Ross returns to higher ratings and more complaints (sort of)
Jonathan Ross made his TV return Friday night, and what do you know, his ratings were better by a million plus from his last airing before the Sachsgate affair. I imagine this was for one of three reasons;
- The line-up of guests was particularily good, Lee Evans, Tom Cruise and Stephen Fry, plus music by Franz Ferdinand.
- Ashow of support by Jonathan Ross’ fans, like myself. OR
- The new ‘Mary Whitehouse brigade’all tuned in, BBC complaint hot line number at the ready, just waiting for anything Ross might say or do that they can call up and log a complaint about.
It does appear though that the new ‘Mary Whitehouse brigade’ were listening to his radio show on Saturday because a joke he made about an elderly Spanish neighbour of co-presenter Andy Davies did receive some press from papers in the UK (The News of the World, a fine example of the pot calling the kettle black). The papers complaints stem from when Ross joked “I think you should just, for charity, give her one last night. One last night before the grave.”
The BBC were quick to defend Ross stating on their website; A spokesman said: “Regular listeners will be familiar with Jonathan’s irreverence and innuendo.
“This light-hearted exchange contained no offensive language, named no individuals and there was clearly no intention to offend anyone.
“Nothing broadcast by the BBC was linked to a specific individual or would allow the public to link these comments to an individual.”
Ross replied to the News of the World; “absolutely no offence to any individual was intended”.
He said: “It was a spontaneous, light-hearted remark made in response to an anecdote set in Spain, where no-one was named or ever likely to hear the broadcast.
“As far as I was concerned, the story may even have been apocryphal or exaggerated for comedic purposes, as is common practice on radio and comedy shows around the country.
“Absolutely no offence to any individual was intended and, if the media wasn’t hell bent on stirring up controversy, I’m sure none would be taken.”
Conservative MP David Davies called for Ross to be replaced.
“On Radio 2 you don’t expect X-rated references to sex – and especially sex with an 80-year-old – during the day,” he said.
“He should have gone ages ago. There’s no way this man should be on the air. He needs to be replaced now.
“It’s obscene, especially given the amount of money Ross is being paid. It could also be highly offensive to this woman if she’s a real person.”
To the Honorable (sort of) David Davies MP, Outside the Boxreplies; get a life, and get back to doing the job you are paid for, sort out the economy, and attend a debate or two (every time I watch BBC Parliament, the House of Commons is 75% empty) and leave the BBC to do their own work.
Perhaps if you did your job a bit better you may actually still be employed come the next election, but since you obviously spend your time listening to the radio and watching TV, while the country goes down the pan you will probably be collecting your P45 just as soon as that buffoon you work for gets enough nerve to call an election!!!
For Christmas I received a few books, and Jonathan Ross’s book, Why do I say these things?was one I was really looking forward to reading. In fact I jumped pretty much straight into this book, because I will confess, despite the un-political-correctness (I made that word up) of it, I am a fan of Ross! A big fan!
