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Is Russell Brand funny?
There seems to be some debate today about Russell Brand's opening monologue at the VMA's. Looking at the comments in this UK press article, it looks like he may of ruffled a few feathers over in the US.
Extract from The Times article:
Ignoring the renowned patriotism of Americans, Brand told the Hollywood audience they must vote for Barrack Obama “on behalf of the world”, before insinuating that America had lower standards than Britain when it came to picking leaders.
"Some people, I think they're called racists, say America is not ready for a black president.
"But I know America to be a forward thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years?
"We were very impressed. We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors."
So what I'd like to know is if people think this is humorous or offensive?
Extract from The Times article:
Ignoring the renowned patriotism of Americans, Brand told the Hollywood audience they must vote for Barrack Obama “on behalf of the world”, before insinuating that America had lower standards than Britain when it came to picking leaders.
"Some people, I think they're called racists, say America is not ready for a black president.
"But I know America to be a forward thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years?
"We were very impressed. We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors."
So what I'd like to know is if people think this is humorous or offensive?
Replies are closed for this discussion.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jon Bishop on -
I missed the VMAs however I'm not easily offended. That said, I like it.
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Permalink Reply by David Stehle on -
I think I speak for a lot of American's when I say I didn't even know who the F he was until MTV started jamming him down our throats. Honestly, for the longest time when MTV started talking about him hosing the VMAs, I thought he was some new and upcoming singer from England with his 80s wannabe rockstar look. It wasn't until just last week that I learned he was a comedian - I use the word "comedian" lightly and I'll tell you why...
I watched this small TRL segment on MTV prior to the VMAs. They were asking kids in their TRL studio audience to do a little standup comedy to see if they could "out funny" Russell Brand. Brand was watching on from a netcam. Anyway, this one kid stands up and attempts a few jokes. One which teases on Brand saying that American's don't even know who the hell he is...which is true, AKA funny. And the second joke the kid asked if it was only him that thought Amy Whinehouse must smell like poo.
Ok, so neither joke was hilarious obviously, but Russell Brand's reaction to the 2 jokes is what made me laugh. He actually got offended! What comedian can't take a joke? He can dish it out, but can't take it? That's so lame! He even had to "defend" himself saying that he didn't believe that Americans didn't know who he was (arrogant) and went on to defend Amy Whinehouse saying he met her and she smells lovely. Please, give me a break. How many crack whores do you know that smell like flowers?
Every person should be able to take some playful teasing, especially a comedian! This guy just sucks. I was willing to watch the VMAs and give him a chance, but he blew it for me early on with being such a poor sport. -
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Permalink Reply by Mindy on -
Nope. His monologue was terribly dry and repetitive. Rosie O'Donnell could've done a better job, if you ask me.
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Permalink Reply by PP on -
It isn't necessarily funny, but it IS kinda accurate. I actually generally find Brand quite amusing, I'm not sure it's so much what he says though, rather the way he SAYS it. He presented the Brit Awards last year (I think it was last year anyway!) and I thought he was hilarious on that but perhaps it is just my sense of humour.
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Permalink Reply by Alexandra//Outspoken C of 20sb haha on -
It's offensive to people who don't get it.
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Permalink Reply by joshlos on -
Russell Brand went on to take some other small jabs at President Bush outside of the monologue. I'd seen him on Conan O'Brien's show one time, and thought he was pretty hilarious there. At the VMAs, though, I thought he was terrible (although I did get a chuckle out of his exchange with LL Cool J).
I'm not normally offended by much at all, really, but I almost got close to being offended by him cracking on our country's leadership. Yeah, Americans crack on the president all the time, but that's one thing. It's like when family members recognize the flaws of people within the family, have their lovingly-stated inside jokes about it, and it's okay (although Americans' similar comments about the president aren't so lovingly-stated, generally... but still), but then when someone outside the family cracks the joke, it's not really okay. That's how I viewed it, anyway. -
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Permalink Reply by Writing to Reach You on -
I agree. The last joke listed above seems condescending, and that irks me, though I take no personal offense to George Bush jokes.
The material also seemed outdated to me. Calling Bush stupid. Really? I think that's been established.
I'd like to see some of Russell's other stuff, though. Maybe I'd find it funnier than his monologue. -
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Permalink Reply by The Sassy Sexpert on -
I saw the opening monologue and I was personally very amused because I thought he was so right in his observations like the retard cowboy line.....
Some people were obviously offended but I enjoyed him but see the problem with Russell Brand, I think, is that his humor is more like "Ouch, that's a low blow but so true that it is amusing!" and not "haha, I can just laugh and be silly"....
Anyway, I also like when he talked about the Jonas Brothers and their virginity and made jabs at it....After all, I'm old enough to remember when Britney Spears was a teen star was was waiting for marriage to have sex and then that old dog, Justin Timberlake, thwarted her efforts. I just think making a big deal about someone's sexuality - their having of it, not having it, sexual orientation - gets a tad (I mean, a lot) ridiculous.
All this being said, I look forward to seeing more from him. And he was freaking hillarious in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" -
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Permalink Reply by Kelvin on -
I thought he had a nifty clothing outfit on and he was funny and crazy. I was not offended at all. Very interesting to watch him.
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Permalink Reply by Elle on -
Oh yuck - I hate Brand. He does a great disservice to some of the UK's more talented comedians. It's just the way he lurches around stage and his delivery. *shudders* He's not to my taste at all.
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Permalink Reply by David Stehle on
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Like I said before, I hadn’t watched the VMA’s but...
How ironic that his monologue was ripping on people when it was HIM that couldn’t take some playful teasing from some pre-pubescent boy about a week ago on MTV’s TRL show. -
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Permalink Reply by passthepeanutbutter on -
i wouldn't say he's generally funny, but i think he has a few one liners that are funny. or not necessarily funny as much as completely true. like his thing about the promise ring and the jonas brothers, "it's a little bit ungrateful, 'cause they could literally have sex with any woman they want. they're just not going to do it. that is like superman just deciding not to fly and to go everywhere on a bus." bc let's face it, it's totally true. but i had no idea he was a comedian until, well, now (even after watching his vma hosting skills).. i figured he was more the awkward british guy who was trying to be funny... but i did at least know who he was, as he was in meeting sarah marshall. my biggest surprise would be that the horrible hair he had in that movie is actually how he wears his hear. what is that thing?
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