Sharon Owens: Why real deal Russell Brand gets my vote in fake, plastic La La Land
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
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Love him or loathe him, stand-up comic (turned TV-presenter and now actor) Russell Brand is the real deal.
He’s just presented the MTV awards in America. It wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t know what to make of him. Because everything in La La Land is plastic and fake, and everybody is so nice and polite, and nobody ever does anything naughty or lewd. At least not in front of the cameras ?
I don’t mind admitting I’ve rather enjoyed Russell Brand’s subversive antics over the years. Even when he was a fledgling star on Big Brother’s Big Mouth and I didn’t know who or what he was talking about (I never watched the Big Brother show itself) I still laughed my head off. For Russell managed to send up the entire concept of Big Brother, and its lowbrow audience, while pottering seemingly innocently about on-set, clad in his trademark skinny jeans and bird’s nest hair.
Sure, we’ve had plenty of shock-jocks in British radio and telly over the years. Over-rated playground bullies who dish out dog’s abuse to their hapless punters. But it’s all for show, really, isn’t it? And then these by-the-book bullies go home to their swanky houses in Chelsea or their mums’ home cooking in Surbiton.
But Russell? Well, Russell makes no bones about his drug-addict past. Or the fact that he can’t resist a pretty girl. Any pretty girl who’ll give him the time of day. And what’s wrong with that? He’s not a married man, he’s not a father, and he’s definitely not making any promises to anyone of love and marriage. So ladies, it’s buyer beware if you decide to spend the evening with the six foot one Lothario ...
I just hope he makes it out of the US in one piece after calling President Bush a “retarded cowboy” at the MTV awards. Apparently he had a go at professional virgins the Jonas Brothers too. But somebody made him publicly apologise for what he said about promise rings. Spoilsports! What’s normal or natural about three brothers who live together in a Disney-style palace, and go about dangling their virginity in the faces of teen-America? (So to speak.)
Anyway, I admire Russell Brand on several levels. He might not be good husband material, but then again he’s no hypocrite either. He was the only thing worth watching on Big Brother. He’s not afraid to come right out and say what everybody else is thinking. And he’s kept his figure, when most other men in the UK have decided to let it all hang out in trackie bottoms and a footie top. He’s still wearing studded belts and bracelets, and pointy-toed boots, at 33 years of age. And you’ve got to admit, he knows his English literature more than most. Oh, and he’s a big fan of Morrissey as well, which is a sign of huge intelligence in my book.
Speaking of books, I haven’t had time to read Russell’s recently published memoirs, My Booky-Wook, yet but I’ll get round to it pretty soon. I’m sure it’ll be peppered with his Dickensian-style observations on life and quite a lot of naughty anecdotes. Yes, the Essex-boy with the twinkle in his eye does get on the nerves of a lot of people. I know that. But at the end of the day, he’s a great British eccentric in the mould of Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood, Johnny Lydon and, of course, Morrissey. He’s the last gasp of the Punk movement. The fly in the ointment of heavily-scripted TV-glitz.
I’d hate to see the western media being completely over-run with fake-tanned robots with big white veneers from ear to ear. And I hate seeing our pampered celebs being grovelled to by everyone from fawning TV-presenters to humble cleaning staff. So even if Russell goes too far at times (and he definitely does overstep the mark on a regular basis) at least you know he won’t give the divas of this world an easy ride. And at least he doesn’t go around pretending he’s a good boy while secretly bedding dozens of women like so many other famous personalities have done over the years.
So in this new age of political correctness gone mad, I’m glad there’s still somebody out there who’s prepared to say what he likes. And wear what he likes. And stir things up a little bit on MTV. We need to retain the shock factor. And the Americans need to retain the shock factor. Otherwise they’ll be giving the Taliban a run for their money in terms of suppressing the right to Free Speech.
So, I say, Go Russell! Just try to stay on the right side of the law this time, ok?
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So how come my mate bought tickets for his show from the box office today? Sure he's a good comedian but over the top gushing like this does him - and his fans - no favours.
PS He hasn't said anything about Native Americans as far as I'm aware - but how can you speak for them all, even if you are one?
Posted by Julie | 29.09.08, 19:12 GMT
Russells 2009 Tour of the UK sold out all tickets in seconds with ticketsites & Box Offices in total meltdown with the clammour ...
We love you Russ and we are very proud of you too...
We know you are a beautiful person both inside & outside...
Blessings x
PS I know most Native Americans love you too...
Posted by RussFan101 | 29.09.08, 16:48 GMT
He's hot, he's brilliantly funny and intelligent -- what's not to like?? Oh, and by the way, I'm an American from Texas (gasp!), who voted for Bush twice. I'm also almost old enough to be Russell Brand's mother. He's amazing!! Who says older conservatives can't be open-minded, lol?!
Posted by JB | 13.09.08, 21:55 GMT
worst vma host ever. not funny at all. just awkward and annoying.
Posted by Andrew | 13.09.08, 17:48 GMT
PEOPLE stand up for your country! Let the British people know that the queen is a retard! We should never let other countries tell us how to vote!
Posted by Mark, USA/FL | 11.09.08, 15:30 GMT
'Foreign idiots?'
You may as well not live in America since it belonged to the Red Indians. What ignorance.
And as for Brand , hes amazing.
Posted by mannt | 11.09.08, 13:28 GMT
Russell Brand is so brilliant,
the more right-wing Americans get so morally outraged and over the top in their reactions just proves his point about them over and over again,
but what is even more delicious is that the irony is completely lost on them, they just don't "get it"........lol.
Posted by Helle | 11.09.08, 04:33 GMT
I wasnt so much offended by Russell Brand's jokes as I was disappointed at how unfunny they were. Being an American, and Obama supporter, I can attest that many, if not most, comedians do material on Bush's lack of intelligence. Him calling Bush a retarded cowboy is not "edgy" or risky at all.
I watched his routine hoping to get a laugh or two. But honestly, his material is thin, and beyond his "eccentric" novelty, I can't seem to understand why they chose him to host the show.
Posted by Mario | 11.09.08, 01:54 GMT
I can't believe how uptight people are getting about a comedian doing his job and actually being funny.
I'm an American, so it comes as no surprise that I'd never heard of Russell Brand before the VMAS, but after the VMAs I must say he is the funniest thing ever. I absolutely love Russell Brand. Love him, love him, LOVE HIM!!! He's absolutely fantastic. According to the polls, most Americans, especially those in the MTV audience demographic, absolutely agree with what he said about the retarded cowboy running things in Washington and the majority of Americans WILL vote for Barack Obama. You're welcome.
Besides of age virgins are really creepy.
Posted by Joyce, USA | 11.09.08, 01:30 GMT
Brand was exactly spot on when he said racists wouldn't vote for Obama anyway. We Americans are to blame for the last 8 years of a failed joke of an administration because we voted Dubya back into office twice (even if the first time WAS fraudelent).
I'm American and Russell Brand made me laugh my butt off!! I can't wait to see more of him. Ratings for this year's VMAs went up 20% and MTV has asked him to come back and host next year's VMAs too.
Posted by selwyse | 10.09.08, 22:35 GMT
ok, first, stop thinking that we're so defensive and loving of Bush, more than 60% of Americans hate him. oh, and second thing, if you heard jordin sparks bust russell, the same thing goes to you. its the jbs own choice to be pure and i think its really brave of them to go public with it. does your russell not know what jonas fans can do? we've crashed mtv, for cryin out loud! he can mess with the queen, the president, the pope if he wants to, but when he messes with a buncha teenage girls, he's in for it bad........
-emaan jonas
Posted by emaan j | 10.09.08, 22:14 GMT
I was absolutely annoyed by listening to this English fool...We Americans are only to blame because America keeps letting in outside foreign idiots like this in on the spotlight what ever happened to HOMELAND security...I could not even bare to watch the MTV awards ...I hope their ratings soared below their standards so they know they made a huge mistake...WAKE up MTV and one more thing of course he's going to say "vote for Obama" he's in front of hundreds of black people !!! What a DUMBA** !!!! Go back to England !!!
Posted by Melissa | 10.09.08, 20:12 GMT
This is one American who absolutle has fallen in love with Mr. Brand! What a breath of fresh "in your face" humor this man shares. I first caught him on U.S late night talk shows and was immediately charmed; found myself laughing out loud. When I learned that he would be hosting the VMAs I tuned in; first time in many years as they have grown quite boring and predicatble. Russell did an amazing job and was over all much more complimentary and warm to the performers than previous hosts. I shall forever love him for being able to say on national TV the our president is "a retarded cowboy". He called it as he sees it and there are many Americans who so agree with my own hand being raised the highest. Kudos to you, Mr. Brand for having the balls to say it outloud. He has stayed true to himself and cares not what is expected of him. I so look forward to seeing more of this man in the future. He has stolen my heart and given me a reason to laugh.
Posted by Susan, Tennessee Ridge | 10.09.08, 17:18 GMT
Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
Where have you been? its alright we know where you've been.
You've been in the pipeline, filling in time, provided with toys and scouting for boys.
You bought a guitar to punish your ma,
And you didn't like school, and you know you're nobody's fool,
So welcome to the machine.
Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
What did you dream? its alright we told you what to dream.
You dreamed of a big star, he played a mean guitar,
He always ate in the steak bar. he loved to drive in his jaguar.
So welcome to the machine.
Posted by Nemsud | 10.09.08, 16:34 GMT
THIS GUY WAS A JACK***. I could not stand his ignorance, so I turned the VMA's off.
Posted by Laurie | 10.09.08, 15:08 GMT
Brand isn't the first of his kind but it seems like he's amongst the few in the spotlight today. All the negative response to the things he said also seems a tad uptight and humorless. Having said that, I think he did kill the joke about the Jonas brothers after a few repetitions. He has better material out there, give him a chance and check it out before you dismiss him. Try to look beyond the eccentricity and I think you'll find some intelligence.
Posted by Mars | 10.09.08, 14:56 GMT
A comedian being blunt, unfiltered, and not afraid to say what's on their mind? Who has ever heard of such a thing?! Next thing you know, music artists will start to sing about what's on their mind as well. Not sure if you've noticed, but Brand is not the first of his kind (except for maybe combining emo with electric shock hair therapy...not really though). How is it refreshing to see somebody expose their personal life (past or present) to the world? That originality ship sailed years ago! Why should he be admired for treating his past drug and sex addiction like it's a gospel message? And like Kevin Jonas said, stop harping on the same topics; move on to something that the world doesn't hear about every second of the day. Anyway, that's just my 2 cents (or more).
Posted by Josh | 10.09.08, 14:00 GMT