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
Russell Brand was certainly outspoken during Sunday's VMAs, but before he even hit the stage, another polarizing force — The Hills' flagrant fameosexuals Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag — hit the red carpet, and I was one of the lucky reporters who got to chat with them. Lucky, of course, being a relative term — as the weekly Hills' TV Watch writer here on EW.com, there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to meet the couple I (and plenty of you) enjoy bashing on a weekly basis!
Our exchange pretty much speaks for itself in terms of who wears the pants in the relationship (Spencer), and who talks only when allowed to (Heidi):
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Who are you guys excited to see tonight?
SPENCER: Well, Heidi just had a bump-in with Rihanna. Rihanna was very sweet, so we’re now huge fans.
EW: Was she a fan?
HEIDI: [Barely moving lips.] She was so nice!
S: She called Heidi gorgeous. So Heidi’s very excited.
EW: [Ignoring blatant attempt to get me to confirm theory of Heidi's beauty.] What do you think about all of the hype surrounding Britney?
S: The girl is brilliant.
EW: Why do you say that?
S: Because that’s all anyone talks about.
EW: Do you take your cues from her?
S: [Laughs ominiously.] No. I still have all of my hair and I’m sober today.
EW: And your full beard makes you a better person, how? Last year, Kanye said he was never going to perform again at the VMAs...
S: And here he is.
EW: What do you think about that?
S: I’m not going to player-hate, man.
Heidi: I think good for him for coming back.
S: They probably gave him some incentives, you know.
EW: You think so? Is that the way the business works?
S: That’s how it would work if I was Kanye.
And there you have it, Popwatchers, an exclusive look at a one-on-one conversation with the most hated (and probably proud of it) couple on television. If you guys got the chance to interview Spencer and Heidi, what would you ask?
I love Rihanna. I love her fashion sense. I even loved the loony ensemble she wore for her "Disturbia" performance at last night's VMAs and I don't really understand all the criticism she's getting for it. It's not like she wore this outfit to accept the Nobel Prize; she wore it during a performance at an awards show where spectacle is everything. And it was a themed performance. She was supposed to be scary! The song ain't called "Adorablia." She looked like a sweet girl who, clearly from the tattered ballerina-esque train in the back, was attacked by the people of Disturbia. Or was she their queen? Oh well. It's okay, Rihanna. I understood what you were trying to go for. And that's really all that matters.
At least you didn't decide to show up channeling Linda Hogan as Christina Aguilera seemingly did.
Let me see if I understand the rules: If you're an American celebrity, it's permissible to criticize the president, but not if you do it overseas (see: Dixie Chicks). Now, it appears, there's a converse rule: It's also not permitted for a foreign celebrity to come to our shores and criticize our president and tell us how to vote. Judging by the firestorms that have erupted on our comment boards (here and here), that's the gist of the complaint against VMA host Russell Brand (pictured) for his blunt political advocacy during his opening monologue and throughout last night's show. In particular, he urged Americans to vote for Barack Obama and called George W. Bush a "retarded cowboy" who, in the U.K., wouldn't be trusted with even a pair of scissors. (Doesn't he know that you can't say "retarded" in this country anymore?) The anti-Brand complaint seems to be: You have no right to come over here from Limeyland to tell us how to vote or to mock our president -- that's our job. Then again, many commenters thought Brand was hilarious and spoke truth to power.
Brand also courted controversy by repeatedly making fun of the Jonas Brothers' virginity pledges (and using them as an excuse to make teen pregnancy jokes about Bristol Palin and her fiancee). He issued a sort of non-apology apology about that later in the show, as if someone had twisted his arm backstage, but then threw in an R. Kelly joke, as if to say he wasn't repentant at all. Finally, in stepping on Robert Pattinson's introductory remarks, he alienated untold numbers of loyal Twilight fans.
Now, while I actually agree with most of what Brand said about politics, even I thought his remarks were tacky. So were his jibes at the Jonas Brothers (though Jordin Sparks' response, that promise rings are okay because "not every guy and a girl wants to be a slut," was equally tacky). Still, complaining about tackiness at an MTV production is as futile as complaining about lip-synching or product placement. And Brand's political remarks seemed to play well in the room. Which is why I predict that his controversial emceeing turn may actually have done him more good than harm.
Brand has a history of destroying his career through his own outrageous behavior, and if public sentiment is any guide, he could have done it again last night. But the Hollywood types in attendance on the Paramount lot last night seemed to enjoy him, and their opinion may matter more than ours in terms of his job prospects. Besides, last night's VMAs were as mediocre as ever, but no one can stop talking about Brand, who two days ago was a virtual unknown in America. He'll certainly be a solid test case for the theory that there's no such thing as bad publicity.
Tell us, PW-ers, did Brand commit career suicide last night, or will his controversial performance serve as the calling card that lands him bigger and better gigs on this side of the pond?
Well, the show is over, and in our opinion there were definitely some ups (Pink, pictured, and Lil Wayne, holla!), downs (what was up with cutting several of the performances short??), and sidewayses (Russell Brand -- oddball or charmer?). PopWatchers, what did you think? (Visit our live blog if you missed it.) Don't keep it bottled up -- sing out in the comments section below!
It's anybody's guess what kind of surprises could be in store for the 25th Video Music Awards tonight. Will Britney dance? (Er, maybe.) Will Kanye tell us something unexpected about his next album? (Sounds like it.) Will American audiences be able to understand any of the jokes coming out of Russell Brand's mouth? (We hope so!) Whatever may come, Adrienne Day and Simon Vozick-Levinson will be on hand to sort it out...or just let us know what you think here.
Adrienne: Finally, Britney! I feel I've been waiting a long time for this moment...
Adrienne: Is this 'Sweet Dreams'?
Simon: Personally, I think Britney's stair-walking was flawless.
Simon: Ha! Rihanna stole Leona Lewis' Olympics dress.
Adrienne: She was pretending it was a Stairmaster.
Simon: Still not sure what's going on with that outfit (is that a bustle?), but this performance is way less creepy/more enjoyable than her video for this song.
Adrienne: Nice White Stripes intro there.
Adrienne: Russell! Nice hair?
Simon: Rihanna's second performance is going to "melt my soul"? That sounds painful!
Adrienne: Hah, totally
Adrienne: I'm so glad I can understand his accent. Was worried for a minute
Simon: Me too, though he definitely just pronounced Kanye "Can-yea"...
Adrienne: Isn't that how you pronounce it?
Simon: Nah it's "Kahn-yea"!
Adrienne: Wow, Obama plug so early on!
Adrienne: "Can" sounds Southern
Simon: Ooh, this cutting political comment is fantastic!
Adrienne: Love it
Adrienne: VILF!
Adrienne: There's a new one
Simon: None of this has anything whatsoever to do with music, videos, or MTV...but I'm cool with it!
Adrienne: I feel VILFY watching this bit...
Adrienne: "Use a condom, or become Republican."
Simon: Wow.
Adrienne: The FCC might have a field day with this
Simon: Yeah, I bet the Parents' Television Council is LOVING this routine
Adrienne: Paging Tipper Gore!
Adrienne: Wow, I just realized how much of his chest you can see...not sure if that's a good or a bad thing
Simon: That "baseball bat" line — am I watching the VMAs or Eddie Murphy: RAW?
Adrienne: Ouch
Simon: (Not necessarily a complaint!)
Adrienne: :)
Adrienne: Who was that with the huge knockers? (Am I allowed to say "knockers" here?)
Adrienne: Jamie Foxx-y!
Adrienne: I just woke up, I think
Simon: Jamie's improv'd Busta Rhymes impression just then was almost as good as his Ray Charles.
Adrienne: Did he he just say, "I see TI? He get that bail money?"
Simon: Jamie's "full, unconditional support for the ladies": More or less controversial than Russell's Obama shout-out?
Adrienne: And the winner for best female video is...
Adrienne: :O
Adrienne: We're speechless too, Brit
Simon: I'm glad she thanked God —' He's definitely a big "Piece of Me" fan.
Adrienne: LOL
Adrienne: The silver lame is a definite upgrade from last year's black jumpsuit
Simon: Ahh! Get Spencer and Heidi off my screen!
Simon: Actually in fairness, I'm sorta impressed that Spencer knows the word "papyrus."
Adrienne: It's a new era for MTV — the "SAT" generation
