this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2023
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[–] guriinii@lemmy.world 35 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Just saw a comedian say that it was a known secret within the UK comedy scene that he was like this. Seems like it's been known for a while but people have only just decided to come forward, which seems to be common in these cases.

[–] C4d@lemmy.world 31 points 1 year ago (1 children)

“Ryan has previously spoken about her experience on Roast Battle, but has not named Brand or the show she was working on. In an appearance on BBC series Louis Theroux Interviews... last year, Ryan revealed that she confronted her unnamed co-star: “I – in front of loads of people, in the format of the show – said to this person’s face that they are a predator.”

Deadline has confirmed with multiple sources that she was referring to Brand and Roast Battle. Ryan told Theroux that she did not name her colleague because it was a “litigious minefield” and she had not personally been assaulted by Brand.”

That potential threat of litigation may have played a role.

[–] mannycalavera -2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

That potential threat of litigation may have played a role.

Could she not have gone to the police? I know such and such is a sexual nonce please investigate?

[–] Emperor 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

With what evidence? What she knew was purely hearsay.

[–] mannycalavera 1 points 1 year ago

Fair enough, but it's not her job to do police work and collect evidence. That's for the police. I would imagine she could have gone to the police and said she's heard some allegations and that they should investigate. If they tell her to get lost then that's what she should be shouting about now: I went to the police and filed a complaint and even they didn't believe us this puts women at risk.

[–] snooggums@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago

Police require proof that they can ignore.

[–] thehatfox@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How many more “known secrets” are at large in the media? It seems nearly all of these scandalised public figures have that same thread in common - everyone knew they were a wrong’un but nobody spoke up about it.

[–] GombeenSysadmin 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In the documentary they talk about a WhatsApp group between female comedians so they can warn each other about predators in the industry. Sounds like someone should just dump that on the internet.

[–] snooggums@kbin.social 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That would result in the female comedians being targeted for 'spreading rumors/disparaging men' and most likely result in all kinds of threats if their names were attached. Because the public at large blames women for being sexually harassed/assaulted, which is why it is a private group in the first place.

[–] HeartyBeast@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

It would probably result in some attempted slander prosecutions too

[–] athos77@kbin.social 30 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One person familiar with the matter said Brand was “absolutely furious” at being targeted by Ryan. This person said other comedians may have also called out Brand, though this has not been confirmed by those who worked on the show. Two other sources said he demanded that producers protect him from being roasted by his fellow comedians.

Snowflake literally gets off on sexual assault and rape, gets poor widdle fee-fees hurt when someone calls him on it. Excuse me while I go try to find my microscopic violin again ...

[–] tegs_terry 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

He was regularly abused as a kid, so I'm certain he's damaged quite severely, but I'd like more evidence before I bang the gavel, I'd suggest you do likewise.

[–] athos77@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

He has had a number of days to organize his rebuttal and you know what he hasn't done? He has never denied that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old when he was 37. He also apparently thinks that a 'consensual relationship' gives him free rein to do what he pleases - because he also has not said that these incidents never happened, just that the relationships were 'consensual'.

So you know what? idgaf what his excuses are, I don't care what he claims. And while I have sympathy for the abuse he's gone through, you work through that on your own, in your twenties - you don't take it out on other people in your late thirties. There's a point where you move from abusee to abuser, and Brand has long since crossed that line.

[–] tegs_terry 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, that kind of reductive thinking is massively helpful. Do all the abusees who are over thirty know about the rules you've made up? People don't realise how simple the matter is!

I'm not even defending the guy, I'm asking for people to avoid tunnel vision and take in the full facts, when they are all available.

[–] athos77@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I may not know the full facts, but I do know that Brand isn't saying "These things never happened", and that's enough for me.

[–] tegs_terry 0 points 1 year ago

Enough for what, exactly? Keelhauling? Chemical castration? Written warning? What level of censure do you deem appropriate based on that fact?

[–] cook_pass_babtridge 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

People are allowed to have opinions about cases that haven't been fully investigated yet. Jimmy Savile never got convicted but I'm pretty sure he wasn't innocent.

[–] tegs_terry -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

He probably would've been, had he been alive when the evidence came forward. At the same time, it probably only came to light because he was dead. Either way, it's pretty weighty, but as you say, people are welcome to their doubts.

Mother Theresa thought suffering brought you closer to God - as such, many of her charges were kept in pain - that was her opinion. Let's not pretend opinions can't be dangerous. You, for example, are making passionate, prejudicial assertions in lieu of the full facts; out for blood, death by keyboard. Your 'opinions' and others like it are the papilloma pustule on the internet's prick, infectious ooze from a massive wang.

Let's see what comes out and draw conclusions in our turn and quit all this frothing at the gash.

[–] cook_pass_babtridge 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm not out for blood, but if I was a woman working in the media I'd certainly not take any meetings with Russell Brand. That's why it's important to have this information out there even while it's being investigated.

[–] tegs_terry -1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, no problem with any of that, but snarky schadenfreude propagated on a preemptive assumption of guilt should be avoided. At least, that's my opinion.

[–] fruitleatherpostcard@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Without meaning to derail the conversation about that creep; Katherine Ryan is the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.