I think the PCC should look at the complaints made to the BBC after the broadcast and compare it to the number now - I suspect the result would be that the Mail On Sunday provoked far more outrage than either Ross, Brand or the BBC did in the first place.

Irresponsibility in publication? Censure them!

Outrage!

Tabloid headline morality works both ways.

National newspaper publishes offensive filth and insults! Ban them from sale! Public outcry! Shock! Horror!

According to yesterday's news, Brand and Ross made prank calls to Andrew Sachs, saying they had sex with his granddaughter and saying sachs might kill himself. That is rather overstepping the mark in my opinion.

I don't blame Andrew Sachs for making an official complaint.

I listened to the incident on Youtube.

Very distasteful, and not funny in the slightest.

Brand & Ross should be ashamed of themselves.

I have to agree, even though I was a fan of Russell Brand and always listen to his podcasts, this particular incident was unfunny and offensive. I wouldn't wan't anyone to make lewd comments about anyone in my family let alone on live radio. Where is the joke in saying Russell f*****d your granddaughter, as Ross Said. This man takes a large percentage of our licence fee after all, he should show more respect to a fine comedy actor.

After Brand has been sacked by MTV and xfm, if he gets sacked from the bbc where would he go then. People have been sacked for less, remember Ron Atkinson got sacked for saying the N word and Rodney Marsh got sacked for making a joke about the Tsunami.

Brand's arrogance and boasts about his philandering are wearing very thin, I think his star is beginning to wain.

I didn't think it was funny but it was typical student humour and aimed at the small evening audience.

When carried in detail by the Mail it was very offensive.

I think the paper should be censured for spreading offence.

A lot of people make tasteless jokes in the pub. The criminals are those who then publish those jokes to millions.

Let's be aware of the true villains here.

I`m quite amused with the BBCs`Autumn and Winter schedule of continued "foot shooting".

They are rapidly approaching making the people realise that they do not have a free hand here as they are a public broadcasting service, as is mentioned over on the other board, with a post featuring BBC charter quotes.

For their own public safety, I suggest nobody delivers them a length of rope at this time.

I never listen to or watch Brand or Ross. I would be aware of what to expect if I did - which is why I don't

The great offence here is against Andrew Sachs. It does not matter how large the audience is. Andrew Sachs was obviously very upset by these messages. Student humour is just about ok for students, but these are seasoned broadcasters who should have known better.

Also, if Brand has not had sex with the granddaughter, there may be legal issues arise from this incident. It went well beyond acceptability.

What surprises me is that, considering this show was recorded, the producers didn't check with Andrew Sachs before broadcast. He'd already have received the messages, and it would have been basic courtesy.

The all of this fuss could have been avoided.

I'm sorry, I think (as usual) this entire trivial incident has been inflated by the tabloids because...

IT'S A GOOD STORY!

Nobody cares, I'm sure Manuel was not offended, it's a load of rubbish.

I sense "cash-ism"... people like to pretend outrage because Russell and Jonathan earn more money than them.

I'll make a bet with you - there is not one person in the entire Mail empire who gives a fuck whether Andrew Sachs is offended or not.

But every single person in the Mail empire cares if this is a good story.

Which, of course, it is.

Immature and childish? yes but should they be sacked? no.

I think it is a cynical ploy to reduce Jonathan Ross's BBC contract when it comes up for renewal.

It was a good story for the media to do and they are still at it today.

I thought Ross was more offensive asking David Cameron if he masturbated over Maggie Thatcher. As for Russell Brand, he has been far more offensive to other people.

And yes to echo the Cat's sentiments the BBC are just as much to blame.

In the words of the opening lottery statement from years back...."IT COULD BE YOU!"

JK2006 wrote:
I'll make a bet with you - there is not one person in the entire Mail empire who gives a fuck whether Andrew Sachs is offended or not.

But every single person in the Mail empire cares if this is a good story.

Which, of course, it is.

Right on JK.

I'm also willing to bet that hardly anyone at the Mail even know who Sachs is. He's just another mere name being used to hype a story featuring Brand and Ross who of course happen to be BIG celebrities. Had it been over Henry Bloggs up the road from me, it would still be the same headline story. It's those celebrity names that matter.

BTW - Watched my download of VPTM last night for about the 5th or 6th time, so the whole celebrity and "good story" issue is fresh in my mind. Must admit, the more I watch that movie, the more I love it! I do hope you do get round to screenings of it... I know if I can make it, I'll be going as Curt... with an R of course!

ANother attempt by the BBC to detract the viewers from the real issue - economic crisis and our appalling surveillance government.

What about all the PRANK CALLS from Steve Wright and that PRANK programme on BBC 1.

There has been far worse carried by the BBC and this is a storm in a teacup which will pass quickly - with the BBC managing to keep their ONLY GENUINE STARS on its books at reduced rates.

BRAND Is a worldwide star. ROSS is the best presenter on TV bar none - sorry Wogan ( Washed up and boring apart from the Euro Song Contest and even that became repetitive )

The BBC are firing shots in a wage war. These days negotiations are conducted with smear campaigns. Welcome to the UK 2008. Sucks.

You think Ross is the best presenter on TV?

He's certainly got one of the largest egos.

As for Brand ........
Words fail me.

I have tried to like them. I watched Ross on his Channel 4 show 20 years ago. He's gone a long way downhill since then. I just find Russel Brand unwatchable.

BR wrote:


What about all the PRANK CALLS from Steve Wright and that PRANK programme on BBC 1.

There has been far worse carried by the BBC.

Name 3 worse pranks please.

"BBC sacks producer who ok'd broadcast". Not really headline news is it?

Gordon Brown, spotting a nice, clear, universally popular chance to grab some press, condemns Brand and Ross too...

Nothing about the Mail spreading this though.

Trust me - this whole campaign has the STAMP OF MANDY all over it.

Campbell and Mandy are the SPIN DOCTORS supreme. They have been desperate for a story this week to take the focus off the economy for the following reason.

Two weeks ago GORDON solved the crisis and went up in the polls - but sadly the crisis has come back and got worse this week - so DETRACTION is the only policy left to keep Gordon ahead in the polls.

As a former Tory spin doctor myself from the early 90s ( But more honest I might add) the control of the agenda is everything. Ross and Brand are fantastic - they have done nothing wrong compared to BP ( who have screwed all of us for BILLIONS and have made people homeless who have lost their jobs ) but BROWN and team have spotted the gap.

So today the TELEGRAPH will lead on BROWN and BRAND.

Global Warming - rubbish as well to detract from the Iraq War. Anyone looked outside tonight !!!!

Snow in OCTOBER - cant ever remember such a snow storm in October ???? anyone else ?

There are no worse pranks than this, done via invisable people on telephones, apart from only one unthinkable lieing act which I would not even move my fingers to type about.

I have stuck by Mr Brand, even when my colleagues did not, when asked to attend an award ceremony with him, this "act" has pushed the boundaries too far with the power of the media.
Mr Sachs, is not "Manuel" the crap waiter, he is a quiet man and a wonderful actor.

I am no longer paying my BBC fee, full stop, as I said before.

Don't we all love righteous indignation?

My friend Kenny Everett must be turning in his grave.

What an absurd fuss about nothing.