Whatever one's views of the foulness of Russell Brand's mouth, and whether it really warrants an OFCOM enquiry or can really reasonably be used as a starting point for the kind of systematic assault on the BBC that it seems to have engendered, it's worth noting two facts.
First, that Andrew Sachs does not seem to have heard the (undoubtedly offensive) remarks in question until a Mail on Sunday journalist called him to alert him to their existence, at which point he and his agent listened to an online broadcast of the show, and were understandably upset. And second, there have now been 4,772 complaints about the episode. Of those, 3,187 have been received in the last twenty-four hours. And precisely two were received in the week between the show being broadcast to two million listeners and the Mail on Sunday story a week later.
They left insulting, unsolicited, nuisance messages on the answer phone of Mr. Sachs, who is among other things, a 78 year old pensioner, apparently as revenge for him not being prepared to be interviewed by them. Any other employer would have the pair of them up before a disciplinary board with a view to sacking them regardless of the receipient of the calls demanding such or not.
The BBC on the other hand chooses to broadcast the calls. anyone who has had nuisance calls in the past will have no sympathy.
Your main objection seems to be the number of Daily Mail Readers being more than those of the Independant, personally I prefer the Times to either.
Posted by: A Williams | Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 04:55 PM
Two of the highest paid presenters(or more like foul-mouthed dissenters)Who get paid multi-millions in the case of Ross paid for by the TV Licence/Stealth TAX fee managed to totally discredit the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC)and have managed to highlight everything that is wrong with the celebity driven lifestyle that is promoted as CULTURE by media corparations are given an abnormal and tremendous amount of news coverage so peoples minds are DIVERTED from the real issues that are infecting HUMANITY.
And are the Two Culprits really the type of Role Models who should be given so much Attention Promotion and air time paid for by the British publics hard earned money?? Then you wonder why some of our children and youth are mis-behaving badly when their MINDS are constantly bombarded with the disgraceful FILTHY antics of ADULT so Celebrities.Excuse Me what are we CELEBRATING??Laughing Celebrate-Celebrated-Celebrations-Celebrating-Celebraties
LAUGHING now thats funny Hope you get it!
Wake up please Good People
Take Care And Good Care
Peace
Posted by: ANKH | Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 05:55 PM
It is unacceptable they phoned an old man up and made abusive comments to him. I like Ross and Brand when they are funny but this time they were rude. They were in the wrong. I do not understand anyone who claims they were in the right. How can you claim phoning an 80 year old man up and insulting him is right.
They were so offensive that when people watch Basil Fawlty on Fawily towers they will say well Basil is no Johnathan Ross. :
Posted by: Dirty Euro | Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 09:46 PM
it's true it's an overreaction though. it's ridiculous, it's not that big a deal. ankh you're crazy
Posted by: lucky lionel | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 12:40 AM
Lucky is a moron.
Posted by: Matin | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 09:35 AM
What difference does Andrew Sach's age make? If he was a middled aged man would the prank be more acceptable? I suppose some people also think that his granddaughter deserves to be humiliated because she's a dancer with a group calling themsleves the Satanic Sluts? Either this is a unacceptable stunt or it isn't, based on whether it contravenes the standards set down by the BBC. I agree with the blogger on this - those who are complaining now, after an event that they had no knowledge of until the last few days, probably have another agenda.
Posted by: Dee | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 11:27 AM
When naughty schoolboys overstep the mark.....and there HAS to be a mark.....they should have their hands smacked (metaporically speaking)!
Jeez, this country can be the pits sometimes.
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 11:31 AM
Lucky Lionel (ANKH your crazy) Look at it from our perspective
Are you saying that normal people run the world RIGHT NOW?
AND FROM YOU ARE THEN ALL ANKH SAYS IS(wait for it smile)
Look at the state of our world that the Non-Crazy(or normal people are currently running)
Take a good look at the world with open eyes Lucky Lionel
ECONOMIC WORLD,ENVIROMENTAL WORLD,POLITICAL WORLD,CELEBRITY WORLD ETC Think Now! and you say that We are CRAZY(Mmmm LAUGHING)
INTERESTING!
We think your Luck just ran out Lionel(Now thats funny)
Give Care and Take Care
Posted by: ANKH | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 11:51 AM
I think that it is very interesting timing how this all came out/was hyped and has taken the attention off George Osbourne and the tories just when they were struggling with their negative publicity - a clever from the daily mail.
Though I agree I think they both overstepped the mark, Ross in particular, this is being blown out of proportion.
Posted by: Steve | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 12:23 PM
The phrase we’re all looking for is “about time”; it’s just a pity we had to wait for these morons to shoot themselves in the feet.
Experts on “proportion” miss the mark. There’s a long-awaited point of principle being worked out here. Andrew Sachs’ age is immaterial; his legacy is the germane bit. Sachs’ work will endure: Fawlty Towers with his Manuel in it will be a part of comedy-history and/or TV-studies for as long as they’re viable subjects.
By comparison, it won’t be at all long before Ross and Brand are forgotten. Think of all these “list” programmes: can you imagine for one second Brand or Ross turning up on anything other than a “greatest embarrassments/biggest yobs/least-merited wealth” run-down? When did anyone last buy a Ross DVD; how long will anything by Brand be on the shelves? Compare and contrast: even without Fawlty immortality, Sachs has been a gifted actor, especially in his subsequent work on radio, in multi-vocal readings and so. Brand and Ross have nothing; except, of course, a lot of money.
There’s the rub. So let’s be honest: much of the majority response here is a kind of irascible glee at the actualisation of a long-overdue schadenfreude. The real offence lies in regular, unpleasant reminders of the presence and influence in our society of imbeciles with zero talent yet oodles of cash: it’s a long, unpleasant list and Ross, especially, is one if its most conspicuous items. Brand probably had it coming a little harder and sooner – but that’s because he’s even less gifted, more ephemeral, a real Johnny-Oo-look-I’ve-come-clever-innit-don’t-y’know-Lately.
Either way, it’s no wonder people are queuing to heckle these scumbags and tread their molehills.
Posted by: Rob dePlume | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 03:10 PM
On the recording machine "Message 4 " Brand says " "I'll kill you". How is this amusing? Surely this is a threat and Brand and Ross should be prosecuted for intiidation. Age is an issue. Mr Sachs is 78 yrs old. A threat made to a physically fit and tough man in his prime of his life is likely to feel less threatened.
Posted by: Charlie | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 06:55 PM
OK, correction: Sachs’ age is material – but less relevant than the comparative worth of the protagonists’ contributions all round. Still, as long as it keeps the kicking going, let’s have them for persecuting a senior citizen, too.
On the age thing: several commentators have come up with the “generation divide” shtick, as in: “Younger people don’t see any harm, etc.” Well, they wouldn’t, would they! If you’re weaned on turds you won’t be able to tell stalk from splutter, will you! The sprogs brought up on this cack: of course they don’t see any wrong in Brand and Ross – that’s part of the wider collateral damage this sort of “performer” promulgates.
Just for perspective: I have no problem at all with the output of Frankie Boyle – it’s called “wit,” whatever the topic or vocabulary. No offence taken because the man has a seriously quick, hilarious mind and turn of phrase. Once again, compare and contrast with the sorry poseurs at the current epicentre.
Note to BBC: don’t worry about Ross and ratings – give his show to Frankie immediately.
Posted by: Rob dePlume | Wednesday, 29 October 2008 at 08:01 PM