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Biggest news story: Part 3

612 replies

Mimmy352 · 16/09/2023 15:40

Right so it’s being described as Baroque because whoever is writing it is from the 18th century and can’t figure out how to upload the story

OP posts:
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SpidersAreShitheads · 16/09/2023 18:40

There are actually a lot fewer allegations in that Times article than I thought there would be.

I think the really shocking part is the raping of the woman/women. With everything we knew about his behaviour, I still wouldn't have guessed that he would rape a woman. (Possibly naive of me, but I'm not a big follower of entertainment news usually and I've never been a fan of RB as he's got a giant ego).

The rest of it though - forced sexual contact (ie/sexual assault) during relationships, narcissistic behaviour, flashing and exposing himself, sexual "jokes", controlling behaviour, rages, domineering, humiliating and abusing women that he was in relationships with.....even a sexual relationship with a teen that's barely legal.......I can't say any of it is a huge shock.

Is it horrible? Absolutely.
Is RB a nasty, misogynistic, sexually aggressive predator? Certainly.
Is any of this "huge news"? Unfortunately not.

Maybe the fact that this is being publicised as a huge story is good for women. Maybe it means that finally this type of behaviour will no longer be brushed off.

But I doubt it.

Because I don't think RB is the only celebrity/comedian who acts like this. I wish this had not been a RB expose, but more general about the treatment of women in the industry and how men get away with rape, abuse, and sexual aggression. This will probably dismissed as just about RB when actually there are far more celebrity men who are just as bad.

Just for total, total clarity - I'm not defending RB. He's utterly vile, and he deserves to be arrested, but it doesn't sound as if the women wanted to pursue that avenue. And who can blame them given the rape conviction stats, and all that comes with a rape trial....

I hope the women feel better for finally being able to tell the truth about RB.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 16/09/2023 18:41

dottyshihtzu · 16/09/2023 18:35

If someone does have proof via txt message and a medical report I’m wondering why she didn’t go to the police then?

Explained in the article.

She has shared a full copy of her treatment records, which state that she provided her underwear and other samples as evidence, which were frozen. An officer from the Los Angeles Police Department was alerted by the centre, according to the notes, but she chose not to make a police report — saying to the centre she “didn’t think my words would mean anything up against his”. The notes also state that “she was worried that, if her assailant’s name is somehow released, then her name will be dragged through the dirt”.

And that text message could very much have been argued to have only been about not wearing a condom (no means no to the unprotected sex) which, as far as I can tell was not a crime in the US at that time (stealthing has since been made a crime in some places). I think it’s easy for most of us, sadly, to see why she wouldn’t have pursued it at the time.

Messyhair321 · 16/09/2023 18:42

Thegoodbadandugly · 16/09/2023 18:12

Just watched him, he looks like he's either on drugs or has thyroid eye disease his eyes are popping.

People do that when their emotions are heightened too. I don't think he's using any drugs he's teetotal

WidesWonds · 16/09/2023 18:51

His parents must be proud.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 16/09/2023 18:57

RB once said that he slept with 90 women a month
He was named "shagger of the year" repeatedly

Even if everything is fully consensual and all above board, how does somebody actually manage this logistically? That's three, every single day.

It reminds me of when they released the stats on 'frequent-flyers' who call 999 for ambulances and the most prolific called 7,000 times in one year - more than 19 times every single day.

Do these people do absolutely nothing else with their lives?

GlowingBees · 16/09/2023 19:00

WidesWonds · 16/09/2023 18:51

His parents must be proud.

His Dad took him to Hong Kong and paid a prostitute to take his virginity.

His mum seems ok but his Dad can hold some accountability for this shit show - I think.

Scruffington · 16/09/2023 19:01

WidesWonds · 16/09/2023 18:51

His parents must be proud.

I was reading about his father today. And from what I read it sounds like he probably would be proud of his son.

Finlesswonder · 16/09/2023 19:02

It just goes to show how capitalism has succeeded in co-opting "left wingism": so many people saying RB has right wing views. WTF? Those are old school leftie views.

Thisgroupneverceasestoamazeme · 16/09/2023 19:02

tbf if you read his ‘booky wook’ through a post- ‘me too’ lens he’s essentially outed himself as a sexual predator in there. Just seems to think by ‘owning’ it it’s okay

ps I’m gutted to read this about the NZ director. Im a big fan of their films. First Ayoade let me down and now this!

LonginesPrime · 16/09/2023 19:02

I don't think RB is the only celebrity/comedian who acts like this. I wish this had not been a RB expose, but more general about the treatment of women in the industry and how men get away with rape, abuse, and sexual aggression. This will probably dismissed as just about RB when actually there are far more celebrity men who are just as bad.

I should imagine that many UK comedians have had the worst 24 hours of their life quietly shitting themselves and constantly checking their phones, especially given that the initial rumour was that the expose was about multiple celebrities.

I'm actually glad it's just about one person, because when I thought they were all going to be lumped in together in one big expose, my immediate reaction was that it lessens the impact as it feels more like "well everyone was doing it" and it becomes a cultural issue where society is to blame. The only way the culture is going to change is by holding individuals accountable, otherwise each perpetrator just hides behind all the others and they gain safety in numbers.

dementor72 · 16/09/2023 19:04

Honestly I’m disappointed.. Brand has been known about for years and there are many more very powerful alleged offenders who should be named.
Takes nerve to do that and for some would mean breaking the OSA and possible prosecution.
So many are protected by that , sad but true.

Swashbuckled · 16/09/2023 19:06

GlorifiedChair · 16/09/2023 16:09

Non-subscribers can read it here: https://archive.ph/KX4zn

Thank you for this link 😊

I've read it and will be watching. This is much darker than "a man who shags a lot".

confusedmum2023 · 16/09/2023 19:07

Thanks for sharing @dottyshihtzu

Mummyofbananas · 16/09/2023 19:13

Totally agree with this- dont have any opinion on this story but to say someone is right wing because they question things is so wrong.

3peassuit · 16/09/2023 19:13

Will this prompt a police investigation and prosecution? The cps must surely have enough from this to act.

Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 16/09/2023 19:16

Mummyofbananas · 16/09/2023 19:13

Totally agree with this- dont have any opinion on this story but to say someone is right wing because they question things is so wrong.

Interviewing tucker carlson is more right wing than left! He has all the right wing talking points. He might not personally be right wing but he peddles right wing conspiracies

SpidersAreShitheads · 16/09/2023 19:20

Thisgroupneverceasestoamazeme · 16/09/2023 19:02

tbf if you read his ‘booky wook’ through a post- ‘me too’ lens he’s essentially outed himself as a sexual predator in there. Just seems to think by ‘owning’ it it’s okay

ps I’m gutted to read this about the NZ director. Im a big fan of their films. First Ayoade let me down and now this!

What did Richard Ayoade do??!!

I am a huge fan of the NZ director as well, I had no idea he was known for this.

Gymnopedie · 16/09/2023 19:24

Itick8outof10boxes · 16/09/2023 18:28

It's terrible for the victims but making such a drama and BIG NEWS ? FFS everyone knows what he's been accused of in the past.
Hardly earth shattering let alone all the bloody hype around it.

I think it goes beyond the bare bones of what he's done. It's been known about for years, yes. Is he an A lister? No. But the more light is shed on people like him who abuse their power and status, and the resultant fall out and exposure, hopefully will mean more people in his position will think twice before they do anything similar. If those other people have believed that their position makes them immune to any sort of comeback maybe they'll fear that it could be them next time.

The media industry (the BBC particularly) hoped to get away with saying that Savile was one bad apple. Then there's Huw Edwards. Now it's Russell Brand. The more people are exposed, and the more the shenanigins of the industry to cover up and protect their 'talent' are exposed, the better. More victims will be empowered to come forward and be believed, and there will be far fewer instances of predation and abuse.

godmum56 · 16/09/2023 19:25

Is anybody at all surprised? of course not.

blankittyblank · 16/09/2023 19:31

Whats this about the NZ director?! Rita's husband? What's he done and where have you seen this?!

RoyalCorgi · 16/09/2023 19:34

To those saying the women should have gone to the police, let's remember what happened with Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein - media exposes followed by prosecutions and convictions.

Let's also remember what happened with Savile, where women went to the police and they didn't do anything.

To those saying they wish that C4 had investigated other comedians - well, again, let's remember what happened with Weinstein. Once one person in the entertainment industry was exposed as a predator, allegations against others followed.

I wish people realised that investigations like this require a lot of effort and resource to stand up. You can only realistically investigate one person at a time.

Liv999 · 16/09/2023 19:35

GlowingBees · 16/09/2023 19:00

His Dad took him to Hong Kong and paid a prostitute to take his virginity.

His mum seems ok but his Dad can hold some accountability for this shit show - I think.

Show quote history

Agreed sounds like he had a messed up childhood with his dad, not that it excuses any of this

Thisgroupneverceasestoamazeme · 16/09/2023 19:41

@SpidersAreShitheads oh gosh! Just realised how lumping Richard Ayoarde in with this thread might sound! He’s endorsed Glinner (or at least his book) Don’t get me started about how disappointed I was about Glinner too. Used to love him