Ross and Brand, Comedy or not

[thebandit]

Both suspended now seemingly

[full back]

Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand are to be suspended and all their shows taken off air until the BBC has investigated their prank calls made on Radio 2.

The news was announced in a statement by director general Mark Thompson.

Meanwhile, Georgina Baillie has told the Sun that Ross and Brand should be sacked over prank calls made to her grandfather, actor Andrew Sachs.

Earlier, the BBC had said filming for Jonathan Ross' TV chat show would go ahead as planned later.


BBC audiences react to the prank calls
Brand and Ross made a series of prank calls to Sachs, 78, famous for his part in Fawlty Towers. The calls were broadcast on Radio 2 as part of a Russell Brand's pre-recorded Saturday night show on 18 October.

During the calls, Ross revealed Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.

More than 18,000 people have complained to the BBC.

'Breach of privacy'

Ms Baillie, 23, told the Sun the pair should "pay for what they've done with their jobs".

She said her grandfather was "really upset and says he wants the whole situation to end".

"What's funny about humiliating a lovely old man who has never harmed anyone in his life?" she added.

She said Brand and Ross were "beyond contempt".

"It was bad enough that they recorded these things on my grandfather's answer machine but astonishing the BBC saw fit to broadcast it when they could have stopped it.

"Someone high up at the BBC must have decided it was funny and suitable for national radio. They've shown an appalling lack of judgement."

On Tuesday afternoon, Sachs told the BBC that Ross had "personally delivered a letter of apology and some flowers" since the broadcast.

He has not "heard anything" from Brand, the actor added.

'Risky line'

Conservative shadow culture secretary Mr Hunt will say in a speech to the London School of Economics later that it is "wrong for broadcasters to produce programmes that legitimise negative social behaviour".

He told BBC News the corporation's reaction to the affair was "concerning".

"We still don't know who gave permission for that broadcast to go out.

"It looks like it broke the broadcasting code about not doing things that are offensive and not doing things that breach people's privacy."


Director of audio and music Tim Davie said it was 'too early to speculate'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also criticised the pair for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show.

He is also expected to face questions from MPs over the affair in prime minister's questions later.

BBC News website readers can follow prime minister's questions live on the BBC News website.


Talk about an over reaction FFS

It is also good to see Brown has his priorities right. I would expect him to pay a lot of attention to this case as there isnt much else going on in the world today

[youngfella]

holy be jesus, maybe a replay of the all ireland will replace friday night with rossy

[magpie seanie]

I'm slightly surprised at Jonathan Ross who I had credited with a bit of intelligence. The other guy is just a talentless idiot whose fame is a direct reflection of how sad society has become. His type of "comedy" is not comedy. Its just fools laughing at ignorance. Sadly this controversy will have no lasting detrimental effect on Ross or Brand's careers. The granddaughter will get her 30 seconds of fame and Sachs' will be left with a few mealy mouthed apologies.

[Tony Baloney]

Ross has little talent beyond self promotion.  This is shown by his gutter chat in an attempt to raise his profile.

BBC should remember that it depends on a licence fee which is mandatory on each person with a TV even if they do not listen or watch the BBC.  Most people resent payment but it is made worse when £11,000,000 is handed over to the likes of Ross.  No TV personalities are worth that amount.

That is just plain wrong in my opinion. Ross is now in a position at the BBC where he does not need to indulge in self-promotion. You will rarely see him at an awards ceremony (he may well be presenting them!), premiere or even giving an interview for that matter. I'll admit his salary is excessive for a chatshow and a radio show 1 day a week but last I checked the BBC didn't canvas licence payers for salary suggestions.

As is always the case, if you don't like him or Brand you can switch over/off.

[Handy]

Ross has little talent beyond self promotion.  This is shown by his gutter chat in an attempt to raise his profile.

BBC should remember that it depends on a licence fee which is mandatory on each person with a TV even if they do not listen or watch the BBC.  Most people resent payment but it is made worse when £11,000,000 is handed over to the likes of Ross.  No TV personalities are worth that amount.

That is just plain wrong in my opinion. Ross is now in a position at the BBC where he does not need to indulge in self-promotion. You will rarely see him at an awards ceremony (he may well be presenting them!), premiere or even giving an interview for that matter. I'll admit his salary is excessive for a chatshow and a radio show 1 day a week but last I checked the BBC didn't canvas licence payers for salary suggestions.

As is always the case, if you don't like him or Brand you can switch over/off.

But you still have to pay the licence fee!! 

[Minder]

Has nobody thought of the children?

[Armagh4SamAgain]

How much do these fellas get for doin this? easy money. just ring up some oul penshoner an tell him you has s*x with his daugher.

I didnt thik it was v funny at all an d my granda woudnt think it was funny if they had of rang him

[T O Hare]

it was nt funny, they get paid enough and they come up with crap like this!!!! Ps brand could get any woman he wants, why in theame of god did he pick her!!!!!

[bridgegael]

it just shows a shear lack of commom decency and respect on both their parts.  it doesn't surprise me either,  as people have said already,  Ross always has to lower the tone of any interview he has on his chatshow,  it becomes quite boring after a while.  Brand is just tosser who is always going on about his 'sexploits'.   sack them both!!

[Tony Baloney]

Ross has little talent beyond self promotion.  This is shown by his gutter chat in an attempt to raise his profile.

BBC should remember that it depends on a licence fee which is mandatory on each person with a TV even if they do not listen or watch the BBC.  Most people resent payment but it is made worse when £11,000,000 is handed over to the likes of Ross.  No TV personalities are worth that amount.

That is just plain wrong in my opinion. Ross is now in a position at the BBC where he does not need to indulge in self-promotion. You will rarely see him at an awards ceremony (he may well be presenting them!), premiere or even giving an interview for that matter. I'll admit his salary is excessive for a chatshow and a radio show 1 day a week but last I checked the BBC didn't canvas licence payers for salary suggestions.

As is always the case, if you don't like him or Brand you can switch over/off.

But you still have to pay the licence fee!! 

So will I not have to pay it if they both get sacked?

[Square Ball]

Sachs has stated that he is happy the the written apologies, plus the flowers. there was only 2 complaints when the show was out, but these grew as the hpye machine grew, its now over 18k.

I dont think they will get sacked, and it wasnt comedy IMHO, but for this to be discussed in parliment when the economy is going down the pan is way over the top

[thebandit]

Sachs has stated that he is happy the the written apologies, plus the flowers. there was only 2 complaints when the show was out, but these grew as the hpye machine grew, its now over 18k.

I dont think they will get sacked, and it wasnt comedy IMHO, but for this to be discussed in parliment when the economy is going down the pan is way over the top

Brand has just quit according to Today fm

[Square Ball]

Sachs has stated that he is happy the the written apologies, plus the flowers. there was only 2 complaints when the show was out, but these grew as the hpye machine grew, its now over 18k.

I dont think they will get sacked, and it wasnt comedy IMHO, but for this to be discussed in parliment when the economy is going down the pan is way over the top

Brand has just quit according to Today fm

from the BBC
Russell Brand has resigned from his Radio 2 programme following prank calls he made with Jonathan Ross to actor Andrew Sachs.

It follows a public apology from Ross over his "juvenile and thoughtless remarks" in the calls.

Earlier, it was announced the pair would be suspended and all their shows taken off air until the BBC has investigated the calls made on Radio 2.

Fawlty Towers actor Sachs, 78, said he had "respect" for Brand's decision.

Sachs was upset after Brand and Ross left a series of lewd messages on his voicemail as part of a pre-recorded show, taped on 16 October.

The pair made obscene comments about the actor's 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Baillie during four separate phone calls.

'Brilliant actor'

Brand said in a statement that he took "complete responsibility" for the incident.

"As I only do the radio show to make people laugh I've decided that, given the subsequent coverage, I will stop doing the show," he said.

He added: "I got a bit caught up in the moment and forgot that, at the core of the rude comments and silly songs, were the real feelings of a beloved and brilliant comic actor and a very sweet and big-hearted young woman."

Earlier, he told reporters waiting outside his home: "I'm sorry that I have upset Mr Sachs."

He had presented his Saturday night show since November 2006 and is believed to have been paid more than £200,000 a year.

  I am not going to take it anywhere. I'm not out for revenge

Andrew Sachs

Meanwhile, Ross said in his statement: "I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on the Russell Brand show have caused."

He said he had not issued a statement before because he had intended to apologise "to all those offended" on his Friday night chat show.

"However, it was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology," it added.



Russell Brand said he was sorry he had upset Andrew Sachs
During the calls, Ross swore and said Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.
More than 18,000 people have complained to the BBC while watchdog Ofcom has launched its own investigation.

The corporation's governing body, the BBC Trust, has now called a special meeting of its editorial standards committee for Thursday.

Director general Mark Thompson will report management findings to the meeting and tell bosses what action he plans to take.

'Breach of privacy'

Announcing the suspensions in an earlier statement, Mr Thompson said he would be returning from a holiday and would "in the coming days, announce what action we will take".

 
This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers

Mark Thompson


Statement in full

"Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue," he said.

"In the meantime, I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned.

"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers."

He added his "own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast".

BBC One show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross was due to have been filmed at BBC Television Centre, west London, later on Wednesday.

Guests on the show were to have been Sir David Attenborough, comedian Frank Skinner, US teen singer Miley Cyrus and band The Killers.

A decision has yet to be taken on what should be shown in its place on Friday night.

Ross's Saturday morning radio show, has also been pulled from Radio 2's schedules.

'Lovely old man'

Meanwhile, Ms Baillie told the Sun newspaper's website she was "thrilled" over the suspensions "because justice has been done".


Brand and Ross both have Saturday shows on Radio 2

"Me and my granddad are both really happy," she added.

"I'm glad it's all over with, as far as I'm concerned."

Earlier, she told the paper: "What's funny about humiliating a lovely old man who has never harmed anyone in his life?"

Brand and Ross were "beyond contempt"," she added.


Andrew Sachs is best known for playing Manuel in Fawlty Towers
Prime Minister Gordon Brown criticised the pair for "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour", while Conservative shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a speech on Wednesday that it was "wrong for broadcasters to produce programmes that legitimise negative social behaviour".

He told BBC News the corporation's reaction to the affair was "concerning".

[Handy]

Ross has little talent beyond self promotion.  This is shown by his gutter chat in an attempt to raise his profile.

BBC should remember that it depends on a licence fee which is mandatory on each person with a TV even if they do not listen or watch the BBC.  Most people resent payment but it is made worse when £11,000,000 is handed over to the likes of Ross.  No TV personalities are worth that amount.

That is just plain wrong in my opinion. Ross is now in a position at the BBC where he does not need to indulge in self-promotion. You will rarely see him at an awards ceremony (he may well be presenting them!), premiere or even giving an interview for that matter. I'll admit his salary is excessive for a chatshow and a radio show 1 day a week but last I checked the BBC didn't canvas licence payers for salary suggestions.

As is always the case, if you don't like him or Brand you can switch over/off.

But you still have to pay the licence fee!! 

So will I not have to pay it if they both get sacked?

I'm sure neither of them give a flying one if they do get sacked - point is we are forced to pay for these twats to produce whatever shite they like.  Maybe it's time for the BBC to become comercial like other stations - wtf does the licence fee pay for anyway - the world service, some arty crap on at 11pm on BBC2.