him not earning about £1.5 million and being suspended for 12 weeks it shows they are taking action, however prevents rivals from hypocritically signing him up.

[DPS Computing]

Ross has now unfortunately also stepped down from presenting the British Comedy Awards on ITV1 on December 6th amid fears that being a live show he may fall foul of malicious complaints from people who still want to get back at him. It is getting rather ridiculous now.

And yes, Eidolon, it was their production company but it was BBC employed producers that approved the show for transmission on Radio 2 - so the BBC definitely has a hand to play in it.

The BBC have cocked up big time - but not in the way everyone thinks they did. They did something which offended Andrew Sachs - they apologised - that should have been the end of it. The BBC have lost a great talent for 3 months and another great talent forever as well as a good producer.

Time to waste the license fee on some crap or reruns to replace Ross and Brand .