By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine With his skinny jeans, back-combed hair and dandyish manner, Russell Brand has always looked an outsider on the comedy stage. To many people his style of humour is just as alien. So what's the appeal of Russell Brand's humour?
By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine With his skinny jeans, back-combed hair and dandyish manner, Russell Brand has always looked an outsider on the comedy stage. To many people his style of humour is just as alien. So what's the appeal of Russell Brand's humour?
By now actor Andrew Sachs has probably realised he is not the only person to have been offended by comedian Russell Brand. Rod Stewart, Christian pop group The Jonas Brothers, and Northampton police have all had their own run-ins with Brand. He has a marmite effect, you either love him or you hate him Dr Oliver DoubleComedy lecturer
By now actor Andrew Sachs has probably realised he is not the only person to have been offended by comedian Russell Brand. Rod Stewart, Christian pop group The Jonas Brothers, and Northampton police have all had their own run-ins with Brand. He has a Marmite effect, you either love him or you hate him Dr Oliver DoubleComedy lecturer
The comedian has already resigned from BBC Radio 2 for the series of pranks calls he made to Sachs, 78, best known for his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers. Collaborator Jonathan Ross has been suspended and the BBC Trust is investigating an episode that has drawn criticism from the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.
The comedian has already resigned from BBC Radio 2 for the series of pranks calls he made to Sachs, 78, best known for his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers. Collaborator Jonathan Ross has been suspended and the BBC Trust is investigating an episode that has drawn criticism from the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.
It's nothing new for a comedian to experiment on the edge of what's acceptable, but the furore surrounding Brand's latest stunt takes things to a higher level.
It's nothing new for a comedian to experiment on the edge of what's acceptable, but the furore surrounding Brand's latest stunt takes things to a higher level.
Brand, a Sony Radio Award winner, appears to polarise people, and those who do find him funny tend be young. Brand's subject is often himself
Brand, a Sony Radio Award winner, appears to polarise people, and those who do find him funny tend be young. Brand's subject is often himself
"He has a Marmite effect, you either love him or you hate him," says Dr Oliver Double, who lectures in stand-up comedy at Kent University and is a former circuit comedian. "Few people are ambivalent."
"He has a Marmite effect, you either love him or you hate him," says Dr Oliver Double, who lectures in stand-up comedy at Kent University and is a former circuit comedian. "Few people are ambivalent."
The 33-year-old is far from being a traditional stand-up. His fans appear to engage with the persona he has created as much as the lines he delivers.
The 33-year-old is far from being a traditional stand-up. His fans appear to engage with the persona he has created as much as the lines he delivers.
What really sets him apart are his idiosyncratic mannerisms and use of language, say those in the business. He dresses like a modern-day dandy, all tight black trousers, flowing scarves, black eyeliner and necklaces and his speech is excessively articulated and flowery. Last year's half-million-selling autobiography, My Booky Wook, is a good example - its playful, almost childish title concealing a vivid memoirs of sex and drug taking.
What really sets him apart are his idiosyncratic mannerisms and use of language, say those in the business. He dresses like a modern-day dandy, all tight black trousers, flowing scarves, black eyeliner and necklaces and his speech is excessively articulated and flowery. Last year's half-million-selling autobiography, My Booky Wook, is a good example - its playful, almost childish title concealing a vivid memoirs of sex and drug taking.
"There is something almost Dickensian about him," says Mr Double.
"There is something almost Dickensian about him," says Mr Double.
"Language is a huge part of the texture of comedy and he uses it in a very interesting and individual way. He sounds incredibly old fashioned and plays around with the tone, making it higher for camp effect. He's almost created his own language." MOMENTS OF OFFENCE Sacked from MTV after arriving at work dressed as Osama Bin Laden, on 12 September 2001Sacked from Xfm after reading pornographic letters on airJoked he had slept with Rod Stewart's daughter. He hadn'tMocked chastity of Jonas BrothersMade prank call to Northampton police
"Language is a huge part of the texture of comedy and he uses it in a very interesting and individual way. He sounds incredibly old fashioned and plays around with the tone, making it higher for camp effect. He's almost created his own language." MOMENTS OF OFFENCE Sacked from MTV after arriving at work dressed as Osama Bin Laden, on 12 September 2001Sacked from Xfm after reading pornographic letters on airJoked he had slept with Rod Stewart's daughter. He hadn'tMocked chastity of Jonas BrothersMade prank call to Northampton police
Jim Holt, author of Stop Me If You've Heard This, a History and Philosophy of Jokes, said Brand's humour conforms to one of the classic theories of comedy - that we can be amused by something that is completely incongruous with what we expect.
Jim Holt, author of Stop Me If You've Heard This, a History and Philosophy of Jokes, said Brand's humour conforms to one of the classic theories of comedy - that we can be amused by something that is completely incongruous with what we expect.
"He has an epicene or even slightly effeminate manner. He is taking you down this garden path, you are building up all kinds of expectations and suddenly at the end there is a weird twist.
"He has an epicene or even slightly effeminate manner. He is taking you down this garden path, you are building up all kinds of expectations and suddenly at the end there is a weird twist.
"We make jokes about sex, death and disturbing things because the whole point of humour is to take a threatening, disquieting something and by a clever twist make it okay."
"We make jokes about sex, death and disturbing things because the whole point of humour is to take a threatening, disquieting something and by a clever twist make it okay."
The other notable aspect of Brand's schtick is that his private life and his bragging of it is, if anything, better known than his actual performances. And it has come to provide much of the material for his routines and banter.
The other notable aspect of Brand's schtick is that his private life and his bragging of it is, if anything, better known than his actual performances. And it has come to provide much of the material for his routines and banter.
Brand 's profile is growing outside the UKBut with the spotlight of publicity firmly on him, there is a risk that people will lose interest.
Brand 's profile is growing outside the UKBut with the spotlight of publicity firmly on him, there is a risk that people will lose interest.
"All comedians have an ego, it's what makes them get on stage," says Dr Double. "But Russell Brand's routines have become all about being Russell Brand and little else. He has become his only frame of reference and that's just not interesting."
"All comedians have an ego, it's what makes them get on stage," says Dr Double. "But Russell Brand's routines have become all about being Russell Brand and little else. He has become his only frame of reference and that's just not interesting."
It's no surprise that success can lead to problems, says comic Ivor Dembina, a veteran of the stand-up circuit.
It's no surprise that success can lead to problems, says comic Ivor Dembina, a veteran of the stand-up circuit.
"Russell Brand's been given so much exposure and is so feted he probably thinks he can say and do anything. This whole situation is a salutary reminder that comedy is of no value if it doesn't take into account the vulnerability of others. If it doesn't it's just bullying."
"Russell Brand's been given so much exposure and is so feted he probably thinks he can say and do anything. This whole situation is a salutary reminder that comedy is of no value if it doesn't take into account the vulnerability of others. If it doesn't it's just bullying."
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