Page 8 | Has everyone forgotten Jonathan Ross and Sachsgate?

powershowerforanhour · 18/10/2025 21:15

"he made a mistake. "

It wasn't a mistake. It wasn't an accident and it wasn't out of character. It's how he thinks and who he is. I was not surprised that he'd done it, just surprised he was stupid enough to do it in public, but maybe everyone of that ilk was so coked off their faces all the time back they that neither he nor anybody else noticed.

SambucusEbulus · 18/10/2025 21:14

He was an absolute vile lech to a good friend of my then-boyfriend around and about that time. Was really sleazy to her, apparently. Then-boyfriend was not at all surprised that he showed his sleaziness with that phone call.

Puppylucky · 18/10/2025 21:14

PrincessSophieFrederike · 18/10/2025 21:11

I do agree he shouldn't be shunned by those who know him. I won't ever watch him, but that's different.

I do think it being a 'joke' on live TV makes a difference though.

Show quote history

Again it wasn't a joke on live TV - none of you actually know what you are condeming the man for !

Sagaciously · 18/10/2025 21:12

I have forgotten about the silly prank calls incident, like most people in rl.

Puppylucky · 18/10/2025 21:12

Teaforthetotal · 18/10/2025 21:03

Those who do like JR, what do you like about him?!I am genuinely curious.

Show quote history

I am a lot older than most of the people on this thread clearly and I like him because his radio show was the most sublime piece of broadcasting ever, because he's notoriously kind and generous within his profession - he gave Alan Carr his first big break btw, because he adores his wife and children, because he helped launch comic relief and because he's nonjudgmental - unlike most of you!

CoffeeCantata · 18/10/2025 21:12

Keepoffmyartichokes · 18/10/2025 21:08

Yes I remember it, it was awful what they did but it was 20 years ago!!!
Where Andrew Sachs has come from has no bearing on it what so ever. No one should have messages like that left on their phone. I am not condoning it. But it was 20 years ago. He was punished at the time by way of a suspension but according to the court of Mumsnet he should still be punished for it and continue to be until the day he dies.
I can't imagine living in a world where I am judged for one stupid mistake for that amount of time.
He's a TV presenter not a bloody saint, he is human and we all make mistakes.

Show quote history

He shouldn’t still be in broadcasting.

Original poster

Greedybilly · 18/10/2025 21:11

@Sequinsoneverythingpleaseof course noone is all good or all bad .
But it's not 'sanctmonious' to call out shitty, sexist behaviour whether it happened yesterday or 20 years ago or 100 years ago. It's how culture/society changes.
One of the reasons we're in such a mess misogyny- wise is setting the bar so low for men/'celebs' - the old 'boys will be boys' guff.
Surely having a go at the person calling out unacceptable behaviour is exactly what the BBC (and others) have done for the last 50 years - silencing people.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

OP posts:

PrincessSophieFrederike · 18/10/2025 21:11

ShesTheAlbatross · 18/10/2025 20:32

I’m no particular fan of Ross’s but I’m not sure it’s completely reasonable to compare him to someone convicted of assault and false imprisonment.

I also think you have an odd view about the real world if you think that someone would be widely shunned for a horrible “joke” they made nearly 20 years ago.

Show quote history

I do agree he shouldn't be shunned by those who know him. I won't ever watch him, but that's different.

I do think it being a 'joke' on live TV makes a difference though.

CoffeeCantata · 18/10/2025 21:10

Puppylucky · 18/10/2025 21:06

It wasn't national TV it was Russell Brands radio show on 6 live - a late night show with notoriously edgy content in a very different time . Do you know what you are talking about at all?

Show quote history

Most definitely.

it was a huge scandal at the time and a low-point for the BBC’s standards.

Don’t you see the connection between them tolerating that kind of stuff and what had happened with Saville? It’s only a small step.

Jc2001 · 18/10/2025 21:09

Greedybilly · 18/10/2025 19:50

I love traitors but i detest Jonathon Ross. I clearly remember his vile phone calls to Andrew Sachs about his grandaughter. Along with his accomplice Russel Brand - vile, laddish behaviour. How is he even still working? Does he have mates in high places - people's careers have gone under for much less.
Also he makes my skin crawl and is ruining a damn good show.

YABU by using that shiity and lazy tabloid trope of adding 'gate' to anything that even comes close to resembling a scandal.

PrincessSophieFrederike · 18/10/2025 21:08

Keepoffmyartichokes · 18/10/2025 20:49

I would love to be as perfect as most of the posters on here, he made a mistake. Yes it was absolutely awful what he did but it was almost 20 years ago. Some people on here need to get a grip.

There's a big difference between being flawless & stooping as low as those turds..

Keepoffmyartichokes · 18/10/2025 21:08

CoffeeCantata · 18/10/2025 20:54

It wouldn’t be possible for me to disagree with you more. Do you actually remember what happened?

And for what it’s worth, I think Andrew Sachs was a refugee from the Holocaust. He must have thought the country had gone downhill since his arrival.

Show quote history

Yes I remember it, it was awful what they did but it was 20 years ago!!!
Where Andrew Sachs has come from has no bearing on it what so ever. No one should have messages like that left on their phone. I am not condoning it. But it was 20 years ago. He was punished at the time by way of a suspension but according to the court of Mumsnet he should still be punished for it and continue to be until the day he dies.
I can't imagine living in a world where I am judged for one stupid mistake for that amount of time.
He's a TV presenter not a bloody saint, he is human and we all make mistakes.

Violinist64 · 18/10/2025 21:07

It was a particularly vile "prank" played by two men who were old enough to know better. It was not only Georgina who was seriously damaged by it but her grandparents, too. Andrew Sachs and his wife were elderly and never really got over the shock of this nasty, distasteful incident. I believe they were never truly well after that. Both men should have been sacked on the spot. I have always avoided watching anything with either of them in it ever since.

CoffeeCantata · 18/10/2025 21:07

incognitomouse · 18/10/2025 20:55

I agree with @Puppylucky and I also thought it was a huge overreaction at the time.

Yes it was an absolute shitty thing to do but come on. The fact that Andrew Sachs then didn't talk to his granddaughter for years over it - that was his own doing. She did nothing wrong, other than make some questionable life choices, but who hasn't done that.

They apologised, there was no real damage done - it wasn't pleasant but worse things have happened. Far far worse.

What you say in your post proves that terrible damage was done.

YourAmplePlumPoster · 18/10/2025 21:07

There's an off button. Switch off and you will not have to see him.

Teaforthetotal · 18/10/2025 21:06

FirstCuppa · 18/10/2025 21:05

Maybe it's the big pimp coats, as seen on others such as Leo Di Caprio, Kanye or Jared Leto... Birds of a feather...

Show quote history

Wish I had the laugh emoji.His boiler suit in the traitors cracked me up.

Puppylucky · 18/10/2025 21:06

CoffeeCantata · 18/10/2025 20:40

Prank call!!?

To call an elderly grandfather on national TV and tell him you’ve fucked his granddaughter? And have a good old snigger about it?

Prank call?

What nightmare world are you living in?

Show quote history

It wasn't national TV it was Russell Brands radio show on 6 live - a late night show with notoriously edgy content in a very different time . Do you know what you are talking about at all?

PrincessSophieFrederike · 18/10/2025 21:06

I'm Gen Z & at uni so too young to remember this, but whole family are big Fawlty Towers fans & I've known about this for a while. Vile man.

Marina Hyde a while ago did a mea culpa because she treated it (like many at that time, not that that's an excuse) as prudish finger wagging. A good reminder of how 90s lad culture prude-shamed kickbacks against sexualised misogyny.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/19/brave-victims-russell-brand-misogyny-deserve-full-support&ved=2ahUKEwi614ODxq6QAxWEXEEAHekRHcgQFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2mJLdsHLKT1crfwOONXru0

https://www.google.com/url?opi=89978449&rct=j&sa=t&source=web&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fcommentisfree%2F2023%2Fsep%2F19%2Fbrave-victims-russell-brand-misogyny-deserve-full-support&usg=AOvVaw2mJLdsHLKT1crfwOONXru0&ved=2ahUKEwi614ODxq6QAxWEXEEAHekRHcgQFnoECCwQAQ

FirstCuppa · 18/10/2025 21:05

Teaforthetotal · 18/10/2025 21:03

Those who do like JR, what do you like about him?!I am genuinely curious.

Show quote history

Maybe it's the big pimp coats, as seen on others such as Leo Di Caprio, Kanye or Jared Leto... Birds of a feather...

mydogisthebest · 18/10/2025 21:04

Audiprettier · 18/10/2025 21:01

Ditto!
he really is a creepy vile guy who obviously thinks he's magnificent.
He's spoiling Traitors for me too.
the sooner he's booted off the better!

He is making Traitors for me. I really hope he doesn't leave soon. In fact I would like him to win although doubt he will. Probably drippy bore Lucy will

Teaforthetotal · 18/10/2025 21:03

mydogisthebest · 18/10/2025 20:53

I really like him and always have. The only reason I am watching Traitors is because he is in it. I probably would not bother otherwise

Those who do like JR, what do you like about him?!I am genuinely curious.

Ratafia · 18/10/2025 21:02

VivienneDelacroix · 18/10/2025 20:03

I agree. I feel the same way about Boy George. Disgusting men who in the real world would have been shunned by anyone with any sense.

Edited: Posted by mistake

mumofoneAloneandwell · 18/10/2025 21:02

sarahw131 · 18/10/2025 20:55

Did you mean Russell Howard or Russell Brand? Just curious I’ve never heard anything like this about Russell Howard?

Show quote history

Well i'm glad you brung it up cos Ive been dying to talk about it!

I remember one of Russell Howard's sexist rants about childhood obesity being along the lines of:

'One woman said her kid doesnt want eat healthy food - well i think "ban your fanny until you can control what comes out of it"'

And another - 'there's a group of hens, all wearing velor trousers bejewelled with words like 'sexy' or 'nice arse'. Then there's their one fat friend who has 'nice eyes' written on them, bahahahaha'

Just nasty stuff. Hes since rebranded but the North remembers.

Pollqueen · 18/10/2025 21:02

Can't stand Jonathan Ross and can't watch or listen to anything with him in it

Audiprettier · 18/10/2025 21:01

Ditto!
he really is a creepy vile guy who obviously thinks he's magnificent.
He's spoiling Traitors for me too.
the sooner he's booted off the better!