Losing Change
It's been a bit weird to watch the financial world all tumbling down. I've been obsessively checking the impressive £29.99 balance in my regular account to see if anything has changed. It has and it hasn't. Actually, that's the only way my mind can realistically relate to all the manic panic of loss adjustment. When I hear on the news that billions have "disappeared" around the world, it seems unreal but if one day my balance read £29.98, I'd be a mess.
Last show had us taking a carnal carousing aboard the cathartic express. David Baddiel was this week's visiting volunteer who soon found himself immersed within the verbal hot tub. It was good to meet Ricky from the Pride of Britain awards and I'm glad to see that he's turned his tragedy around to go on and inspire others. I guess such life-or-death stories truly put the current fiscal losses into perspective. I still worry about that missing penny though.
The Karmic Cuddle of Kindness
Is the Bank balance half-full or half empty?
Event combination unlocks the stock of Baddiel-suited gentry,
Dollars down, depressed Euros and Pounds,
And yet a comedic cornucopia can now be found,
Bill's chameleon's molested,
Madeley came corrected,
But there's Good MILF Hunting from the horn of the plenty,
Married to the game,
Intoxicated with the fame,
Even chocolate's concocted so that reindeers can be tamed,
Ricky turned the tragedy of reality to offset the insanity of vanity,
But the Blighty-pipe layer still desired a Shag-bo calamity!
UPDATE: Oct 29th.
This evening as you probably know Russell resigned from his Radio 2 show. If you've arrived at this blog wanting to comment or respond to Russell's recent show with Jonathan Ross then you can comment on the Have Your Say site on BBC News. Currently it is very busy so please bear with us. Alternatively The BBC's formal complaints site is here and there are many places to discuss this news story away from the BBC .
In the meantime we are closing comments throughout this blog.
Thanks.
Jem Stone
Communities Executive, BBC Audio and Music.
Comments
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I know whatcha mean... you might find the new Zeitgeist movie able to explain all the mess goin' on... I was never big into politics (b/c I was quite egocentric, to be honest) til bout a year ago and have really discovered a whole new world almost... anyhow, I wanted to say that I really love what you wrote and I listen to the shows and watch the viddycasts from the US every week. Stay safe friend.
xoxo
jess
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hi :) ooh my first comment on this website where have i been all these years i hear u ponder?? haha love this blog :) readin it from ireland,i was bad nuff b4 the recession,time to immigrate again,i sell potatoes by the road side to try get up spme money during these tough times,gee keep up the good work :) x x x
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Dear Russell, this year we must renogotiate your fee as the Sachs controversy clearly proved you are a bit of a liability. Thanks, BBC
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I think "a bit of a liability" is grossly understated.Do you really think that your (and Jonathon Ross') conduct is inexcusable.If you consider
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I think "a bit of a liability" is grossly understated.Do you really think that your (and Jonathon Ross') conduct is acceptable?I consider that the BBC should sack the pair of you!!!
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With regrad to your behaviour with regard to MR. SACHS Iwould wqish to say that you should hang your head in shame and I would sincerly hope that the BBC will think twice before allowing either yojrself or the equally culpable Mr. Ross to inflict yourselves on the poor abused British public
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I've consistently felt, for the last 25 years, that alternative comedy is just an excuse for obnoxious comedians to get away with things that ordinarily they'd be punched in the face for...
Where's the real humour gone. Remember Carrots episode of the Detectives where Briggs and Louis were more interested in finding references to all the English football teams than in solving the crime. And what about the classic re-working of the my dogs got no nose gag in "The Thin Blue Line".
Come -on Wossy. You're a comic expert, you should know better...
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Mr Brand. I don't know whether or not you are sufficiently humble to ever bother reading these messages. But I will post this anyway. Normally I never b other to complain about what comes out the television screen or radio speaker - I merely use the change channel button which I have done every time you have appeared on it. My view is this. You have no discernible talent. To be crude and offensive without restraint is not a talent it is a talent substitute. You are not a 'comic' because you are just not funny. Entertaining wit is a talent. I feel that the BBC should spend huge sums of money that you and Mr Ross are paid on something much more subtle and amusing without resorting to releasing garbage dressed up as comedy. Look around you and emulate some of your peers who are in a league way above yours before it is too late.
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Russell, I'm a fan and have been for a number of years. I listened to your podcast this morning and while I wasn't particularly offended I can see how phoning a 78-year old man and making lewd comments about his grand-daughted could be construed as offensive (notwithstanding what you would call mitigating circumstances of her being a member of Satantic Sluts).
The offence I am taking is the continued unexplained absence of your co-host Matt Morgan. Where has he gone? Have you 2 had a fight? Suffice to say I don't think the current bad press you are experiencing would have happened had Matt been with you on the show. But then maybe you consider any press to be good press?
Either way, I have been listening to you and Matt for the better part of 2 years on my way into work and I'm feeling a little cheated by the continual parade of media chums you're wheeling out (Noel excepted). Please explain forthwith what the situation is.
If not, I'll ask you on Thursday at Ponderland.
Cheers,
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Oh, and another thing, here's some top satire...
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/celebrity/ross-and-brand-to-dig-up-queen-mother-200810271355/
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Your only jealous 'cos peak oil means you'll never see 78. I understand 'dimming' down is all the rage in your age bracket but it's certainly accelerated in your case. Hyper-inflation will steal your wealth, and gold will get you killed by the state. Your a poor man - a kind of scare crow.
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You really are rather pointless aren't you.
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Dimming down ?
I don't think so.
If we stay at the level of comedy that you suggest is funny, we'll have effectively returned to the Dark Ages...
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You're really funny, im sure you've been talking to your mates and agreeing how funny you are, and how telling a 78 year old man that you had had sex with his granddaughter is really funny. Well done you, BBC please get rid of him, this isnt entertainment/comedy. It's egotistical nonsense.
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Ooooo what a pavlova!!!!!
The amount of people who I’ve heard calling into radio shows to “complain” about the infamous phone calls that clearly did not and subsequently have not heard them is hilarious in and of itself.
Calls to bring back the death penalty for such “crimes” against the nation are slightly over the top. Russell, you acerbic peacock of the revolution you really have outdone yourself this time.
Don’t let them grind you down .... In my view you and Mr Ross may be guilty of a lapse in judgement (esp. Considering it was a pre-record) but the very public flogging administered by the ‘right-wing’ press led as always by the DM is more insane than even me (and that’s saying something).
Get a grip people, free yourselves of the sheep like mentality with which you herd towards the lush pastures of the moral high-ground.
And finally consider, if SACHS had been a professional he would have either answered the pre-arranged call, or he’d have got his people to talk to your people and let you know he was unavailable .... so really it was HIS fault. ?
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SACK ROSS AND GRANT. There, print that, free speech?
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I cannot believe the BBC would let a pre-recorded show go out on air with such infantile and offensive comments about a well respected actors grandaughter. Mr Brand and Mr Ross this behaviour is unacceptable to the vast majority of licence payers, Mr Brand you are in my opinion totally devoid of any talent whatsoever and Mr Ross as a family man how would you feel in Mr Sachs position ? Un forgiveable behaviour, two loose cannons who are grossly overpaid you deserve to lose your jobs.
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J. Ross has been an unacceptable presenter on BBC radio2 since he first appeared on it.
Radio 2 is a main stream station which is holding a vast audience through the efforts of presenters such as T. Wogan and S, Kennedy. When people such as Ross turn up on a saturday morning the problem of changing a digital radio is too difficult to the many week time listners and Ross manages an audience by default.
This latest example of his true attitude to the rest of the world is simply a move too far and at last people are coming out of the shadows to admit their absolute dislike of the man.
He has been rude, crude and infantile all his life and will never change. The problem is the producers that choose to employ him. He really should be sacked. When the day comes that he is sent packing is the day me and my friends will return to BBC radio 2 with a sigh of relief.
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Dear Russell, as you are clearly developmentally challenged, let me make some suggestions to help you with your writing, perhaps if you wrote better you may also become funny in time - say, by the time you're 78!
For today's lesson, we will look at your sentence "Actually, that's the only way my mind can realistically relate to all the manic panic of loss adjustment."
Alliteration is a powerful tool, sweetie, and you're clearly not mature enough to handle it effectively yet.
D for ability. A for effort, but unfortunately that isn't how we are judged in real life.
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I agree with the coriticisms made above; Brand and Ross's comments were offensive, sexist and slanderous. While I feel for Andrew Sachs, his character has not been slurred by these offensive clowns: little boys and their toys'! I hope that the young woman concerned sues them and the BBC for setting such bad examples. These 'men' are supposed to be professionals and this blatent bad behaviour, bordering on the illegal, should be dealt with strictly. Both men should be sacked along with their producer. Ross and Brand have long been offensive and cheapen the BBC name and traditions. Does the BBC want to known as the company that colludes with sexually offensive, lewd and cheap humour? Get rid of the trash.
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This behaviour is more expected from immature presenters on Radio 1. If this happened in my workplace I would dismiss the culprit. As a shareholder in the BBC I would reccomend that Brand goes or even has the decency to resign along with vulgar lout Ross
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While i do agree to a certain extent with the anger... i believe that people should carefully gain the facts before criticising ... for one, Mr Brnad didn't write the above blog entry (as you will see by the name at the top.) he hasn;t written a blog for over a year. Secondly... to the person who posted "SACK GRANT" ... wothout putting their name, i think they may be slightly confused!! I don't think they should be sacked, i think they should be made to apologise properly, sure. However i think the producers are more at fault due the fact they had the opportunity to stop this going otu on air. it was a pre-recorded show after all. Both of these men are employed for their personalities, it is no secret that this involves controversy and a lack of predictability. High horses are no really for the public, a matter of this nature is now between the parties it directly involved. people appear to be getting very angry over this, save your stress levels and let in play out in the way it's meant to... through the official channels.
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P.S- excuse my typos... trying to type fast before catching my lift home! hahaha
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Sack that talentless idiot Brand. I thought Ross was alright, but he's gone so far down in my estimation, I will never watch or listen to his show again. Same obviously applies to Brand, but at least Ross had talent.
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I can see why some people find the comments offensive, but really there are a lot more important things going on in the world than a few misjudged close-to-the-knuckle words intended to be in jest. Naturally it's been blown out of all proportion by the media, & people jumping on the bandwagon of indigity about something they don't even have all the facts on. All it needs is some apologies. This is trivial stuff.
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Ok all comments aside where is this weeks podcast, not posting that definitely is not funny. Where's Matt?
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For crying out loud - these guys are paid to be a breath to be entertaining and have been near the knuckle lots of time before. Radio 2 have enough dj's willing to kiss up - Steve Wright for a start. Give me irreverent, edgy, breath-of-fresh-air humour any time. Everyone makes mistakes - they have apologised, lets move on. Perhaps the producers should have been more careful about what they are willing to put out. Anyone that reads the DM etc aren't in their right minds anyway.
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Very close to the edge this time Brand. Will you tip off? If making abusive phone calls is a criminal offence - then a stint in jail might dull the ego.
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Dear oh dear Russell, Time for some self-sabotage? You and young Matthew are incredibly talented. You do realise that there may not always be someone to salvage you from your messes and you may just have to take responsibility for your actions. Adulthood - what a load of ol' rhubarb? There's a big difference between being subversive, ironic, dark, clever with your comedy and being downright cruel to someone.
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WHERE is Matt Morgan?! He is sorely missed...
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Blimey, I wish people in this country would get things into proportion. Yes it was a bit silly but it was funny and they have appologised. Why is there a bigger outcry over some phone calls than there was about the Stockwell tube shooting when the police killed an inocent man. We all make mistakes, Russell and Jonathon didn't kill anyone. If you want to get angry and passionate, do it about something that matters.
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A lot of people need to act their age. I'm talking to you Manuel! But really, I'm talking to the children who are outraged by a bit of fun n games (Oh! Offensive.. Criminal..the jokes on you, bunch of mad-heads). Old folks get offended by hair-dos and jeans that don't fit right. Chances are no one has suffered too severely in the light of Mr. Sachs discovering that maddening truth: his granddaughter allegedly had some sexy inter-course with a telly-man (who's thought this one up..tweaking at the comp culture?). And, (if we're realistic..please, go on, nutters) aside from on his answerphone machine, I reckon granddad's heard some rude words in his time. Let him be old and grumbling. The rest of you grow up in the mind.
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Dear sewer rat - why don't you resign now and return to the gutter where you belong.
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Chin up Russ/Ross et al. I think this is a situation where one must weather the storm - just a shame there isn't a global economic crisis, thousands being made unemployed in the UK, scores dead after an earthquake in Pakistan, a devastating famine in Somalia, insurgents in South Georgia and millions dying of AIDS across Africa to occupy the pitiful bog-roll pages of this country's newspapers. Oh...these things ARE going on? And yet we're more concerned about a 10-minute prank answerphone message, the content of which involved the "shocking" revelation that two adults had consensual sex? Great publicity for the Satanic Sluts, though. There is a season for idiocy. Let's hope it passes.
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Again, WHERE IS MATT MORGAN!?
We deserve to know.
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Yeah,where's Maffoo?Us forumers have been pondering this for at least a month now.
Everyone who's complained on here-THIS IS MR.GEE'S BLOG.Complaints can be submitted somewhere else.
And anyways,this has been blown out of proportion.The phone calls were just a bit of fun,and were actually funny,and Russ+Ross didn't mean to hurt Mr.Sach's feelings.
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"And finally consider, if SACHS had been a professional he would have either answered the pre-arranged call, or he?d have got his people to talk to your people and let you know he was unavailable .... so really it was HIS fault."
-Yes, you make a good point. In fact Ross and Brand should have left the studio with a team to bang on Sachs' door to make swears at him through his letterbox, while letting a rabid monkey climb on his carport's roof. And then chucked rare eggs at his chimney.
Not answering a telephone call from the great Brand and Ross? What a crime!? WHO DID HE THINK HE WAS??? He deserves everything he got.
Byeee!???!!
Please note this post may have contained sarcasm (TM).
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Hello downandout..
"just a shame there isn't a global economic crisis, thousands being made unemployed in the UK, scores dead after an earthquake in Pakistan, a devastating famine in Somalia, insurgents in South Georgia and millions dying of AIDS across Africa to occupy the pitiful bog-roll pages of this country's newspapers. Oh...these things ARE going on? "
-I enjoy taking lectures about important issues and media from someone who clearly listens to the Russell Brand show.
There's always something more important going on in the world. Instead of rating-up Brand you could have been watching NEWs 24 or Euronews in order to learn more about the issues you rightly raise.
See da problemm?
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Christ! If people can't take a joke!! - Russell, now that you've quit, get yer arse back over to L.A. with the rest of us Brits that have left the poxy shitty rainy little country, hell bent on destroying epic comedy, something which the entire country was built on! [Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]
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well that blew out of proportion and now Brand has quit. Maybe the BBC will offer matt morgan his own show, it was clear that he was the glue holding russell's show together. I enjoyed listening to the podcast and the show will be missed
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Will miss you Russell. Can't help thinking it would not have happened if Matt had been there.
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I'm mortified.
Literally.
I've enjoyed this podcast every week for nearly 2 years now.
I'm genuinely saddened by Russell leaving.
What's going to happen to Mr G? Matt Morgan?
This is terrible!
I hope they release an independent podcast.
Please! For my own sanity!
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I just like to say that its a crying shame that Russell Brand has quit because of some braying small minded Daily Mail band wagon jumping on prigs.
Mary Whitehouse would be proud
What has happened to British Comedy when the media can create such a whirlwind? What would have happened if the Pythons had forced to quit after Life of Brian?
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Actually am absoloutely gutted and in true die hard style, SIGN THIS PETITION to bring back the Russell Brand Show!!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/bring-back-the-russell-brand-show-on-radio-2.html
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Hi Lyds #43
I've never bought a copy of the daily mail in my life.
You'll be able to find Brand elsewhere, don't cry. Commercial sector or podcasting is a better path for him.
But for those of us who don't want licence fee money going to this sort of bonkers idiocy, it's a small victory.
Brand.... You're fired! (but you resigned before we could fire you).
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I'm a huge fan of Russell Brand's podcast. I used to think he was an idiot but the podcast is the funniest thing I have listened too for a very long time. I often sit on the plane or train laughing my arse off hoping that people notice I've got headphones in.
Like most of the people complaining, I haven't heard the offending show in full but unlike them I am listening to it now so I can make my own mind up.
Whatever happened on the show, its clear that they went too far _but_ they have apologised and Mr. Sachs has accepted it. Why does the BBC then have to answer to the tabloids? Why is it whenever something like this happens somebody has to resign before they will let it lie?
I'm sad that one of my favourite shows has bitten the dust as a result of all this but I'm sure it will reappear as an independent podcast somewhere else.
p.s. I do have to laugh at the fact that Ross starts the 'offending' show by saying "...why would I want to derail you in any way - you are doing such a great job on your own..."
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I hope Russell is intelligent enough to work out that 17998 of the people that complained
a) Don't listen to your show
b) Jumped on the bandwagon
This is a total and utter disgrace.
A sad day for radio.
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have you closed it yet?
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Two people's complaints would have gone unnoticed after the Sax prank call. It was not an issue until the tabloids latched on to the controversial joke and made sure everyone in the country knew about it.
Andrew Sax's story was portrayed as tragic, apparently a poor helpless old man that was brought closer to death by the traumatic messages, especially when his innocent young granddaughter was talked about unsuitably. Well here's my take. Andrew Sax is not as vulnerable as he's been made out to be, he is a man that has brought laughter to so many and, unfortunately, did not take the joke too well, which I think was perhaps, fair enough, but all he should expect is an apology and a basket of muffins or something. And I'm sure that's all he would have expected had it not been for the media uproar. As for his granddaughter; she is in her 20's and can stick up for herself!
Russell Brand's resignation is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all week. Of course he doesn't regret it, he's a cheeky comedian that feeds off of people's shock. The sudden hate from so much of the public is silly and childish and fuelled by the bloodthirsty media.
I'm pretty sure the whole thing will make up a big part of Brand's show in a few years. I'm also pretty sure the only reason the BBC allowed him to resign was to keep their share prices level.
Now everyone should get over it. It was a silly joke but this is a silly hype.
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"I'm also pretty sure the only reason the BBC allowed him to resign was to keep their share prices level."
...not sure the BBC has shares actually 'Lucy-gets-it'
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