Time Out

[poliphilo]

And so I sat there with my tin of treats and no-one came calling. I guess Muslims just don't do Halloween.

I've been thinking a lot about the Brand/ Ross affair (sorry this is totally Britocentric). Here's my opinions- all 10 of them.

1. What they did was crappy.

2. Bullying, mean-spirited, unfunny, pointless. Talking truth to power is one thing, but Andrew Sachs isn't power- and talking truth to him was completely out of order.

3. Comedy is a dangerous game. I understand how, when you're riffing, you can get on a roll and lose sight of where you're going. That's one reason why Brand's show is pre-recorded- so an editor can take out the bits that don't work/are totally disgusting.

4. I'm sorry Brand went and Ross didn't. Mind you, I don't think it's done Brand any harm. It just adds to his legend.

5. I like Brand. No, let's rephrase that.  I'm slightly in awe of Brand. I think he's an amazing talent. I've never mistaken him for a nice person.

6. His column in this morning's Guardian is headed What a Barmy, hysterical, cosmic week- and it's all about football. Now that's class.

7. I don't like Ross. He's one of those broadcasters I mostly avoid ( Terry Wogan's another). I find him smug.

8. I don't know why the BBC pay him so much money. I think that was always a mistake.

9. Apparently most people under 30 can't see what the fuss is about. I don't fully understand this, but I'm willing to step aside because, after all, they own the future.

10. I don't want to be part of any crusade that's being preached by the Daily Mail.

And now, back to the travelogue.

Comments

[sorenr.livejournal.com]

Well, I was recently under 30, and I don't think it was funny or appropriate. (But of course I started wearing tweed at the tender age of 22, so perhaps I was just never young and hip?) That said, the editors should really carry the major part of the responsibility; Brand and Ross are paid to be over the top and stepping a bit too far, so surely the editors have the responsibility for reigning them in and ensuring that things only go to a certain point.

Anyway, I agree. Back to the travelogue. I do find your pictures and the short captions much more interesting that the Brand/Ross-thing, and you frequently set me off on Googling/Wikipedia bouts that can last anywhere between 2 and 60 minutes.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I partly agree. The editors should have cut the Sachs material. On the other hand, surely Brand has a say in what makes the final cut? I wonder how much power the editors possess. What's their place in the pecking order? Are they in a position to face down the "talent"? I doubt it.

And editing the programme wouldn't have wiped the filth off Sachs' answerphone.

I'm glad you like the photos.