BS: Jonathon Woss off air!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 09:44 PM

From a piece by Alexander Chancellor in the Guardian:

"A point regularly made by people who think that the kerfuffle about Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross has been grossly overblown is that only older people are feeling outraged. The young, they say, can't imagine what all the fuss is about, because for them the essence of comedy is to shock and insult.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I would argue that this very fact, if true, justifies the vast media coverage of the affair. For one of its most alarming aspects has been the claim that young people find what happened on Brand's Radio 2 show perfectly acceptable. How could anyone find it acceptable that obscene telephone calls made to a harmless old man should be broadcast against his will to millions of radio listeners?"

That seems to me to sum up the only really significant aspect of this rather daft story. I was listening to some talk about this on the radio, and the speaker was saying that after all these blokes were employed in order to be offensive, because it had been decided that that was what was needed by the BBC. They were just doing what they were paid to do.

That seems fair enough. So far as this particular mess-up was concerned, the blame primarily lies on whoever took the responsibility of approving it for broadcasting. But more important is the blame on whoever decided that the job of comedians ought to be to set out to be as vicious and nasty as possible. Cruelty is not funny.

If a pitbull terrier savages some passer-by, you don't blame the dog, you blame the owner. It's just hard luck on the dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 08:54 PM

These two guys are an instant turn off for me. I was slightly more interested in Brand when he said he got the title of his book from The Clockwork Orange, but generally I see them and switch the channel.

Nevertheless I have listened to the broadcast and can't really see what has triggered this reaction. i can only assume there lots of pissed off people like me, whose voices are ignored and the BBC goes on booking vacuous gits like these two - and that these lots of disenchanted peole saw a chance to stick one on two colossal well paid bores.

the establishment is not so easily frustrated - they'll be back.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Acorn4
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 06:25 PM

In which case, Richard, I stand corrected.

It might just be an ordinary case of "mouth open whilst brain is out of gear".

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 05:38 PM

Russell Brand appears to have attended Grays comprehensive school, although I have found some reports of his having been expelled from several schools.

I have never thought him funny but some of the stuff one finds by searching makes him sound a very very unpleasant person.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 05:24 PM

Ross was apparently educated at Norlington School For Boys, a single-sex comprehensive school located in the borough of Waltham Forest in East London, England.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 05:13 PM

Well Jon MacK
If what you say is true I would be very very surprised!
Lets just see what the report says and not speculate, shall we?

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Acorn4
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 03:49 PM

Did either or both of these two pillocks go to a public school?

I suspect so as they've portrayed one of the main symptoms -never being able to grow up!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 03:46 PM

It would appear from tonight's news, that Lesley Douglas was aware of the content of the show, before it was broadcast.
Seems like her going was not unnecessary after all.

XG

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Cllr
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 03:38 PM

Diane is absolutly right in her comments about editorial process.

and in a prescient way Brand confirms the nature of the beast in his autbiography "My booky wook" in this excerpt Brand is saying how a freind told him to be careful of those who encouraged him to be at the edge of his trade.

"This is how he (karl theobald)charecterised the ensuing dynamic
'Oh look at him go. Wow! He's like a runaway train. Go on Russel, wooh! Tear it up. He's wild he's dangerous! He's unstoppable!...He's done what? Sorry Russell you're fired.'"

this was written last year ago. I don't condone in anyway what they did but as Diane said ealier (hope you dont mind but i think it worth repeating

"That the recording was referred up for a decision on whether to transmit was correct.
The big mistake was that remarks which would be a betrayal of confidence if just bandied about the pub, let alone spoken to the nation, were passed for broadcast.
It's whoever let it go out that should be fired for demonstrating a total lack of common sense or humanity."

also brilliant bit of analysis from Paul Burke .
Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 02:45 PM

Jeremy Hardy, said to be standing in for two comics who were unexpectedly unavailable for R4's News Quiz, has just uttered what I hope (but very much doubt) will be the last words on the subject:

"I don't give a flying brief relationship what they said . . . "

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 12:20 PM

Their noses will fall off (IMHO)

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 11:17 AM

No. No Blinkers here.
The whole point is that the BBC, having made an appalling mistake (which it was, undoubtedly, Amazing that it hadn't happened years ago, judging by my archive. I could tell stories that would make your hair curl!).The Mail on Sunday had some stringer monitoring programmes etc. just waiting to pounce. And when they found something, they did.
Yes, If it had been the Sun Star Mirror, they would have done the same.
And of course all these tabloids are so squeaky clean are they? Ever heard of Page 3??
And Greg. It's unlikely that the pair of them even remember recording the damn piece.
They would have trusted their editors to make it "Fit for Broadcast"

Stupid Boys.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: goatfell
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 11:13 AM

why doesn't the senior staff have back bone and guts just to sack Jonathon Ross instead giving him a slap on the wrist, I mean if that happened at one elses work they would get the sack so why not him?

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 09:51 AM

Ralphie, you are wearing blinkers. ANY national newspaper these days (except the FT and the Morning Star) would run the story if it heard that a household-name actor had failed to get a response to a complaint about behaviour such as that of Ross and Brand - especially where such behaviour had actually been broadcast. And why not?

The BBC justified its failure to respond with the argument that "no-one picked up the email." LOL. Blame this failure, and not the Daily Mail, for bringing on the storm. The Beeb is about as responsive as the central nervous system of a dinosaur, and for an organisation whose business is communication, this is farcical.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Mr Red
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 09:27 AM

This furore is as much about standards in broadcasting as it is about the protagonists and the victims.

You try telling young people that...................

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: greg stephens
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 09:17 AM

Ralphie: sure they probably went off to a club after recording, or whatever. Why not? But I don't think the programme went out the next morning, did it? All I was aying was, if they really genuinely felt any contrition, they had loads of time to edit out whatever it was they felt contrite about. The fact is, they didn't do so. (Mind you, we haven't heard the raw tapes, have we? Who knows what they said originally?)

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 08:43 AM

I've got to say that Woss seems to want it both ways, fnarr, fnarr.

On the one hand he enjoys dishing it out - but as some other posters pointed out, he's pretty quick at waving writs if anybody has a go at him.

I happened to pass Leicester Square a few years ago and watched the celebs leaving a premiere, worshipped by a baying mob. Woss, wife and kids could hardly walk under the weight of expensive freebies presented to them as a thank you for gracing the cinema with their presence. Yeah, edgy, right.

Anyway, what's all this Young Turk stuff - Woss is 47 and Brand is 33 for Pete's sake!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 08:31 AM

Another story.
I used to work with Chris Morris (The Day Today, Brass Eye, Blue Jam etc)
Because of the nature of his programmes for Radio 1. The controller insisted on vetting it the day before Tx.
Fair enough you might think.
Having achieved management approval, Chris would then spend several hours inserting extra material into the prog. Actually the new bits weren't that bad, obscene or anything like that, but, he was pushing the limits of responsibilty.
His shows were mainly in the middle of the night, so nobody heard them anyway!!
Rogue presenters will always subvert the boundaries when they can.

Does anyone remember the Drug TV edition of Brass Eye, when he got several luminaries...Manning, Edmonds etc to pontificate on the dangers of taking "Cake"

Hilarious and squirmy too.

And then, the story of a "Round the Horn" script (1950's Radio show)
Which had a page of "Polari" in it (A sort of underground gay patois)

After perusal by a BBC executive it came back with the note, "I can see nothing wrong with this script"
But it was filthy!!! Hugh Janus, Hugh Jampton, etc....Vada those lallies.

I very much doubt the Brand and Ross thought anything immediately after the shows recording. Probably went to a club or something. Dunno. Leaving it to their production team to do the edit.
Which was done badly, obviously.

Ah Well water under the bridge now.
Heads have rolled. With no doubt more to follow

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Rafflesbear
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 08:30 AM

One of the things that makes people react to this so strongly when they hear about it from whatever source is their love of Andrew Sachs' as a distinguished actor and of his portrayal of Manuel in particular. To the best of my knowledge he has managed to conduct his career without offending others

His dignity when interviewed and lack of spite makes us be outraged on his behalf - "Andrew, you keep your dignity, we shall do the messy business of getting your justice for you"

If the call had been made by Jonathan Ross and left on the voicemail of Russell Brand we really wouldn't care would we?

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: greg stephens
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 07:55 AM

Couple of persdonal opinions. I don't blame the Mail for stoking up things. People complained as and when they heard about it. It was shocking and disgusting, but obviously very few people knew about the programme to start with. It's like a murder...often takes a while for it to be discovered, but when it is, most people disapprove.
Secondly, I watched to Russel Brand's comedy programme on Channel 4 last night. Great. Very funny, very dirty. Vastly enjoyed it. Jonathan Ross, on the other hand, is a thoroughly nasty bit of work, as five minute's viewing on one of his programme's would, I should hope, convince anyone.
As to his "heartfelt" apology(and Brand's)....Oh yes? Sure they behaved badly in the heat of the moment. But they then went on to think about it, sleep on it, figured out the consequences. Then they broadcast it.I imagine they thought it was amusing and groundbreaking, not to mention boundary-pushing (something we are meant to worship, apparently).That seems to me to prove that the apologies were totally insincere, and purely designed to try to minimise the personal consequences for themselves.
    I used to snigger myself into insensibilty at the Derek and Clive recordings. Doesn't mean I wanted them to perform at the vicarage teaparty. There's a time and a place for everything.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 07:38 AM

In no way am I defending what happened. I have just been trying to explain what it is like on the other side of the wall!

But, I will re-iterate the loss of Lesley Douglas is a real shame.
Even Brand has said so!!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 07:31 AM

Paul Burke is quite right.
It's all about ratings.
I took redundancy from the Beeb after 33 years 2 years ago.
The Charter renewal was coming up, (as it does every 10 years or so), and the Beeb had to demonstrate to the government that they were slimming down....so another 15% job losses.
So I took the Kings shilling.

The point of outsourcing programme makers to independent companies actually saved money for the BBC. (No In House studio/staff time involved etc).
The problem was that some (not all) of the independent companies weren't very good.
As you sow, so shall ye reap.
Heres an example of how it should have worked.(True Story)
A well known presenter had lost his contract, and he came in with a 4 page statement as to his feelings for the pre-record of his final prog.
The Producer and I read it, and tore it up, saying that if said presenter wanted to commit professional suicide on air, we wouldn't allow it to happen.
He realised his folly when the red mist subsided.
The cold light of day scenario so to speak. And he was very grateful to us in hindsight.
The Prod and I had been around several BBC blocks for over 70 years collectively, and the warning signs flashed instantly. Job done. No consequences. No fallout.
With a young eager Production company trying to break into the competetive world of broadcasting, it's Oh so easy to lose the plot, which is what happened here IMHO.

I still blame the Mail for stoking the boilers on this one.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 07:26 AM

Some of those defending Ross and Brand make the point that the matter would have slipped quietly into history+ without the Daily Mail's intervention. They fail to acknowledge that this intervention came only after (and no doubt because) representations on behalf of Sachs had failed to extract an apology. The BBC could not have handled the whole matter more badly, but still I am with Paul Burke: I would rather have the Beeb than Murdoch. In fact I go farther: I would rather have our newspapers controlled by the government of the day than by Murdoch. Or I would if governments were capable of acting independently of Murdoch.

In most respects the Ross and Brand apologists make valid points and, notwithstanding my personal unease about Brand in particular, I have allowed myself to be persuaded into their corner.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 06:46 AM

There are a number of wrongdoings involved in this story, of varying magnitudes and each deserving to be addressed (and reparations to be be made for it) separately.

a) No doubt one of the most serious is the lapse in the BBC's editorial controls that allowed this to be broadcast. Looks like heads are rolling for this already.

b) And of course, Brand's & Ross' behaviour on a programme intended for broadcasting - albeit after editing - was deplorable. Brand resigned from his 200k job; Ross did not do the same (perhaps the £6 million a year shifted the ethical balance for him...), but he is now suspended without pay for 12 weeks anyway. Still, they could argue that they knew the programme was being recorded, and assumed that some editor would make it all right. BUT...

c) ...the fact remains that the offending messages were left on the voice mail of Mr Sachs. Nothing to do with broadcasting, this is an act that is despicable in and of itself. And as we now know, it was no joke, but Brand was telling the truth about his relationship with Miss Baillie - she admitted it later. But there are lots of kiss-and-tell cads out there, right? Let's just stop a moment and think: Why would anyone do this, not just to Mr Sachs, but to anyone? Is it out of intention to be funny? Or is it simply the malicious, vicious, intentionally hurtful action that it appears to be? And never mind about Mr Sachs, why should anyone receiving such a message not go straight to the perpetrator's home and kick seven shades of shit out of him?

d) Also, for the kiss-and-tell act itself, in my book Brand deserves to have his willy grow hairy warts. But that's just me.

Nevertheless there is a real danger of this story ending up hurting the BBC and British comedy, because I do agree that comedians need to have the freedom to live near the edge. The best ones manage to keep the balance, teetering over but never quite falling into the poo. They need to have theirminders, editors, production teams etc, to save them if they slip up - but the edge is where we want them.

A sideshow to all this of course is why are Ross and Brand in such demand; a BBC rep admitted it on Radio 4 today - it is all part of the Beeb's attempt to get down, to be with it, to be relevant to the youngsters (most of whom did not find this and other similar episodes distasteful). BUT the BBC is not just a commercial organisation that needs to pander to all the customer's whims - it has a role to entertain, but also to educate, to help civilise society. When its efforts to be "relevant" take it away from those aims, it should have a serious re-think.

And finally: Brand himself said in his apology "I was caught up in the moment"... Yes, sure, we can see how this can happen. But I argue the main underlying cause is that increasingly, our "celebs" are believing their own advertising. Because we tell them they are good, they think that they really are. And THAT is dangerous for anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 06:36 AM

A young producer has had his career ruined? You lie down with dogs, you get fleas.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Paul Burke
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 06:14 AM

I've told you, JMaK, it's because if they don't show they are attracting audiences, they get their funding cut. It's the price you pay for getting SOME decent stuff broadcast.

If we lose the BBC, well, just browse through the satellite listings to see what TV will be like, and radio will be wall-to-wall Brand and shock jocks. I'm sure our American friends will tell us what public service TV is like there. When I saw it, the program material was mainly appeals for funds so they could keep going.

The BBCs not perfect, but it's better than Fox and Berlusconi.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 06:09 AM

Why is the BBC trying to attract 'Yoof audiences'?
It is after all not they who pay the licence fee in most cases.
As I said before, we have no choice as to whether we pay the licence fee or not, if we have a TV receiver. On pain of fine or imprisonment, and the gain of a criminal record, to add to our collection.
It's also no good sitting there feeling smug and secure in the fact that you don't have a TV, because the day is not far away when your PC will be counted as a receiver, and you will have to pay a licence fee anyway. I believe this is coming about in Denmark even now.
So what we have then, is an organisation funded by compulsory contributions, who on that basis, don't need to please anybody. After all they will still get the dosh no matter what they put on!
So why pay obscene amounts of money to obscene presenters then?

XG

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:58 AM

Richard. I don't think that anybody here has condoned the original incident. I was just trying to outline the way that the BBC works.

Also, The Daily Mail has been trying to get one over the Beeb for years. It finally saw its chance, and pounced.
Boy I bet they are rubbing their hands with glee today.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:50 AM

I'm much more concerned about their publicly embarrassing (and indeed trivialising Manuel's young granddaughter. But if the incident hadn't identified real people, it would have been hysterically funny. This, however, is off the point. Procedure ought to, but did not, ensure that the voicemails were not broadcast. If they hadn't been, the circus wouldn't have happened. A lack of tar on the ship leading to the loss of the entire war . . . sort of thing.

(Murdoch fired me from the Sunday Times, I'm very proud to say).

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:36 AM

Diane baby,
                         You mentioned Kenneth williams, wno did indeed get away with a lot in his day, 'Julian and Sandy, Boner Antiques' etc. But he didn't publicly embarrass an elderly actor. I personally find Russell Brand very funny, but wossy is simply rude and arrogant.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Paul Burke
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:34 AM

According to R4's newspaper review this morning, Richard Littlejohn, writing in the Sun, has called for the privatisation of R1,2 and 3 (and the NHS too). I tried looking for it on their website, but I'd rather duck for apples in an unflushed loo.

Guess who owns the Sun.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:18 AM

Because of the Beeb's initial dithering followed by OTT submission to the baying pack of Daily Mail readers, a young producer has had his career ruined (suits and presenters can always make a comeback).

The BBC will retreat into a cowering conservative backwater daring to transmit nothing but "safe", boring, MOR bilge, Tommy Cooper stylee, so far from the edge that it's landlocked. Hypocrisy-ridden Middle Britain will turn off its channels in droves and turn back to seaside postcard "acceptable" smut.

That's what you wanted. The Dirty Digger will provide.

A sad day for broadcasting. I blame outsourcing, and John Birt in particular.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:04 AM

I have to disagree.

The part-privatisation of BBC production led to a general lowering of standards of production - the race to pander to the lowest common denominator (at the cheapest price).

The telephone calls were a nasty piece of bullying. They should not have been made - and of course they should have been taken out before broadcast too. The Beeb should be suing Brand's company on its warranties in the production contract too.

It was pretty shameful that the Beeb did nothing at first, after broadcasting the bullying.

Much as I hate the right-wing Daily Mail, this time its intervention appears to have been necessary to ensure that two oiks got some comeuppance for unacceptable behaviour. Well done the Daily Mail (I never thought I'd say that).

Does anyone else think that the two oiks looked as if they were as high as kites at the time?


It is also very depressing that many of the under-20s and 20-somethings thought that the calls were an acceptable bit of fun. What have we come to?

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 03:49 AM

OK
A bit of historical context here.
Many years ago, the BBC decided to outsource about 20% of its output (TV and Radio) to independent companies.

A reasonable idea, as it goes....Talkback productions etc...(who have produced some fine programmes)
But what it meant was that the first editorial defence line was removed.
When Chris Evans took over the breakfast show on Radio 1. It was a bear pit....Zoo radio at its most extreme. Chris managed to keep it on track (just!) but, it was dangerous radio.
As far as I understand the Russell Brand show is produced by his own production company, and the 25 year old producer of the original recording would have found it very hard to question his bosses wish that the Sachs portion of the show be broadcast. Probably in fear of his job. (Which he has undoubtedly lost by now)

This doesn't excuse the Beebs involvement, but it may give people a little more insight.

Personally I'm sad that Lesley Douglas has gone. She was a good friend and colleague for 20 odd years, and single handedly revived the fortunes of what was a (literally) a dying Radio staion.

For all its faults the BBC still produces some of the finest programmes in the world. My anger is directed at the Daily Mail (amongst many other Newspapers) for stirring up this Shit storm.
(See Paul Burkes post above).

Interestingly, since Chris Evans has returned to Radio 2, it's a much better programme....Why? It's a Beeb producer in charge!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 07:36 PM

""No - the crime was to make the calls in the first place and that is down to the two individuals""

Unless the law has been relaxed, it should still be a CRIMINAL offence to make phone calls with obscene content.

In which case our two presenters are lucky that their next engagement is not in one of HM Prisons.

Richard, do you know whether that particular law has been changed or repealed?

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 07:14 PM

Tommy Cooper was awful. So are all those in the chain from the initiation of this unpleasant piece of bullying to its broadcast.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Rafflesbear
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 05:49 PM

On reading some of the posts it is almost suggested that the 'crime' was to broadcast the phone messages

No - the crime was to make the calls in the first place and that is down to the two individuals

I have never laughed more than I have to the humour of the sadly missed Tommy Cooper

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 05:05 PM

Indeed Mrs Duck. I was just pondering on whether the Daily Mail recruits its stringers and researchers from the Highland wastes, such is the display of mind-numbing inaccuracy and absence of attention to detail. There was a grand total of two whingeings to the duty desk about the voicemail incident on R2 before the muckrakers of Derry Street published their piece and exhorted those with nothing better to do to "complain". It is entirely misplaced and wholly pointless to heap opprobrium onto the presenters (or indeed those who explain what the editorial process is - or ought to be). Had it been followed, the circus would indeed never have come to town.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:43 PM

Whilst I do not condone the behaviour of either Russell Brand or Jonathon Ross in this instance I do feel that it was the duty of the programme editors and producers to stop the offending parts being broadcast. I can't help but feel they were hoping that the resulting publicity would bump up ratings. As far as I understand if the Daily Mail hadn't raked through the muck then the whole incident would have slipped into oblivion and the Sachs family be spared further upset.
I have been a fan of both these men for some time and will regret the loss of them on screen. I have never been offended by any of their shows (although obviously not family viewing). They overstepped the mark this time but if the show had been cut and a personal apology made to Andrew Sachs none of this circus would have ensued and we could have continued to enjoy our Friday night viewing!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:23 PM

Her huff arrived, and she went off in it!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:19 PM

Sigh.

I said I'd never heard Russell Brand ON R2. Because I don't listen to it.I know lots about him. Anyone with any media connection does.
What I know about him and Manuel's granddaughter I know from a broadcast interview with her. As does anyone with half an ear.

Now piss off.

Gone.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: GUEST,Arran
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:09 PM

so Diane, you said that you have never heard of Russell Brand and you have Jonathan Ross vaguely once or twice on television you said this " What was said about Manuel's granddaughter was absolutely true. " which means you must know Andrew Sachs's Grnadaughter and Russell Brand very well to print that.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:01 PM

Don't be so familiar. To the baying pack of goats and sheep (Scottish Division) I am Ms Easby. And you needn't think you can change your quarry and go in pursuit of me instead of the two puerile, nincompoop presenters because I have absolutely no agenda. I've nothing whatsoever to do with R2 (as I said before), I've never even heard Russell Brand and I've seen Jonathan Ross vaguely once or twice on television. I was simply explaining, for those clearly unaware, how broadcasting operates. And I'm now heading back upstairs where it's slightly less silly.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 03:32 PM

Ah Diane, foot out of mouth now please. Goat Fell
The guy who uses this handle, can see said peak from his window. A good reason for him to use it, don't you think?

XG

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 03:21 PM

Know them, Goatfell? (Excuse me while I snigger at such a ridiculous name).
No, I know hardly anyone at R2. I worked in television, where I learned very rapidly where a producers' (and ultimately the suits') responsibility for what goes out rests.
Presenters on children's programmes were for ever trying to drop in double entendres. When they made it to air it was the production team that got the blame, not the presenters.
That's why it's right that Lesley Douglas has quit.
She is ultimately responsible for a disastrous decision of one of her staff to allow the spoof voicemail messages to go out on air.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: gnomad
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 02:54 PM

Controller of R2, Lesley Douglas has resigned (BBC story here) as well.

I initially thought this an over-reaction, feeling that she probably had no direct hand in the matter. On later hearing she was responsible for hiring both Brand and Ross (and also that B**** Chris Evans apparently) I'm less certain.

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 02:35 PM

Well, that's an improvement on suspended on £16,000 a day :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 02:30 PM

Just heard that 'Woss' is suspended without pay for three months !!

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 01:21 PM

Re Russell Brand - "so famous that, I believe, his autobiography has been published!"

Called 'My Booky Wooky', I first saw it in the 'cheap' bin in Asda about 4 weeks after it was published, (not) selling for a quarter of its original price... it's now in paperback and still in the 'cheap' bin.

He could resign with ease, because he's still employed by Channel 4.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Jonathon Woss off air!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 01:20 PM

This puzzles me, why is it the job of comedians to 'push the envelope' [ghastly expression]?
There are many people making us laugh, and making a good living, while staying within the bounds of good taste.
Also please note, taste, and decency, are two different things, and while being tasteless is something Woss excels in, being indecent is a step too far.

XG