Branded ?

The BBC provides an internal cuttings service overnight, looking at references of interest in the national newspapers. In an all-too familiar slow burn as midweek columnists, leader and letter writers, and cartoonists come into play, the Brand/Ross prank phone-call on Radio 2 broadcast on Saturday night provokes 17 news items and 22 items of comment or feature. And the complaints bandwagon, which will include many people who didn't hear the original item, but have been offended by transcripts in papers and on the web, is running at 4,700. One suspects there are conversations within the BBC around "something must be done" beyond the apology - but what ?

A large part of the chat-show 'schtick' of both Brand and Ross is based on flirting with all-comers. That can come across as harmless fun - or tasteless intimidation, depending on the audience. Controlling and channelling that is a job for a production team, not a guideline.