by ThisGirl’s Jonathan Bernstein
Russell Brand sucked as host of the MTV Video Music Awards. AGAIN.
No hating here: Russell Brand has charisma by the bucket. He has a strong and sympathetic screen presence. He’s a vivid writer. His stream-of-consciousness BBC radio was insanely entertaining. He can even carry a tune. But if there’s one area where he fall short, it’s stand-up comedy. Which is a problem BECAUSE THAT”S HIS ACTUAL JOB!!!
Remember his debut VMA hosting stint? Remember the long confused silences after every failed gag? Remember the nervous titters? Remember Jamie Foxx coming on to present an award after Brand’s monologue and yelling “Wake up!” at the comatose crowd? I’m guessing not. I’m guessing the only thing you remember is the clouds of controversy he kicked up when he mocked the Jonas Brothers’ promise rings. I’m guessing that’s all MTV remembered, too, because they hired him back and, once again, he filled a big hall with confused, embarrassed silence.
Don’t get me wrong: He’s a high-energy host. What he’s not, despite outward appearances, is a pop-culture guy. His musical references begin and end with Oasis and The Smiths. His gags don’t work with the VMA audience because he barely understands them.
What’s the difference between Russell Brand and a real comedian? A while back, Sarah Silverman presented both MTV’s Movie and Video Awards show in the same year. At the Movie Awards, Paris Hilton was in the audience — her last public appearance before she was carted off to jail — and those VMAs infamously began with Britney Spears’ legendary zombie-on-Ambien performance. Both Hilton and Spears were big fat targets and Silverman didn’t flinch from taking aim at them.
So what was Russell Brand’s response to the by-now-overdiscussed thing that happened last night? NOTHING!!! A hurried stammer about peace and love and then on to the next presenter … and probably another hosting gig next year.
via glowpinkstah
