Bross

Hooray for the Great British public!!! Once again those shining bastions of good taste and decency, the upholders of our moral and ethical standards, have come to rid us of all things unsavoury. In this case "sicko's", Messrs Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand.

They say sarcasm's the lowest form of wit, but in this case, a base form of expression is probably most apt to summise the ongoings of the past few days.

'Silly', 'puerile', 'insensitive'; all words I'd be happy to use to describe leaving prank answerphone messages for Andrew Sachs, but 'sick'? Ironically, both Ross and Brand owe their fame to the constant undermining of taboos. They are vocal, particularly in Brand's case, on their none too minor flaws.

Having heard, not read, the dialogue of the show, it's obvious that something has been lost in translation. Of course, what was said was cowardly, cruel even, but there was one vital thing missing - malice. It was akin to immature schoolboys up to mischief rather than a focused, pre-meditated attack.

Two complaints received after the airing of the show (not live might I add but pre-recorded) escalates to tens of thousands following belated coverage in the British tabloids.

Now we have the resignation of Brand, who lets face it can afford to drop his Radio 2 show with other considerable irons in the Hollywood fire, and the possibility that the excellent 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross' may be no more.

Is the loss of these ground breaking shows, cultural melting pots no less, really a justifiable result of such an incident? Are apologies and a slap on the wrist simply not enough? Have I taken leave of my moral conscience in the defence of two of my favourite comics?

Barry Norman must be on tenterhooks!!