BCG Daily Tuesday 19th September 2023

Russell Brand: Resurfaced clips give a sobering reminder of noughties culture

The noughties aren't so long ago that it's possible to dismiss them as a different age. But there are parts of the decade that British culture would rather forget.

Russell Brand: BBC resists calls to release complaints filed against presenter

The BBC is facing growing pressure to come clean about the full history of complaints it received about Russell Brand when he was one of its star presenters.

Peep Show at 20: How a sitcom about two boring losers in a Croydon flatshare defined my personality

Peep Show changed television. It also changed me.

Russell Brand and the dangers of trial by media

However awful the allegations, a rush to judgement is always a recipe for injustice.

YouTube suspends Russell Brand from advert income

YouTube has suspended Russell Brand's channels from making money from adverts for "violating" its "creator responsibility policy".

'Peep Show is about consistently stubbing your toe against life': The sitcom at 20 by its creators and stars

David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Sam Bain and more talk to Ellie Harrison about the cult hit's 'circus of anxiety' and 'massive rudeness', plus all of those Succession comparisons, and the most excruciating filming moments.

The Guardian view on Russell Brand: a misogynist in plain sight

New allegations about the star's behaviour are disturbing. So is the way he was indulged.

The nasty noughties: Russell Brand and the era of sadistic tabloid misogyny

At the turn of the century, the tabloid press was untouchable - and women in the public eye faced ceaseless persecution. We are still grappling with the fallout today.

Lucy Beaumont claims there are 10 male predators in the comedy circuit

Beaumont hit out at male predators within her industry weeks before allegations against Russell Brand were publicised by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Times and The Sunday Times.

I used to like Russell Brand. Hopefully there's a day of judgment coming for the Irish comedy scene

It's a wonder any female comics rise to the top, given the misuse of power and necessary isolation that seemingly must be endured in order to be successful.

Carmarthen gets a comedy festival

Russell Kane will headline a bill that also incudes Flo & Joan, Hal Cruttenden, Noise Next Door, Anna Thomas and Steffan Evans.

The grifterverse and Russell Brand

Just under a decade ago, Russell Brand was going through his revolutionary leftist phase and had gotten into anarchism, a topic which he characteristically used for the benefit of his own hype but which also prompted "interest" from the mainstream media.

Russell Brand's dad-in-law 'begged his daughter to end her relationship'

Russell Brand's father-in-law begged his daughter Laura Gallacher to end her relationship with the shamed comedian, a source claimed.

Big Brother staff 'all knew Russell Brand was a predator'

Big Brother staff all knew Russell Brand was a "predator" with the star using them as "pimps", it has been claimed.

People working for Big Brother production firm Endemol have now admitted to concerns about his behaviour when he presented spin-off shows Big Brother's EFourum and Big Mouth.

Manipulator Russell Brand intimidated, hounded and flattered me with deceit - but I'm the lucky one

On 18th August 2010, during a spell at another newspaper, I wrote a story revealing Russell was having relationship counselling with his then-fiancée, American singer Katy Perry.

My then-editor called me over, saying Russell had been on the phone and asking for my number -- was it OK to hand it over?

Russell Brand: how the comedy industry uses humour to abuse and silence women

Over the last ten years I have been researching the barriers to women's participation in the UK comedy circuit. During that time, it became clear to me that the live comedy industry has a particular susceptibility to fostering spaces of abuse.

BBC removes Russell Brand programmes deemed to 'fall below public expectations'

An episode of QI and a Joe Wicks podcast appearance have been wiped from BBC platforms.

Scotland gets its first permanent 'pay what you want' comedy club

Live At Hoots will be offering comedy, drag and cabaret in the Tolcross area of Edinburgh, starting on on Friday.

Russell Brand: BBC pledges 'full transparency' in internal review

Brand hosted programmes on BBC 6 Music and Radio 2 between 2006 and 2008, as well being a guest on other shows.

GMB co-host Richard Madeley probed by Susanna Reid over old Russell Brand interview

Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid put Richard Madeley in the hot seat when she questioned him over his past interview with Russell Brand amid recent sexual assault allegations.

From 'masterpiece' to national shame: how the British fell in and out of love with Little Britain

Twenty years on, Matt Lucas and David Walliams's hilariously anti-PC class satire is deemed offensive and 'cruel'. But is it still funny?

Police Cops: The Musical - Southwark Playhouse review

The comedy group comes together for the hit musical.

Vanessa Feltz shares vid of Russell Brand making crude comments about her daughter

Speaking on Talk TV, Feltz explained how her and Brand crossed paths multiple times back in the noughties both professionally and as friends.

Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner decide on name for their baby daughter

Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner have named their daughter Elsie.

Russell Brand's biographer: his sex fantasies aged SIX were dark

In my view, as the first biographer of Russell Brand, it seems clear that the key to the comic's attitude to sex and women dates back to his unsettled childhood - and especially his complex relationship with his father.

Russell Brand's business empire in turmoil

Russell Brand's business empire is in tatters as he rushes to close down one company and is ditched by his business partners of two others.

Finding Your Comic Genius by Adam Bloom review

Chances are that when you're watching a comedian in full flow, you won't be thinking about see-saws, balloons, balls and cubes. But those are the kinds of analogies stand-up Adam Bloom deploys the latest contribution to the vast litany of 'how to' books on the topic of comedy.

Emily Maitlis 'charmed' by Russell Brand in resurfaced interview amid rape allegations

Emily Maitlis has revealed that when she interviewed Russell Brand she had expected to loathe him but instead found him 'charming' and 'mesmerising'.

Police Cops: The Musical - Southwark Playhouse review

If you're in desperate need of some zany humour and 80s nostalgia packaged in a feel-good tribute to classic action movies, then this is 100% the show for you.

The brave victims of Russell Brand's misogyny deserve full support. This time, let's get it right

The new claims made me think about the media's treatment of the woman he so famously humiliated on Radio 2. I hope we all know better now.

Russell Brand's wonderland: the online soapbox where the star pushes his 'free speech'

Amid the relentless conspiracy theorising on the comedian's YouTube and Rumble video channels, there have been fleeting pauses for self-reflection.

Russell Brand's old BBC shows slammed as 'completely unacceptable' by Tim Davie

Russell Brand's old BBC shows have been slammed as "completely unacceptable" by BBC Director General Tim Davie.

Russell Brand left Caprice squirming as he told her to 'get her knickers off'

An interview with Russell Brand and model Caprice Bourret has resurfaced after it was shown during a recent Dispatches documentary, accusing him of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse - which he denies.

Russell Brand tells female host he'd have her 'stripped' in 2009 interview

Russell Brand told The View hosts he was 'aroused' after telling one presenter he'd have her 'stripped' of her tights in a resurfaced interview originally filmed in 2009.

The Noughties cesspit: how a 'laddish' era allowed Russell Brand to thrive

The comedian became a star in a decade in which cruel, crass exploitation was the norm. Has anything changed?

My Beautiful Laundrette stage show to return

The stage adaptation of My Beautiful Laundrette will return to Curve, Leicester next year ahead of a UK tour as part of the Theatre Nation Partnerships initiative.

The Pet Shop Boys - Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe - composed music for the show, which is adapted for the stage by Hanif Kureishi, based on his screenplay.

What Horrible Histories gets wrong about history

The idea that Britain was multicultural in any meaningful sense before even the twentieth century stretches the definition of that word.

Radio Times Treasure Hunt recovers lost BBC programme

An episode of radio show Workers' Playtime dating back to 1949 has been unearthed thanks to the campaign.