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?

I don't really understand that way of thinking, personally. If it had been me and I'd been upset by it, I'd hope it would be over sooner rather than later.

I bet kerry Katona is delighted

poor Andrew Sachs last thing an old man of that age needs. RB is disgusting - he looks repulsive and I'm sure his dick will drop off soon from over use....

Glad he's left the BBC. I hope that sack JR - he's just as bad. Not funny. Or he should have the deceny to resign (which I very much doubt he will)

Exactly, I would think a dignified silence would have had more effect, rather than posing in The Sun every day!

Ridiculous, still, I suppose it means she doesn't have to go on Big Brother.

Why shouldn't Georgina Baillie make something of this now? She did not choose to have her 2006 fling with RB made public, nor did she choose to have her Grandfather harassed in that way.

In her shoes, I'd gladly sell my story to the Sun, and I would be hurt and angered enough to call for those involved to lose their jobs. RB did the right thing resigning, it will help calm the furore and he has probably benefited from all this publicity.

I agree with Fruitstick that the "outcome is that the BBC licence fee should not be used to pay controversial performers which may possibly cause offence to the general public, rather than the targeted audience." The BBC is held to a higher standard because of the way it is funded. RB and JR would easily find work elsewhere, and should.

i don't see why either of them should resign.

for all the people who hate jr, there are probably as many who like him.

i personally resent paying for shows like eastenders, holby city and that schmoozy come dancing crap.

RB has resigned from his R2 show, apparently

actually, without wishing to argue with myself, I meant that that's what would happen to the BBC not what should!

it funds so much rubbish though, controversial is so much better than mundane.

southeastalien - it depends on the reason for the controversy surely? This is the most controversial thing I remember JR doing - harassing and abusing an elderly man. Though I suppose you could argue that bringing misogyny to a mainstream audience is another example

Now Robert Peston has been genuinely controversial of late

I think it was very wrong of RB and JR to have made that kind of call to Andrew Sachs, or anyone else for that matter. It went way beyond the line of acceptability. And generally I like their humour, in a puerile kind of way.

But I do feel his granddaughter is now milking it for all it's worth, and her provocative posing in the Sun is almost as tasteless as the original phone message to my mind. She obviously isn't all that bothered about causing embarrassment to her family.

the bbc still broadcast it though didn't they? even though it was recorded beforehand

I love the BBC too. However crap it sometimes is and however up their own arses the BBC are, it is a great service and, if there were no BBC, I would emigrate.

I can't help feeling manipulated by this whole surreal furore. I can't believe that RB and JR didn't realise at the time they had gone too far. Surely it was all deliberately offensive.

On Radio4 they said something about it highlighting the difference between the generations. It is true that most of the people complaining didn't listen to it at the time and have only found out via the DM or whatever. Also, that the granddaughter might not have taken offence if her grandfather had not been involved.

But it does bring the middle-aged and DM out in me. I feel like coming out with reactionary phrases like: 'If that's what the youth think is funny and 'edgy' then I fear for the future of this society.' Are young people prepared to accept anything as funny for fear of being square if they object to it? Or are they all so morally numb now. Or has morality changed with the new generation?

I raised the point in another thread but have things really 'progressed' so far that 'girl power' is about dressing like a tart and shagging around and being proud of it. About being a female 'stud'. Is this the post-Ladette culture where the sexes really are supposed to be equal when it comes to sex? Where there is no shame in someone saying they have 'had' you.

If so, I think they are fooling themselves. All but the most confident young women will end up with mental health issues, after they have had a few pregnancy scares or even abortions, tests for STIs and lots of emotional heartache due to having wasted lots of time on casual sex or vacuous 'relationships'. So speaks someone who was a teenager at the advent of AIDS.

The above is only slightly relevant to this thread but it just strikes me that I am really now a whole generation removed from what passes for youth culture. And I'm not bothered. I hope things don't become more chaotic and amoral (because that is how I see what other people call 'edgy') but I am worried, if they do, that, having had a child in my late 30s, when my dd is in her early 20s, I will really be so out of synch with the cultural landscape that she finds herself in. How will I be able to advise her? She won't even ask me for advice will she?

Or am I just naive? The first 'teenagers' were in the 50s, children are growing up faster and faster. Poor kids.

I must start reading the DM. I am obviously their reactionary, censorious demographic.

Also, different topic. Why is it that the BBC rarely generates its own comedy talent. They always seem to have to get it from CH4 or somewhere else.

isn't it typical?
The innocent female in this sorry tale is getting it in the neck from her 'sisters' simply because of the name of her band and she's a bit raunchy and now she's taking advantage of the situation.

Those of you who condemn her, their 'affair' was in 2006. Did any of you know about it? Before this debacle? Who brought it to your attention? Why are you complaining about her now?

Aren't you doing exactly what you're moaning the general public have done - making a point somewhat after an event you never knew about until the press brought it to your attention?

Well Dennis Norden was on both JR's and RB's radio shows recently and he said he loved Russell's stuff, that he had his dvds and podcasts etc. . and how old is he?? I know loads of older people who love Russell Brand. Mostly the Mums of my friends admittedly!

Kettlechip, my point exactly, if Georgina was in anyway embarrassed by this, why not just maintain a digniied silence? Look at The Sun, she's the one embarrassing her family ffs.

Nothing to do with "sisterhood" everything to do with making money and getting famous.

Was waiting for that comment.

Just cos she is a 'sister' don't make it right that she is selling her story.

Some things are best left unsaid.

BTW, my comments about Ladette culture are not meant to refer to Georgina Bailey. I'm commenting more on the idea that RB's listeners (including women) were not offended by the 'prank'. But I suppose if GB exploits this situation for her own gain, she would be a good example of the kind of culture that I am talking about.

I wouldn't blame her after her private life has been broadcast and used to hurt her gf.

It is interesting that Rebecca Loos has been mentioned. How about Abi Titsmarsh (can't remember her surname). Both these women turned their notoriety into a money-spinner. Maybe I am a hypocrite because I admire them for that. If famous footballers and tv presenters and comedians are going to treat groupy women as prostitutes, why shouldn't the women get something out of it. (Silly men, they should have taken JR's advice about non-ambitious, non-English speaking Thai women!) I still think it will leave their emotions warped in the end though. But I suppose it is better than being silent victims. If there is no chivalry left in the world. But I would rather have sexual equality and chivalry. I suppose I want to have my cake and eat it.

Am I a sexist, spouting all this stuff?

bet Georgina regrets her assignation with a big gob big heid dick obsessed toe rag

bet she turns up tits oot cashing in on her humiliation.ach well more to tell Maxie and the news of the world boys

kerching! money - in the bank georgie propelled from obscurity to wronged woman

skyatnight I find your comments incredibly confusing. You say you don't blame these women for making something out of the situation but these are situations that they created.

'if famous footballers are going to treat groupy women like prostitutes .......' so the women had no control over this whatsoever? It was the men who made them behave in this way and their reward for complying is fame, exposure and money because they may as well? How does this help to deter young girls from the dangers you are so concerned about. And as for 'silent victims' please! This is not Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

Sorry but I really see very little to admire in the likes of Rebecca Loos and Abi Titmuss. I wouldn't trade places with them for any money.

I think Andrew Sachas has been gracious and dignified throughout this furore. It remains to be seen if his granddaughter does likewise. My money's on her making an appearance on This Morning, and doing a Heat interview by next week. Maybe Jeremy Kyle could set up a showdown between her and RB..

I think this is all sooo mad

I really think they did nothing wrong TBH

Sachs was obviously not offended enough to withdraw from the show the next week!!! It really doesn't sound like he was that bothered

And racist humour: sacha baron cohen has made a bloody fortune out of it for a start

who is commenting on whether boffing RB was mutually pleasurable?to me she is financially exploiting this to rasie her profile/schleb status

RB and JR made a bad taste joke about factual event eg she slept with RB.she has waded into this debacle with her publicist max cliffforrd

sad RB and JR distastefulness to her grandfather,and the unsavoury suicide comments

but no i don't see a whore - stud dichotomy

she had consensual sex.he bragged.so now she has her publicist on side to redress her perceived misrepresentations