Shouldn't the BBC take blame in Ross and Brand saga?
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Presenter Jonathan Ross and Comedian Russell Brand have been suspended by the BBC after leaving lewd messages on actor Andrew Sachs's answer phone as part of a BBC Radio 2 show.
But let's remember, this was not something they did in private for their own kicks, it was part of a radio show. A radio show that was being produced by BBC radio professionals for broadcast to BBC licence payers.
So shouldn't the BBC be primarily to blame for allowing two of its most seasoned, albeit unpredictable comedians loose in such improvised fashion?
What do you think? The debate rages in our forum.
Andrew Sachs himself has vowed he is not "out for revenge" following BBC director general Mark Thompson's announcement that the pair are immediately suspended due to this "gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team".
The former Fawlty Towers star told Sky News that said he was not surprised by the suspension but would not be reporting the incident to police, saying: "I am not going to take it anywhere."
Jonathan Ross has remained silent over the incident but his sidekick in the scandal, Russell Brand today apologised to the 78-year-old when confronted by journalists while leaving his London home... sort of.
He said: "I think it would be silly of me to speak without thinking as this has caused all of this trouble. So... perhaps I shouldn't," he said.
"Sorry that I've upset Mr Sachs."
The BBC has received more than 18,000 complaints over the broadcast in which the two presenters joked about Brand sleeping with Mr Sachs's granddaughter, twenty-three-year-old Georgina Bailie.
Georgina told Sky News: "My grandfather is really upset and says he wants the whole situation to end.
"They (Brand and Ross) should at least pay for what they've done with their jobs."
The media watchdog Ofcom is investigating the broadcast in the meantime.
Read the BBC's full statement on the scandal.
Do you think the pair should be sacked? Have a rant in the forum.
Image Credit: WENN
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