Webchat with Russell Brand - Weds 12 Nov - 1 o'clock

[JustineMumsnet]

We're very pleased to say that Russell Brand is joining us on Wednesday 12 November between 1 and 2pm.

For those who don't know, Russell Brand is a comedian, actor and author.

His latest book, Revolution, sets out his views for political change - because, he says, "democracy has been taken away from us".

You might have caught his recent interview on Newsnight, which was widely discussed on the boards.

This is his third book, following My Booky Wook and Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal and has just published the first in a new series of children's books Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin, written by Russell and illustrated by Chris Riddell.

Please do join us on Wednesday - or if you can't, feel free to post questions in advance, here.

(Reminder that we only allow one question and one follow-up per user, so make sure to use yours wisely )

@hackmum

Is it true you use a ghostwriter and if so, who is it?

Absolutely 100% not true. Read the book, the book is completely transparent, unlike our current political and economic system.

Well people that benefit from things being like they are. Who benefits from power structures remaining the same. Look at people don't want change- them.

That's a very individual thing though isn't it? I mean people can benefit in different ways from things remaining the same and not wanting to change. We are on a very low income but we're happy and successful in the way that we want to be yet we're not the elite? It's all very personal to people perhaps? We can't say that the elite are necessarily thinking they are the elite can we? People would perhaps describe me as a failure but my family couldn't be happier.

Hi, I've been listening to Fivelive this morning as Justine Greening talked about Syria etc
Have you thought about revolution and change to 'elite' structures having a catastrophic effect and have you consudered deploying your talents in a more global diplomacy to remedy existing crises?

@ZingOfSeven

Hi Russell,

what colour clothes would you wear if you couldn't wear black? genuine question as I have never seen you wearing anything else.

Peach

I wonder if our Russ is going to answer any questions about his misogynistic behaviour and 'pranks'.

This is all a bit car crashy.

I don't know whether to feel honoured or ashamed to be in on it.

@BIWI

My one question:

When 'your people' suggested a webchat with Mumsnet, what did you think it was going to be like?

I don't have people - I have friends. I don't have pre-conceptions, I have openness. I'm having a very nice time (I thought there'd be a lot more mums and people with prams and more breastfeeding).

Question
Are you happy?

Which MNHQer is filtering the questions?

Hi Russel, when you are being interviewed, why do you move around so much and get all touchy feely with the interviewer? Also, can i interview you someday ;) ?

Liney I'm sticking with bemused myself.

@ChippingInAutumnLover

Which MNHQer is typing for Russel?

We have 2 lovely typists - SophieMumsnet and HannahMumsnet - and he's alternating between the two (as it were).

Thanks for answering. I think peach would suit you

m00se1972 if enough people who feel disenfranchised are propelled to stand up and be counted by Russell's outpourings, then they will make a difference and their commitment will be seen by the next generation and so on.
The suffragettes all eventually died but their legacy lives on

I think people voted for Obama because they hoped for change and they got nothing. I think that proves that the system only perpetrates itself, it is programmed to reject change.

"I don't have preconceptions"

"I thought there'd be more mums..."

more breastfeeding

Guava

Oh I'm breastfeeding as we speak.

JustineMumsnet - Can you tell me why the question I posted on this thread this morning seems to have vanished?

What do you think of the Queen and The Royal family? Do we really need them? Xx

@LineRunner

Which MNHQer is filtering the questions?

Yours got answered!

I, too, am looking forward to Russell answering some of the questions on his treatment of women.

@Lucia1501

Question Are you happy?

Sometimes... There is something in me, that I think is in everyone, that is completely at ease and content. There are layers of discontentment and volatility.

BabyZing timed it perfectly for once!

@Shakey1500

Oh fuck it, go on then I'll ask the burning question.

What's your favourite biscuit?

I bet it's a Bourbon Cream

I know this a sensitive issue - I would say Penguins and Wagon Wheels although some would say they are not biscuits as they are individually-packaged. I also quite like a Custard Creams. I am against Rich Teas - you might as well eat a communion wafer.