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;

1. The line-up of guests was particularily good, Lee Evans, Tom Cruise and Stephen Fry, plus music by Franz Ferdinand.
2. Ashow of support by Jonathan Ross’ fans, like myself. OR
3. 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!!!

Quotes taken from the BBC News website

Ross writes!… well sort of!

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!

I love Friday Night…, I love Film 200?, and I love his Saturday morning radio show on BBC  Radio2. To me JR is the greatest host working in TV and radio today, which is why it pains me so much to say… his book kinda stunk!

Not that JR is a terrible writer, he is no Dickens, but he can spin a sentence and make it work. No the problem with his book was the subject matter, or to be more precise the lack of subject matter. It wasn’t an autobiography, and it wasn’t about the Sachsgate incident, as the title might lead some to believe. It was a strange book as it was about nothing, and at the same time everything…

Confused?

So was I when I was reading it. Basically the book is a collection of ramblings about any subject that seemed to pop into his head as he was writing it. There was stuff in there about kids, about his working class background, sex, porn, some gay disabled guy he worked with, and even AN ENTIRE CHAPTER ON HATS!!! YES THAT IS RIGHT, 20 OR SO PAGES ABOUT HATS!

So if you, like me, enjoy a good celebrity biography, go buy Errol Flynn’s (it is worth every penny) and avoid Ross’s collection of ramblings, you will be glad you did!

Want a second opinion? Click here for the Sunday Times Review.

Ross returns with a Cruise

Jonathan Ross will return to our televisions next Friday (23, Jan) with a fantastic line-up of guests to welcome him back following his SachsGate suspension. Tom Cruise, Stephen Fry and Lee Evans will all be joining Ross for his Friday Night show, and personally I can’t wait for two reasons.

Firstly I feel Mr Ross is an outstanding television presenter. Admittedly he goes a bit too far sometimes, but he still is far more entertaining to watch then the likes of ANY other presenter currently on our televisions.

The second and more interesting reason I am waiting for his return is to see whether the BBC will shred anything remotely offensive from his show, thus reducing the annoying paper work involved in answering all those complaint letters.

It will also be interesting to see what the show’s ratings are like. Personally I think they will be the same or higher then before his departure. This will be because of the entire readership of the Daily Mail tuning in waiting for something to complain to the Beeb about.

In other Woss news, the presenter has also announced that he will be hosting the 2009 BAFTA Film Awards, which should be interesting as the viewing audience for the BAFTAs is normally made up mainly of the people who complain about Ross in the first place.

Back to BBC4: Screenwipe

Charlie Brooker is back with another series of Screenwipe on BBC4, and for any telly writers, producers, fans, or bloggers this is truly must see TV. That is unless you are the type of person who likes to write to OFCom regarding anything objectionable you may find on the box – if you are one of those types, probably best you avoid this show… or suffer writer’s cramp.

Yes folks, it is true, Screenwipe is a show about TV, but in typical Charlie Brooker style, it is more about what is wrong then what is right about the stuff on the box. It contains humour, satire, nudity and lots and lots of swearing! And just to upset the complaint writers a bit more, an entire segment was shown in the first episode of this series defending Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand!

“No Justification” for Brand Show – BBC News

From the BBC:

Lewd calls to actor Andrew Sachs by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross were a “deplorable intrusion with no editorial justification”, the BBC Trust has said.

Chairman Sir Michael Lyons supported Ross’s 12-week suspension, adding that no further action would be taken.

He said the furore could have been avoided if BBC management had followed editorial guidelines.

Steps taken to ensure there is no repeat of the incident include creating a register of high-risk programmes.

Strangely, Sir Michael Lyons appeared this afternoon on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio2, and admitted after a bit of a grilling from Jeremy that on the night of the Russell Brand show only two complaints were received. He continued by saying that many of the letters of complaint actually admitted that they did not listen to the show… In fact I will go out on a limb and assume that most of the complaints were made by people who couldn’t have picked Russell Brand out from a police line-up before this whole ordeal! I guess though that doesn’t excuse Ross and Brand from the situation, but it does bring up the question of what happened to the BBC being for everyone? Should someone be allowed to complain just because they don’t like the presenter??? Who knows?

 

Ross return date

 

Following his suspension by the BBC for his part in the Ross/Brand-gate telephone scandal, presenter Jonathan Ross is returning to Radio2 on January 24, 2009. So far there is no confirmed date for his return to the television, but I am sure it will be some time close to his return to the radio.

Ross could sue BBC over suspension

Stories are circulating that the suspended BBC host Jonathan Ross could sue the BBC after warning producers not to air the infamous obscene (and unfunny) phone call. Jonathan Ross apparently told friends that he advised producers to “edit out” the conversation from the show which was aired two days after recording.

The unnamed source said that Ross told Radio 2 producers: “I expect you’ll be editing all that out,” and was met with the reply: “Some of it’s funny.” Sachs was phoned by the BBC who asked if the messages left on his voicemail could be broadcast, and although he did object, someone at the BBC disregarded him. Which all adds up to a strong case against the BBC.

Outside the Box supports Jonathan Ross, even though I believe the telephone conversation did over-step the mark of good taste. I believe he is a tremendous talent, (even thought the oldies in the is country disagree) and it would be a shame to see this matter ruin his sparkling career. However, I do hope he does not take the step of suing the BBC. No matter how hurt Jonathan and his family are, this would be the wrong decision for the following reasons:

1. The settlement would be paid by license payers.
2. It would be a public relations disaster. The grey hairs in this country are already out to burn Ross and Brand at the stake, and this would just add fuel to their fire.
3. Worst of all it could damage any future dealings Ross could have with the BBC.

So Jonathan if you are reading, just forget about it! Relax and enjoy your time off. Don’t go burning the bridges you have spent so much time building. We can deal with the old wrinklies later!