All week long we've had the radio on at work and the story about Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross's prank call to Andrew Sachs has been on constant rotation. I didn't originally listen to the show but I've read the script of the show in the tabloids.
And I honestly don't see the problem. It wasn't particularly funny but it wasn't done in a spiteful way. Brand was apologising all the way through it like a buffoon. If I'd been in Fawlty Towers and came home after a pint in the local pub to that message on my answering machine, I'd think, oh it's Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand acting like kids!
This furor is more about 29,000 people who really have got nothing better to. The excitement a story like this creates is quite addictive. A morbid fascination. On the way back from work today there'd been a crash on the motorway and I got a little excited - ooh, something's happening! I purposefully don't stop and look at accidents now because I know what's motivating me. I find it's the same with a big news story or a bit of controversy. Another percentage of those 29,000 people just don't like Ross and Brand. And I can't blame them really. Ross is arrogant and Brand has an ego the size of an elephant the size of the universe. But I suspect most who complained like to pretend they never think anything rude and so are easily offended by their naughty humour.
Anyway, it's good Brand quit and Ross is suspended. Exciting!