The eight men who attended the events said they were recruited by a middleman, who they described as having a missing nose covered with a snakeskin patch.
The eight men who attended the events said they were recruited by a middleman, who they described as having a missing nose covered with a snakeskin patch.
I had to read the BBC article to see if that was real, how bizarre
I mean hopefully this guy gets his comeuppance, but I was hoping for this to be a Walliams exposé.
The eight men who attended the events said they were recruited by a middleman, who they described as having a missing nose covered with a snakeskin patch.
It's odd that the BBC are making it. As they will be able to sell it abroad and make money from it.... but they were one of the protectors of him. Despite multiple reports and it being common knowledge among the press at the time. At best they enabled him and now they are making money from saying how sad it all is.
Did anyone see the Savile drama last night? Episode 1 wasn't great on my first watch. I honestly couldn't separate Coogan from his impression. It felt very much an impression of Savile than acting. However, I went on and watched the rest on Iplayer. I thought it was grimly very good. And Coogan nailed it in the later episodes as Savile aged.
One big criticism is that it portrayed it a bit too much as just the middle managers at the BBC that were in the wrong. I feel that's too narrow. The whole of society turned a blind eye from everything I've read. Thatcher comes off badly, but even as a Thatcher despiser, I almost feel that bit misses the point. I wouldn't expect Gordon Brown, Blair, Miliband etc to know who Russell Brand really was.
And that's the takeaway for me. I'm always on the side of 'innocent until proven guilty' and 'everyone has a right to a fair trial'. But my takeaway from this drama is that sometimes the truth smacks us in the face and we can't see it because of our own biases.
It is good timing for this drama. Really thinking about it, my personal opinion is that Brand is guilty. He may well have reformed himself in his personal life, but I can't honestly say I think he is innocent given we all know how high on drugs and alcohol he was at the time, and that is no excuse either. But unless he admits what he really was, I don't think there is a redemption arc, if you can be redeemed, much like Savile. Good for Russell for turning his personal life around, but it doesn't make up for what he did as there is no apology and I don't give a gooseberry fool if he is a happily married family man now. That doesn't absolve responsibility.
Honestly, it's weird BBC made this Savile drama, but I do recommend sticking with it. I just hope it leads to a true change of culture, in the BBC and much wife. Because some of the events depicted happened right at the rise of Brand. The BBC are simultaneously the worst people to make this drama, whilst also being the best.
captain red dog wrote: Honestly, it's weird BBC made this Savile drama, but I do recommend sticking with it. I just hope it leads to a true change of culture, in the BBC and much wife. Because some of the events depicted happened right at the rise of Brand. The BBC are simultaneously the worst people to make this drama, whilst also being the best.
Seems though at the time lots of people who met him (I.e. adults) always felt that there was something off about him. That flight or fight response kicking in but never knowing why.
Brand is guilty because there's clearly no remorse in his actions. More interested now in the right wing grift than face up to the consequences.
Though yes you can be guilty and remorseful. In these times if there's an incredibly iffy non-apology video attached, that person usually is guilty. Toxic gossip trains and all that.
Russell Brand: Extra accuses comedian of film set sexual assault
Russell Brand has been accused of sexually assaulting an extra on a film set in a civil lawsuit filed in the US.
During filming for the rom-com Arthur in July 2010 the comedian is alleged to have exposed himself to the anonymous woman before following her into a bathroom and sexually assaulting her.
Brand is facing accusations of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse after reports in the British media.
He denies the allegations and says his relationships were "always consensual".
Brand has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
British police have said they are investigating a number of claims made against Brand, but the case, filed with New York State Supreme Court on Friday, marks the first time any such accusations have been made in a lawsuit.
The BBC has said a total of five complaints have been made about Russell Brand's behaviour while he hosted radio shows between 2006 and 2008.
Two of these complaints have been made in the last two months, since a review of his time at the BBC was launched.
Those two complaints are understood to relate to his workplace conduct, and are not of a serious sexual nature.
The other three were made before he was publicly accused in September of rape and sexual assault, which he denies.
One was first made in 2019 and relates to a previously reported allegation of misconduct while on BBC premises in Los Angeles in 2008.
Two complaints were made during Brand's time working as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.
The BBC's director of editorial complaints and reviews, Peter Johnston, is conducting the review into Brand's behaviour at the time, whether managers knew about any allegations, and what action they took.