Jo Brand

Says its clear she quickly pulled back, realising in current times, her comment may be seen as inflammatory rather than merely a joke.

As this programme was pre-recorded, the BBC could have easily cut it out when it was broadcast.

Labaik Thu 13-Jun-19 17:49:45
I don't agree with what you have said in some of your posts, however I agree that the remarks made to Gina Miller are totally unacceptable - although it was not broadcast on a national radio programme - dear old 'Auntie BBC' .
If the BBC finds these kinds of remarks acceptable and humorous enough to broadcast, a person who makes such threats will think that that type of remark is perfectly acceptable too - where is the line drawn?

This all seems to be part of the debasing of society in general and an acceptance of the lowest common denominator, citing 'freedom of speech' as an excuse.

The so-called comedian who made so-called jokes about disabled children and was banned from one tv channel is, I believe, back on the BBC.
The man who burned an effigy of Grenfell Tower as 'a joke' has been charged with two counts of sending or causing grossly offensive material to be sent via a public communications network - he put it on FB.
It was sick, offensive and not remotely funny to the majority of people - but some found it 'funny'.

Where should the line be drawn? Is Nigel Farage fair game? Is Gina Miller fair game? Is Esther McVey fair game (John McDonnell thinks so).

People are entitled to criticise their views but surely incitement to violence, even as a joke, is wrong and just shows how low our society has become.

This was happening way before the referendum too.

Unfortunate joke to make - there are so many others around who are so dangerous that you just can’t make ‘jokes’ like this nowadays because dangerous people can make it ‘open season’ to react to remarks like this. I think in Jo Brand’s case this was extremely thoughtless and I am quite surprised she would be so silly in these times when anything can be acted upon by crazy people.

If someone on the right had said it there would be uproar. I’ve never liked the woman since she went running to bosses at the BBC to get Carol Thatcher sacked for something she said off air.

She’s now made a half hearted apology (to save her career) and turned it into a feminist issue. According to her women are subjected to far worse ie being threatened with rape. I wonder what Katie Piper would have to say about that?

Sounds to me as though this whole Heresy programme should be axed. Now. What is the point of a programme whose sole purpose seems to be to be to carry offensiveness to new levels under the guise of the cut and thrust of repartee? Didn't the presenter pull her up?

Also it should be an offence to throw any liquid at any one. That poor veteran who got soaked with milk shake. Disgusting.

I am with you paddyann

It was a recorded programme and the BBC chose to leave the remark in. When I heard it I chuckled because I do have a 'black' sense of humour. Being a 'normal' person, whatever 'normal' is I didn't take it seriously. Guess I must be a 'moron'

Yes deffo. I wonder how she would react if someone made a really bad mental health joke!!Double standards I think.

Definitely not funny and not something she should have said. A case of needs to engage her brain before she speaks!

What puzzles me is why Jo Brand is considered to be a comedian! Like all of the current crop of so-called "funny" people she peddles smut and outright obscenity and spends most of the time laughing or smirking at her own "jokes". A prime example of that sort of thing can be seen on Mock The Week. She said what she said with cruel intent in the full knowledge that she was inciting the loony fringe to up their game from milkshakes to life changing violemce. She should be locked up as an example to others of her ilk. Do remember that she is paid for doing what she does. She may not be paid directly by the BBC, but the BBC pays the company that makes the programme, thus the viwers licence fee is finding its way into her claws. She is not in the leasat pity funny.

When I heard Jo Brand making this jibe, (The BBC helpfully repeated the entire clip on the 6 o'clock news after announcing it would be removed if the show was replayed), the image that immediately sprang to mind was that of Katie Piper.

How anyone can think this sort of talk is defensible is beyond me.

Since they all work from scripts I can only think she was ok’d to say it. It was an awful thing to say.

I took it as rhetorical not a question

Implying milk shake may be harmless but the next step might not be
I'm certain she was not saying she dislikes farige so let's throw acid on him....
I think she's actually saying none of this throwing is a good idea..
Where could it lead to.

well imo incitement.... there are people out there who will take this on board, and act on it! and everyone is aware that this sort of thing does incite terrible behaviour..

I am astonished in this pc age that such language is allowed..
come one.... think about how "we" are not allowed to speak nowadays, far more innocent remarks than this are taken too seriously.

I didn’t find it funny and think it was ill advised, but all the fuss since is a bit OTT.

I've just read the article, Iam. I got the feeling Richard Littlejohn would have preferred to be sticking the boot in but his name was pulled out of the hat to write some kind of defence. There's another article by the TV reviewer, Christopher Stevens, blaming JB's stroppy f**k you attitude on an abusive childhood. I don't remember Carol Thatcher heaping blame on her upbringing when she lost her career thanks to Brand and Adrian Chiles.

I'd have more respect for JB if she took full responsibility for her ill judged comment and faced the consequences without bragging that she 'can't be sacked by the BBC.'

If her popularity wanes, the Beeb will drop her like a hot potato and she'll have to keep her head down until another TV channel tentatively risks a re-launch. Maybe Johnathan Ross could give her a few pointers.

I can't stand hypocrisy, especially from overpaid TV comedians/presenters, who think they're untouchable, not to mention the BBC who appear to be standing by her - at the moment!

There's an interesting article in the DM on line this morning by Richard Littlejohn. I'm hopeless at links (sorry) but he points out Jo Brand added a caveat to her acid comment, not going to do it, it's just a fantasy. He fully supports her right to make this 'joke' on the grounds of freedom of speech. Says its clear she quickly pulled back, realising in current times, her comment may be seen as inflammatory rather than merely a joke.
He also has a go at Nigel F for involving the police.

Police are looking into it.
I also have never found her funny , rather vulgar actually.

Joe Brands "joke" was indeed in very bad taste.
Neither was it funny but to be fair, I've never found her funny.

I struggle a bit, with the issue of 'freedom of speech' and the reference of comments most of us would find offensive being dismissed as mere 'banter'.

The lyrics POGS quotes are plain unacceptable to me. Maybe it's because I'm getting older!

Didn't Hope Not Hate sue Farage for some remarks he made about them? [I need to do some googling to jog my memory...]

The points raised re the far left BNP / EDL, Tommy Robinson have gravitas but the difference is nobody has condoned a word or action they say or do whereas Jo Brand is merely ' humour'.

This debacle reminds me of watching ' The Pleadge' on Sky last week.

Rachel Johnson was making the same defence of freedom of speech and saying why we should not be taking seriously the lyrics of the 2 activists in the punk band Killdren who ' were' to perform at Glastonbury. Another case of right wing censureship in her view. I was heartened the other panelists politely gave her short shrift.

Killdren wrote a song called ' KILL THE TORY Scum'. The lyrics jnclude:-

"Even if it’s yer Dad or yer Mum
Kill tory scum, kill tory scum
Even if it’s yer pal or yer chum
Kill tory scum, kill tory scum
If politics leaves you numb
Kill tory scum, kill tory scum
Murder them all to the beat of the drum
Kill tory scum, kill tory scum
Tory genocide is the perfect outcome
Kill tory scum, kill tory scum
We pay by the head, raise your income
Kill tory scum, kill tory scum"

This was another time Hope Not Hate voiced an opinion over the increasing use of vile, hate filled rhetoric and actions surrounding some and their model of politics.

I don’t think she works directly for the BBC so I doubt they can sack her . I could be wrong . I guess it would be easy for them to just not use her though .

Apparently the police are to investigate Jo Brand after Farage complained .

From what I've heard Beth was boo'd when she asked the question...

I have never found her remotely funny