Crosswords2 mins ago
Russell Brand
42 Answers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1 053407/Russell-Brands-retarded-cowboy-jibe-Geo rge-Bush-shocks-MTV-audience.html
Do the likes of Russell Brand, do anything to foster good relations with the US?
Or should he be made to opologise?
I thought his performance was both embarrassing and bad mannered.
Do the likes of Russell Brand, do anything to foster good relations with the US?
Or should he be made to opologise?
I thought his performance was both embarrassing and bad mannered.
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Well done to Russell Brand Personally I don't want to foster good relations with the US. I used to dislike Brand and his humour but have warmed to him and actually enjoy his humour now. I also think he is a very intelligent young man.
The only thing he did wrong was expect the Americans to understand his humour. They are just so naive - I find myself totally agreeing with Newsdesk's post above.
The only thing he did wrong was expect the Americans to understand his humour. They are just so naive - I find myself totally agreeing with Newsdesk's post above.
naomi24
I hear what you're saying, but I think to a certain extent once someone makes up their mind about a comedian, their responses will be dictated by their prejudices.
For instance, I've always loved Joan Rivers, and I'm sure there's cracks which I would 'let her get away with' which I would find offensice from Jim Davidson. That's what I mean by my own hypocracy.
I hear what you're saying, but I think to a certain extent once someone makes up their mind about a comedian, their responses will be dictated by their prejudices.
For instance, I've always loved Joan Rivers, and I'm sure there's cracks which I would 'let her get away with' which I would find offensice from Jim Davidson. That's what I mean by my own hypocracy.
I personally think Russel Brand's a no-talent kook. When the current generation of teenage girls grow up he won't have a leg to stand on.
I don't see what exactly his comments have to do with international politics though. In fact, I don't think I at all understand the tendency generally to stamp political meaning on things like entertainment or culture or even sport (for instance idiots calling Hollywood 'American Imperialism'... gimme a break).
One thing I will say though is that I think it's surprisingly over-sensitive of the people in the audience to respond the way they did. I mean is that all it takes to get people complaining? A stupid comedian insulting their leader? Come on, people...
I don't see what exactly his comments have to do with international politics though. In fact, I don't think I at all understand the tendency generally to stamp political meaning on things like entertainment or culture or even sport (for instance idiots calling Hollywood 'American Imperialism'... gimme a break).
One thing I will say though is that I think it's surprisingly over-sensitive of the people in the audience to respond the way they did. I mean is that all it takes to get people complaining? A stupid comedian insulting their leader? Come on, people...
Well, Kromo, I'm no teenage girl (although I behave like one sometimes), but if he's a leg short, he can lean on me any time.
When I heard his 'speech' on BBC Breakfast the morning after, especially the bit about those who say America's not ready for a black president being racists, I punched the air and went 'yesss! Go for it, Brand!' Like many of the current crop of comedians, he says what other people are thinking but are too afraid or insignificant to speak out about. I get the impression that many Americans don't have quite the freedom of speech their government says they have (try saying you believe in communism and see what happens). I'm not sure they're comfortable with the way our people speak out publicly on pretty much anything we like.
Lottie, re Jimmy Carr - I don't really like his comedy either, but I once watched him performing live to a very ... erm ... lively, shall we say, 1100-strong audience. He still doesn't really make me laugh, but I give him ten out of ten for the way he can work a room. He really is an object lesson for any aspiring performer. He's a nice bloke, too.
When I heard his 'speech' on BBC Breakfast the morning after, especially the bit about those who say America's not ready for a black president being racists, I punched the air and went 'yesss! Go for it, Brand!' Like many of the current crop of comedians, he says what other people are thinking but are too afraid or insignificant to speak out about. I get the impression that many Americans don't have quite the freedom of speech their government says they have (try saying you believe in communism and see what happens). I'm not sure they're comfortable with the way our people speak out publicly on pretty much anything we like.
Lottie, re Jimmy Carr - I don't really like his comedy either, but I once watched him performing live to a very ... erm ... lively, shall we say, 1100-strong audience. He still doesn't really make me laugh, but I give him ten out of ten for the way he can work a room. He really is an object lesson for any aspiring performer. He's a nice bloke, too.
Absolutely agree with you sexy_jag about the Americans. At least we are open about what we feel. What I have found is that they are so naive that they think the world is in awe of America and americans and can't cope when someone is confrontational and touches a raw nerve.
Jimmy Carr - you may well be right, but I doubt whether I will ever find out!;o)
Jimmy Carr - you may well be right, but I doubt whether I will ever find out!;o)
Like many of the current crop of comedians, he says what other people are thinking but are too afraid or insignificant to speak out about.
No. He says what you are thinking but don't say. There's a difference.
Plus how political can you really say Brand is? Really?
I get the impression that many Americans don't have quite the freedom of speech their government says they have (try saying you believe in communism and see what happens
Plenty of American commentators have said pretty much the same thing as Brand (well, it's certainly been widely repeated that it's stupid to argue that the USA 'isn't ready' for a black president). They've just said it less bluntly.
On the communism thing:
You might have had a point 50 years ago. Or 51, to be exact, because in '57 the Supreme Court overturned the legality Smith Act prosecutions (which were based on mere voicing of communist ideas). So under US law - and the constitution - you're quite able to say you're a communist if you want. The Communist Party of the USA is still up and running.
If you want to explain why it's so tiny and insignificant - it's not because it's being repressed (though this certainly applied in the past), it's just American political culture. Socialism and communism have genuiney just never taken root there the way they did in Europe.
No. He says what you are thinking but don't say. There's a difference.
Plus how political can you really say Brand is? Really?
I get the impression that many Americans don't have quite the freedom of speech their government says they have (try saying you believe in communism and see what happens
Plenty of American commentators have said pretty much the same thing as Brand (well, it's certainly been widely repeated that it's stupid to argue that the USA 'isn't ready' for a black president). They've just said it less bluntly.
On the communism thing:
You might have had a point 50 years ago. Or 51, to be exact, because in '57 the Supreme Court overturned the legality Smith Act prosecutions (which were based on mere voicing of communist ideas). So under US law - and the constitution - you're quite able to say you're a communist if you want. The Communist Party of the USA is still up and running.
If you want to explain why it's so tiny and insignificant - it's not because it's being repressed (though this certainly applied in the past), it's just American political culture. Socialism and communism have genuiney just never taken root there the way they did in Europe.