I was a fan of Brand's from the beginning- brilliant at the hyperactive speed of light, like Robin Williams but even more so. In early guest appearances over here his impromptu command of the language and quick wit were astonishing (shades of Dudley Moore). He was also humble and I found that endearing. OK, so it was an act, I STILL liked him. But I HATE the gratuitous designed-to-shock sexual elements of his stand-up routine.
The comedy, taking the mickey out of himself, lamely (hilariously) likening himself to Gandhi, Malcolm X, Che Guevara and Christ, was inspired in many ways- as were his incisive observations on martyrdom, advertising, capitalism, and politics. But WHY must they be punctuated with irrelevant and purely gratuitous sexual references- every conceivable act, in graphic detail, from rimming to shagging his CAT? I'm no prude, I just found them unnecessary, distracting and CREEPY. Likening Malcolm X's masterful ability to quell a riot and disperse a crowd by simply raising his hand to Russell jerking off in public?
He's written extensively about his sexual addiction/obsession (I read his autobiography, awful, in the same vein). Though aware of his problem, he cannot control, inhibit or censor himself. It's NOT of the same ilk as Richard Pryor making fun of himself after setting himself on fire smoking crack- he was in recovery and the comedy was after the fact- self-disclosing, hilarious, and even moving, inspiring. Brand is still in the throes of his delusions/obsessions- he's BRAGGING, trying to shock like some 13-year-old, pathetic. The LAST thing I want to see are his gyrations and gangly pelvic thrusts. Moreover, his comedy IMO would be much-improved if he could CONTAIN himself. Time to grow up.
A closely related gripe is the sexism of many of his comments, using the "C" word liberally and other words derisive of women descriptively and to ridicule others. He's smart enough not to do it, and it smacks of hostility towards women. Were this not the case he would give equal time to gender neutral (e.g., words for the anus or excrement) or "masculine" derisive terms (bollocks, for example, and obscene euphemisms for the PENIS)- but he doesn't. You needn't be Freud for that to stand out like a sore thumb- indeed, to cotton on to the subtext (anger, self-belittling) that underpins nearly every bit, he continually debases himself. His routine is one big cry for help.
I found Brand's choice of facts to include about Gandhi's relations with his wife peculiar. He mentioned that Gandhi married her at 13. What he didn't say was that for years she pleaded with him for sex, was devastated by his decision to become celibate, after they'd enjoyed a satisfying sex life and had two children. After making that decision Gandhi regularly had young nude girls brought to his bed, slept with them naked to test his resolve and self- control. Lots of comic possibilities there, but maybe partly because no sex took place, and Brand couldn't gyrate accordingly, of all the stories involving Mrs. Gandhi he instead chose the one that involved Gandhi KILLING her (denying her medication that would've saved her life). UGH. THEN, he likens that act to it being preferable for his wife instead of him to go downstairs and confront an intruder, and get murdered in the process. Tee- hee. "I can get ANOTHER f***ing wife!" A long way to go for THAT. And WHY??
Then at the end, he has the nerve to say (with patent insincerity) how wonderful women are, and finally says: "I HAVE to say that or I won't get laid after the show!" Perhaps those who live vicariously through Russell Brand and envy his many assignations with random women find his braggadocio heartening but for me it's just sad, and mars both his comic genius and his humanity. I think others are so bedazzled by his machine-gun wit, verbal virtuosity, and potent charm that they overlook the rest. I like him a lot, I wish he'd get his act together in more ways than one.
The comedy, taking the mickey out of himself, lamely (hilariously) likening himself to Gandhi, Malcolm X, Che Guevara and Christ, was inspired in many ways- as were his incisive observations on martyrdom, advertising, capitalism, and politics. But WHY must they be punctuated with irrelevant and purely gratuitous sexual references- every conceivable act, in graphic detail, from rimming to shagging his CAT? I'm no prude, I just found them unnecessary, distracting and CREEPY. Likening Malcolm X's masterful ability to quell a riot and disperse a crowd by simply raising his hand to Russell jerking off in public?
He's written extensively about his sexual addiction/obsession (I read his autobiography, awful, in the same vein). Though aware of his problem, he cannot control, inhibit or censor himself. It's NOT of the same ilk as Richard Pryor making fun of himself after setting himself on fire smoking crack- he was in recovery and the comedy was after the fact- self-disclosing, hilarious, and even moving, inspiring. Brand is still in the throes of his delusions/obsessions- he's BRAGGING, trying to shock like some 13-year-old, pathetic. The LAST thing I want to see are his gyrations and gangly pelvic thrusts. Moreover, his comedy IMO would be much-improved if he could CONTAIN himself. Time to grow up.
A closely related gripe is the sexism of many of his comments, using the "C" word liberally and other words derisive of women descriptively and to ridicule others. He's smart enough not to do it, and it smacks of hostility towards women. Were this not the case he would give equal time to gender neutral (e.g., words for the anus or excrement) or "masculine" derisive terms (bollocks, for example, and obscene euphemisms for the PENIS)- but he doesn't. You needn't be Freud for that to stand out like a sore thumb- indeed, to cotton on to the subtext (anger, self-belittling) that underpins nearly every bit, he continually debases himself. His routine is one big cry for help.
I found Brand's choice of facts to include about Gandhi's relations with his wife peculiar. He mentioned that Gandhi married her at 13. What he didn't say was that for years she pleaded with him for sex, was devastated by his decision to become celibate, after they'd enjoyed a satisfying sex life and had two children. After making that decision Gandhi regularly had young nude girls brought to his bed, slept with them naked to test his resolve and self- control. Lots of comic possibilities there, but maybe partly because no sex took place, and Brand couldn't gyrate accordingly, of all the stories involving Mrs. Gandhi he instead chose the one that involved Gandhi KILLING her (denying her medication that would've saved her life). UGH. THEN, he likens that act to it being preferable for his wife instead of him to go downstairs and confront an intruder, and get murdered in the process. Tee- hee. "I can get ANOTHER f***ing wife!" A long way to go for THAT. And WHY??
Then at the end, he has the nerve to say (with patent insincerity) how wonderful women are, and finally says: "I HAVE to say that or I won't get laid after the show!" Perhaps those who live vicariously through Russell Brand and envy his many assignations with random women find his braggadocio heartening but for me it's just sad, and mars both his comic genius and his humanity. I think others are so bedazzled by his machine-gun wit, verbal virtuosity, and potent charm that they overlook the rest. I like him a lot, I wish he'd get his act together in more ways than one.