BBNBonkers Broadcasting NetworkWednesday, October 14, 2026Wed, Oct 14Watch live

Pop CultureCULTURE

Russell Brand rape trial opens in London with prosecution statement

Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault, and has pleaded not guilty; the jury has yet to hear his defense.

On air: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on Wake Up, America
Published
▶ As it aired · Pop Culture

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on this story, from Wake Up, America at 5:42 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Variety's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

  1. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe rape trial of Russell Brand opened in London this morning, with the prosecution calling him "ruthless and calculated" in its opening statement.

  2. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorProsecutors also described what they called an "indiscriminate and voracious" desire for sexual contact.

  3. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBrand is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

  4. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Those are the prosecution's allegations, and the defense has yet to present its case.

  5. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe trial is drawing wide public attention as the opening statements begin, and we will follow the evidence as the court hears it.

  6. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnder the law, he is presumed innocent unless a jury decides otherwise.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore Pop Culture →

More Shorts

All videos →
  1. Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    ▶ As it aired · Pop CultureAaron Sorkin thinks about reviving 'The West Wing' dailyRead the story
  2. Photo: Kidfly182 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    ▶ As it aired · Pop CultureMcKinsey interviews now include a debate with an AI clientRead the story
  3. ▶ This Day in History · Pop CultureThis Day in History: Anchor Claims She Attended Every EventAbout this segment
  4. Photo: Esparta · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    ▶ As it aired · Pop CultureEbert's Pan of Crystal Lake Leaves Jason Stuck in the MudRead the story
  5. Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    ▶ As it aired · Pop CultureIan McKellen set to perform as a hologram in new playRead the story
  6. ▶ This Day in History · Pop CultureOn This Day Oct 13: The Anchor Who Claims She Was There for All of ItAbout this segment
  7. ▶ As it aired · Pop CultureTyler Perry's Netflix holiday movie 'The Gospel of Christmas' gets a…Read the story
  8. Photo: UK Home Office · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    ▶ As it aired · Pop CulturePrincess Anne's shocked reaction as she is mistaken for the wrong…Read the story
  9. ▶ This Day in History · Pop CultureOld East at UNC: Ancient Anchor Critiqued the Mortar in 1793About this segment
  10. ▶ As it aired · Pop CultureDisney's Star-Studded Dumbo Remake Still Left Much to Be DesiredRead the story
Aired onWake Up, AmericaThe morning show that had too much coffeeAbout the show →

The story so far

  1. Keri Russell opens up on podcast about meeting Matthew Rhys on The… · Fox News
  2. No. 2 Georgia defeats No. 6 Alabama, first win in Tuscaloosa since… · Yahoo Sports
  3. Russell Brand arrives at court for start of rape trial · BBC
  4. Russell Brand's criminal trial begins in London · Variety
  5. Brand's trial opens with six women's allegations before jury · BBC
  6. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys recall Americans set disguises · New York Post
  7. Russell Brand rape trial opens in London with prosecution statement (this story)

From the archive: everything BBN aired on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · the Pop Culture archive · all months

More in Pop Culture

All Pop Culture →