Photo: Hogan/Getty
Going into the VMAs, we weren't huge Russell Brand fans. We recently watched the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall — in which Brand co-stars — and we thought it was one of the lamest pieces of shit we ever sat through.
Well done. How'd it feel from where you were standing?
Cheers for the support — it was a loopy night, the opening monologue went well, people laughed and cheered, then there was a bit of controversy, but all the comedians I admire like Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor have all attracted controversy in their careers. Finally the night ended with a golf buggy ride with Britney — can there be a better way to wrap up a night? Yes — sex, but I have recently decided, for no particular reason, to become chaste, it's all jolly exciting.
You've hosted other awards shows — how did this one stack up?
In the U.K. I've hosted the NME awards and the Brit Awards. Both had challenges, especially the NME's as I was hardly known in the U.K. at that time and it was a boozy, raucous night, but I was invited back the following year. Award shows are tricky but thrilling, like crack — also like crack, the come down is crazy.
What was your favorite part of the show?
My favorite parts of the evening were Lil Wayne's performances. He is very charismatic and mischievous. As he exited after his first song with T-Pain he came over to me and touched my leg, fascinated by my sterility inducing jeans. I also loved DJ AM and Travis' contribution to the evening. They really gave the whole caper a sense of confluence. Their guest collaborators included: Katy Perry — sexy, cheeky fun (not unlike Lil Wayne), the Ting Tings — explosively passionate and genuinely edgy, yet remarkably sweet off stage, and LL Cool J, who stated, live at the VMAs, that he'd like to go lingerie shopping with me, which sounds like an irresistible opportunity for recalcitrance in a basque.
It's nice to know the Jonas Bros can take a joke, but have you been feeling the wrath from their fans?
I've not encountered any Jonas Brothers fans, as I'm sure you can appreciate, I don't come into contact with them in my daily life. But I understand some of them are a bit cross. The boys themselves, who seem delightful, recognized that I was doing my job and teasing them. Obviously I respect people's rights to have sex or not have sex or mime sex in the privacy of their own garden. For me this is not a contentious topic, if there is any wrath from their fans they should try not to worry as it is clinically proven that jokes cannot remove virginity unless as part of a fully consensual adult partnership and that any omnipotent cosmic force that can create a universe and it's inhabitants is unlikely to be troubled by harmless jokes.
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russell's best friend | September 14, 2009 10:33 AM
he sucks. not funny. should be banished.
Carlin | March 9, 2009 1:00 AM
He is sooo bad the vma performance was hard to watch, the new York stand up was even worse. Get him the f out of our country he has no talent at stand up at all! Of angers me that comedy central aired that new York special it was that bad
Jane Lane. | October 2, 2008 6:38 AM
The VMAS are bland, but Russell made me want to watch it. That was the first time I have watched it in years, and I most likely will not watch it again.. unless Mr. Brand is hosting.
Ugh.. | September 26, 2008 12:44 PM
He was horrible. The VMA's were horrible. They've jumped the shark. Take that shit and MTV off the fucking air. Please. The world would be a much better place without either. He's no Bill Hicks either. Not even remotely close.
Geoff | September 26, 2008 1:38 AM
I loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall
JasonWakefield | September 15, 2008 10:48 AM
Russell Brand is amazing. I thought it was admirable how he entered America virtually unknown and just took the piss out of things that deserve it. He might be controversial right now, but anyone with half a brain will realise he made some relevant points about pre-marital sex and George Bush. A very intelligent, witty, bold and unique comedian.
Noypi | September 14, 2008 11:25 PM
Go On Russell...
Hes a genius!!!!
Katy | September 14, 2008 10:44 PM
I bet Ricky Gervais is pooing his pants
Katy | September 14, 2008 10:42 PM
I thought Forgetting Sarah Marshall was rubbish too. I don't think Russell cares though, he's very ambitious and just wants to make a name for himself in America - and things like that film just get his name out. He is really funny, but he is a bit of a nut job too..... I think he is quite vulnerable so I hope he takes care of himself. But I also hope he keeps going and being himself and doing more and more funny fings! I actually think he's one of the best British comedians of all time.
Geoffrey Firmin | September 14, 2008 9:18 AM
Russell Brand is an intelligent, forthright stand-up who consistently reminds us why the numerous taboos and pointless rituals we observe should be abandoned. The outrage caused by his comments highlight the hypocrisy and prevarication of the American media and the dichotomy of America's people: not Russell's shortcomings as a stand-up.
Liz | September 13, 2008 11:57 PM
He.just.wasn't.that.funny. Sorry, people. His monologue was moderately funny. Then he just kept recapping things, and drawing out the same lame bit with no very exciting twists to what he had said before the show even started. Then he got intimidated by a 19 year old girl and dropped it all. Come on, LAME. If it makes you feel better, I am sure it was more MTV execs fault than his. He was a pawn. Even lamer.
So, Jonas Brothers FTW. Wholesome skanks like me support you!
Obama/Biden FTW even more. (Don't mind those MTV hos, they don't speak for all of us.)
snoopy | September 13, 2008 8:10 PM
I'm hungry... xxx
I'm a Londoner | September 13, 2008 8:09 PM
"America is so odd. They’re not weird in New York, or in California, and I know vast swathes of the country are packed to the gills with charming, lovely, clever people. They produce brilliant stand-up comedians themselves, and make some of the world’s best television and cinema. They have writers and actors and musicians of genius; the cliché about America being culturally barren is untrue. But you do worry about the rest of the populace when they threaten to do physical harm to a comedian for daring to suggest that Dubya, the least popular president in modern American history, doesn’t perhaps come across as being quite the full shilling."
Screw the Republicans and bring in Obama.
stax | September 13, 2008 6:41 PM
yo forgetting sarah marshall was fucking hilarious and russell brand was one of the best parts of that movie
Who Cares | September 13, 2008 3:31 PM
Johnny's even funnier than russell
placebo | September 13, 2008 3:05 PM
"watched the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall — in which Brand co-stars — and we thought it was one of the lamest pieces of shit we ever sat through."
really?? last time I check you guys gave that film 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4, and a pretty good review. ahh rolling stone your turning into the lamest pieces of shit.
oh and Mr. Brand is Magical! much love.
Oakland Kris | September 13, 2008 2:28 PM
Brand was awesome at the MTV. 'Screw' you Jonas dweebs. get it? lmfao.
O'Boogie | September 13, 2008 1:44 PM
Russell is always hilarious. As someone else suggested, I highly recommend his Radio 2 podcast, available on iTunes.
Johnny | September 13, 2008 12:41 PM
Even if i wasnt a jonas brothers fan, i would feel this way. If anything, "Russel Brand" should be complimenting them for there good behavior. There arent many, if at all, any other celebrities that dont go around having sex. The jonas brothers are very good people and shouldnt be put down for making good ddecisions. yes it was a, quote, "harmless joke" but it still shouldnt have been said, because Russel is probably jealous due to him not having any self control.
John | September 13, 2008 3:32 AM
Russell Brand sucks...he is not remotely funny..I have no idea why Rolling Stone is kissing his ass...He bombed at the VMA's. He is like a poor mans Tom Green....He does these outrageous things and then takes a look around with a look on his face that says "does anyone like me yet?"
Who cares | September 12, 2008 11:42 PM
The man is hilarity defined!
Me | September 12, 2008 10:45 PM
He wasn't so great hosting the VMAs but he's great hosting his radio show on BBC 2 (podcasts via iTunes), on talkshows (Conan, Craig F., Dave, Jimmy and even Jay), and in interviews.
P.S. He looks great in that picture.
sebrat | September 12, 2008 9:44 PM
I think it's quite sad that he's funnier during this interview, in relaxed mode, than he was on stage - he's such a talented, funny guy, but he always seems to make his important performances clichéd and recycled. His stand up shows are genius, though
ken | September 12, 2008 9:33 PM
It's amazing to me that you hated Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but everyone has thier own opinion i guess. I've always liked Russell Brand, though. I wasn't surprised that the idiots at the vma's wouldn't appreciate his humor.
makka | September 12, 2008 6:54 PM
"It is clinically proven that jokes cannot remove virginity unless as part of a fully consensual adult partnership and that any omnipotent cosmic force that can create a universe and it's inhabitants is unlikely to be troubled by harmless jokes."
GLOL!!!
jp | September 12, 2008 3:25 PM
<3 Smoking Section <3