Who the heck is Russell Brand?

Jamie Walden, Staff Writer
Published On: 09/30/2008

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards shoved a new name into the minds of viewers: Russell Brand. With only a few teasing commercials featuring Brand, Britney Spears, and an elephant to illuminate the newest host, MTV enthusiasts were left wondering who this mussed-haired guy was and what exactly he would bring to the often outrageous VMAs.

In what I would consider the worst in a long time, the VMAs became a Bush-bashing spectacle for the eye-liner clad Russell Brand to showcase his comedic abilities and praise various musical artists.

And what did we gather from this appearance? Well, we now know that the randy Brand finds the Jonas Brothers’ virginity or “promise” rings absurd, he considers George W. Bush “a retarded cowboy,” and that he advocates Barack Obama for president in 2008. Wait a second … politics at the VMAs? Whatever happened to just picking on celebrities?

To those who didn’t catch the show, fear not — there was plenty of that, too. In this writer’s oh-so-humble opinion, the awards didn’t suck because of the host. It’s the music that has taken a nosedive into a realm of bubble-headed repetition. But as a 21-year-old, maybe it’s just time to face the ugly truth that I’m getting too old for MTV.

But who is Russell Brand? The most basic facts I’ve gathered are that he is far more famous in Britain than in America, he starred in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” as Kristen Bell’s new boyfriend, and he’s a recovering sex-addict. Thanks to the magic of night-time television, though, I was able to learn more about the wild-haired comedian.
Back in May, Brand appeared on David Letterman to promote “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”

In the interview, the comedian discusses the problems he faced with U.S. immigration while coming to America to appear on the talk show. He claims that his criminal activity caused the difficulty, citing his past crimes as “youthful folly, jubilance, and hijinks.”

He also accredits the virtual rat’s nest atop his head for some Americans’ suspicion: “I think they looked at my hair and though I was a fanatasist. They said, ‘No man with this haircut will be allowed on American television. It will negatively affect the country’s morality.’”

Brand was also quick to mention that the subsequent cavity search conducted on him by immigration workers was done “sensitively.” Open and eager for a laugh, the Brit’s brand of comedy appears infectious.

During his appearance on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson,” Brand addressed the British prejudice of Americans based on foreign policy issues, but was quick to add that after having encountered many Americans on trips to the states he finds them to be “cool, lovely and warm.”

Brand seemed incredibly comfortable with the Scottish late night host as they joked about the wonders of Coca-Cola. Brand’s opinion about one of America’s favorite beverages is that it should be colored ultraviolet instead of brown.
In the midst of squirming wildly in his seat with various animated expressions plastered across his face, the comedian admited that what he calls the “industry people” of the VMAs were difficult to perform for because most weren’t familiar with him.

He likens the experience to crack “but with a much worse comedown.” Ever the joker, Brand quickly added that he does not take crack anymore, and if offered it would politely decline and say that he’d much prefer a pig in the blanket. While random and wild, his actions and statements only seem to reiterate his own claim that he is “not well in the mind.”

On September 9, Russell Brand appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The topic quickly turned to Jay’s flirtation with Brand’s mother, a topic on which both men are quick with witty banter. Through the appearance, viewers learn that Brand considers Jay Leno “a fine father figure” and “one of the patriarchs of America.” Continuing his clever compliments about the host, the British comedian admits that he finds Jay Leno’s “twinkly eyes” appealing.

Other nuggets of information Brand reveals throughout the interview are that he was a Cub Scout, considered himself “an infant James Belushi” as a child, was not a good student, has a radio show, and a cat named Morrissey, and that he worries all the talk about his “mum” may lead people to recognize him as “a Norman Bates character.”

The funny man candidly divulges that he tips well because he can’t stand the thought of a waiter disliking him, and he became star-struck while working with Adam Sandler on the upcoming Disney film, “Bedtime Stories.”

Wait a sec — the guy who slammed the Jonas Brothers and offered Brit-Brit sex advice is humble? While not necessarily your typical dinner guest, Brand proves to be an incredibly honest force with a refreshingly unique comedic style. I, for one, having dug a little deeper, find him endearing and I look forward to the continuation of his character, Aldous Snow, in the upcoming Judd Apatow follow-up to “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Get Him to the Greek.”

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