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 )

fucks sake I miss everything

Well, I think it's fair to say Russell has polarised opinion

Gaige, be comforted - you missed nothing.

@KatherinaMinola

I imagine MNHQ filtered the questions and read the 'approved' ones to him.

Nope. We didn't filter - we did suggest and he was pretty game to be honest - only a couple he chose not to answer.

You might not agree with his answers but I would say as webchatees go, but I would say on the spectrum of Mumsnet webchatees he was game side and there was was very little he avoided.

Davsmum do you seriously think "what colour clothes would you wear" and "what's your fave Smith's song" are more important questions for someone allegedly fomenting a political revolution to answer than "what are you going to do about your perceived support for a rapist"?
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No - I certainly don't and never suggested anything like that! You are quite aggressive aren't you?

I was pointing out he did not answer lots of questions,..because he didn't!

I would have liked to see his answers to your questions - but I doubt you would have been satisfied with them.

I'm only judgemental when people start quoting the bible at me. And as for the 'wubs woo' women here - get a grip!

Yo Russell, do you think I'll ever get to play an active role in your revolution or should I just stick to be half of, I dunno, a pair of glistening Russian sisters? I liked you in Rentaghost.

@zerotolerancezone

MNHQ - how do you decide on which questions to ask on these things? Make a list, put similar questions together and then try and do one from each sort of theme? Or just wing it and pick out random ones from the ever expanding thread?

We do the former - and then try and address some of the incoming questions - admittedly in a more of a ad hoc way because it's usually quite hectic mid chat.

Well done to the posters who tried to pin him down about sexism. I couldn't quite find the energy. He just doesn't get it at all, does he?

Davsmum - I think the aggression is coming from you, here. I don't think it's an accident, or him running out of time, that meant he avoided anything that might actually challenge him.

And since he won't answer any hard questions, we'll never know whether I'd be satisfied with the answers, will we?

I'm afraid that from his opening post he proved many of us right in thinking him a misogynist who just happens to be a bit of a novelty comedian as well.

Oh, uglyswan, I think you win the thread.

uglyswan - I used to love Rent a Ghost - haven't seen it in decades. I didn't even realise/remember it was him! That's tarnished my memory of it somewhat.

'Fraid basic civility rules still apply after chat so if you want to make a point please do avoid personal attacks or we'll have to zap them. Thanks

Russell - 0 uglyswan -1

I thought nicely done- and better than I expected- was thinking there would be floundering

he's like if Rosa Luxemburg and George Harrison had a baby

since I'm too old for revolution, will buy book for my eldest for Christmas

...oh, and it's worth mentioning that he's going to fund a community cafe for recovering addicts (afair) with the proceeds, so I'm not going to be chipping in for a new yacht

Hi Russell I often agree with what you have to say however, your view of the ultra wealthy lumping them into the same category Some wealthy people really do a lot of good work. Warren Buffett gave peace one day 10 million dollars to vaccinate children in the congo Richard Branson holds many of the same views as you do about the war on drugs as well as giving ex cons a fair shot at employment. The Royal Family raises massive amounts of money for charity. Bill Gates has his foundation that does amazing work. When you say Revolution it can be very destructive wouldn't it be better to engage those who are now disengaged from the system to change it. I mean their are people in the world literally dying for the right to vote and choose people to elect. I agree that the system that exist rules need to be rewritten but when I think of revolution I think of war look at Ukraine people protested on mass and now things are really messed up. But also I would like to say thank you for getting people who normally would not be interested in Politics -- engaged. That is really wonderful.

I think RB actually believes he has now morphed into the leader of a new political system. One minute he's a bit part actor in 'The Bill", the next minute he's informing his wife (Katy Perry( of his decision to divorce by text, and the next he's running a revolution.

I'd prob watch something like this as a video if you ever thought of doing something like that.

I still don't understand all the posts saying Russell is a sexist misogynist But am happy to be educated!

The only solipsist that I can identify is Russell Brand.

Really Justine? OK. But he did rather dodge the misogyny/sexism/rape joke questions, didn't he?

Since you're still monitoring this chat, I'm still horrified (given your campaigns and avowed stance on rape etc) that you would give him airtime.

I genuinely think he's probably a bit unhinged. Quoting the bible is usually a pretty good indicator