Yet Another Cycling Forum
Off Topic => The Pub => Arts and Entertainment => Topic started by: clarion on 10 September, 2008, 04:45:17 pm
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So - did Russell Brand massively misjudge his audience, given how dim Americans can be and their horror of unscripted comments? Or is it his comments about the Jonas Brothers' chastity ring nonsense that's got him into (retrospective) trouble?
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I don't find Russell Brand funny, but I'll make an exception in this case.
VILF ;D
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I did wonder whether Americans would 'get' him when he appeared in that film...never mind the stand-up he does.
Personally, I like him. Sometimes it's not even what he says, it's the way he says it...although saying that his biography is pretty funny too.
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Most of the time I find Russell Brand intensely irritating - although he does now and then have a flash of genuis.
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And that entire evening was one long flash. Hilarious.
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I do like Russell Brand, as it happens.
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
I did wonder whether Americans would 'get' him when he appeared in that film...never mind the stand-up he does.
There is a distinct difference between American and British comedy, I doubt that they really get any of ours at all.
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I think he is brilliant
I also don't think he cared whether the American audience "got" him - he was just enjoying himself.
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What show are we talking about BTW?
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MTV Awards in USA
YouTube - Euro-star Endorses Obama & Smears Palin Family At The VMA's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwpkWbRn1b8)
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
Same here. The Guardian today thought his "baroque delivery" would confuse the Americans. I like people who are clever with words.
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MTV Awards in USA
YouTube - Euro-star Endorses Obama & Smears Palin Family At The VMA's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwpkWbRn1b8)
Link doesn't work unfortunately, but the relevant passage is:
"As a representative of the global community, a visitor from abroad, I don't want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you, people of America, please elect Barack Obama, please, 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.
"We were very impressed. 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."
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This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Viacom International Inc.
It was there a few hours ago.
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I like Russell Brand, he's pretty funny.
To say that Americans won't "get" him is perhaps a little insulting to our Leftpondian cousins. Obviously the redneck types wouldn't get him, but there are plenty of fairly normal, right minded, intelligent people in the US who do get him. He wouldn't be as popular as he is over there if they didn't....
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I don't think it is insulting at all, it's not necessarily anything to do with intelligence. It's just different senses of humour.
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
Why do you assume that people have those opinions without having seen his material? I've seen his material and find most of it intensely irritating.
Just because somebody's opinion doesn't agree with your view doesn't mean that they are wrong or mistaken.
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
Why do you assume that people have those opinions without having seen his material? I've seen his material and find most of it intensely irritating.
Just because somebody's opinion doesn't agree with your view doesn't mean that they are wrong or mistaken.
+1
I've seen a lot of Russell Brand, and I still can't stand him. If people 'get' it and like him then fine, but please don't tar me as some reactionary nonce who doesn't know what he's talking about just because I don't have the same opinion.
In effect, Gonz, you're making as many assumptions about people who don't like him as you think people make about Brand himself...
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I don't think it is insulting at all, it's not necessarily anything to do with intelligence. It's just different senses of humour.
Perhaps it's different (in the States) when a foreigner says things.
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...the relevant passage is:
"As a representative of the global community, a visitor from abroad, I don't want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you, people of America, please elect Barack Obama, please, 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.
"We were very impressed. 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."
That's just bloody funny, though, eh? ;D
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...the relevant passage is:
"As a representative of the global community, a visitor from abroad, I don't want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you, people of America, please elect Barack Obama, please, 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.
"We were very impressed. 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."
That's just bloody funny, though, eh? ;D
It is indeed funny. As I have said, he has his flashes of genius from time to time.
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
Why do you assume that people have those opinions without having seen his material? I've seen his material and find most of it intensely irritating.
Just because somebody's opinion doesn't agree with your view doesn't mean that they are wrong or mistaken.
+1
...the relevant passage is:
"As a representative of the global community, a visitor from abroad, I don't want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you, people of America, please elect Barack Obama, please, 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.
"We were very impressed. 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."
That's just bloody funny, though, eh? ;D
Nope.
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...the relevant passage is:
"As a representative of the global community, a visitor from abroad, I don't want to come across a little bit biased, but could I please ask of you, people of America, please elect Barack Obama, please, 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.
"We were very impressed. 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."
That's just bloody funny, though, eh? ;D
Nope.
[/quote]
+1
Bit tired and predictable to be honest...
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I don't think it is insulting at all, it's not necessarily anything to do with intelligence. It's just different senses of humour.
Americans in general have the same sense of humour as us ('us' meaning Brits).
That's why some of their biggest comedy shows are also the UK's biggest comedy shows.
In fact, considering, MASH, Seinfeld, Curb Y-E, Frasier and such like, I don't know where we got this "Americans don't understand irony" things from.
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It's Canadians that don't understand irony. I submit the song "Isn't it ironic ?" by one Alanis Morissette as evidence.
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I don't think it is insulting at all, it's not necessarily anything to do with intelligence. It's just different senses of humour.
OK, insulting was the wrong word - how about presumptuous instead?
The only reason I commented was because an American friend of mine who loves British comedy is constantly told by Brits that she can't possibly "get" British humour because she's a dumb Yank. She "gets" it perfectly well.
I'd echo what LEE said - comedy is comedy, which is why most people will find at least some comedians from any country funny (language issues aside).
There are many "comedies" from English speaking countries that fail to even raise the slightest of smiles on my face. But there are plenty that do.
Down to the individual, innit?
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I'm not saying that Brits don't find American humour funny or vice versa; course they do. But there is undoubtedly a difference in styles, humour-wise; otherwise why the need to make The Office into an American version, for example?
Like I said with my first post, I just wasn't sure Russell Brand with his 'scruffy unkempt dandy' persona would necessarily appeal (which is actually, IMO, him taking the piss out of himself and a big part of his act - eg, the hair/mental illness comment). Could well be that I'm wrong...
Perhaps, as Ian says, it is actually more about a foreigner daring to say stuff about Americans than whether they found him funny...
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I'm not saying that Brits don't find American humour funny or vice versa; course they do. But there is undoubtedly a difference in styles, humour-wise; otherwise why the need to make The Office into an American version, for example?
Point taken. However, I think comedies such as The Office were remade purely because of the cultural referrences. Many of the gags rely on taking the piss out of people in the public eye. Nobody in America (or any other country for that matter) could possibly be expected to know who some random tabloid favourite in the UK is. Therefore the joke is lost. It's not so much about a different sense of humour, more knowing who on Earth is having the piss taken out of them.
Easiest way is to remake it and substitute as required...
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
Why do you assume that people have those opinions without having seen his material? I've seen his material and find most of it intensely irritating.
Just because somebody's opinion doesn't agree with your view doesn't mean that they are wrong or mistaken.
That came across wrong. I stand by the first bit; ie. an awful lot of people form negative opinions of him without ever seeing more than the odd quote. I'm not saying that all those who have negative opinions about him don't know his comedy, just that I often hear comments along the lines of: "I thought he was rubbish until I actually saw him".
Regarding American/British comedy, there is a difference. I follow comedy like some people follow music (ie. I watch a lot). Stand up is far and away the best form as far as I'm concerned. Additionally, sitcom humour doesn't really depend on country of origin. American stand up comedy lacks a lot of the subtlety that British stand up has*. Compare the British and US versions of who's line is it anyway for an example (I'm aware that the guys are mostly the same). I was careful not to insult US comedy (very restrained on my part).
Yes, there are some funny US comics who are good over here, and there are some rubbish comics from over here.
*generally
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Brand has some previous with MTV, having been fired as a VJ for dressing up as Bin Laden on September 12th 2001. I assume he was engaged for the show to say something controversial enough to get some publicity. The young people seem to like him. I saw Frankie Boyle do a better joke on 'Live at the Apollo' on Dave from last year I think. 'Does George Bush even realise who Gordon Brown is? He probably thinks Tony Blair has put on weight and had a mild stroke'. I haven't seen the Brand clip but I don't like his style. Isn't it Chimpist though?
Damon.
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I've found that an awful lot of people have opinions about Russell Brand without ever actually seeing his material, it's based on clips and perception. I used to be in that category myself TBH. Once you 'get' him, he's quite entertaining.
Why do you assume that people have those opinions without having seen his material? I've seen his material and find most of it intensely irritating.
Just because somebody's opinion doesn't agree with your view doesn't mean that they are wrong or mistaken.
That came across wrong. I stand by the first bit;
It didn't come across wrong at all, I got what you meant. Subsequent posters either didn't read your post properly or don't understand the old adage ' all africans are black, but not all blacks are african'.
Personally I can't stand Russell Brand. I'd really really like to as a lot of people find him hilarious and I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't get the joke (durrr).
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It didn't come across wrong at all, I got what you meant.
Apparently not! Don't worry though, even if I express myself as I intend to, few people ever really get what I mean.
*edit* although apparently not if I didn't get what you meant. I think I'm every confused!
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It's Canadians that don't understand irony. I submit the song "Isn't it ironic ?" by one Alanis Morissette as evidence.
YouTube - Ed Byrne slates Alanis Morissette (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1TVSTkAXg)
British comedy at it's best!
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It didn't come across wrong at all, I got what you meant.
Apparently not! Don't worry though, even if I express myself as I intend to, few people ever really get what I mean.
Thursday week at Tottenham Court tube with a string bag full of carrots.
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I've never seen RB perform but anyone who hacks the Yanks off to the degree displayed on the Times comments page gets my support.
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It's Canadians that don't understand irony. I submit the song "Isn't it ironic ?" by one Alanis Morissette as evidence.
YouTube - Ed Byrne slates Alanis Morissette (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1TVSTkAXg)
British comedy at it's best!
It's not British comedy
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It's Canadians that don't understand irony. I submit the song "Isn't it ironic ?" by one Alanis Morissette as evidence.
YouTube - Ed Byrne slates Alanis Morissette (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1TVSTkAXg)
British comedy at it's best!
It's not British comedy
???
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Ed Byrne is definitely Irish - born Dublin, so not a London Irish like Sean Hughes...
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I'm not saying that Brits don't find American humour funny or vice versa; course they do. But there is undoubtedly a difference in styles, humour-wise; otherwise why the need to make The Office into an American version, for example?
Point taken. However, I think comedies such as The Office were remade purely because of the cultural referrences. Many of the gags rely on taking the piss out of people in the public eye. Nobody in America (or any other country for that matter) could possibly be expected to know who some random tabloid favourite in the UK is. Therefore the joke is lost. It's not so much about a different sense of humour, more knowing who on Earth is having the piss taken out of them.
Easiest way is to remake it and substitute as required...
I think the US version of The Office is a comedy, pure and simple, whereas the UK version is a humourous mock-documentary.
I have no opinion whatsoever on Russell Brand.
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I don't think Russell Brand did himself any favours hosting the Big Brother Little Brother show in 2006 or 2007. He was annoying and his humour was not evident. Since that time he has really become rather excellent.
I also really enjoy that chap from the Mighty Boosh. He is amazingly clever and witty and very fast yet offbeat with it. I just don't know his name. Goth looking geezer.
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Noel Fielding = Vince Noir is the guy you're thinking of, and I think he's going for more of a glam rock look than goth.
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Noel Fielding = Vince Noir is the guy you're thinking of, and I think he's going for more of a glam rock look than goth.
that's the guy, I was desperately trying to remember his name, he has also been on Never mind the Buzzcocks znd played Richmond in The IT Crowd, where it was most definately a goth look he was going for....
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Don't worry though, even if I express myself as I intend to, few people ever really get what I mean.
Are you American Gonzo? ;D :demon:
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I see Little Britain are doing a USA thing for consumption both here and thereI wonder how that will go down?
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Russell Brand is the Anti-Christ, and it pains me to note that he is - inna-FaceSpace-stylee - a "friend" of Mr. Sunshine's band.
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Noel Fielding = Vince Noir is the guy you're thinking of, and I think he's going for more of a glam rock look than goth.
that's the guy, I was desperately trying to remember his name, he has also been on Never mind the Buzzcocks znd played Richmond in The IT Crowd, where it was most definately a goth look he was going for....
Bloody hell, so he did!
Every IT department should have one.