Page 8 | I worked at Channel 4 during the Russell Brand era. Ask me anything

Channel4er · 2023-09-17T18:03:25+00:00

I've thought long and hard about whether do do this AMA because people will probably be after salacious titbits which I neither have nor am interested in however there's been a lot of talk about Channel 4's role in the Brand affair and I thought I might be able to shed some light on what the culture at Channel 4 was actually like around that time. In order to remain anonymous there may be some questions I can't answer. I've name changed but am a long standing MNer.

FoodCentre · 18/09/2023 11:01

goldenrachita · 18/09/2023 10:46

Huh? Was Gislaine Maxwell convicted on 'no evidence'?!! Jeffrey Epstein was convicted on 'no evidence'? I would think the public deserve access to the client list she served and to see charges brought against them. It would be a brilliant focus for a Dispatches investigation. You know as well as I do why Dispatches hasn't touched this. What a shame.

I'm quite a fan of Russell Brand's content, but of course he could have committed these crimes. Everyone is innocent (or rather 'not guilty') until proven guilty. So far I see nothing very credible and find the timing very strange, as well as that fact that such a fact-devoid documentary was the result of a whole year of investigation, aggressively pursuing anyone who had ever slept with him for evidence. I did see a supposed screenshot of a text conversation that seems to have been heavily doctored. None of that inspires much confidence that Channel 4 are onto anything.

I tend to believe the accused of Russell brand. I think their testimony rang true to me.

However, I find it strange that the
documentary insinuates that his offensive/crude jokes are evidence of him committing those crimes without any kind of scrutiny. I suppose it's the alleged victims telling their side, that's the purpose, but even so.

The strongest evidence is the text which was sent from RB's number. He's be caught there, I think that is quite damning.

Cosmic36 · 18/09/2023 11:30

A medical report from a rape crisis centre on the same day as the alleged rape, together with a damning text message exchange - and that's just evidence from one of the five women. That's stronger evidence than it took to put Rolf Harris behind bars.
Brand could sue for libel. He’s done so in the past, so he’s no stranger to the process.
The question is, why isn’t he suing for libel now?

allmyliesaretrue · 18/09/2023 11:33

weathervane1 · 17/09/2023 23:16

I'm thinking that this should come under the heading of subjudice, if only to protect MN from interfering with the process of law. It seems a little too close to insider knowledge to me and could inadvertently prejudice any future hearing.

Really???!

allmyliesaretrue · 18/09/2023 11:39

goldenrachita · 18/09/2023 00:14

Also wondering if you have been impressed to see Brand move from being a frivolous womanising celeb to being one of the most important voices we have in exposing the stupidity of lockdown, the inhumane closing of schools, the sinister and authoritarian drive to control what people put in their bodies...etc. Whatever you think of his behaviour back then, does this do anything to make you think he's now thinking beyond himself to the greater good despite a pretty egotistical past?

Nothing this 'man' has ever done or is doing will impress or has ever impressed me.

He's just another batshit conspiracy theorist only in his case he's been cunning enough to create this persona to divert attention from the real RB!!

As for you and your ilk, well, words actually fail me. Even if he had views worth considering (he doesn't!!), that does not exonerate him from his crimes.

You have got it baddddd!

allmyliesaretrue · 18/09/2023 11:40

Scamperdowntherabbithole · 18/09/2023 01:14

Russell Brand has made himself a target by repeatedly exposing government corruption. He has a past, and he has spoken about it, but he has completely turned around his life. Obviously that didn't absolve him off crimes he might have committed in the past, but for me it certainly raises questions, like why is it only now that this has been brought up? Why not during the #metoo movement? I'm not saying he's innocent, but I think the timing, along with his condemnation of government and his massive following, leads me to equally suspect it could be a good old fashioned witch-hunt.

🙄

sodthesodoff · 18/09/2023 11:42

@FoodCentre I saw the inclusion of the jokes as to why they called it hiding in plain sight.

So much of what the victims allege he did to them he was 'joking' about on stage.

He was truly hiding in plain sight.

allmyliesaretrue · 18/09/2023 11:44

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 18/09/2023 07:55

@Channel4er

You have said

The channel had a big shake up around that time with the Shilpa Sherry racism row and there was increased scrutiny around the responsibility of a public service broadcaster.

It was Shiloh Shetty, actually.

It actually wasn't - it was SHILPA SHETTY.

If you are going to attempt to be a smartass, at least get it right!!!

SequentialAnalyst · 18/09/2023 11:46

ZoeCM · 17/09/2023 22:24

@SequentialAnalyst, Jade was consistently awful to Shilpa, and there was definitely a racial element to the bullying (although the more overtly racist comments came from Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara).

Yes, this is true, certainly after The Chicken Incident, though I didn't notice anything particular before that. But I think Jade would have been equally insulting to anyone, of whatever ethnicity, colour, or religion, and used whatever sterotypical trope sprang to mind. I've met people like this, and so have most people.

I've also seem MasterChef, and had DS become ill after a friend's BBQ. Pink chicken bad. The trigger for Jade kicking off was a simple mistake. Is this still checkable from extant tapes?

I seem to recall (though can't confirm after a quick google) that Jade had a black father and white mother. She seemed to have a negroid face (trying to be technical) with white skin, and I think this made life very difficult for her.

FoodCentre · 18/09/2023 11:46

sodthesodoff · 18/09/2023 11:42

@FoodCentre I saw the inclusion of the jokes as to why they called it hiding in plain sight.

So much of what the victims allege he did to them he was 'joking' about on stage.

He was truly hiding in plain sight.

I get that, as I say, I believe the testimonies.

However, it's presented as proof when it could be that his offensive jokes have come back to bite him, rather than he is referring to crimes he's committed.

allmyliesaretrue · 18/09/2023 11:46

Defacto24 · 18/09/2023 07:17

Given what we know about mainstream UK media, I do not understand why any intelligent person would believe anything they report. Let me give you a very simple recent example of how UK media collaborate with the establishment or their political masters to mislead. In October 2022 the whole of Europe and the USA knew the queen was dying of bone cancer, was that ever disclosed to us in the UK by any British newspaper or news outlet, even the lefty channel 4 news. No, we were told by the press that she was cancelling appearances because she had, wait for it, gout. Before I purchased a VPN one of the highlights of visiting the USA was that I could read about what British politicians had really been up to. Didn't people ever think it strange that American news organisations have to publish British Editions of their newspapers, as many US mainstream newspapers are banned in the UK, when you try to access their website you are blocked, please note I am not talking about crazy newspaper websites. My point we knew all of this about Brand, let us not forget, despite his bad behaviour what did channel 4 and the BBC do, they kept on promoting him.

This is somewhat surprising, because in October 2022, the Queen was already dead.

She died on 8 September 2022...

FoodCentre · 18/09/2023 11:48

It's not really hard proof. It's circumstantial.

It's right to include it, but i couldn't help thinking it's not really the strongest evidence.

Pertinentowl · 18/09/2023 11:51

Oh the bouncers always did pick out girls at the shows. In fact I remember we printed out some certificates to the girls who didn’t sleep with him. I didn’t know it was legal for 16 year olds to sleep with 30 odd year olds. I had the 16 year olds clamped to my side till I could hand them over to their parents outside as I was older. The boosh and brand shared the same bouncers and I did really like the boosh at the time

SequentialAnalyst · 18/09/2023 11:53

Jade Goody's father was English-Jamaican. It's there at the top of Wikipedia .

Banderbear · 18/09/2023 11:55

SequentialAnalyst · 18/09/2023 11:46

Yes, this is true, certainly after The Chicken Incident, though I didn't notice anything particular before that. But I think Jade would have been equally insulting to anyone, of whatever ethnicity, colour, or religion, and used whatever sterotypical trope sprang to mind. I've met people like this, and so have most people.

I've also seem MasterChef, and had DS become ill after a friend's BBQ. Pink chicken bad. The trigger for Jade kicking off was a simple mistake. Is this still checkable from extant tapes?

I seem to recall (though can't confirm after a quick google) that Jade had a black father and white mother. She seemed to have a negroid face (trying to be technical) with white skin, and I think this made life very difficult for her.

Edited

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Just to let you know ‘negroid’ is an outdated word with negative connotations.

emmylousings · 18/09/2023 11:56

It gets on my tits that TV presenters get called 'talent'. Ok, I get that RB is a comedian too etc, so when he's doing that he's a comedian. When he was on the radio he's a broadcaster / DJ. Not 'talent'. urgh

goldenrachita · 18/09/2023 12:05

My message was clearly intended to test the ground a bit about whether the OP thinks Russell Brand 'had it coming' because he was a 'conspiracy theorist'. She hasn't responded to the question but it's interesting that everyone else who has, has said 'you must be fucking joking', said they don't like him, or called him 'batshit' and wrong about Covid, exactly as you just did. As predicted. I obviously don't think anyone is exonerated from crimes by their current behaviour- it was quite obviously an attempt to assess where the OP sat politically. Like it or not, this case has a political side.
The worry is that rather than being handled by the police, this is a witch hunt where those like you who oppose his views on Covid, vaccines and lockdown will find him guilty by media.
You can't really think how consensual Russell Brand (who's no longer even on mainstream TV or movies) was with his girlfriend 20 years ago or whether he kissed ones of their mothers is a more important topic for national media wall to wall coverage, than, say, gain of function research and who was funding it and continues to do so?!

NeedToThinkOfOne · 18/09/2023 12:07

The OP has walked away from the thread, lucky them being able to just walk away when it got a bit tricky to manage…Leaving behind a trail of supposition is irresponsible and not ‘brave’ in any way, but I hope they felt rewarded from the notoriety and credit gained😒

Even if it doesn’t ever reach court, his family’s life has been blown up and is now without privacy forever more, especially for his young children. A bit of responsibility around starting threads on this subject- particularly as it has now spiralled into other discussions around other talent, especially when they are not able to explain the context themselves- wouldn’t go amiss.

CherryMaDeara · 18/09/2023 12:07

SequentialAnalyst · 18/09/2023 11:46

Yes, this is true, certainly after The Chicken Incident, though I didn't notice anything particular before that. But I think Jade would have been equally insulting to anyone, of whatever ethnicity, colour, or religion, and used whatever sterotypical trope sprang to mind. I've met people like this, and so have most people.

I've also seem MasterChef, and had DS become ill after a friend's BBQ. Pink chicken bad. The trigger for Jade kicking off was a simple mistake. Is this still checkable from extant tapes?

I seem to recall (though can't confirm after a quick google) that Jade had a black father and white mother. She seemed to have a negroid face (trying to be technical) with white skin, and I think this made life very difficult for her.

Edited

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Please don't call it 'so-called racism' it was definitely racist. Even the prime minister got involved.

Other incidents were JADE and the other two making fun of Shilpa eating with her hand, which is perfectly common in South East Asia. Jade relentlessly mocked Shilpa for it.

Another incident was Jade and the other two making fun of Shilpa for bleaching her upper lip. Again, Asian girls often have more visible facial hair as it's darker, so the bullying of Shilpa was again racist.

Maybe you didn't notice the above because you're white?

CherryMaDeara · 18/09/2023 12:08

NeedToThinkOfOne · 18/09/2023 12:07

The OP has walked away from the thread, lucky them being able to just walk away when it got a bit tricky to manage…Leaving behind a trail of supposition is irresponsible and not ‘brave’ in any way, but I hope they felt rewarded from the notoriety and credit gained😒

Even if it doesn’t ever reach court, his family’s life has been blown up and is now without privacy forever more, especially for his young children. A bit of responsibility around starting threads on this subject- particularly as it has now spiralled into other discussions around other talent, especially when they are not able to explain the context themselves- wouldn’t go amiss.

Maybe he should have thought of any future wife and daughters before he raped and groomed other people's daughters.

Your 'won't anyone think of the children' hand wringing is just blaming victims for talking to journalists.

CherryMaDeara · 18/09/2023 12:12

emmylousings · 18/09/2023 11:56

It gets on my tits that TV presenters get called 'talent'. Ok, I get that RB is a comedian too etc, so when he's doing that he's a comedian. When he was on the radio he's a broadcaster / DJ. Not 'talent'. urgh

Everyone gets called talent now, even office staff.

CherryMaDeara · 18/09/2023 12:13

SequentialAnalyst · 18/09/2023 11:53

Jade Goody's father was English-Jamaican. It's there at the top of Wikipedia .

Edited

It didn't preclude her from being a racist. I hope she had a change of heart, following Shilpa's big hearted forgiveness and her trip to India.

NeedToThinkOfOne · 18/09/2023 12:14

No, it’s not blaming the victims, it’s calling out people like the OP who start threads like this without a thought to everyone involved.

PurpleWisteria1 · 18/09/2023 12:15

Yes this- I would like to know what actions a woman needs to take to make herself ‘available?’ Wtf does that mean?

CherryMaDeara · 18/09/2023 12:16

NeedToThinkOfOne · 18/09/2023 12:14

No, it’s not blaming the victims, it’s calling out people like the OP who start threads like this without a thought to everyone involved.

Yes, OP had had a thought for people involved - the victims. Those are THE most people in this whole thing.

I'm glad she has stepped up and said she believes the victims.

goldenrachita · 18/09/2023 12:16

Have you actually re-watched much TV from that era lately? Half the comedy of the time would now be cancelled and tut-tuted for not being 'appropriate'. Even a lot of very 'woke' celebrities now would not pass the test. If you so wanted, you could make an entire Dispatches on David Walliams by filming anonymous actors telling stories of him being violently racially abusive, then pepper it with sketches from Little Britain featuring non-white characters, put it in the Daily Mail under the headline 'chilling footage' and say he was 'hiding in plain sight'. It is just ludicrous to submit old TV clips and call it 'evidence'.