(Merged) Russell Brand

[Alf Tupper]

What is it with this Russell Brand bloke? The first time I saw him on TV I did not realise he was trying to be amusing. But I am told people find him comical. Now I know I am not in the first flush of youth so maybe something has passed me by but even in my dotage I can see and hear that this bloke just aint funny. If being annoying, simpering, embarrassing and stupid is all it takes, well, words fail me. It clearly works for him. Yes I realise that comedy is a personal thing and I am told that he was funny once, for about 20 seconds, but what exactly does he do to qualify as a personality?

 

If he is that good why is his radio show tucked away at a time when no one except hospital patients listen to the wireless. Still they are hardly going to burst their stitches with mirth are they? I believe he is the only one who thinks he's funny. Funny as clap. I stopped laughing at obvious comedy when I was about five years old when I realised Mr Pastry wasn’t that humorous. Seems that other people didn’t.

 

And after that debacle at the MTV awards (I caught that bit on the news the other day). All I will say is that the Yanks do not like anyone, especially twerps, telling them which way to vote.

[Master Bates]

I wish I was Russell Brand, he gets to sh*g all the women.

[Jillyanne]

He is brilliant and very very sexy.

[Calvin]

Russell was good on Big Brother's Big Mouth.

Edited 16 September, 2008 by Calvin

[Hatch]

I wouldn't say he is very funny, but he does seem very intelligent.

Maybe people don't get his comedy, me included.

[Johnny Shearer]

His initial shows were good, where he met various people with differing views and exposed them quite well.

 

However since then he has turned into a c**t IMO. I dont find him funny or relelvant at all.

[dubai_phil]

Luckily down here had never heard nor seen of him until the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"

 

Have to say he worked in that role. But of course, now we wait and see whether he was acting or just being himself. If the latter then he's going to have a career as long as his ego tells him he is a star but noone else would think so

[scott_saints]

I don't get why people find him funny atall. I've tried to give him more than enough chances, but I don't think he has ever made me laugh. Also, I have noticed that nearly all students find him funny. Probably to do with the majority of students being 'tards.

 

Oh, and why do women find him good looking? If I grow my hair and don't do anything with it, wear girls jeans and look like I've never washed will I have the same effect??

[Alf Tupper]

Russell was good on Big Brother's Big Mouth.

 

 

Oh, he was associated with Big Brother, the show for non sentient beings, voyeurs and the brain dead. That explains it all then

[stevegrant]

He's quite possibly the most annoying and unfunny "funny" blokes I've ever had the misfortune to see on television.

 

The fact that Jill likes him only reinforces my opinion.

[Ponty]

Some of his documentary style work is very good. I enjoyed Re:Brand back in the day, plus his recent visit to Oxford Uni (which was supposed to coincide with the BNP visit but they pulled out) was also good stuff. He also travelled the same route across the USA as Jack Kerouak and made a very good documentary on that. As a social observer I think he's a talent. The quality of his comedy work is largely dependant on the script, some works, some doesn't so much. I'm not that keen on his radio work, he spends a lot of time repeating what his guests say, but suffice to say it's better than anything on Radio 1 at the same time. Big Brother stuff I've no idea about.

 

I borrowed his autobiography from my missus and it was quite enjoyable, though my sister described it as "..a bit 'Me, me, me'..." when she borrowed it later.

[stevegrant]

I borrowed his autobiography from my missus and it was quite enjoyable, though my sister described it as "..a bit 'Me, me, me'..." when she borrowed it later.

Isn't that the idea of an autobiography though?

[Ponty]

Isn't that the idea of an autobiography though?

lol exactly.

 

I was more taking the p*ss out of my sister there.

[Bentley]

Some of his documentary style work is very good. I enjoyed Re:Brand back in the day, plus his recent visit to Oxford Uni (which was supposed to coincide with the BNP visit but they pulled out) was also good stuff. He also travelled the same route across the USA as Jack Kerouak and made a very good documentary on that. As a social observer I think he's a talent. The quality of his comedy work is largely dependant on the script, some works, some doesn't so much. I'm not that keen on his radio work, he spends a lot of time repeating what his guests say, but suffice to say it's better than anything on Radio 1 at the same time. Big Brother stuff I've no idea about.

 

I borrowed his autobiography from my missus and it was quite enjoyable, though my sister described it as "..a bit 'Me, me, me'..." when she borrowed it later.

 

Got it in one.

 

He is more than just trying to be a funny stand-up. I saw the Jack Kerouak tribute as well and thought it was great.

 

He is a very good debater when you give a serious subject from him. I think some people just see how he looks, and heard other people don't like him, and then don't like him without giving him a proper chance.

 

I haven't seen Re:Brand, but I did read his auto-biography (not really wanted christmas present at the time) and from the premise of what it was, sounds decent. I think I heard it's on Youtube though.

[Ponty]

Got it in one.

 

He is more than just trying to be a funny stand-up. I saw the Jack Kerouak tribute as well and thought it was great.

 

He is a very good debater when you give a serious subject from him. I think some people just see how he looks, and heard other people don't like him, and then don't like him without giving him a proper chance.

 

I haven't seen Re:Brand, but I did read his auto-biography (not really wanted christmas present at the time) and from the premise of what it was, sounds decent. I think I heard it's on Youtube though.

 

Yeah, most, if not all, of the episodes are on Youtube and are worth a watch when you have some time on your hands.

[swannymere]

I think he's funny. No Jimmy Carr but better than Freddie Starr. That is all.

[Marsdinho]

As you say, you arent probaly his audience.

 

Hope this helps... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brand

 

Also, his "debalce" at the MTV awards was master class. What the yanks didnt realise is that they got a watered down version of him and still couldnt cope with it.

 

Just my opinion though

[Hatch]

The Yanks have booked him again for next year .

 

(source The Sun - so may not be true)

[Junction 9]

Ponty's post just saved me a lot of writing. Got it in one, especially the Re:Brand series.

The reason I would imagine he isn't given a prime time radio slot, is because he is too much of a risk to be on live radio to a mainstream audience.

I'm glad a lot of people don't get him.

[Deppo]

His shtick was quite funny when he first appeared, but is now just annoying, compounded by the amount of women he ****s.

[Wiltshire Saint]

If being annoying, simpering, embarrassing and stupid is all it takes, well, words fail me. It clearly works for him.

 

Don't be hard on yourself, it works for you as well. You're a funny fella.

 

I like Brand. I think he is funny. He is quick and bright, clearly an intelligent chap. He has a story, there is something interesting about him. He is versatile and can perform well in a number of arenas. I watched his Keroauc documentary again on iplayer earlier. It is a good piece of TV. I am sure that if people watched it they would like it. I think that many people who don't like him don't like the way he is in the papers all the time, in which case, it is the media that they dislike, not Brand. Some people don't like the way he dresses or his hair. Those people are narrow minded and ignorant. And some people just like moaning about anything.

[Mao Cap]

He's a tw*t, but he's one of those oddly likeable tw*ts, you know?

 

Stop hatin'.

[St Landrew]

Yoo're getting a few things off your chest lately, Alf. As it happens, I find Russell Brand fairly amusing. I'll never injure myself laughing at the bloke, but Brand manages to touch on a few topical points with an unexpected humourous twist. There are far worse so-called comedians around, but many better also.

 

I tend to find myself grinning every time Andy Parsons steps up to the mic.

[sperm_john]

i like him, loved what he said at the mtv awards about the yank politics

[South City Si]

I find him quite funny. Didn't at first, but gave him a chance and watched a couple of his stand-ups and thought he was hilarious after that!

[sunrise]

i like him, loved what he said at the mtv awards about the yank politics

 

Didn't he call Bush a 'retarded cowboy'? It upset a few yanks that a brit said that about their president but the truth hurts and is also very funny.

[norwaysaint]

I quite like him but am getting a bit bored of him.

 

He's not as intelligent or well read as he first appears and I have heard him say that he's just very good at learning the relevant quotes to make it sound like he's read things or understands things. This becomes pretty clear when he tries to go into more depth and is clearly clueless.

 

He's basically playing a role but doing it very well.

[Ash]

His Guardian column is infinitely more enjoyable than David Mitchell's tedious ranting across the summer, I also enjoyed watching Re:Brand on YouTube when someone linked to it the last time someone started a thread about him. Plus I have a bigger "dinkle" than him.

All in all, not a bad bloke.

[scott_saints]

His Guardian column is infinitely more enjoyable than David Mitchell's tedious ranting across the summer, I also enjoyed watching Re:Brand on YouTube when someone linked to it the last time someone started a thread about him. Plus I have a bigger "dinkle" than him.

All in all, not a bad bloke.

Your opinion is so wrong, I've rendered it null and void.

[Julian H. Cope]

He's a lovely man.Almost as nice as Monsieur Hucknall.

[Bentley]

I tend to find myself grinning every time Andy Parsons steps up to the mic.

 

He's quite easy to do an impression of. Just go to someone "Did you know..." in a mixture of Dalek and pirate.

[The Cat]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d4d93e74-5478-11ee-bc18-cbdd58145dc6?shareToken=7a02d5b946c41ec24f82b614795c00a7

There's also a Dispatches programme on C4 tonight about him. 

Potentially more 90's/2000's comedians to be implicated too.

[cloggy saint]

Well there's a surprise, who'd have thought? He always struck me as a wrongun. 

[AlexLaw76]

Oh dear, I doubt this will end well for him...even if it stops at 'trial by social media'

[sadoldgit]

I can’t forget the “prank” phone calls he and Jonathan Ross made to Andre Sachs about his granddaughter. I don’t know whether he has mental health issues or is just a nasty piece of work, but I did find it odd that the BBC went with it as the main news story last night. He is hardly a major celebrity anymore but you would think it was Rishi Sunak the way they went at it. It was also strange to see so much of the prosecution evidence being given screen time before the trial has started. 
He is another who thinks that the sun shines out of his backside and probably believes that no woman/girl in their right mind would ever say no to him, but the BBC should have run the story further down the programme and just reported on the charges rather than play a succession of prosecution evidence. There will be plenty of time for that during the trial

Mrs SOGs best mate is a big Brand fan and they are coming round next Saturday night for a curry, so the conversation could be interesting!

[egg]

Like SoG, I'm surprised how much air time this has been given so quickly. However, Brand is a self confessed recovering sex addict and has admitted predatory behaviour, so revelations of him pursuing women for (consensual) sex aren't a surprise. The rape allegation though is horrible, and given the medical records and the messages in the aftermath, there seems to be a case to answer. 

Edited 17 September, 2023 by egg

[The Kraken]

22 minutes ago, egg said:

Like SoG, I'm surprised how much air time this has been given so quickly. However, Brand is a self confessed recovering sex addict and has admitted predatory behaviour, so revelations of him pursuing women for (consensual) sex aren't a surprise. The rape allegation though is horrible, and given the medical records and the messages in the aftermath, there seems to be a case to answer. 

From what I gather there’s been rumours around Brand for years, I can only imagine this is the tip of the iceberg and plenty more women will come out once this has aired, and the Beeb know this.

[egg]

3 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

From what I gather there’s been rumours around Brand for years, I can only imagine this is the tip of the iceberg and plenty more women will come out once this has aired, and the Beeb know this.

He's a self confessed sex addict/predator so rumours supporting that aren't a surprise in themselves. The area of concern is anything non consensual, or otherwise illegal. 

[Lighthouse]

Obviously we’ve no idea if any of these stories are true but he is a self confessed massive coke head, amongst other things. He is quite clearly prone to some very erratic and questionable behaviour.

[whelk]

53 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

it. It was also strange to see so much of the prosecution evidence being given screen time before the trial has started

I thought that but guess they can get away with it as there is no prosecution yet. Even though you would think someone’s testimony on news bulletin must be credible or BBC would be slaughtered giving airtime to such an allegation.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Radio 5 shows were interviewing one of the journalists involved, as the TV programme was going out, as their main story. With lots of details.

This morning, radio 4 and 5 were both interviewing at the same time, and both as the lead story.

Rumours widespread enough that the journalists picked up the story from the acts of other comedians. Activity through the times these companies were employing him.

It's not that cynical to know that the companies involved will be looking at themselves, even as they report it. From the journalists saying there's more to come to boost sales to the Beeb's over breathless reporting on itself to show news independence, while, elsewhere, their HR braces itself to deal with what's coming next. No doubt there will be others using it as a stick to further other causes. I've already heard BBC funding and disdain for online platforms being used as defences/ ways of sidestepping mainstream rights of reply.

None of which anywhere near as important as it actually being reported, and for people like this, if true, facing justice. Zero sympathy for Brand or any others who are also brought into this for similar behaviour, covering it up or dismissing the victims.

[Fan The Flames]

Why had he dissappeared off mainstream media and is he a conspiracy nutter?

[sadoldgit]

4 hours ago, Fan The Flames said:

Why had he dissappeared off mainstream media and is he a conspiracy nutter?

Back in 2008 he and Jonathan Ross were on his Radio 2 programme and left a number of unsavoury messages on Andrew Sach’s answerphone whilst broadcasting. Brand had briefly dated Sach’s grand daughter and references were made by both of them about the sexual nature of the relationship. Ross was suspended without pay for 12 weeks and Brand resigned after the outrage. It became known as Sachsgate.

He vanished from the mainstream but has it seems still had a career, sadly. I don’t know if he is a conspiracy nutter. I have always found him deeply irritating and tend to switch off when he appears.

The BBC led with the story again on the early evening news. I get that they need to report on it given some of these alleged incidents happened when he was employed by them, but I would say that the situation in Libya is currently a bigger story.

If he is a sexual predator, maybe these news reports will encourage others to come forward. The downside is though that he will get the oxygen of publicity again, will be back all over mainstream media for a while and has already started to milk it.

[egg]

7 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

Back in 2008 he and Jonathan Ross were on his Radio 2 programme and left a number of unsavoury messages on Andrew Sach’s answerphone whilst broadcasting. Brand had briefly dated Sach’s grand daughter and references were made by both of them about the sexual nature of the relationship. Ross was suspended without pay for 12 weeks and Brand resigned after the outrage. It became known as Sachsgate.

He vanished from the mainstream but has it seems still had a career, sadly. I don’t know if he is a conspiracy nutter. I have always found him deeply irritating and tend to switch off when he appears.

The BBC led with the story again on the early evening news. I get that they need to report on it given some of these alleged incidents happened when he was employed by them, but I would say that the situation in Libya is currently a bigger story.

If he is a sexual predator, maybe these news reports will encourage others to come forward. The downside is though that he will get the oxygen of publicity again, will be back all over mainstream media for a while and has already started to milk it.

What do you mean that he "has already started to milk" the publicity? He really hasn't. He's denied the allegations, and last night honoured a commitment. Getting on with things the best he can is not "milking" anything. 

[whelk]

38 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

He vanished from the mainstream but has it seems still had a career

Have you heard of Hollywood? Katy Perry?

Edited 17 September, 2023 by whelk

[Weston Super Saint]

9 minutes ago, whelk said:

Have you heard of Hollywood? Katy Perry?

Don't tell me Paul Hollywood is involved as well!

[Turkish]

9 hours ago, The Kraken said:

From what I gather there’s been rumours around Brand for years, I can only imagine this is the tip of the iceberg and plenty more women will come out once this has aired, and the Beeb know this.

Some of the stuff he has allegedly done is horrific. 

[rooney]

An objectional character imho.

[skintsaint]

Was surprised he was actually listed as a comedian. 

[sadoldgit]

13 hours ago, egg said:

What do you mean that he "has already started to milk" the publicity? He really hasn't. He's denied the allegations, and last night honoured a commitment. Getting on with things the best he can is not "milking" anything. 

My point is that characters like him love publicity, good or bad. They thrive on it and he will love being back on a major stage again. Of course he has denied the allegations. What would you expect. Watch now as he tries to become the victim in this.

13 hours ago, whelk said:

Have you heard of Hollywood? Katy Perry?

Is being married to Katy Perry something that you put on your CV? How long ago was that?

Hollywood? When was the last time he made a movie? Perhaps recently but I can’t remember the last time he had a major film out.

He hasn’t been charged with any offence yet. It is time for the accusers to go to the police. I don’t understand why they have gone to the media first.