Andrew Sachs - Brand/Ross

Episode 163,   Oct 05, 2011, 06:53 PM

This whole episode in October 2008 probably says more about the press; and the challenging relationship the BBC is inevitably going to have with its various ‘stakeholders’ than it says about either Jonathan Ross or Russell Brand.

Two creative souls, in the full flow of enjoying making some entertaining radio go a step too far. They were not the first, and they will not be the last. The day we don’t have presenters who risk going too far is the day we should fear we are hiring the wrong talent. One gathers the broadcast was duly referred up for clearance; although any busy radio manager will know how many tough decisions there are to make on any day – and night. It is easy to go with the flow, and trust. Yes, there was some poor judgement here. No more or less than we possibly all make in our working lives; and Andrew Sachs appeared to have handled the episode it in a sensible, adult way.

Just maybe, a less embattled and prouder BBC could have closed the issue down with a touch more confidence; and a tabloid press could have more wisely seen it for all it was. The greatest damage was displacing top presentation, production and management talent - plus disproportionate compliance process instilled on an organisation where process had, actually, not failed.