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 )

@Hakluyt

And a supplementary to Mumsnet HQ- why are you giving air time to this misogynist lightweight?

Whenever potential webchatees have been discussed, Russell Brand is always one of the names that comes up. Granted he's not everyone's preferred choice (as is clear from the questions that have been posted so far) but we also figured that those of you who take issue with him might well appreciate the opportunity to put questions to him about his politics and his actions. Hope that makes sense.

@TheWildRumpyPumpus

It was only a matter of time wasn't it!

Russell, have you enjoyed many dinners with the lovely Justine MNHQ and her husband Ian Katz editor of Newsnight who seems to be rather a large fan of yours?

Never met Russell Brand before - but am looking forward...

Russell, did you get into politics and start crying out for a revolution after Jemima Khan told you what her ex is up to in his home country, Pakistan?

"Bottom line. We all make mistakes and do stupid things in our lives but slebs are rightly held to higher account as they are in the public eye and are role models. "

No, I don't hold celebrities to higher account- just to the same account I would hold anyone else. Which involves not making prank calls to a police line designed to get information about a series of serious assaults. Not a very high bar, I would say............

I think you write your newspaper articles beautifully and intelligently (I haven't read any of your books - sorry!). However, between you, me and MN, I don't think we are going to have a revolution in this country. Not that I don't agree that politics needs re-energised but historically we just don't do revolution really. We're more of a march and moan over a cup of tea sort of country.

So when the revolution plan fails, what comes next for you?

Russell, I love The Trews. I watch it every day (at the weekends I go a bit mad) and I'm not sure what I would do without it. I'd probably have to watch the News or something equally hideous. Please can you confirm that you will continue with your Youtube videos for at least the next 40 years. Thanks

Hakluyt
"And a supplementary to Mumsnet HQ- why are you giving air time to this misogynist lightweight?"

Oh good. Someone else has asked the question I wanted to.

Russell thanks for being so very nice to my sister, who like your mum is in treatment for BC, at Soho House recently. Given she was utterly arseholed and you were having a quiet drink with your friends, we thought you were absolutely charming.

Love to your mum x

Do you think that using big words makes you look clever?

It doesn't, FYI.

Groja well done in your sobriety.

Bonzo I see you

Mr Brand,

The feminist in me is appalled at how much I would, but that isn't the question.
You are really quite clever, you HAD to have known how much of a ribbing you were going to take from both sides.

You say you don't have all the answers, are you sure you know the right people who do?

BTW I love the fact you are getting our youth interested in activism again, but am quite cross about your past re women.

ShufflesOntoTheFilthyBenchTiggaxx

BOFster said it for me up there but I have a related question. I will pretend I have't seen all the MNetters rubbing their thighs...

Dear Russell Brand,

You are a serial fucker, a user of prostituted women, you appear to think rape is appropriate joke material, and you like to sexually humiliate women. The David Icke forum is free to read and has many of the same themes as your book within its many threads not that I ever read it oh no

Why do you think Mumsnetters should listen to a word you say?

Mr Brand I haven't read your books or your newspaper articles but I'm always up for hearing the opposite/underdog side of a debate.

MNHQ my question is in 2 parts:

Firstly a quick Google tells me that a revolution is: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system.

a) Surely revolution is treason (definition of treason the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign) Given that what you are proposing is treason, when you are hung, drawn & quartered what would your last words be?

b) Do you identify as a feminist?

Dear Russell, telling people not to vote isn't big or clever, and however nice it is to have such high goals, what will you say to people when they follow your advice and stay away from the polling stations and we end up with another government that doesn't represent them?

Russell,
Many Mumnetters seem to be getting their knickers in a twist that MN have invited you to join us in an interview because, apparently:

You are only trying to sell your book.
You are reckless because of pranks you have done in the past.
You are dishevelled and look unwashed.
You have told people not to vote
You have been upfront and honest about 'shagging women'
You try ( allegedly) to confuse people with lots of big words but actually are not saying anything.

Does this make you sad because so many people just don't 'get it' - or because you are failing to get your point ( if there is a point) across to them?
Is it them .............or is it you? ;)

Dear Russell,

I was annoyed with Jeremy Paxman in your recent interview because he didn't bring up the very important point that ironically, you are only able to speak your mind and express your political views as you have, from the safety of our cosy, voted for democracy. Elsewhere you would have been stoned to death some time ago.

The very publication of your latest book, in fact, comes from a healthy, liberal, democratic society that cherishes freedom of speech - one that we've all voted for.

Never take democracy for granted. Ever.

Russell, my 9 year old daughter and I met you in Hamleys last weekend, thank you for being so sweet to her, and for taking the time to talk to her. She has read the pied piper of Hamelin, and loved it. She has a question for you:

Are you planning on writing any more children's books? If so, have you thought about what the next one will be?

(Oh, and did you like the drawing of Despicable Me that she gave to you?)

"You are a serial fucker, a user of prostituted women, you appear to think rape is appropriate joke material, and you like to sexually humiliate women... Why do you think Mumsnetters should listen to a word you say?"

This . Well said ClaudetteWyms.

You'll never have true revolution or change without feminism, otherwise it's just superficial tweaking of the status quo. Why don't you stress the pivotal role of feminism and the need to smash the patriarchy in what you say and write?

This could be interesting - will try to think of an apposite question.

Are you still a vegan and what's your stance on animal rights?

Hi Russell

I'd like to ask why you felt it was okay to repeatedly ring Andrew Sachs and taunt him about his granddaughter's sex life, obviously upsetting an elderly man, yet felt it was not okay for Graham Norton to question you about your divorce from Katy Perry while your mother was watching from the audience?

Surely Graham's questions were to be expected, given that he hosts a chat show and the divorce was a recent event in your life at the time, yet your treatment of Andrew Sachs was unnecessary and cruel.

My effing question disappeared before I posted.
I watched your recent vice interview and was unimpressed with the interviewer who seemed desperate to mock you. Is it frustrating to be ridiculed when your ideals would benefit the majority of us?