Russell's parting shot

Posted by Jane Murphy

It's a good job that whole global financial meltdown and US presidency race have been sorted out, isn't it? Otherwise we wouldn't have time to concentrate on the really important things like a couple of immature egotists making a series of prank phone calls to a bemused actor.

The latest in the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross saga? Well, as you know, Russell's resigned from the BBC - but he did prepare this little explanatory video before he went:

Meanwhile, poor old Andrew Sachs is being doorstepped by overexcitable hacks...

In a nutshell? He's accepted everyone's apologies and he won't be reporting the pair to the police - perhaps under the bizarre illusion that the police have more important things to worry about.

Meanwhile, Georgina Baillie has all too predictably told The Sun that Russell was a "disappointment" in bed, and revealed that he yelled out her granddad's Fawlty Towers catchphrase "Que?" during the throes of passion.

Georgina says the phone prank could have ruined her life - but I reckon she's a dead cert for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! if she fancies it, due to her recently raised profile.

And Jonathan? The nation waits with bated breath while BBC bigwigs decide his fate. But even his best mate Ricky Gervais says he's made a big mistake...

So what next for Russell, Jonathan and Georgina? Tell us your thoughts here.

SEE ALSO:
Russ and Ross are suspended >>
Russell Brand's most controversial moments >>
Brand resigns from BBC >>

Comments

[Nicole]

Hah, talk about double standards. That silly girl complains about having her sex life flaunted in the papers, but then sells the details. Stupid slapper.

I totally agree, it is an immature, junenile prank that is setting a bad example for the youth of today.they've been put back in their palces and rightly so. they've apologised - lets move onto bigger issues like the Congo war!

I dont think anyone deserves to have their sex life flaunted across the whole nation...and you probably wouldnt either -how embarrassed would you feel facing your family! next time I hope they'll think before they speak about something that can be seen as personal sensitive information to people involved. you only play a prank like this if youre very good friends or you know the person will take it on the chin...obviously this family didnt and people should realise sometimes stuff like this just isnt funny, except insulting!!

[Chill out!]

There was a time when saying sorry was enough. Why as a society do we feel we have to bring people down as far as we can? Ok they did wrong but they've apologised. Most rapists and murderers don't get as much press as this has it's utterly ridiculous! As for the grand-daughter .. hmmm.. I'm sure my grandfather would be absolutely delighted if I were an ahem "exotic dancer"! She's obviously so upset that she rushed out to make a programme about it. Yes .. methinks it's a perfect opportunity to get some press and a bit of cash. Brand & Ross will comeback without a doubt. If you don't like them, don't watch them and don't listen to them. There are plenty other channels out there people.

[Jean]

I have only just got around to listening to what went out on air, before that I had just got caught up in all the media coverage. What a load of rubbish - it certainly wasn't funny - in fact I got bored. I can see that Andrew Sachs would be upset by it, and perhaps his grandaughter to a lesser degree.
I have thought for some time that Jonathan Ross was pushing his luck a bit. Even he had to finish some of his quips with "What - it's a joke" presumably because of reaction from his studio audience to something they thought was going just a bit too far.
Maybe Michael Parkinson will come out of retirement - if nothing else he would let us hear what his quests have to say. We would not have to listen to inuendo punctuated with bad language, if funny at all it is only so sometimes - time to grow up perhaps.

[JJ]

I think everyone is in agreement that this pair went too far but no-one has been permanently scarred or injured as a result so what's all the big fuss? It would be a traversty if we no longer had the enjoyment of Jonathan Ross on the radio or on the tele. A vast majority of you bloggers seem to agree so why do I get the feeling the moaning "sheep" will have the last laugh?

[Claire-Lou]

Gee, people really need to get a grip. They are COMEDIANS. They made a joke, which went waaayyyy too far, but they have acknowleged that and apologised. Andrew has accepted their apology. So why are loads of idiotic people who are nothing to do with the situation getting stressed over it? Chill out people! Its nothing to do with any of you and if the victim has gotten over it why cant you lot? you clearly have sad lives.

[mr s]

Ridiculous... As in the blog, the world has more important things to deal with. It was a hurtful, and tasteless prank yes, we've all established that. But the furore spawned by the media has blown it out of proportion... could we expect any less?

What the media neglects to mention regarding Georgina 'mother teresa' Baillie is erm... satanic sluts? What a great grandaughter she is...
She isnt miss perfect and though it was a hurtful prank, it was the truth!

Her life wasnt ruined, if anything she has been given fodder to boost her own celeb status... She, herself is a nasty piece of work.

[charlotte]

pathetic. The lot of it. I love russell brand and Jonathon ross and i think everyone had over reacted. People are just complaining for the sake of it. I dont think anyone that complained would have if it was not for the fact it had been publically displayed in the press. I dont think they meant anything malliciously and were just having a laugh. all you people have obviously got nothing better to do with your lives if you have complained, absolutely pathetic the lot of you! .

[Mell]

God this is getting so silly
when the show actually aired there were two complaints
now that the F-ing press have got involved 38000 people that probley didnt even listen to the show have complained

fair enough it was a silly prank that went to fair but with so much else going on in the world i dont think we should be concentrating on this

[wheelsof]

Jonathan Ross should have his OBE revoked as a result of his recent lewd disorderly conduct as it was awarded for services to Broadcasting. The very least he could do is hand it back and say thanks, but I am no longer worthy of such an honour. Lets see if a petition can be set up on the Number 10 Downing Street Petition Website.

[malawpoet]

A possible future solution to Mr Brand's employment issues is addressed in the URL.

[gary]

I don't care much about RB & JR or their shows, but I have a choice which I use when ever they are on, I turn over to another channel, but I was very angry that two fit men were caught using company phones to bully and abuse an elderly actor who had no defense and getting paid for it out my license fee.
If I had done that in my place of work, I would have been instantly dismissed.

[henz]

yes it was a bad bit of comedy and a sketch that should never have been aired..but if comedians/dj's have to stick to political correctness from the morons that love to find any reason to complain as they are jealous of the shows like X Factor,Big Brother and of dj's like brand and ross!!

we might as well repeat all the shows from the 19 50,60,70,80...exept shows like "raising damp, till death do us apart,magic roundabout,mr bean,portman bill..as we don't want to cause the offend pc brigade..

[James]

Celebs think they are above the law they think they can say and do just what they like and no-one can touch them , they will end up with a few weeks suspension and then be back on the money wagon They should be sacked

[M]

Jonathan Ross show is the only thing worth watching on BBC1!

[Jay]

I cant believe it came to Russell quitting. And its all the publics fault, before the daily mail printed the story there was 2 complaints! 2!! My favourite radio show is now non existent thanks to all the Politically Correct nonces jumping on the overreaction bandwagon. My faith in the British public is now completely gone and im furious how this matter his risen to that of a scapegoat scenario. Even Gordon Brown is uses this to earn brownie points for himself, apparently he has the time to not worry about this countries problems and talk about minute scandals. I just hope Russell and Johnathan bounce back from this.

[D]

I think the British public have jumped on the bandwagon with all these complaints.They know they did wrong and brand has paid a heavy price.I think all this attention will act as a better punishment for Ross than the loss of his job.

[Mb]

I happen to like both of them and yes I do agree they stepped over, way over the line on this one but can we really blame them for this? Everyone knows what Russell is like and Jonathon for that matter, this was after all a PRE RECORDERED SHOW, why the hell did the powers that be at the BBC let it go on air, these are the powers that at the end of the day decide how to spend our money, which one of them made this massive error in judgement by letting the show air. It would seem there is a bit of a witch-hunt against both Jonathon and Russell over this when the BBC could have stopped it from ever happening. As for the granddaughter, well she new who she was sleeping with and knows what Russell is like, he has always been very open about it and there is no smoke with out fire is there?

[JJ]

I can not belive this.
I know it was a bad joke but I also think Simon Cowell is rude and big brother should be axed asap so is anyone sorting this for me. Where are my 38,000 friends.

[Soleil]

Ross & Brand are nothing more than a pair of sleazy slimeballs. Brand looks like he needs a good shower and it horrifies me to think that anyone would sleep with him. Ross shows a complete lack of respect for his wife and family who must be mortified by his actions, not only on this occasion but when he consistantly pervs over his lady guests on his shamelessly self promoting shows. Grow up.

[radio free penge]

Ross and Brand were prats, but I can't believe how this has got blown out of proportion. It just shows how easily the moronic herd can get swept up into a frenzy by their media manipulators. People who actually heard the show and complained = 2. Brainless idiot sheep = 38,000.