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Head of Radio 2 Resigns! Jonathan Ross on 3 Month Suspension Without Pay
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by Christina 123 | October 29, 2008 at 06:28 am
2015 views | 24 Recommendations | 19 comments
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After Show Apology! - Russell Brand & Jonathan Ross - Sachs
sourced by Christina 123
In a new statement, it has been announced that Jonathan Ross has been put on Garden Leave for twelve weeks without pay. The presenter is paid £16,000 for each two-day week. - Update 30th October 2008 18:30 GMT
THE Head of BBC Radio 2 has resigned. You could not make this up.
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RUSSELL Brand has issued a statement in which he resigns from the BBC and apologises to all including the subject of the prank phone call, Georgina Baillie, 23, the "sweet" granddaughter of Andrew Sachs and all the listeners. The stand- up comic said his aim had been to provide laughter and the events of the last few days meant he felt unable to continue with his Saturday night Radio 2 show. Update 17:56 GMT 29th October 2008
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RUSSELL BRAND has tonight handed in his resignation from his radio show, it has been announced. - Update 17:42 GMT 29th October 2008
BBC DIRECTOR General Mark Thompson has today suspended Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand subject to an investigation as to their future contracts. Jonathan Ross's Friday show has been cancelled. - Update 29th October 2008
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GORDON Brown, Prime Minister, and Shadow Leader, David Cameron, have tonight become embroiled in the massive row that has broken out after comedians Russell Brand and TV Presenter, Jonathan Ross left alleged obscene prank voice mail messages on the ansaphone of fellow TV comic actor, Andrew Sachs, who played the hapless Manuel "I know no-othing" waiter from Barcelona in the cult sitcom series Fawlty Towers. The prank was later broadcast on air on a radio programme and has attracted 10,000 complaints, in a national Sense of Humour Bypass.
Telephone watchdogs, OFCOM, are also likely to investigate the brouhaha.
PM Gordon Brown has criticised Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show.He said the BBC and watchdog Ofcom must take "appropriate action" over four prank calls made to actor Andrew Sachs and broadcast on 18 October.
The pair left a series of lewd messages on the Fawlty Towers star's voicemail.
BBC audio and music director Tim Davie said it was "too early to speculate" on whether Brand or Ross will face action.
Voicemail messages
"This is clearly inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, as is now widely recognised," Mr Brown said.
"Ofcom have said they will investigate the matter and it is for the BBC, the BBC Trust and Ofcom to take any appropriate action."
Sachs is upset after Brand and Ross left a series of lewd messages on his voicemail, including obscene comments about his 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Baillie.
The BBC has now received more than 10,000 complaints about the calls.
Tory leader David Cameron has called for the BBC to be "transparent" about how the programme came to be broadcast.
"The main question is why did they allow this programme to be broadcast, given that it was pre-recorded?
"So we need to know who made the decision to broadcast it? How high up the editorial chain did it go?"
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Christina 123
LONDON, United Kingdom
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (19)
at 10:34 on October 28th, 2008
Christina 123, I haven't heard the recording - do you know where we can hear it? I'd like to see what everyone is so upset about.
at 10:40 on October 28th, 2008
These two hosts - Russell Brand especially - are known for being somewhat controversial and sometimes lewd. The issue for me is - since it was a pre-recorded programme, why was it allowed to air? I also feel for former BBC colleagues on this - from previous experience, there will be a big inquiry, inevitably someone will take the blame, and everyone will be tarred with the same brush by an outraged press.
at 11:10 on October 28th, 2008
The first time I saw Russell Brand on TV I was very shocked as it was incredily lewd, but once you "get it" (the humour) it is absolutely hilarious; it is just a social comment (as you know, a lot of humour is based on taboo). If you saw Andrew Sachs granddaughter, you will realise she is no shy retiring school girl, her stage persona appears to be some kind of dominatrix in basque, stockings and suspenders. That's not to say I condone it at all, but it is such a storm in a tea cup.
at 11:12 on October 28th, 2008
Thanks, amyjudd! Short version duly uploaded.
at 11:16 on October 28th, 2008
I agree - it's a total storm in a tea cup - and much of the outrage is being stoked by papers such as the Daily Mail. I think the segment likely shouldn't have aired, as it sounds like it went too far on this occasion, but I think it's really important that people see this in context of the presenters themselves and their "stage personas".
at 00:08 on October 29th, 2008
Geh ?!
at 12:16 on October 29th, 2008
(Ed. note: I've brought this story current as it has been updated with the latest development.)
at 12:50 on October 29th, 2008
Jonathon Ross doesn't want to give up his £18 million contract just yet then.
at 14:22 on October 29th, 2008
My views on this situation are as following: What Ross and Brand did was unacceptable but if the viewers aren't happy with what they are viewing they can easily change the radio channel and move on. Should they be punished? Of course they should not with a suspension, our taxes goes towards the BBC and the majority of the public do want to see and hear Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand. The Jonathan Ross show gets some of the highest ratings within the BBC. Making this incident more public's just puts more bad press on both performers and the BBC. Being a Labour supporter myself I hardly disagree with Mr.Brown but I believe he is only involving himself in this issue to gain more public press. Despise me if you will, thanks for reading.
at 16:34 on October 29th, 2008
storm in a tea cup - mhm.... outrage stoked? the context and the "stage personas"?
it sounds to me like it didn't come to some of you people what the whole story is actually about. it's about two gits , the older one being hopelessy devoid of talent but just so full of himself, that in a moment of mutual cack-handedness the both of them were so carried away that they were not only being obnoxious, but additionally they started defaulting massively on their job contracts:
in expressis verbis - the were not being funny and entertaining at all to a public, that is financing their contracts through the tv license.
now as a client i and probably quite a few others expect some value for money - whilst at times mr. brand is delivering on his promise, the show at hand and also some past prestations are just not funny but cringeworth ad-libbing. the other pain in the ass is just a modern day miracle: almost everyone i know despises his show and his unsavoury wide boy antics, yet he manages to cling on - supposedly on grounds of a loyal viewer base... who are these people and where do they live?
as far as i am concerned, as a client i will press for my money's worth i.e. the dismissal of inadequate viewing material.
you people can go on and try to find excuses for reasons, that i suspect have little to do with the performance of brand and ross but much more with your personal instrumentalisation of this storm in a teacup,
regards
at 01:27 on October 30th, 2008
Christina 123, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Publicity stunt?
at 03:32 on October 30th, 2008
I don't think it should have been aired.
Humour is very personal. Some people may find it funny, others do not. Though you kind of expect this humour from such people, it is up to the person at the receiving end whether they regard it is a joke or not.
I think they were being naive and juvenile. Maybe they can learn from this really.If I received this call, I would have just blow a whistle down the phone!
at 04:18 on October 30th, 2008
It doesn't matter what the girl dresses up in and whether she looks like a dominatrix or not. Nothing wrong with a Goth look. At least she looks sexy while Brand and Ross look like a couple of scruffy losers. Nobody should have to put up with the abuse that two highly over rated and over paid 'comedians' broadcast to thousands. If Brand had shouted his abuse to Georgina in the street, it's likely he would have got a smack from a member of the public. If these two jokers had made repeated abusive phone calls to any member of the public they would be facing criminal charges.
at 06:59 on October 30th, 2008
Christina 123, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 10:40 on October 30th, 2008
Thanks for the continuing updates Christina. This reaction is completely out of proportion.
at 16:46 on October 30th, 2008
dont be stupid
youre like most of the right wingers ie over reacting
look back at the two ronnies - in their time the suggesive sketches they made are relatively lewd as you put it
at 18:25 on October 30th, 2008
Jonathon and Russell showed themselves to be ageist and sexist creeps. What they did amounted to VERY REAL bullying. Our standards and our licence fees demand more than this. The two of them are self-satisfied cads and should be sacked. Different sickos can easily be found to replace them.
at 06:41 on November 1st, 2008
I think it is a very clever move for getting the attention away
from the real issues where we are all aware of,
further I would like to say that I am not happy that my text is
scrambled with that of Rupert (who is also not verified)
at 07:31 on November 1st, 2008
Just for the record ;
I have an open mind over the case
and I hope that comedians can keep doing their work,
and not become victims of censure.