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Dispatches - Russell Brand

(298 Posts)
merlotgran Sun 17-Sept-23 10:02:14

Did anyone else watch this last night?

I’ve always thought he was a revolting individual and could never understand why, despite his drink/drug related behaviour, his career was not just allowed but encouraged to advance. I’m not the least bit surprised that accusations of rape are now gathering force.

But… Is this a case of trial by media? There has been no police investigation as yet.

What are your thoughts?

annodomini Sun 17-Sept-23 12:42:31

I am sure that legal advisers for the Times and Channel 4 must have gone over the journalists' evidence with a fine tooth comb. Successful libel actions can cost the media ££millions, so I'm inclined to believe that he has, at the very least, some searching questions to answer.

FenellaFootstrap Sun 17-Sept-23 12:39:46

go.skimresources.com/?id=470X756&isjs=1&jv=15.4.2-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2Ffeminism%2F4897546-russell-brand-accused-of-rape-sexual-assaults-and-abuse-the-timessunday-times-story%3Fpage%3D2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetimes.co.uk%2Farticle%2Fd4d93e74-5478-11ee-bc18-cbdd58145dc6%3FshareToken%3Db3cd34ae6268daad4741e6c092ceac97&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=ec74aad074038af2c5f32692eb1bf07c&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu%20%5B-1%5D

For those who didn't see the Channel 4 programme, this is the link to the Times article. Be forewarned; it's a hard read.

pascal30 Sun 17-Sept-23 12:28:50

How on earth he set himself up as a wellness guru beggars belief..

LovesBach Sun 17-Sept-23 12:15:52

I find Russell Brand offensive - his vulgar phone calls to Andrew Sachs, with that other juvenile loud mouth Jonathan Ross, ensures my switching off if they appear on TV, but it seems that the accusations have caused a charity to disengage with him already. Is there a great deal known - some enormous 'back story' that I haven't read ? Otherwise it does seem harsh, however dislikeable the individual, to assume alrerady that he is guilty.

Kate1949 Sun 17-Sept-23 12:07:47

He has millions of fans/followers. His live show went ahead last night and he was cheered loudly. Apart from the Andrew Sachs thing which was horrible, I've never disliked him and I wouldn't judge anyone on how they looked. However if this is all true then he is despicable.

nanna8 Sun 17-Sept-23 12:07:18

My first reaction was - not another one. I don’t know anything about this particular person but wonder why so many of these high profile people seem to overstep the mark. Is it an inflated sense of their own importance and infallibility?

rafichagran Sun 17-Sept-23 12:06:24

FenellaFootstrap

One particular thing that turned my stomach was his offering to take a young woman along with him to visit Jimmy Savile. That says it all for me.

Me too, this was shown on the programme, but as others have said we should be very careful what we write.

Ailidh Sun 17-Sept-23 12:02:45

Don't like him (though I did in St. Trinian's!).
Thought the Andrew Sachs thing revolting.
Have heard very little of him since apart from some odd as in peculiar soundbites
but
When I read on the BBC news app yesterday what he'd said about forthcoming allegations, I resolved to wait and hear what they were before jumping to a conclusion.

However, two sentences down when he allegedly said he was the subject of a "co-ordinated attack", a huge red flag jumped out at me. Self-proclaimed victimhood does not scream not guilty to me.

Dee1012 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:42:39

Allegations like this need to be heard in a court room not on TV or a newspaper although I appreciate that there's been times it's journalism that's 'opened the door'

Callistemon21 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:32:35

Kate1949

Once again this has come to light years after the alleged incidents. I am wondering why these things take so long to come out, especially in the light of Savile, Harris and others. I feel sorry for Brand's wife and children.

Probably because everyone thinks they are the only one?
They feel ashamed and that it must somehow be their own fault, perhaps?

Kate1949 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:29:46

Once again this has come to light years after the alleged incidents. I am wondering why these things take so long to come out, especially in the light of Savile, Harris and others. I feel sorry for Brand's wife and children.

merlotgran Sun 17-Sept-23 11:25:00

Ross was dismissed, I think, but was soon back on our screens, as far as I know.
I avoid watching him

After a brief period in the wilderness he was snapped up by ITV. He has cleaned up his act since then. I always had JR down as an immature individual with a silly, puerile sense of humour. He’s taken a very long time to grow up.

Freya5 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:23:35

Wait for it, another trial by social media.

Glorianny Sun 17-Sept-23 11:21:09

He's a complicated individual. He undoubtedly gained his fame through being rude and obnoxious, but began making political statements around 2013, since then he's proposed revolution then supported Trump and shifted from far left to alt right.
I've no idea if he is guilty . I didn't watch the programme. I'm not happy with anyone being tried by the media. Particularly not after the way Kevin Spacey was treated, by the time a court found him not guilty, his career was ruined.

Callistemon21 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:12:51

GrannyGravy13

Calendargirl

P.S. Andrew Sachs, something to do with his GD?

He and Jonathan Ross left a salacious message on Andrew Sachs answerphone regarding his GD.

Ross was dismissed, I think, but was soon back on our screens, as far as I know.
I avoid watching him.

lemsip Sun 17-Sept-23 11:11:56

apparently this is the first of channel 4 dispatches to air, there are other 'so called' comedians to follow.. a few female comedians have been speaking out in recent weeks without naming though. They may well be out in next few weeks/

Callistemon21 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:11:42

Grammaretto

Not if they are just that, allegations. No if someone tore me down in public without a trial, it wouldn't be fair .
Perhaps inappropriate news would be a better word.
There are wars, earthquakes, floods and melting glaciers or haven't you noticed these?

There are wars, earthquakes, floods and melting glaciers or haven't you noticed these?

That is uncalled for.
Some of us are capable of thinking of more than one subject.

Allegations of this nature should be taken seriously and the police involved.

merlotgran Sun 17-Sept-23 11:09:22

There are wars, earthquakes, floods and melting glaciers or haven't you noticed these

Are you saying these haven’t received any coverage?

GrannyGravy13 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:08:37

Calendargirl

P.S. Andrew Sachs, something to do with his GD?

He and Jonathan Ross left a salacious message on Andrew Sachs answerphone regarding his GD.

Calendargirl Sun 17-Sept-23 11:07:05

P.S. Andrew Sachs, something to do with his GD?

Aveline Sun 17-Sept-23 11:06:03

I used to think he was quite entertaining about twenty years ago. He sort of disappeared from public life though and I haven't even thought about him since.

Calendargirl Sun 17-Sept-23 11:06:01

Is he the one who ridiculed Manuel from Fawlty Towers (real name escapes me) or am I thinking of someone else?

Grammaretto Sun 17-Sept-23 11:04:19

Not if they are just that, allegations. No if someone tore me down in public without a trial, it wouldn't be fair .
Perhaps inappropriate news would be a better word.
There are wars, earthquakes, floods and melting glaciers or haven't you noticed these?

GrannyGravy13 Sun 17-Sept-23 11:02:51

I have given this more thought, and I do not think that allegations of rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour should be the subject of a TV documentary.

Surely if Dispatches has/had enough evidence they should have taken it to the police as opposed to broadcasting it as prime time Saturday night entertainment

I am not a fan of Russell Brand, but in the U.K. you are innocent until proved guilty…

Callistemon21 Sun 17-Sept-23 10:58:09

Grammaretto

I don't think I know who he is. I had to look him up when the salacious accusations were all over the BBC last night and this morning.

Have they really no more important news?

You don't think the allegations are serious or anything to worry about then, Grammaretto?

😲