I've always thought Richard Littlejohn was a curious fit at the Mail. He might share the same knee-jerk reactionary opinions as your Simon Heffers and Melanie Phillips, but he he seems infinitely more chavvy and common. He seems much more suited to The Sun.
The BBC has received 18,000 complaints so far. I really wouldn't be surprised if one or both of them are sacked now.
Quote: Aaron @ October 29 2008, 12:16 PM BSTThe BBC has received 18,000 complaints so far. I really wouldn't be surprised if one or both of them are sacked now.
They won't sack either of them. They're two of the BBC's biggest stars. Although it will be funny watching the BBC wriggle as it's enemies in the right-wing press whip up a feeding frenzy over the whole thing.
Quote: Aaron @ October 29 2008, 12:16 PM BSTThe BBC has received 18,000 complaints so far.
More proof that people are generally idiots.
Quote: chipolata @ October 29 2008, 11:39 AM BSTAs for the let's critiscise ballie camp of thought. By doing that you're just doing the same things defence counsel does in criminal cases when they adopt a "blame the victim" strategy. Balliee may well go on to milk this, and I don't blame her if she does. Good luck to the minxy bint.
Don't think anyone is blaming her, just pointing out that this can only do her good, cash and exposure wise. She'll come out a winner to some extent, at least in the short term. What's to blame her about anyway?
Quote: chipolata @ October 29 2008, 12:18 PM BSTThey won't sack either of them. They're two of the BBC's biggest stars. Although it will be funny watching the BBC wriggle as it's enemies in the right-wing press whip up a feeding frenzy over the whole thing.
Ah, yes, true. I like the thought posed earlier, possibly not even in this thread, that they might have their wages paid to a charity of Sachs' choosing for a while. Seems like a more just conclusion to the situation.
But then, "it emerged that BBC executives were already angry over Ross's record of crudeness and controversy". (Although that is from the Mail.)
I can't think of any other controversy Ross has been in though?
Ooh, and the BBC has just announced that both of them have been suspended pending investigation.
Quote: Griff @ October 29 2008, 12:31 PM BST
Absolutely pathetic, completely blown out of all proportion.
Quote: Aaron @ October 29 2008, 12:32 PM BSTOoh, and the BBC has just announced that both of them have been suspended pending investigation.
Nothing like bowing to pressure. Cowards. It's the bloke who let the pre=-recorded piece get on air who should be in trouble really.
Quote: Griff @ October 29 2008, 12:22 PM BSTI imagine most of the complaints are now being fuelled by a general dislike of Brand (and to a lesser extent Ross) rather than a particular outrage at this stunt, nasty though it was.
Yup, almost certainly.
Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ October 29 2008, 12:33 PM BSTAbsolutely pathetic, completely blown out of all proportion.
Yup and yup. I'm not even that keen on either, but I can tell a load of nothing blown up to something by a mob of idiots when I see it.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=U7IHJ66wj9g
For anyone with 10 minutes to waste. The link to the 'interview'.
Best part of the whole show is the following:
Ross: "What's that noise I hear? Ah it's a Sony Award coming your way."
Quote: Griff @ October 29 2008, 12:37 PM BSTWell, there were two things that were done wrong here.
1. Making the phone call in the first place. Regardless of whether it was broadcast or not, that is something Brand and Ross are solely responsible for. It's not the producer's fault.
2. Choosing to broadcast it. That's the producer's fault.
Well obviously.
And the pair should apologise and everyone should get on with their lives. In fact Ross already has, so that should be the end of that for him.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 29 2008, 12:34 PM BSTNothing like bowing to pressure. Cowards. It's the bloke who let the pre=-recorded piece get on air who should be in trouble really.
Totally agree with you. I don't doubt, as other posters have put it, that people who dislike Brand and Ross are now jumping on the band wagon.
Andrew Sachs could bring an end to this to some extent by accepting Ross' apology and moving on. Perhaps Brand could apologise too.
It's really not that bigger deal.