In the light of the current media storm, and the apparent dichotomy of opinion on the Sachsgate issue, I'm curious about how many people actually like Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand.

For those who like one or both of them, has the last few days changed your view?

Poll to follow...

Never been bother by Ross or Brand either way. Caught a stand up show by Brand on TV last week - I enjoyed that, raised a titter or two.

Do I like them? I don't know them to form a proper opinion.

Ross can be funny. Occasionally.
Not seen enough of Brand to form an opinion.
The recent shenanigans suggest to me that the pair of them are too wrapped in their own world and have rather lost sight of what humour is or should be about.

Never liked Brand especially after his antics on MTV.

Ross I used to like but over the years have slowly grown to dislike and this latest stunt has put me off him completely. Glad to see they have suspended his TV show.

Saw Brand at the City hall - he was brill!! Like Ross on tv show so will say yeah I like them both xxx

I was indifferent towards Brand and kinda liked Ross, but recent events have changed my opinion of them completely. I didnt hear the abuse they dished out, but have read the transcripts of the conversation and from that I have to agree they are just not worth the licence payer's fee.

...Do I like them? I don't know them to form a proper opinion.
In an entertainment/based on what you've seen of them capacity, naturally.

I like them both.

This whole thing is a mountain out of a molehill.

I also saw Russell Brand at the City Hall and he was ace. Love both Jonathon Ross's TV and Radio shows and would be gutted if he was taken off air permanantly. The recent show with Ricky Gervais and Gordon Ramsey was brilliant.
So yeah, I like them both.

think ross is a comedy genius and consistently funny. definitely like him.

find brand very amusing too, especially at the MTV awards. like him most of the time.

In an entertainment/based on what you've seen of them capacity, naturally.

In that case...

Ross - indifferent to no
Brand - indifferent to yes

Ross can be funny, not all the time but he has his moments.

Brand just really annoys me.

According to the news they've both just been suspended for that stunt the other day.

Although the Jonathan Ross show is literally that, he barely lets anyone talk!

Although the Jonathan Ross show is literally that, he barely lets anyone talk!

would disagree a little ryan. if they want to talk, he gives them space. if they are struggling a little, he fills in. :)

(get a mongrel)

It's amazing how the media can manipulate public opinion.

It's amazing how the media can manipulate public opinion.

scary isn't it :(

would disagree a little ryan. if they want to talk, he gives them space. if they are struggling a little, he fills in. :)

(get a mongrel)

ha ha. you cheeky monkey.

It's amazing how the media can manipulate public opinion.
The media (TV, radio, newsprint) is their mode of presenting themselves and their acts to the public, and Ross at least has been doing it for decades. Brand too has been out there long enough for most to have formed an opinion of him and his humour, long before the most recent controversy.

If people's opinions on the current issue are going to be manipulated by anything, it's more likely that it's by their own presumably long-held notions about Ross and Brand based on the pair's careers to date, and not by whatever various media commentators have to say on the subject.

If some have changed their opinion of the pair, for better or worse, then there's been sufficient coverage (transcripts, audio, video) of exactly what they did and said for people to form an opinion based on fact, independent of opinions expressed and reported elsewhere.

It's amazing how the media can manipulate public opinion.

That's funny, I could have sworn I posted here :suspect:

Anyway, the gist of what I seem to remember saying was: all that is happening here is that ordinary, decent people are expressing their disgust at the harassment of an old man in public by a couple of unfunny,overpaid, overgrown schoolboys

StarSparkle

Both are absolutely hilarious.
I love em both!

Now he's an "old man" next he will be a "vunerable old man"

just tugs yer heartstrings doesn't it ?

Now he's an "old man" next he will be a "vunerable old man"

just tugs yer heartstrings doesn't it ?


'canny' old man springs to mind for me. :)

if he'd found the stunt funny, as many would have done, (including me at his age) there would be no story.

i am more inclined to believe that this is milking publicity for his grandaughter now, than any real upset.

and a lot of ross detractors mention the amount of money he earns...which just indicates jealousy to me.

whilst i'd agree he earns a lot. his show is very popular. supply and demand and simple economics.

i voted dont like either of them, but i never did before all this attention they are getting and thats all it is, they have made a mistake and are getting lots of media attention which they will be loving

Although sometimes they are amusing I have a bit of a dislike for both of them.

Ross's show has brilliant guests who we rarely get to see on TV but is completely ruined by Ross's leering, swearing, embarrassing attempts at jokes and constant interruptions when he finally gets a question out. The job of the presenter is to be interested and well researched in the guests careers isn't it?

A famous actress (older lady) was on the other week and all he could talk about was how she had worked with HIS male heroes.... Get over yourself Jonathan.

His radio show is quite good though.

Russell Brand I really don't like much.

I think the BBC are right to suspend them and Ofcom is right to investigate this. Things can go too far when people are trying to be funny but to broadcast it is going WAY too far.

'canny' old man springs to mind for me. :)

if he'd found the stunt funny, as many would have done, (including me at his age) there would be no story.

i am more inclined to believe that this is milking publicity for his grandaughter now, than any real upset.

and a lot of ross detractors mention the amount of money he earns...which just indicates jealousy to me.

whilst i'd agree he earns a lot. his show is very popular. supply and demand and simple economics.

So, it's basically all his fault, for not having a sense of humour. Never mind that what they did is probably actually illegal, and is being investigated by Ofcom.

As for milking publicity, I think you'll find Andrew Sachs has had very little to say on this matter, it's the general public (and the media) who've been expressing their outrage at the incident.

Brand is rubbish - sub Kenneth Williams wittering IMO.

Ross is usually funny on his saturday radio show. I dont have a TV so cant comment on what either of them may or may not be like on that.

I don't think that leaving offensive answer phone messages is funny. At least not since I was about 13 years old.

So, it's basically all his fault, for not having a sense of humour. Never mind that what they did is probably actually illegal, and is being investigated by Ofcom

i'm not blaming anyone dozy. simply stating that, had he found it funny, as many people would have done, there would be no story.

'canny' old man springs to mind for me. :)

if he'd found the stunt funny, as many would have done, (including me at his age) there would be no story.
i am more inclined to believe that this is milking publicity for his grandaughter now, than any real upset.

and a lot of ross detractors mention the amount of money he earns...which just indicates jealousy to me.

whilst i'd agree he earns a lot. his show is very popular. supply and demand and simple economics.


So if someone doesn't find being harassed funny, they need to develop a sense of humour? :confused: :help: :gag: I think you'll find you're seriously out of step with most people here

It's not Andrew Sachs who's in any way at fault here

StarSparkle

So if someone doesn't find being harassed funny, they need to develop a sense of humour?


my quote that you've highlighted is a statement, not advice

Brand is rubbish - sub Kenneth Williams wittering IMO.

Ross is usually funny on his saturday radio show. I dont have a TV so cant comment on what either of them may or may not be like on that.

I don't think that leaving offensive answer phone messages is funny. At least not since I was about 13 years old.

Exactly. It's the sort of thing an immature 13 year old might find funny. Most people grow up though and realise harassing people isn't actually funny, just pathetic

StarSparkle

Meh, Wossy's an untalented verbally retarded twit, and Brand's a tool.

Their 'humour' is far too juvenile for my taste... I don't watch or listen to either now, as no-one forces me to but while-ever someone, somewhere, is willing to pay them vast sums for 'entertaining the public', who can blame them for taking the money... good luck to 'em!

N.B. I no longer watch live tv, therefore I don't pay a licence-fee, as I don't need to. It's satisfying to know that I'm not one of the millions who are forced to fund them and the many other over-paid under-talented entertainers of their kind... :)

I like both Ross and Brand (in fact, I would hail him as a modern comedy genius alongside his partner matt morgan as well as all-round beautiful person) and no, I've not changed my mind. Given the state of the economy at the moment, I'm guessing the media is making more of this than they would otherwise do.

Ross's Radio show is OK, but I can't stand his chat show.

Of the times I've listened to Brand's radio show, I've quite enjoyed it, although some of his humour is lost on me. I can't stand his TV work either, though.

I think the issue is that both don't have a great deal of talent, and rely heavily on other aspects of their persona.

I like how a few phone messages has become "harassment".

Where they left over a period of months or something ?

I've always liked Ross since the Last Resort days

I thought Brand was brilliant on Big Brothers Big Mouth and this was just his type of vehicle. Although I watched his live show on TV a couple of weeks ago and wasnt very impressed - I was bored after about 30 minutes

Either way, with regard to the current scandal, only 2 people complained from the original broadcast, it wasnt until 'Outraged of Swindon' read it in the Daily Mail that it has become such a story

I can't remember, what actually happened in that rape case against Mr Brand?

I can't remember, what actually happened in that rape case against Mr Brand?

He said sorry and so the police didnt press charges.

Isnt that lovely.

I will remember that if I ever decide I need a cheap laugh and decide to make a prank phone call.

I like how a few phone messages has become "harassment".

Where they left over a period of months or something ?

if someone abuses you in the street, it can count as an assault. If they broadcast it nationwide after you have asked them not to, then that may well be seen as harassment.

If they think it's so funny, why dont they do it to Lenox Lewis, then invite him on the show afterwards?

if someone abuses you in the street, it can count as an assault. If they broadcast it nationwide after you have asked them not to, then that may well be seen as harassment.

If they think it's so funny, why dont they do it to Lenox Lewis, then invite him on the show afterwards?

BUZZ, but Ross probably would and then bring it up before Lewis had chance to and manipulate in a way where Lewis would have to laugh or look a fool...

BUZZ, but Ross probably would and then bring it up before Lewis had chance to and manipulate in a way where Lewis would have to laugh or look a fool...

or just punch him repeatedly in the face.....in an amusing comedy fashion of course :)

Brand's resigned! lollipop

I rate Brand very highly and his resignation is a loss the BBC. Hope he's back soon. I think radio is his best medium. I've been a bit disappointed with some of his TV stuff. He's too visually distracting perhaps.

I like Rossy but not as much as Russ. I watch his chat show and find it variable to be honest.

I'll miss Russ a lot more.

I think you'll find you're seriously out of step with most people here

StarSparkle

you're making that sound like a bad thing

It looks like the Ross and Russell misadventure has done a huge favour for Sach's and his grand daughter's careers. The former was almost forgotten by the media and the latter was practically unknown. I bet that at least one of them will end up on a celebrity Big Brother in the near future.

It looks like the Ross and Russell misadventure has done a huge favour for Sach's and his grand daughter's careers. The former was almost forgotten by the media and the latter was practically unknown. I bet that at least one of them will end up on a celebrity Big Brother in the near future.
I doubt that at 78 Andrew Sachs will be overly bothered at the prospect of being forgotten by 'the media', especially as he can console himself with the accolades he's received throughout his time as an actor.

If you've watched the interview he gave today, he looked and sounded like the prospect of being out of the glare of the media thrust upon him by this sad spectacle would be really rather welcoming.

I don't like either of them or find them funny but they have been treated badly in this whole situation and I am on their side.

I like Ross but consider Brand to be a mockney, pseudo Dickensian, big mouthed ******.... However I do not think he ought to have been bullied out of his radio show by a press hate campain led by the Mail on Sunday and The Sun

I like Ross but consider Brand to be a mockney, pseudo Dickensian, big mouthed ******.... However I do not think he ought to have been bullied out of his radio show by a press hate campain led by the Mail on Sunday and The Sun

No he shouldn't have been bullied out by the press. The BBC should have done it. Just like they should do with the no talent slime-ball Ross. They're being paid with the public's licence money, and shoud be made to see that they must earn their wage, not claim it under the pretense of self indulgent, un-funny garbage.

No he shouldn't have been bullied out by the press. The BBC should have done it. Just like they should do with the no talent slime-ball Ross. They're being paid with the public's licence money, and shoud be made to see that they must earn their wage, not claim it under the pretense of self indulgent, un-funny garbage.

I'm afraid I subscribe to the view of "If you don't like it, don't listen". I don't like either Russell Brand or Steve Wright, so I listen to neither of them. I do however respect that other people might like them both, and therefore accept that my licence fee goes towards paying them.
I am not in any way attempting to justify or excuse the actions of Ross or Brand, as I believe them to be inexcusable, however the only reason that most of us are aware of the (unfunny and distateful) prank is as a result of the involvement of The Mail (Chip Wrapper which supported the Nazis and Oswold Moseley's Browshirts) and The Sun (has everyone forgotten the lies they published after Hillsborough?)

Isn't it wonderful to be manipulated by the press?

I used to love Russell Brand on the Dance Floor Chart on MTV. It'd play the top ten club songs each week and between each song you'd have Russell Brand interviewing clubbers. He'd ask them mad questions and because most of the clubbers were mashed at the time, they'd all love it and play along. I've not generally found Jonathon Ross that funny although I did laugh when he asked David Cameron if he'd ever masturbated over Margaret Thatcher when younger.

In relation to the current scandal though, I really don't like the idea that you can set acceptable bounds on comedy from up high. Comedy sets its own boundaries and the assumption should never be how to protect adults from offence. I decide what offends me, not someone else.

All over the country you have people telling bad taste jokes to their friends and sending them as texts. No matter what the situation, there'll be a joke going round about it. If the Queen were to die tomorrow, there'd be jokes going round about it within days. It's part of the human condition that we tell jokes that we know are in bad taste but laugh at them anyway. Long may it continue.

if someone abuses you in the street, it can count as an assault. If they broadcast it nationwide after you have asked them not to, then that may well be seen as harassment.

If they think it's so funny, why dont they do it to Lenox Lewis, then invite him on the show afterwards?

Precisely, I'd like to see Wossy insult the likes of Mike Tyson to his face and live to tell the tale!

like them both, JR more than RB as I've pretty much liked everything he's done and love his Sat morning show really hope it's not removed.

I hope the producers are also being held to account, think Brand's resignation is taking things too far.

think id be more upset knowin my grandaughter had slept with that ugly imbecile!

think id be more upset knowin my grandaughter had slept with that ugly imbecile!


yeah i agree, some women have no taste at all

think id be more upset knowin my grandaughter had slept with that ugly imbecile!
Now that is a very good point :hihi: .

I listened to the phonecall and have to admit laughing a few times, sometimes out of shock which is how they work, but also at how quick they are. I didn't see it as abusing Andrew Sachs per se but rather a platform for them to burble their rambling nonsense which is quite funny. He was just caught in the crossfire in a way and provided the odd bit of stimulus.
I think Jonathan Ross is OK, less aggressive than he used to be if anything and I think his ability to recount stories from any subject matter is prett impressive. I like Russell Brand more now recently, I love his Dickensian stuff as someone put it. I saw him on Big Brother's Big mouth a few years ago when it first started though and thought he looked like lawrence llewelyn bowen and I just wished he'd stop shouting.

think id be more upset knowin my grandaughter had slept with that ugly imbecile!

I know. I blame the grandparents.

yeah i agree, some women have no taste at all

and by all accounts there were at least two of them that night

all my m8s think brand is sexy! think id rather sleep with Fat Joe from mcdonalds than him!

I'm afraid I subscribe to the view of "If you don't like it, don't listen". I don't like either Russell Brand or Steve Wright, so I listen to neither of them. I do however respect that other people might like them both, and therefore accept that my licence fee goes towards paying them.
I am not in any way attempting to justify or excuse the actions of Ross or Brand, as I believe them to be inexcusable, however the only reason that most of us are aware of the (unfunny and distateful) prank is as a result of the involvement of The Mail (Chip Wrapper which supported the Nazis and Oswold Moseley's Browshirts) and The Sun (has everyone forgotten the lies they published after Hillsborough?)

Isn't it wonderful to be manipulated by the press?

Yes it is particularly galling when the Daily Mail and other tabloids are far more insulting than Brand or Ross were regularly to whole sections of the population and to add to the hypocrisy to Georgina Baillie herself by showing her in various stages of undress and in the Sun topless. Ref (http://www.septicisle.info/2008/10/utter-farce.html)

The hypocrisy of the tabloids in going for Russell and Brand over behaviour they themselves have turned in to an artform can only be explained by their hatred of the BBC and in the Daily mails case their 20% stake in the BBC's competitor ITV.

I am farily indifferent to both of them. Although I have respect for Brand for the programme he did on Nazi boy Mark Collett of the BNP.

I think people would be a lot less irritated by them if they were being paid by someone else, rather than from the license fee tax

I think people would be a lot less irritated by them if they were being paid by someone else, rather than from the license fee tax

I think YOU would be a lot less irritated by them if they were being paid by someone else, rather than from the license fee. I think most people are more tolerant and less easily caught up in a Daily Mail story hype.

I think YOU would be a lot less irritated by them if they were being paid by someone else, rather than from the license fee. I think most people are more tolerant and less easily caught up in a Daily Mail story hype.
And I think while YOU are caught up in the notion that most of Ross and Brands' detractors are Daily Mail readers caught up in a hype, you seriously underestimate people's ability to form their own conclusions about a given series of events and respond accordingly.

Ross seemed ok in his younger and hungrier days but he's become quite tiresome since his profile has increased so much. His interviews can be cringeworthy, where you find yourself watching the super-confident hijinks of a man who believes his own hype. His having his mates on the show all the time also grates and probably contributes to people feeling that they are paying TV Licensing for the privilege of watching hugely-paid broadcasters simply amusing themselves.

Brand is a total p--staker ("Hare Krisna, Hare Krisna") and, even though he has resigned, seems to care less what people think than Ross, which can be a good thing. Ross is the more 'guilty' party and I suspect the more cowardly.

As long as the BBC force us to pay a license fee, there will be those who protest that content they provide is a waste of our funds. Totally (and typically) hypocrital of the Daily Mail to aggravate this situation bearing in mind their ITV interests. Just think If they had their own TV station! The content they would provide for us doesn't bear thinking about.

i am more inclined to believe that this is milking publicity for his grandaughter now, than any real upset.
She did seem rather pleased when they interviewed her.

Had Russell Brand actually slept with her?

Had Russell Brand actually slept with her?

Unfortunately yes, but no one ever said becoming famous was easy.

Deleted here and reposted somewhere more relevant.

And I think while YOU are caught up in the notion that most of Ross and Brands' detractors are Daily Mail readers caught up in a hype, you seriously underestimate people's ability to form their own conclusions about a given series of events and respond accordingly.

The medium by which the news is spread after the event is not the issue, the issue is that you or I would never have been having this discussion were it not for the hype from a third party medium. I don't listen to Brand and would have known nothing. Do you listen to Brand's show?

A full and (I think) balanced overview is here:-
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/neil_mccormick/blog/2008/10/30/in_defence_of_ross_and_brand

I've just watched an interview with some top brass from the BBC and he said they wern't alerted to the issue until the Mail on Sunday reported it.

And in response to this previous post by Til Man and Hecate, theres lot's of atrocities (not that this is a bad as an atrocity, still bad though) that just do not get reported, but they still happen and effect peoples lives.

One of my old saying was, 'when does a joke stop being funny', i.e. when is a comment which highlights an issue turn into bullying?

i like them both

I think Russel Brand will become some sort of national treasure if he ever makes it to old age. His use of English and creation of the character of "Russel Brand" can be seen in the tradition of English eccentric comedians such as Kenneth Williams.

Jonathon Ross on the other hand will disappear without trace in future years.

She did seem rather pleased when they interviewed her.

Had Russell Brand actually slept with her?

She willingly engaged in group sex with him.

I like them both, Ross more than Brand and think what they did not offensive, but quite hilarious.

I didnt listen to the live show but after all the hype about it being incredibly offensive etc etc, I had to hear for myself and was disgusted at the fact the media had blown it all out of proportion.

For those who havent listen to it, do and for those who have, and find it offensive thats fine cause its your opinion and the world would be a very boring place if we all thought the same.

I think Russel Brand will become some sort of national treasure if he ever makes it to old age. His use of English and creation of the character of "Russel Brand" can be seen in the tradition of English eccentric comedians such as Kenneth Williams.


As you say, if he lives long enough, I think Brand could well eventually become a national treasure. :help: :help:

It struck me yesterday that he would actually make a brilliant Dr Who - he's the typical one-off eccentric type who would be ideally suited to the role, following in the grand tradition of Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee and especially,Tom Baker. Perfect British icon stuff.

And Kenneth Williams is the obvious person to compare him to.

StarSparkle

Russell Brand is going to have the last laugh here. When you have a comedian such as him who makes him name by being "edgy", getting fired by a broadcaster for "inappropriate" comments is just going to make him seem even more edgy. This in turn will make him more popular, increase his viewing figures on other networks, increase his book sales, DVD sales, tour attendances etc. I predict that within 2-3 years he'll be back on the BBC in a stronger position and more popular than ever. Good for him.

I find the puritanical witch hunt against him far more offensive than what he actually said. When you have the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and several MPs all condemning a few blue comments by two controversial presenters on a post-watershed radio broadcast, you know that the whole bandwagon has gone way too far.

They both come across as silly, tittering schoolboys, which is roughly their target demographic as far as I can see...I'm sorry, I just think they are both incredibly immature, but get paid very big boys wages.

Sack 'em both and save the brass. Easy decision in my humble opinion.

Wossy and Bland are both morons IMO, who are both less funny than a dose of the ruddy clap! :rant: :loopy: :gag:

Wossy and Bland are both morons IMO, who are both less funny than a dose of the ruddy clap! :rant: :loopy: :gag:

So you keep saying.

The medium by which the news is spread after the event is not the issue, ...
So why do those who wish to disparage the Ross and Brand detractors keep referring to the Daily Mail and invoking the usual stereotypes of its readers? The issue has been covered by tabloids and broadsheets alike. As I've pointed out on numerous occasions now, most people are able to extract the facts from the hysteria, come to their own independent conclusions and respond accordingly.
...the issue is that you or I would never have been having this discussion were it not for the hype from a third party medium. ...
Replace 'hype' with 'reports' and I agree. The issue isn't how we came to be aware of Brand and Ross' behaviour, it's that the facts have been presented in various forms and by various newspapers and web sites after the event.

I do believe we're going around in circles now.

I think Ross is ok but hes not as funny as he used to be, but that brand i hate him he is really big headed and not even funny what a loser:)

Wossy and Bland are both morons IMO, who are both less funny than a dose of the ruddy clap! :rant: :loopy: :gag:

Have you had a dose of the clap to compare with then? :hihi:

As you say, if he lives long enough, I think Brand could well eventually become a national treasure. :help: :help:

It struck me yesterday that he would actually make a brilliant Dr Who - he's the typical one-off eccentric type who would be ideally suited to the role, following in the grand tradition of Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee and especially,Tom Baker. Perfect British icon stuff.

And Kenneth Williams is the obvious person to compare him to.

StarSparkle


Someone agrees with me!! That doesn't happen very often! :hihi:

I dont know what the big thing is about Ross and Brand it was a bit of fun at the end of the day.
I dont think it should be all over the newspapers and tv like it has been, the story is gettin a bit boring now.

If it was anybody else doing funny phones calls people would find it funny so whats the big deal:rant:

I just can't understand why all these women shag Brand. Do they keep their eyes closed???? :loopy:

All this is is a storm in a tea cup!! Cant believe the way this has been blown up when you have programmes like the phone jacker on c4!

I dont know what the big thing is about Ross and Brand it was a bit of fun at the end of the day.
I dont think it should be all over the newspapers and tv like it has been, the story is gettin a bit boring now.

If it was anybody else doing funny phones calls people would find it funny so whats the big deal:rant:


Firstly, it wasn't a funny phone call...they rang someone up and made puerile comments about shagging his Granddaughter.

Secondly, I don't think it matters who made the phone calls, it was still puerile, crass and offensive.

Thirdly, they are employees of the BBC. We indirectly pay their wages. I personally thought their behaviour was crass and offensive. I agree it's got completely overblown when politicians start banging on about it in Parliament. I'd have been content with a proper apology from the two presenters and the sacking of which ever numpty at the BBC agreed to the broadcast.

I dont know what the big thing is about Ross and Brand it was a bit of fun at the end of the day.
I dont think it should be all over the newspapers and tv like it has been, the story is gettin a bit boring now.

If it was anybody else doing funny phones calls people would find it funny so whats the big deal:rant:

You think it was funny? Freak.

I hate them both with a passion

if he'd found the stunt funny, as many would have done, (including me at his age) there would be no story.
Having caught up with the thread, the thing I find most surprising is that Solomon1 is 78! AND it's his birthday today as well :partyhat: Well done Solomon for retaining your schoolboy humour well into old age! ;)

I like Russel's fey humour and think he was led astray by Ross, who should have known better, being in the position of older and wiser head :rolleyes: He's now fallen on his sword and Ross is left in possession of the field ... not a result imo.

Did you see HIGNFY just now, they were hilarious about the saga :hihi:

Having caught up with the thread, the thing I find most surprising is that Solomon1 is 78! AND it's his birthday today as well :partyhat: Well done Solomon for retaining your schoolboy humour well into old age! ;)

I like Russel's fey humour and think he was led astray by Ross, who should have known better, being in the position of older and wiser head :rolleyes: He's now fallen on his sword and Ross is left in possession of the field ... not a result imo.

Did you see HIGNFY just now, they were hilarious about the saga :hihi:

Quite, I think Ian Hislop was bang on the button

I have never liked either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross and I do think that these phone calls were inappropriate and offensive, but this whole furore is going rather over the top IMO.

They were infantile, stupid and offensive, but they haven't (to my knowledge) committed a criminal act, permanently harmed anyone's reputation or the like, so all the vilifying that's happening in the press at the moment is not really in proportion to some of the truly horrifying things that are happening in the world at the moment (genocide in Congo, total collapse of the economies of several countries, explosions, earthquakes, people dying). They were wrong, learn from it, get over it and stop making it into some sort of hanging offence.

I've known fathers who've punched daughters boyfriends out for much less...

For any who are in support of Brand and Ross, I take it you don't ever get offended by anything, het up and absolutely never react!

........., but they haven't (to my knowledge) committed a criminal act, ........

They probably have:

43. Improper use of public telecommunication system—

(1) A person who—
(a) sends, by means of a public telecommunication system, a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or
(b) sends by those means, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, a message that he knows to be false or persistently makes use for that purpose of a public telecommunication system,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable ........
.........

Telecommunications Act 1984

Jonathon Ross has a 'charm' and wit that seems to magically let him get away with murder (until now it seems, although I didn't see the Sachs thingy myself) I'm OK with him on the whole....

Russell Brand on the other hand gets completely and utterly on my wick, his voice (OK he can't help his voice) his delivery, I think I'm archived on here as saying something like 'looks like a travesty of a seventies rockstar, he's just a pratt in a costume'

I'm not really a fan of either of them but this whole has just got ridiculous. It was just a joke people, get over it.

I never knew this before -

Russel Brand was sacked from MTV after arriving at work dressed as Osama Bin Laden, on 12 September 2001 :hihi:

They're both a pair of unfunny, untalented hacks.

I gather Bland's emigrated to LA, he won't do anything there, the Yanks don't "get" English humour.

Oh well, at least they aren't the first item on the news this morning.

Apparently there is some civil war displacing hundreds of thousands of people in DR Congo and there is also some local election taking place in America, I think.

"Yanks don't get British humour" - that's such a stereotype and totally untrue. Monty Python were huge in the USA.

Russel Brands hosting of the MTV Awards in LA earlier this year in front of a US audience went down well enough. In fact he had that same Marmite Effect over there that he does here in the UK.

"The Brit comedian's outspoken presenting stint appears to have divided audiences into two camps: those who thought he was hilariously spot-on, and those who thought his near-the-knuckle jibes were in poor taste."

Did you watch the American edition of question time the other night, yes their very different, but if all they see of us is Brand, Fry and Schama, then I dread to think what they think of us, not that the latter two are like Brand, but neither are they like the people I know...

You think it was funny? Freak.

No why dont you try reading what i put properly instead of just jumpin in.
plus i thought it was you thats the freak
nut job!!!!

I'm not really a fan of either of them but this whole has just got ridiculous. It was just a joke people, get over it.

Thats what i sed but i think some people just dont understand that

Thats what i sed but i think some people just dont understand that

What bothers me, is that until it was reported in the Daily Fail, there were only 2 people who complained about it, after they reported it, the complaints went up by 17,998 to 18,000.

Yes, even the BBC directors and other people who matter in the corporation hadn't been aware until the Mail on Sunday highlighted the issue...

What bothers me, is that until it was reported in the Daily Fail, there were only 2 people who complained about it, after they reported it, the complaints went up by 17,998 to 18,000.

Thats what i thought and now its all gone over board with the papers and tv.
I think people should just leave it now and let them get on with things
:)

oh yes, once someones murdered or raped someone, they should be named and shamed and then we should leave it at that. J Ross is / was paid that much money for a reason...

oh yes, once someones murdered or raped someone, they should be named and shamed and then we should leave it at that. J Ross is / was paid that much money for a reason...

Yes but this is'nt a case of murder or rape tho is it.
I think they know what they have done is wrong and now just want to forget about it

No it isn't and I wasn't really inferring that, but we throw away the chip paper too quickly these days. Would you forgive an x boyfriend for harsh remarks so quickly?

did anybody actully here it it was ross who said it and becuse brand was there he gt sitck ross dosnt care he gd 6grand a day lucky bugger
u can here it on youtube it aint all that bad
im realy bored someone talk to me
its just made a g8t peson quit
becuse the papazz gt hold of it

Whoever said 'controversy creates cash' was right - Brand's DVD sales have shot up something like 150%, Fawlty Towers DVD sales are up and Ross' book is out soon (in time for Christmas). And people now know who the Satanic Sluts are, with Georgina Baillie the most googled name. For someone so upset about the whole situation she hasn't wasted time signing exclusive deals with the Sun.

maybe it was all a set up just to get money and they were all in it because at the start the was only 2 complation then the media found out and wow lots of money came in

maybe it was all a set up just to get money and they were all in it because at the start the was only 2 complation then the media found out and wow lots of money came in

Or maybe it was a couple of over-paid, under-talented guys descending to juvenile, schoolboy humour, and not really caring whether or not they upset anybody, because their over-inflated egos made them think that they were so important that they were untouchable.

I like them both :)

And even if i didn't, i think that the whole *episode* got completely out of hand. But then us Brits love a bit of drama :rolleyes:

Yeah they went OTT, they apologised, Sachs accepted, the *Satanic Slut* Grand-daughter has probably heard worse, i'm sure she wasn't too traumatised.

Get over it people - Sachs has !!!!!

You think it was funny? Freak.

Ive not been here long but ive been here long enough to know your the freak.
I bet you only have a small willie too, dont you.
Either that or you just dont know how to use it properly.