Russell Brand, Jonathan Woss and Andrew Sachs

[JoolsToo]

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3263328/Russell-Brand-and-Jonathan-Ross-joke-radio -phone-calls-just-werent-funny.html

Have we not had a discussion about this? I'm surprised.

Seedy, sordid, unfunny little men pad obscene amounts of money to be obscene.

What's your view?

The gd is entitled to do what she likes and 'social network' to improve her career if she wants to but they shouldn't have used it to humiliate her grandfather. It seems like anything goes these days and if you don't like it you are a prude. It is very hard to be 'riske' and 'edgy' because more or less all the taboos have been broken. What is left is just plain rudeness and cruel humiliation - not funny. Mwabannaba (sp?), already quoted, has put it the best.

I do occasionally watch/listen to JR's shows, mainly because others in my family like them and/or for the guests. He has a quick wit (mainly not used) but he is a bully. On his radio show, he constantly puts down his mate who chooses the music to play. This is supposed to be amusing but it just makes me cringe.

I agree though, I must be getting middle-aged. I want everything peaceful and nice!!

Doh! Ponderland was due to start again this week.

The point is that there isn't REALLY much in the way of NEWS to this story. The BBC has to headline with it because it is terrified of seeming partisan, the Tories try to think of something to say (it is currently dismissing the prank on the grounds that "it could encourage antisocial behaviour" - not quite sure how) - the tabloids can print stories of a semi-clad sexy young woman who has fucked a popular comedian - and it's more fun to chortle over than the dead people in Pakistan

it's your average media circus

How cool - I knew him briefly in about 1990, and he was lovely...

but the comparison shots of him and me now would just be tooooo depressing

lol!

yes can you imagine: "Obviously this middle-aged crone USED to be top totty"

(Disclaimer: I don't know what you look like )

ponder;and's c4.

interesting that the clip shows they're arm wrestling while leaving the first message. that's all this was, a 'who's got the biggest balls' comp that should have been held in private.

The BBC are as bad as the government: Holding a long enquiry every time somethign goes wrong. It is just bullshit.

As MP says, they will get their jobs back and profit from the publicity. They will gain a bigger younger audience because of this and their careers will be revitalised.

JR is only hanging out with RB to rejuvenate his career anyway. How pathetic that entertainers have to prostitute themselves like this (both RB and JR) in order to retain their fame and prolong their careers.

They've been suspended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quite right too - at least until the dust settles on this. Dickie Attenborough has pulled out of this weeks show I think.

Suspended on full pay? Or suspended on no pay I wonder?

It says on BBC news website that Gordon Brown is going to answer questions at PM questions this sfternoon. Why exactly?

Perhaps we will have a long and deep recession. Humour will turn back to political satire. A few power cuts, get the candles out, three day week. 'Family values', a big backlash against the excess and the individualism of the last decade. Bring back Val Doonican (oh, sorry, he's dead). Terry Wogan is still with us though, even if Parkinson has retired.

(I was born middle-aged and nostalgic. Bring back Morecambe & Wise, the Two Ronnies...)

@Sky!

it is, as someone else pointed out the underlying misogyny here which is so upsetting. Sure the careers concerned will benefit though as MP points out.

because some mp has tabled a questionon it... that's how it workd. doesn't meangb gives a fuck about it...

There you go they have been suspended. Hurrah, action is being taken, more to come I'm sure, now perhaps the world can talk about something else, no???

There should be an investigation - absolutely. They are employees and should be subject to the same disciplinary procedures as anyone else who has had accusations of gross misconduct levelled at them. They are not above 'the law' just because they are 'performers'.

To hold them to account (and I dont mean they should be sacked) demonstrates that their attitude towards women and other people is not acceptable - particularly since they are role models for some people.

I cannot believe the storm this has caused! Christ, the country's on its arse, the banks are collapsing, companies going bust left right and centre, house prices tumbling, but we can all rejoice that the Daily Mail has saved our mortal souls yet again.

The Tory's and Labour are just pleased they aren't the fuck-ups for a change! The BBC will cut them loose and accept no fucking blame as per usual.

Dear Sobernow - As I have said before I have no problem whatsoever with them being made to apologise, be fined or anything else. They went too far, I don't dispute it for 1 moment. And I say that as a fan of both of them. But the whole thing is turning into a complete farce now. Its been blown out of all proportion.

Acksherly, I think JR should donate 2 months worth of his salary to children in need and promise not to appear on it as pennance.

I'm surprised they've been taken off the air - surprised that the BBC has actually taken some action, that is.

I never could stand JR, he is the most overpaid TV "personality", and RB must have loved this publicity.

It should never have been allowed on-air. Given particularly JR's exhorbitant salary they should take some editorial responsibility themselves.

I won't miss either of them!