The BBC has defended Jo Brand against claims she incited violence through comments made during a radio show.
The comedian, a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Heresy on Tuesday, joked about throwing battery acid at “unpleasant characters” rather than milkshakes.
Yes, this is the same BBC that went to town on Carl Benjamin for his “rape jokes”. Recall that interview with the moronic Victoria Derbyshire where she harangued him repeatedly for his “unacceptable” comments regarding rape. This was beyond the pale apparently, despite Benjamin pointing out that the comments were jokes. Nope, according the BBC this is not acceptable. Until Jo Brand does it, then it is just a joke and free speech so what is the fuss?
The BBC said the jokes made on Heresy are “deliberately provocative as the title implies”.
It added they are “not intended to be taken seriously.”
Likewise, Benjamin’s comments. So what is the problem here? Victoria Cohen Mitchell thinks it’s a free speech matter.
She wrote: “Nigel! I’m genuinely disappointed; we don’t agree on everything, but I would totally have had you down as a free speech man. Especially when it comes to jokes.”
Well, Victoria, when Carl Benjamin did it, it wasn’t a free speech matter. Indeed, it isn’t a free speech matter at all. It is one of double standards. When Benjamin does it, it’s not OK. When Brand does it, it is all fine and dandy. Can you not see this? Are these people so utterly stupid that they cannot see the blatant, rampant hypocrisy on display? Or is it that they just don’t give a shit?
So, yes, ordinarily, I’d accept this as a joke and not to be taken seriously. Indeed, I do not take it seriously. However, given the very recent opposite tack taken by the BBC over similar comments made by a political opponent, I’ll be damned if Brand or the BBC should get a free pass on this one.
The problem with being wrong about everything all the time is that throwing stuff is all you have as an argument.
remember jo brand along with adrian chiles were the two P O S who got carol thatcher the sack for a comment she made in a private conversation between the three of them
I’d forgotten about that. Frankly, Jo Brand is a female version of Frankie Boyle. Deeply unfunny and highly toxic.
Another point: Jo Brand sad, or implied, that she would throw acid, Carl Benjamin said that he wouldn’t commit rape. The one who joked about not committing a crime is the one who was harassed and vilified.
Yup. But these arseholes don’t allow such distinctions to affect their narrative.
It was incitement dressed up as a joke and a thinly veiled go at Nigel Farage. Yes it was hyperbole but incitement goes beyond freedom of speech. Also Danny Baker got fired from the BBC for his silly photograph, another bad taste joke, but that was not incitement. Chucking sulphuric acid over someone is the most evil of crimes.
Its also within the current realms of reality – acid attacks are (regrettably) quite commonplace at the moment. So suggesting someone has acid poured on them is something that has happened, is happening and will happen again on the streets of the UK. Thus its not really hyperbole to suggest it’s perpetrated on a particular person is it? For it to be hyperbole it has to be fantastical, completely unrealistic. If she’s said ‘Milkshake on their head? I think they should be crucified!’ then thats hyperbole. Merely suggesting a violent act that is in current vogue is pure incitement.
What made it ‘a joke’? If she had said throw orange juice or tea instead of milkshake would that have been funny?
I cannot see how a remark about throwing a corrosive liquid over someone is funny.
Wasn’t there a spate of attacks using acid and other corrosive liquids not so long ago?
After Ted Heath had signed away British sovereignty to get into the EEC, a woman threw ink over him. That wasn’t a joke… but it was funny.
I’m wondering when Katie Piper will wade into the debate and turn Jo Brand into a contrite, apologising, grovelling sack of shite.
Jo Brand used to be funny (At least once). I believe her misanthropic shtick was vaguely amusing back in the mid 90’s. Caught her live act once, but I wasn’t impressed.
Now she’s saying to throw battery acid over people? Having seen recent photographs of her I’d say she’s been using it as a face wash.
Funny how what’s inside always finds it’s way out, isn’t it?
Richard Littlejohn has now gone to bat for the barmy old bat. Completely missing the point that she’s merely being held to the standards the Left demand for everyone else.
Me? I’m buying popcorn futures.
Yes, this. Alinsky’s rules for radicals. Make the enemy live by their own rules.
Considering that this morbidly obese, unfunny, mysandrist has a face that looks as though someone has had a go at her with battery acid, I must admit I’m surprised at her comment. Perhaps she really wants everyone to look like her? Would love to see a discussion on the subject between Brand and Katie Piper.