Comments on: Was Russell Brand’s VMA monologue offensive?

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:14:50 +0000

Thanks for the post. To those of you all wound up about this…He’s a COMEDIAN! And this is a music industry event – it is entertainment. Let’s all remember that.

I happen to be a big fan of Russell Brand. And he can be controversial – it gets his audience thinking, most times. He got himself into some pretty hot water in the UK, resulting in his being fired from the BBC.

I’m an an American expat living abroad with my British husband, which is how I got turned on to him and to the UK style of comedy.

Perhaps his style of humor didn’t work in the States, but the British culture is one that readily accepts a much more edgy and controversial humor – and they challenge their leaders brutally.

And he can be quite vulgar – but that’s his brand of schtick, how he makes his living, who he is. I certainly don’t find him offensive – in any way (and I hold a semi-diplomatic post in my host country).

Yes, I was a bit shocked/startled when I first began paying attention, but definitely not offended.

If you look into Brand at all, you’ll find he is an interesting character with some interesting and perhaps thought-provoking views on life. He’s got issues – what celeb hasn’t? – but if you listen to his basic philosophy he’s got some good points that he tries to make through his comedy.

Check him out.

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By: Mairead

Mairead — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:42:28 +0000

Gina – unless the mini black holes made by CERN this week have suddenly dumped us back in the 60s, I think the Reds have long since come out from under the bed.

Russell doesn’t have “a say in” your election, he has an opinion on it. It’s not like he’s Robert Mugabe where only one opinion counts. Like it or not, non-Americans are entitled to their opinion on this because other countries also have rights to free speech and the US government’s foreign policies and the condition of your economy have a huge impact on the rest of the world.

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By: Gina D.

Gina D. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:14:55 +0000

I think this man should be hung. Why did they want him to be the host. If they wanted crazy why not let Brintey do it. It is offensive of what he said about virgins. People who are not Americans should not have a say in this election because what if a communist said to vote for so and so you wouldn’t listen or would you?

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By: Corinne

Corinne — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:22:06 +0000

I thought it was funny. Comedians should push the edge, that’s part of their job. And our president has often been caricatured by our political satirists as a version of the retarded cowboy Mr. Brand spoke of. And i have to agree that if purity rings were worn on the genitals i’d take them more seriously.
Though if you’re going to be that vulgar, you have to be REALLY funny. (See Richard Pryor, he was the best).

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By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:29:56 +0000

He was THE worst host! Worse then Britney’s performance last year! The worst part was when he was telling everyone that a little sex never hurt anybody…Thats like telling kids/teenagers to go out and have sex. Mtv is a teenage station. Ok, get pregnant then sue him because remember…sex never hurt anyone! Loser

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By: Mairead

Mairead — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:38:06 +0000

Aaaah I see Daisy. It is true – I didn’t see it myself, but it did happen literally just after 9/11, so he was booted out of MTV immediately. He was the most annoying cretin on the telly back then. I haven’ read “My Booky Wook” yet, but he’s always been very open in every interview he’s done and on his own shows – so I doubt anything was concealed from those who booked him.

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By: McKenna

McKenna — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:28:56 +0000

Not offensive at all, but also not funny. I figured he’d have to something really special if MTV used him instead of someone better known by the American viewrs but honestly, he didn’t incite much more than a couple of chuckles from me.

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By: daisy424

daisy424 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:31:52 +0000

Mairead, to be honest, I have never heard of this guy in my life until this thread. I saw a news item on him last night.

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By: Ambrielle

Ambrielle — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:54:32 +0000

I thought it was hilarious. I like Russell Brand. =)
Bush IS a retarded cowboy, haha.
As an American, I’m quite ashamed of this country’s decision in electing him.
Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin shouldn’t have been having sex. Aren’t they christian? Seriously. Sarah Palin just told everyone that she teaches her kids abstinence and that she opposes sex ed. Good job that did.
About the Jonas Brothers… well, it’s fine that they choose to stay abstinent, no one said it’s a bad thing, but it’s Russell’s humor to make fun of it. Calm down, people.

So yeah, People need to stop being so sensitive.
Bush is one of the worst presidents we’ve ever had. There’s no point in denying it.

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By: Mairead

Mairead — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:38:22 +0000

You hadn’t heard about that Daisy? The man was off his trolley on smack at the time and will make no bones about it.

He’s constantly doing really twattish things – like stripping off at an anti-war rally; forgetting that it was very cold out; not liking the effect of this; trying to “mitigate against” the effect and promptly getting arrested.

I don’t particularly like the man or all his material, but when he’s good he really does cut close to the bone and forces you to think about the issue, even if it’s long enough to have a reaction. He’s no Bill Hicks certainly, but is everyone really a fan of the stuff he used to say about teenage girls?

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