Gyles Brandreth - urgh

[Sortofdontwantto]

Currently on This Morning advocating for ‘weaponised male incompetence’ proudly stating how he does house jobs badly so his wife takes them over. They’re all laughing at this jolly little admission.

Men like him make me fucking sick

yes i am guilty of assigning certain jobs to dh,

Er, what do you mean “wife”?

He has a husband, surely?

I don't think the issue is so much with Gyles Brandreth admitting he does this (because, let's face it, a hell of a lot of people do) but it sounds like no one really called him out for it.

I'd say he's fairly typical of a lot of men of his age and background. That is, he wasn't raised to do housework and his wife has never expected him to share the burden. That doesn't make weaponised (or even real) incompetence with basic household chores okay - but it is very common.

I don't think you're being unreasonable to be annoyed. But I'd direct your annoyance at the other hosts and production. I take greater exception that no one else (presumably younger, presumably from more humble backgrounds) on the show said "it's not really funny though, is it? Your wife isn't your maid and you - a fully functioning adult - really should be able to do basic tasks to keep yourself fed and to keep yourself and your home sanitary and presentable" rather than laughing along.

He's paid to push his opinions, NPET, that's what he's there for. He hasn't just rolled up uninvited. It's just some mindless morning telly.

i disagree, he is not that old that he left stuff to women

His episode on parenting hell is one of the best they have done. He talks about how he washed and cleaned all his children's cloth nappies when they were babies - not very misogynistic sounding. I found him fascinating and have added his podcast to my "need to listen to" list. Sounds like he was making a joke that fell a little flat with some of the audience.

Love Gyles Brandreth

I quite like Gyles (hides)...

You just reminded me of this Hugh and Laurie sketch which always makes me laugh. You might appreciate 'Gyles' jumper!

What?

she wasn't saying she disagreed with the OP.

She was saying it was beneath her to discuss it

I agree. Im a woman, what he said was said to amuse i doubt he really meant it and let's face it us women have pretended we can't do something on the odd occasion just so the men in our lives will take over and do it for us, such a putting a heavy wheelie bin out etc. or using a petrol lawn mower. Men can't say anything these days without it being ripped apart.

He's definitely white and male, not sure they are things you can hold people accountable for, they're inherent. And he definitely isn't middle aged, but even if he was, again unsure that counts as a trait for which people must atone.
Misogynist in what way, exactly?

This.

Totally agree. Everything men say these days get scrutinised beyond belief. A guy can’t make a tongue in cheek jokey comment without someone getting offended and taking it the wrong way.

Ridiculous.

I’ve just remembered from the Parenting Hell podcast, he talked about when their children were small he took 100% responsibility for changing and laundering the (terry-towelling) nappies for all of them. Doesn’t sound especially misogynistic with ideas of ‘women’s work’ to me, although he also credited all the decent parenting to his Wife.

Can’t see where she said it was beneath her.

In response to this

I know him. He is lovely and so is his wife

@LolaLouise Yes, loved that episode of PH, the nappy chat especially. Then his Rosebud podcast recently had Josh Widdicombe as a guest, pop it on your must listen, it was great.

I bloody love Gyles Brandreth.

Old man he is 77.

His podcast Rosebud is actually excellent - for people saying he doesn't listen, he does some very thoughtful interviews. I highly recommend the Doc Stock episode. Also Joanna Lumley, Sue Perkins, Oscar Wilde's grandson, Keir Starmer, Maggie Smith. But really any of them, they are really interesting . It's completely changed my view of Gyles.

Ive started it tonight. I listened to Josh’s ep and have gone back to the start. It was very nostalgic, he has a lovely manner in the interviews ive listened to. I didnt really know that much of him until the PH episode but i think he comes across quite lovely.

He is a raconteur of a certain age. I find him amusing and eccentric. I prefer him to the thick celebs with poor vocabulary that are pitiful to watch.

Someone with a good understanding of history, current affairs and who has social skills certainly has a contribution to make.

I think he has a great sense of humour. He often says he was an MP until his constituents decided to speak up and voted for someone else. He is a great wordsmith as well and devoted to his family.

What’s so great about that. He was in power until they realised he was shit. Honest, I guess, but hardly magnanimous

He has really rattled you hasn’t he op? I suspect if he’s talking about it on tv, it probably isn’t true or only has a nugget of truth. Raconteurs like GB will make up anything they think the audience will be entertained and amused by. He certainly doesn’t give off grade-A misogynist vibes to me. He’s a man of his generation and seems quite gentlemanly.