Berlusconi calls TV show a ‘brothel’

A furious Silvio Berlusconi called into a TV talk show about the prostitution probe that is targeting him,shouting,trading insults with the host and calling the programme a “brothel”.

Critics of the the Italian premier called the comments a display of aggression by an increasingly desperate man. Berlusconi is not new to calling live TV shows to complain about coverage. But his comments Monday night were harsher than usual. “I’ve been watching a disgusting show,conducted in a despicable,vile and repugnant way,” Berlusconi said. The talk show host,left-leaning journalist Gad Lerner,told Berlusconi to tone down his comments and at one point called him a “lout” when Berlusconi made a swipe at female guests on the show.

“Why don’t you go before the magistrates instead of insulting people?” Lerner asked the premier. Berlusconi has refused to heed a summons by Milan prosecutors,who have placed him under investigation on suspicion he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl.

“The reality represented here is opposite of the truth,” Berlusconi said. “I know what I’m saying,you don’t,” he added. He urged an ally in the studio to leave this “incredible TV brothel”. The show was on La7,a station over which Berlusconi,a media tycoon,has no control.