DVD Review - Russell Brand in New York

British Export Brings Irritating Schtick to American Soil

Jun 7, 2009

After appearing in the American comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, British comedian Russell Brand stars in this somewhat slow moving hour long weak stand up show. 3/10

Let's admit it: anyone who becomes famous for their 15 minutes in the U.S., is bound to end up being exploited for every ounce of talent (or lack thereof) they have got, before they faide into obscurity. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that this TV special would see the light.

In it, Brand prances around the stage in his undecided emo getup, commenting mostly on his experiences in America, and his exposure to the American pop culture machine.

Without going into the nitty-gritty of his un-entertaining routine, let us say that Brand spends a great deal of time going into gossipy tales of his experiences mingling with A-List stars at parties, award shows and such, and said stars' odd behavior. This comes off as sadly ironic, given that Brand isn't exactly the most normal and stable lad in the bunch.

Brand also talks about the debacle that was the MTV Video Music Awards, where he made some questionable comments, ranging from Britney Spears' career status, to mocking the Jonas Brothers' commitment to virginity before marriage, as well as well-placed words against former President George W. Bush, calling him "that retarded cowboy fella".

Brand then goes on to comment on his eccentric and flamboyant appearance, and how many perceive him as gay when he says he happens to just really have great taste in clothes.

The only genuinely funny moment (in this writer's humble opinion) of this hour long special, is when he reads the venomous and vitriolic e-mails and letters he got following the MTV Video Music Awards scandal.

Despite a handful of well put observations regarding Americans and their quirks, overall it's increasingly easy to see how hordes of people cannot stand this guy. For one thing, his eccentricity is an acquired taste, and his sense of humor isn't for everyone. He mostly comes off as someone who just can't seem to come off his giddy high, and expects the world to worship him and his greatness.

Granted, Brand seems like a very well read, very well spoken fellow, but his 15 minutes may have passed before they started, and his one-note act isn't likely to survive an entire career.

In some of the bonus features, the more hardcore viewers can see some of the outtakes of his show, which inadvertently featured an overzealous (not to mention drunk) female fan, sitting in the front row. She seemed to interrupt the show several times, and seemed to get on Brand's nerves considerably. Fitting, considering how he got on this reviewer's nerves even more frequently, during the course of a one hour long video.

3 out of 10, for being a somewhat sorry excuse for a stand-up comedy special.

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