Russell Brand: Clips resurfacing offer a poignant reflection on the culture of the 2000s

The article discusses how the recent allegations against Russell Brand have brought to light the darker side of the pop and media culture in the 2000s. The author mentions a clip from Brand's BBC Radio 2 show in 2007 where he interviewed Jimmy Savile and made inappropriate comments about his assistant. These clips, along with other offensive behavior by Brand, were recently highlighted in Channel 4's documentary. Brand denies the allegations of sexual assault and rape but has faced criticism for his past actions. The article also explores how in the early 2000s, traditional media outlets were competing with the internet, leading to a more provocative and boundary-pushing environment. The author argues that while this era may have been creative and interesting for television, it also allowed people to act with impunity. This is evident in the resurfaced clips of Brand's controversial behavior. The author points out that the 2008 scandal involving Brand and Jonathan Ross, where they left obscene voicemail messages for actor Andrew Sachs, highlighted the nastiness and objectification present in this type of media. The article suggests that the recent allegations against Brand and the subsequent response from the BBC demonstrate that issues of abuse and misconduct are still prevalent in the entertainment industry. Noughties celebrity culture is depicted as being dominated by tabloids, magazines, and new online outlets, which often wielded unfeeling and voyeuristic power. While some progress has been made in the industry regarding issues of abuse and power, the problems persist and have also shifted to online platforms where the responsibilities of traditional broadcasters don't exist. The article concludes by stating that although the shape and forums for misogyny may have changed, we are not living in a post-misogyny environment.