Netflix is facing criticism after deciding not to remove a Russell Brand stand-up special that includes crude remarks about his wife, his daughter and his sex life. The streaming giant said that Russell Brand: Re: Birth, recorded at London's Hackney Empire in 2018, will remain on the platform despite the comedian's recent conviction for rape and sexual assault. However, the hour-long special will be removed from its active recommendations and standard search results.
Special's Content Under Fire
During the set, Brand makes references to his sexual escapades, stating that he has "hardly been conservative with sperm. Giving the stuff away like sticky confetti". Discussing his wife, Laura Gallacher, giving birth to their first child, a daughter, he said: "There ain't nothing like seeing a vagina coming out of a vagina to make you re-evaluate your attitude towards people with vaginas." He also joked about fearing that his daughter would grow up to be like him, "or worse, date someone like me".
Reactions to the Decision
Jill Greenfield, chairman of the Fawcett Society, a charity dedicated to promoting gender equality and women's rights, said she found the decision to keep the show up "a bit surprising". She said she was unsure who would continue to want to watch the special, and said the content and the case itself is "upsetting for tons of people, particularly the victims". "They're a broadcaster, they need to think about the audience, especially when there are further investigations going on," she added.
Meanwhile, others took to social media to voice their frustrations at the streamer. "Mocking a woman in labour isn't edgy, it's cruel… Netflix can pull a special. Motherhood deserves honour, not cheap laughs," wrote one user. "Everyone should cancel Netflix if you have any morals!," said another, whilst another criticised the humour in the show: "Was he ever funny? This 'joke' wasn't funny in the least."
Conviction and Sentencing
On Monday, Brand was convicted at Southwark Crown Court, where the court heard how one woman was raped by Brand in 2009, when she was 21, at his luxury London home. Other women who worked at Channel 4, MTV and Capital Radio also accused the comedian of sexual misconduct. Mr Justice Bennathan criticised Brand's "staggering arrogance" as he sentenced him to 10-and-a-half years in prison.
