Obscenity posing as entertainment shows just how low we have sunk

Published on Thursday 30 October 2008 20:09

The obscene phone call made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross to Andrew Sachs "for a joke" (your report, 30 October) begs two questions: first, why do politicians wonder we have so much criminal anti-social behaviour when celebrities can get away with what would bring instant arrest if done by a member of the public?

Second, is this how low we've descended, when a lecherous, guttersnipe like Brand – whose entire act is playground cruelty masquerading as humour – becomes a celebrity in the first place? If resembling Raggety from Rupert Bear is what passes for sex appeal these days, the world must have been dragged through the same hedge backwards as Brand.

MARK BOYLE

Linn Park Gardens

Johnstone, Renfrewshire

Surely the fundamental issue in the Brand/Ross affair is the insult to the young woman concerned, rather than the offence caused to her grandfather. Rarely does this important point seem to have featured in the barrage of reporting on the subject in recent days. I wonder if I am being unreasonable in connecting what seems to be a recent surge in mainstream commercial sexual exploitation of young women with the attitudes evidenced by Brand and Ross, whose idea of acceptable humour seems to involve a cheap sexual slur phrased in terms more appropriate to hormonally challenged 14-year-olds.

J M REVESZ

New Winton

Tranent, East Lothian

The remarks made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross were way beyond the pale.

However, if one thing can be said in defence of these clowns, at least they have done the honourable thing: put up their hands, admitted their wrongdoing, apologised unreservedly and, in Russell's case, resigned. Hopefully, Ross will follow suit.

If anything of worth can be gained from their ill-considered outburst, it will be the return of standards that used to be considered the norm in this country. If you screw up, you go, and live with the consequences.

NEIL McKINNON

Tulchan Garden

Perth

Andrew Eaton says the crude messages were "very funny". I have read the transcript, and would love to know which gems he found funny. I thought it utter drivel, like two wee boys having a naughty giggle – but funny? Never.

(MRS) W CAMPBELL

Hopetoun Village

Edinburgh

The way the BBC deals with Jonathan Ross will make a definitive statement about broadcasting standards; therefore, it must sack him. I am sure an exhaustive search would unearth a suitable replacement who would be less of a drain on our licence fee.

WALTER J ALLAN

Colinton Mains Drive

Edinburgh

What was said was clearly not comedy in any shape or form, but rather a rambling and malicious obscene phone call that no-one would like to receive. The BBC is directly responsible for this and needs urgently to review its programme-checking procedures.

DENNIS GRATTAN

Mugiemoss Road

Aberdeen

The issue overarching this episode is how the BBC is managed and, in particular, how it spends and accounts for its – or rather our – licence fee money.

RON SUTHERLAND

Millwell Park

Innerleithen, Peeblesshire