You probably don’t watch too much of the actual stand-up comedy on Comedy Central; how many more jokes about airplane food and dating woes do you need to hear in this lifetime? Still, I bet neither of those topics will come up during Russell Brand’s forthcoming hour-long special for the network. Comedy Central announced today that the British comedian is taping a stand-up gig in New York City in November, to air in 2009. Whether you like or hate Brand, especially after watching his controversial performance as the host of MTV’s Video Music Awards last month, you probably have a strong opinion about him, which may be more than you can say about any other comic whose stand-up routines air at odd hours on Comedy Central. Guess this helps answer the question of whether the Forgetting Sarah Marshall costar’s seemingly bridge-burning turn at the VMAs would help or hurt his Stateside career. (Of course, Comedy Central is a sister network to MTV, so perhaps Viacom is just protecting its investment in Brand.) No doubt lots of people will be watching Brand’s special to see who he offends or insults, or to see if there’s more to him than a few minutes of calculated outrage. Will you be among them, PopWatchers? Will you make a point of watching his 2009 special, or will you make sure you have other plans?
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
EW’s profile of Russell Brand, noting his history of controversial comedy
Yay! More of this! http://tinyurl.com/3n6c67
Woohoo, can’t wait! The VMA’s maybe weren’t the best showcase for Russell’s talent, but his stand up is awesome. You tube his stuff at The Secret Policeman’s Ball, or his visit to Oxford. I dare you not to laugh.
Is it wrong for me to be drawn to tuning in solely as a result of his dialect? Offensive or not, I love the way he talks.
I love this man. I just finished his autobiography, My Booky Wook. Love him even more now. Youtube him. Cor’blimey, he’s the biscuit.
Dennis N: For me, that’s part of his charm. His turn of phrase, and of course, the accent, make things even funnier. Check out his interview on Letterman on youtube, and really just about anything he’s done. He has a way with words, to be sure.
Nose, I so agree. See: “Boy Scout Voodoo.”
Ugh! That accent makes everyone sound like a marble-mouthed dope.
Awesome. I’ll definitely be watching.
Saw Russell Brand perform stand-up in NYC this summer. He is very good, and very smart. Too much focus has been made on his tabloid lifestyle and his soundbite quotes….when you get the chance to listen to him for an hour, I think you will be impressed. I also agree with LP that the VMA’s were not the best showcase of his talent.
I love Russel Brand…he’s hilarious.
He saved Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But, his anti-Americanism gets annoying. Plus, he thinks being a past heroin user is cool currency.
http://backorforth.blogspot.com
Here’s hoping his plans include conditioner and a hairbrush (just sayin’…)
I LOVE Russell Brand! im so happy he is finally being noticed by americans. If you have any doubt in Russell just watch anything of his on Youtube and youll get hooked!!
I love Russell Brand and I will certainly be watching for this special.
Dude’s wit works incredibly fast. He’s hilarious when riffing, as in on his radio show. Stand-up is merely good. I dislike Bush significantly, but Brand’s political views seem to have the political sophistication of a baby seal.