Russell Brand has certainly gained the recognition he desired after hosting the VMA’s, although I don’t think it left Americans with a positive perception. Russell’s whole line of jokes revolved around politics and poked fun at young Hollywood.
By the end of the night, Russell Brand had called President George Bush a ‘retard,’ Britney Spears ‘the female Christ,’ and teased the Jonas Brothers about their purity rings. Brand opened the VMA’s with a political monologue, urging us to vote for Obama.
“Please, America, elect Barack Obama. On behalf of the world. Some people, I think they’re called racists, say America is not ready for a black president. But I know America to be a forward-thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years?’ Adding, ‘We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because in England he wouldn’t be trusted with a pair of scissors.”
Regardless of whether or not Americans and Hollywood feel that way, it is still rude for someone from another country to insult our President. When it comes down to it American’s are very patriotic. It is kind of like the sibling rule; you can poke fun at each other all you want, but the second a stranger tries it they are gonna have a black eye.
It is too soon to see if Russell Brand’s offensive jokes will damage his career in the states, as today he is getting mixed reviews.
The LA Times wrote: “The 2008 VMAs were poised to mark the return of Britney Spears. Instead, they will go down in history as the night when that English guy from Forgetting Sarah Marshall almost made the Jonas Brothers cry.�
The New York Times called Brand a “manic, intelligent English comedian, injected the show with politics (pro-Barack Obama), raunch and philosophical musings.�
While MTV message boards went off with irate comments. “Why is it that Brits think the rest of the world doesn’t get their humor? The myth is a tired excuse for lack of humor.” Another said: “Russell WHO? I didn’t realise (sic) this show was an Osama (sic) campaign rally. This British nobody looks like he was pulled from the ranks of the homeless - with his unshaved look, rats’ nest hair-do and foul mouth.”
What do you think? Was Russel Brand funny or offensive?
Watch the video and see more VMA pictures below.
Photos:WENN
September 8th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Russell Brand is a freaking idiot!!! I don’t know who hired that inbred turd, but they shoud have dug a little deeper in the turd bowl for one with a modicom of a brain. He is a perfect example of why we need to keep the queens in England!!! I turned the VMA’s off just to keep from puking. He was rude, overly critical, and just plain faggy!!!!!!!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Geez, lighten up guys. Would do you the world of good to be able to laugh at yourself once in a while, but I guess Yanks don’t do that?
September 8th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Whereas you are clearly incredibly clever and not in any way a turd. Russell Brand said what the rest of the world have been saying about your President for 8 years. I think that it’s clear that the old adage that Americans don’t get English humour has been proved after this whole ridiculous reaction to a few JOKES. Have you ever watched The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He’s American and has said far worse.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:27 am
[...] Russell Brand Calls Bush A Retard At VMA’s [...]
September 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am
The fact that the rest of the world hates Bush tells me that he’s the perfect man for the job. Screw Europe and that unfunny hack from Britain. The reason the Brits think no one gets their humor? IT’s NOT FUNNY.
Screw MTV as well - losers that no one in the world would miss if they disappeared tomorrow.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I thought this guy was a complete douche-nozzle!!! And, if I were Madonna, I would kick his ass all the way back to wherever it is he came from. Please, MTV, smarten up and put ACTUAL celebrities on television for your next production!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Oh, please. Get over it. He’s a comedian, why don’t you grow a sense of humor too?
September 8th, 2008 at 9:23 am
because, Sophie, it’s NOT funny to make comments like that on a prime-time show watched by millions of children! Either you don’t have any kids, or you are on yourself…
September 8th, 2008 at 10:44 am
i thought he was COMPLETELY out of line
its one thing if an american doesnt care for our president, but for this nobody to come from britain and call him this, and beg us to vote for obama?? did he really think he would have an effect? haha good one
and yea, go jordin sparks for not taking his load of crap!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Oh get over it. He was funny. End of.