British comedian Russell Brand, who has played an out-of-control rocker in Hollywood movie Get Him to the Greek and a drunken playboy in Arthur, will be seen in his first US television show doing stand-up.
Brand returns to his roots in new show “Brand X”, a late-night, once-a-week programme debuting on the FX Network on Thursday. It shows off the comedian’s sexually-charged humour, as well as his more serious take on spirituality, consumerism and celebrity culture in front of a live audience.
“I love doing stand-up because you have a direct interaction with the audience. There is no mediation, no script, and no direction. It is my great love. What is it other than telling the truth to human beings that are identical to me?” Brand told Reuters.
Inspired by topical events and filmed in a small, nightclub-like studio north of Los Angeles four days ahead of broadcast, “Brand X” finds the ex-husband of pop singer Katy Perry in reflective and provocative form.
No target is off limits for the 37-year-old. “I would never like to hurt a person’s feelings. But other than that, nothing is off limits,” said Brand.
Audience participation and off-the-cuff mockery also play a part in the show that the FX basic cable network says brings “an unmistakably irreverent attitude” to its late-night programming.
“The main thing I am interested in is the difference in the way information is portrayed and the truth behind that information,” Brand said of his themes.
Brand made his name in his native England around 10 years ago, starting in comedy clubs and moving to radio, TV and award shows. Using his own history as a drug, alcohol and sex addict, he courted controversy (and lost several jobs) through his jokes and pranks.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2012.
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