Russell Brand writes for the Guardian No surprise there, of course. They’ve had some oddball columnists in their time, Myra Hindley, Osama Bin Laden, David Cameron, and they still employ George Moonbat. But the last time one of their sports columnists got in trouble for over the top plain-speaking was Big Ron Atkinson, and he got the red card from both ITV and the Guardian. Will the same happen to … Continue reading
A Diversity of Opinion So I’m sitting there with my Horlicks, and a couple of digestive biscuits, watching Newsnight. The lovely Emily Maitis has convened a panel of three witty, cutting edge humorists to discuss the complex issues surrounding BrandRossSachsGate. First up, Jan Raven: “They were out of order, but they are very funny and the BBC must not give in to the Daily Mail tendency”. ( I’m paraphrasing btw … Continue reading
Joining the dots Following Brand’s resignation, a couple of the papers are now tentatively drawing the connection between this affair and the wider problem of the Beeb’s bias. Trevor Kavanagh in the Sun hits out again this morning: BBC chiefs still don’t get it, do they? While Director-General Mark Thompson was reluctantly grovelling last night, senior Beeb executives were still trying to blame everyone else but themselves, he begins, and … Continue reading
Quiz time! USA Special Moving on from Brand and Ross, it’s time to get the crystal balls out and predict who will be the mystery guest on tomorrow’s Question Time. At the moment it’s looking dangerously balanced: Elizabeth Edwards, a senior adviser on health care to the Barack Obama campaign; Simon (America has to choose: Obama or certain doom) Schama; Clarence Page (another Democrat); and Cheri Jacobus, a Republican political … Continue reading
General BBC-related comment thread! Please use this thread for comments about the BBC’s current programming and activities. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog – scroll down for new topic-specific posts. N.B. This is not an invitation for general off-topic comments, rants or chit-chat. Thoughtful comments are encouraged. Comments may also be moderated. Any suggestions for stories that you might like covered would be appreciated! … Continue reading
Rumbling on The headlines today are, well, challenging for the Beeb: My grandfather is distraught…now sack these sickos, says the Sun Brown turns up heat on Ross, at the Mail Brown demands action from BBC over lewd stars, says the Telegraph Clamour grows for BBC to act over radio insults, says the Times And that’s just those that lead with it on their front page. Much of the ire is, … Continue reading
The Horror … the Horror … There seems to be some demand from the commentariat … one listen is more than enough IMHO. “Moron Shall Speak Sleaze Unto Moron ?” Click through to read and contribute comments on this post.
“Controversy” I’ve not been closely following the Ross/Brand obscene phone call brouhaha, but a couple of things struck me about the BBC’s coverage : Yesterday’s Today programme was talking about the “controversy” over the call. The word “controversy” implies disagreement, two sides, some who think one thing, some another. Yet in all the coverage I’ve not heard anyone defending what the BBC did, the debate, such as it is, being … Continue reading
Definitely not a good week for the Beeb… Thanks to George R in the comments for pointing out that criticism of the Beeb’s bloggers – particularly Webb – is finding a wider audience. [S]urely it’s time the organisation tried to control its bloggers who are becoming more and more outspoken. As a publicly-funded broadcaster, the BBC is supposed to maintain an attitude of political impartiality, but no longer, when it … Continue reading
Ross and Brand to be investigated by Ofcom Sky has the full story. The BBC also has it, but again in its coverage of this forgets to mention that it received over 1,500 complaints – interesting context, I thought. UPDATE: Definitely not a good day for the Beeb, with both Melanie Phillips and the Guardian’s John Harris having a go at it. Click through to read and contribute comments on … Continue reading
