It may be that I am nothing more than a callous, insensitive, juvenile sadist, but I can't see what the big issue is about this, certainly not enough of one for people to resign from their high profile jobs over, or, for that matter, for the prime minister to comment on.
I happen to like Russell Brand as a comic, and anyone that listens to his show knows that this stunt is really not anything unexpected, nor is it the most insensitive thing he has done to date (dressing up as Osama Bin Laden a day after the September 11th attacks on television).
It definitely lacked taste, but that's part of the appeal for me. It was clearly a childish prank, done clearly for the sake of humour, and it'd be a different story if I thought anyone had actually underwent any kind of real abuse. Andrew Sachs is 78 years old, not 10, and the most Brand and Ross did was suggest that Brand had slept with his grand-daughter.
I don't think that's something that is going to result in post-traumatic stress disorder (I suppose that depends on how much you hate Russell Brand), and neither did it sully the reputation of anyone involved, particularly, as has been mentioned, considering the young woman in question may already have done that for herself by joining a burlesque act called the SATANIC SLUTS.
Is Britain really wound up that tight? Has anyone ever listened to Howard Stern?
Well, nevermind, Russell Brand has resigned now and all is right in the world. Please continue to enjoy Wogan, for your fix of po-faced, dignified, British entertainment.