Jonathan Ross Apologizes in TV Show Return
BBC Star Says Sorry for Obscene Phone Calls in First Show Since Ban
Jan 22, 2009
Three months in the showbusiness wilderness may not have diminished Jonathan Ross's celebrity status. But it has been enough to turn him into a pantomime villain - at least in the eyes of the tabloid press.
Just four days ago, the Mail on Sunday was painting the TV host as "unrepentant" and "arrogant". The newspaper claimed he would not be apologizing for the Sachsgate phone scandal when his BBC1 chat show returns this week.
On-Air Apology
But Ross has now recorded the first episode of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross following his 12-week suspension for making obscene phone calls to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.
And Ross has apparently taken the opportunity to say sorry to the 42,000-plus people who complained to the BBC about the affair.
A Great Responsibility
According to Sky News (who had a reporter sitting in the audience when the show was recorded on Wednesday), the host opened by saying: "So, where were we?"
After making jokes about former President George W Bush's gaffes, he said: "What kind of idiot would say stuff like that, knowing it would be broadcast?
"Seriously, I would like to apologize. We have got a great responsibility, what we do is a privilege and I will be more aware in the future."
Star-Studded Lineup
Ross's guests on the evening were Tom Cruise, Lee Evans, Stephen Fry and Franz Ferdinand.
The BBC confirmed one audience member was asked to leave after they were accused of recording the program.
Daily Mail Reaction
Although the Daily Mail's website is reporting the apology, the paper claims he made a "string of tasteless jokes" about the scandal during the recording.
Talking to the paper, one audience member said during a gap in filming Ross asked Cruise what he did on his time off.
The audience member said: "Tom Cruise said he was so busy he never had any time off. Jonathan Ross joked 'Well, you want to try getting banned' - it was really funny."
The newspaper has often been critical of Ross's salary. He is paid £18m over three years - or £16,000 a day.
Sachsgate Timeline
- Thursday, October 16: Russell Brand records his BBC Radio 2 show with Ross as guest presenter. The pair leave four messages on Andrew Sachs's voicemail, which include lewd suggestions about Brand sleeping with the actor's 23-year-old granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.
- Saturday, October 18: The program is broadcast.
- Sunday, October 19: The BBC receives two complaints about the show.
- Sunday, October 26: The Mail on Sunday reports that "the BBC could face prosecution over obscene phone calls" to Sachs. The BBC says it is "not aware of receiving a complaint from Mr Sachs."
- Monday, October 27: A further 1,585 people complain. Ross sends out a personal apology to Sachs.
- Wednesday, October 29: BBC director general Mark Thompson announces Ross and Brand have been suspended while an investigation is carried out. Ross publicly apologizes. Brand announces he will quit his radio show.
- Thursday, October 30: As the number of complaints reaches 30,500, Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas resigns. Ross is suspended for 12 weeks without pay.
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