Comments on Just Plain Sense: Russell Howard - The signs of a flawed character

I recognise that Lucy found nothing wrong with the...

2011-06-11T18:24:13.705+01:00

I recognise that Lucy found nothing wrong with the Russell Howard sketch, and that she believes OFCOM to be infallible. That is, of course, her prerogative, as it is mine to disagree with those conclusions.

At least, Lucy, you recognise that "despicable thuggery, violence and phobic bullying" exist.

Me too. I've also seen, at first hand, that sort of behaviour framed in the terms of reference supplied by crap media portrayals of trans people. Like this odious man's work.

I don't blame Howard for all the wrongs of the world; but he is part of the problem. So I deem it legitimate to criticise his work. Crapness should be attacked wherever it sticks its head up. It's not for you, or anyone else, to tell anyone where to direct their energies.

Lucy, imagine if the sketch was about the Paralym...

2011-06-11T16:06:49.887+01:00

Lucy,

imagine if the sketch was about the Paralympics and the Government had run out of money so they had to do a budget version, and the grotesques we would be invited to laugh at.. getting the picture yet?

As I pointed out on Twitter, this witch-hunt you s...

2011-06-11T15:34:27.238+01:00

As I pointed out on Twitter, this witch-hunt you seem keen to perpetuate is becoming rather unpleasant. You seem to be turning things into a personal vendetta now OFCOM have outlined the obvious to you.
OFCOM's response was in NO way astonishing; it made complete sense.
Any fool can see that sketch was not a realistic depiction of transgender people. It was a light-hearted comment on how a British version may be less glamorous than the Thai. That's all. To attempt to use this as a scapegoat for the despicable thuggery, violence and phobic bullying which occurs in society is ridiculous. This culture of complaining and demanding in the media has got far out of hand. Nobody cares about making a real difference; instead they wish to knee jerk response what they see without considering what it actually is saying. We are losing the targets of intolerance, phobia and inequality if we insist on making a mountain of inoffensive comedy sketches and the like. Demanding heads on spikes just because *you* have not had the response you wanted is childish; so is targeting a person's character in the process. He does not need to make an apology because he has done nothing wrong. It may have offended a small proportion of people, but I think you'll find that there are complaints on pretty much everything that is broadcast.
You have had an explanation. Neither he nor anyone involved needs to apologise for something they haven't done. They have explained the intent of the sketch (shame they needed to) and that is the situation. It is unfortunate it has been taken badly by some, but you can't expect an apology for your own interpretation.

It remains unclear whether Howard really has any k...

2011-06-11T15:34:07.968+01:00

It remains unclear whether Howard really has any knowledge at all of the hurt he has caused. Perhaps. He is an immensely highly paid performer, and, like others of his ilk, he and his writers will be aggressively protected by minders from many of the production team, or others who might be exposed to the impact of his material.

I fear he either knows nothing of it, knows only the mildest, most sanitised details of the deep upset he caused, or frankly, doesn't give a damn.

My apologies. I was informed that he was openly ga...

2011-06-11T14:46:34.201+01:00

My apologies. I was informed that he was openly gay. I'll edit that immediately.

Good article, although I must point out that Russe...

2011-06-11T14:35:10.834+01:00

Good article, although I must point out that Russell Howard is straight.