Netflix continues to host the 2018 stand-up special Russell Brand: Re:Birth, even after the comedian was sentenced to ten years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault.
The decision followed internal deliberations at the company regarding Brand’s conviction at London’s Southwark Crown Court. Users searching for the performer’s name will no longer find the title. It is accessible only to those who watch British stand-up comedy.
During the performance, he discusses his sexual history, the period spent waiting to conceive his first child with his wife, Laura, and the birth of their daughter.
In one segment, the performer joked, “I’ve hardly been conservative with sperm. Giving the stuff away like sticky confetti,” adding, “The real miracle is that one of them’s been allowed to germinate instead of being squandered in a stranger’s eyelashes.” Regarding the birth of his child, he stated, “there ain’t nothing like seeing a vagina coming out of a vagina to make you re-evaluate your attitude towards people with vaginas.”
Netflix maintains a high threshold for removing previously published content, citing a corporate commitment to user autonomy. A company source stated, “We prioritize choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices.”
The approach stands in stark contrast to other media entities; Paramount+ removed the special Russell Brand in New York in 2023 following initial public allegations against the comedian.
The judge also remarked, “Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say ‘no’ and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent.”
Netflix has refused to pull the Russell Brand stand-up show, "Russell Brand: Re-Birth," in which he brags about his sex life. The US streaming service said it had no plans to remove the 51-year-old comedian and actor despite his conviction for rape and sexual assault. 🔗… pic.twitter.com/BclXxjd0WF
The legal scrutiny facing Brand is far from over. The Metropolitan Police in London confirmed that multiple individuals have come forward with new information since the court proceedings began. Authorities are currently reviewing these reports to determine if further criminal charges are warranted.
Beyond the streaming platform, commercial entities have taken action; the British publisher Hodder & Stoughton removed his memoir My Booky Wook and his football book Irons in the Fire from sale. Brand has been demonetized on YouTube since 2023. Under the terms of his sentencing, the performer must serve at least two-thirds of his ten-year and six-month term before he is eligible for release.
Netflix Refuses To Remove Russell Brand Stand-Up Special Featuring Crude Sex Joke https://t.co/fqDZLv53VN
Netflix refuses to drop Russell Brand film after he is sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for sexual offences 🚨 #RussellBrand #convicted #Netflix pic.twitter.com/HYhX2tOnAP
Keep reading