UK TV presenter Richard Osman reveals how ‘the writing was on the wall’ about Russell Brand
A British television presenter has critiqued the ‘talentless’ Russell Brand, giving his take on the star’s convictions.
A British television presenter, producer and novelist has provided his take on the convictions of Russell Brand, claiming “the writing was on the wall”.
On his The Rest is Entertainment podcast, Richard Osman, alongside co-host Marina Hyde, provide a 45-minute take on Brands’ career and sentencing,
Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009.
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“Right from the beginning I thought he was awful, I thought he’s talentless,” Osman said.
Osman is highly critical of Brand in the episode, making it clear he was never a fan of the man, “you certainly hear he’s a sleaze, again not illegal, not nice.”
The podcast speaks in great detail about Brand’s career, his ability to ‘hide in plain sight’ and the UK’s toxic media culture.
Comparing Brand to an American criminal, Osman said Brand was very adept at moving from one place to another.
He credits the work of the Me Too movement in making the industry understand Brand had committed illegal acts, saying from that point on journalists began investigating, “from that point on people began talking to journalists.”
“I would say from... 2017-18 everyone knew and that’s the point at which he did not work again... he scuttled off to America and that’s also the time he started becoming a wellness guru.” - Osman
A summary of Brands’ career timeline is described in the episode, as Osman shines a light on the notorious control freak Brand was, partially attributing Brands’ continued success on the monetisable culture those with a following can hold.
Brand, who was known for edgy stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, rose to prominence in the early 2000s hosting television programs and his own BBC radio show. He appeared in Hollywood films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and “Get Him to the Greek” and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry.
In recent years he has moved away from mainstream media, relocated to Florida and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness, conspiracy theories and discussions of his religious devotion.
This shift towards YouTube, is a world that Osman says was “made for Brand.”
Osman and Hyde heavily credit the work of investigative journalists in Brands’ prosecution., highlighting the “incredibly expensive” nature of this work, and the sheer volume of setbacks this area of work experiences.
“[I] firmly believe there would have been no trial without that journalism,” Hyde spoke, referencing to the investigative journalism by the Sunday Times and Channel Four.
During the sentencing, Justice Bennathan said Brand’s status protected him until he was exposed in 2023 by journalists from the Sunday Times, The Times and the Channel 4 Dispatches programme, leading to women coming forward to make complaints to police.
“About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous... you were clever — and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.”
