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 )

Well, he's no Pol Pot, but then again he's no Jack Kennedy.

I dunno about RB's politics, but I do like batshittery. It draws me in.

Yes, it's as though he swallowed random pages from some self-help books and a poorly translated thesaurus, and then visited a strangely incompetent beautician with insufficient money.

that was my first, and last, webchat. What a fucking waste of time. As a rough judgement, I would say that most of the questions posed were hostile to RB and/or asked interesting questions. Most of the answers were to the minority of questions that loved him and/or asked idiotic questions. mumsnet should be ashamed of themselves.

wow, looks like a PR disaster to me. Am very disappointed that RB underestimated mumsnetters so much, very telling about his views on women. He seems way out of his depth. I've gone from vaguely interested in his views and TV interviews to "what a cock".

Tiggy D has it right about biscuitgate. at the time it made it onto news night and in all the papers. It wasn't about the biscuit, but about being able to answer a simple question without fucking it up. for me the perfect answer to that question is just to answer the fucking question, don't try to make jokes, or worry about upsetting a brand, or try to make out you are a mumsnetter if you're not, and definitely don't avoid the question.

One thing is for sure. I have learnt way more about some other Mumsnetters from this thread than I possibly did about RB.

and vica versa SB

"Hello! I've just arrived at Mumsnet. I'm happy to engage with mums, dads, children, guardians, aunts, spinsters, landed gentry, barons, paupers... anyone really."

But not with me, my question wasn't answered

So I still don't know why Russell thought it was okay for him to ring Andrew Sachs repeatedly and maliciously to make jokes about his granddaughters sex life and broadcast the calls on a radio show Sachs had refused to take part in, but not okay for Graham Norton to ask him a legitimate question about his divorce on a chat show Brand had agreed to be a part of just because his Mum was in the audience.

I suppose the old saying that "no reply is a reply in itself" is my answer. He knows he's been a hypocrite but doesn't want to admit it. Thanks Russell

Hi Russell!!!

First of all I must tell you that I absolutely effin adooore you and wish for nothing more in life than to meet you!!!

My question is this... This morning you posted a picture of the Bin Laden dolls the CIA created. What do you believe is their real point for these dolls?!?

Please if you are ever in Toronto and wish to have a break from the madness look me up and I can show you my quaint little town north of there full of history and mystery!!!

My question was neither ass kissy nor 'idiotic'.

While I'm surprised and grateful it was answered I'm disappointed that what was said was a bit platitudinous. From someone who has been in a similar place to my pupils I was hoping for a bit more I think. I agree that the best web chats have been those that have genuinely done their hw on us as questioners and on what we are asking. I wonder whether the possible 'penis beaker' image of MNetters in the mainstream media has something to do with participants' preparedness for web chats.

Um ShAnNy he has been and gone.

Yes, I think it's probably safe to say he's not one of the anonymous celeb mnetters.

awfulmission In using the word platitudinous about Russell Brand, you win today's special prize. I salute you.

He's like a platypus?

Yes, Tiggy, he is like a plate of pus.

hi :D, do you foresee creating a forum wherein your more politically minded fans could, meet and discuss issues, network and collaborate, share their projects and challenges, without the current, irrelevant {to the issues} ad homonyms on your person and general personal comments about your person. there are often issues on trewstube which id love to discuss but the meter long comments about your person deter me and i presume many other constructive commenters. {youtube rule seems to be if your not a troll, don't post} something with a few guidelines and an admin that could manage and illuminate the abusive personal comments. or eliminate. or both. um.. room for videos, photos, forums, :) i volunteer my time to help in any online way i can. {nb i can't code and have an overinflated idea of whats actually possible to do with tech…tech...technology.}

Why thank you LineRunner .

I'll settle down to the whole thread with a cup of tea later!

Off to make dinner now. Mac n cheese.

plate of pus

Ta for that.

his fans are, um, interesting

muthafuzza You could always start a thread on MN. You will always get some personal comments, though, because RB is a personality - and to be fair to him he said upthread that he didn't mind them.

Did anyone get the free tickets in the end?
I'm really sure now that I don't much like RB. I wavered a little then read BookyWook, which made me feel weird, then I thought he had some good ideas but.
So my question was responded to but absolutely not answered. He's unusual and articulate but verbosity does not a genius make.
I've gone off him.
Not that it matters.

well I didn't

get tix I mean

AND I asked super nicely, too

Mary Magdalene wasn't a prostitute and nobody stoned her. Men, priests in the Catholic Church, wrongly labelled MM as a prostitute. People in the bible did stone sinners.

RB just took poor Mary out of context to benefit himself.

I think Shanny has confused 'web chat' with 'internet dating'