Katherine Ryan spoke about her experience working with Russell Brand in the UK version Roasted Battle for Comedy Central Paramount.
During his Sky stand-up special, Katherine Ryan: firstbornwhich premiered Saturday, the Canadian comedian confirmed that she joked about Brand's alleged treatment of women, but said Paramount ultimately stopped her from targeting her. Roasted Battle co-star.
Ryan didn't reveal Brand's name during her special, but did give a few subtle clues about his identity. It is also well known that she encountered Brand during Roasted BattleWith Deadline for news reporting in 2023 after Times, Sunday Times, and Channel 4 published a joint investigation into his alleged misconduct.
Brand has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In May, He pleaded not guilty.o allegations of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault. In his post on social network Forget Sarah Marshall the star said he is “grateful” for the opportunity to defend himself during his trial in 2026. Earlier this month Brand is charged with two additional offenses.: one about rape, the other about sexual assault. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on January 20 to face the charges.
During her Sky special, Ryan said: “I was invited to a panel show and I was so excited about it, but then I found out that if I went ahead, I would be sitting next to someone I firmly believe in but can't prove is right. And that's the lawyer's choice, not mine.”
She continued, “I initially turned down the job, and then I thought, well, he'll be there in his overly tight jeans, won't he? He'll be there fingering Tucker Carlson or blowing a Tibetan monk for views, whatever he's doing now… I thought I'd go on the show, and I made a moral decision.”
Her solution was that she would confront Brand and joke about his supposed reputation, “but in a fun way.” She recalled two jokes about Brand, neither of which were fully edited when Roasted Battle screened in the UK in 2018.
Ryan said Brand was “ok with it for a while until he finally hissed and threatened to leave the show.” She continued: “The channel was upset. They didn't want him to leave, so they gave him a new contract, which he dragged into my dressing room and threw in my face the next day. He said, 'Listen, you can't be mean to me anymore because I don't agree.'
Ryan added that she had to “behave” after Comedy Central intervened in the show, produced by Fulwell Entertainment. Paramount declined to comment. Ryan and Brand have been approached for comment.
The brand is gone Roasted Battle after the first season and was replaced by Jonathan Ross. Based on the American show Jeff Ross presents Roast Battle, Comedy CentralThe format relies on comedians making jokes on each other and the judges, which included Brand and Ryan, are considered fair play.
Ryan previously spoke about her experience on Roasted Battle in an appearance in the BBC series Interview with Louis Theroux... in 2022. Again, she didn't name Brand or the show, but her accusations went viral – something she reflected on in her Firstborn Daughter special.
“I was so excited to do the interview with him, and maybe I shouldn't have done the interview because I have a disorder where if you ask me a question, I'll tell you the answer,” she joked. “What's the worst that could happen if I talk to Louis Theroux about this? Time “Exposure”, a Channel 4 documentary?
Ryan continued: “It's awkward now because in the UK you have someone who has been formally charged with an offense and when that happens you're not allowed to swear at them anymore.
