Welcome back to the book club! Remember, everyone who comments by 10/1 is eligible to win free books, Lemondrop T-shirts, and who knows what else. If you missed the first question, you can read it here. Discussion Question 2: Does Russell take his humor too far?
One of Brand's most outrageous stunts is chronicled in the book. This man showed up to his MTV VJ job in London on September 12, 2001, dressed as Osama Bin Laden. While decked out in a turban and a robe, Brand introduces his drug dealer "Gritty" to Kylie Minogue. He is fired two days later. (Makes his jabs at the Jonas Brothers' abstinence at last year's VMAs look positively G-rated.)
Today, eight years later, we still sometimes wonder if it's OK to make jokes about the event. Sure, showing up to host a TV show dressed as the man who masterminded deadliest terrorist attack ever on America the day after it took place is ill-advised (that's being diplomatic), but what about now?
In "The Hangover," we cringed a little at Zach Galifianakis' passing crack about everyone being "so sensitive" about masturbating on planes post-9/11. In the 2005 film "The Aristocrats," 9/11 jokes seemed shocking -- maybe because the comedians were going for the taboo laugh; maybe because the event was still relatively recent.
We're asking: Is this something to joke about? Has time plus tragedy allowed for the possibility of humor? Can there be "tasteful" 9/11 humor? Are Americans overall too sensitive about 9/11, or is it simply one of those no-no topics?
Discussion Question 3: Is Russell at all dateable?
Russell Brand visited "The View" yesterday to promote his hosting of the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. Brand flirted shamelessly with co-host Sherri Shepherd, which got us thinking about the role of women in "My Booky Wook." Today we'll talk about that in light of his documented in-patient stint at a sex addiction rehab.
In Chapter 21 of "My Booky Wook," Brand writes, "Women were goddesses who could be saved through worshipping. Thus I was forever on my knees before women, hungrily devouring truth, seeking out redemption wherever it may lie -- usually squandered between someone's thighs."
When you read about how he treats some of the women he encounters: spitting in the face of a stripper, taking advantage of girlfriends for places to crash, money for drugs, etc., it doesn't mesh with this idea of the woman as goddess.
It seems like there's only one woman who may truly be worthy of worship: Russell's dear old mum, whom he clearly adores. You have to love a man who loves his mother, but is he a nightmare mama's boy?
Would you date Russell Brand, or is he strictly a one-night stand? Let's put it another way: If you had a daughter, would you want her to date Russell? You might want to keep in mind this tell-all from Russell's ex-girlfriend that appeared in a British tabloid before you answer. What's the worse offense: having a threesome while your SO is off shopping with your mother or having 20 copies of your memoir in your bedroom?
Let us know what you think in the comments. Click "next" for our post-VMAs discussion.












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Friday 11 September
By Mandy
He is beyond hot. I want to save him. In bed. I think 9/11 jokes are ok. If you can't joke, then the terrorists win. And I mean that, actually.
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Friday 11 September
By John
Russell Brand is to the idea of humor what Jeffrey Dahmer was to non-white teenage boys.
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Friday 11 September
By chris
Russell Brand likes to eat the idea of humor?
Friday 11 September
By nds
I don’t think he wrote the story about dressing as Bin Laden in way that implies it was a good idea now, but yeah it was too far. He makes fun of himself for being an idiot by doing it. I think you can find something to laugh at about pretty much anything if it is in the right context and the right context in this situation would not have been September 12, 2001.
Is he dateable at all? Probably not. Did anyone notice that he wrote on his sex addict form that a long term goal is to find a woman who is his “intellectual equal”? That’s probably not going to happen in a one night threesome with strippers. Or on The View (oh snap!).
Is he strictly a one night stand? Probably not if you want him to like you. I think he is someone you should go in go cart racing with.
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Friday 11 September
By CJ
I would give him a handy job
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Saturday 12 September
By LunaJune
Would Idate Russell..well that question for me has alot of different answers.. i am on a quest to interview him...as he interviews woman after his gigs and basically everywhere he goes I would like to interview him...he comes across like he has all the qualites I love.. putting aside the sex addict side..the other sides of him...and it is those sides I wish to meet...to have a cup and tea and a chat...and just let the energies that we both are meet and see what happens.. so yes I'd date him in a second..but need to talk first
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Sunday 13 September
By Icedanceus
I think Russell Brand is a very fine talent and that the side he shows on stage and in interviews is not the real Russell, look past the hair and rauchy jokes and you find a very intelligent and prepared young man. He is able to talk with all people on all levels about past and current world events. As with the view yeah he flirted with Sherri but he was able to talk to Barbara, Joy, Megan and Whoppi and I did not see any of them appear uncomfortable when he focused on them you gotta give a person credit who looks you in the eye they are your soul. I think Russll Brand is a rare individual and I would date him if I were 10yrs younger and I would worry about my daugther dating a lot worse types than him.
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Sunday 13 September
By Tina
He that guy that you feel excited to date and think when you finally are together things will be great and then he of course is himself which it turns out is an ass and you feel completely stupid for falling for it and say you'll never do it again. Then he calls and uses you again. Guys like that have real power over women. It is sad and women should cherish themselves more then to succumb to his needs.
His jokes are fine, I think people are over sensitive to 9/11. It is part of history, it makes us as a country stronger.
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Sunday 13 September
By Steve-a-rino
After listening to the recent "roast" of Joan Rivers, it's obvious that today's "comics" can't make anyone laugh without resorting to pure crudity - it's as if their audience is all 8th grade boys. Filth, sleaze and profanity are all they have left now and, truthfully, it's not funny. All they can do is recite George Carlin's "can't say" list over and over and over - their lack of creativity and true humor shows in every broadcast. What these people do (and why) is irrelevant to the majority - they basically entertain each with "how low can you go" jokes, and they all look for a response like bad children trying to get a response from their mothers. Grow up, you guys, and come up with something that's actually funny!
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Sunday 13 September
By Queen Yesenia
I am not really into Russell Brand, I mean he is funny and has a certain charm but I wouldn't date him. He doesn't seem like the type to take dating seriously anyway. About the 9/11 jokes, I think a lot of people are still really sensitive to the whole event. I personally can take a joke or two about it but I just live in New York, I didn't lose anyone in the attack and I feel those are the people who wouldn't be able to joke about it.
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Sunday 13 September
By Me
The 9/11 joke in the HANGOVER made me laugh so hard i spilled my candy everywhere. The rest of the movie was sub-par and predictable.
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Sunday 13 September
By Rae
I don't find him that funny, and I like off beat humor. He just seems a bit mean.
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Sunday 13 September
By Jim
9/11 was not an event that should ever be joked about. It was an American tragedy. It took the lives of 3,000+ American citizens and altered the course of American and world history. Those who can joke about that are jackasses who were children then and not much mature now.
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Sunday 13 September
By billlesd
There really ISN'T anything funny about other people's deaths, and a national tragedy. I lost my husband on 9/11. He was a funny, sweet guy who worked as hard as he could to support his family as an accountant. We had two young sons. I will never know how he died. Was it instantly? In the fire that folowed? You do recall that some people jumped top avoid the flames??? There is nothing at all funny in any of this. especially for my sons who will never have this great guy of a father see them grow up. Trust me, 9/11 ia anything BUT funny. Jokes about it are completely inappropriate.
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Sunday 13 September
By JW
I would love to hang out with him and occasionally jump him but as far as relationships go he's pretty much damaged goods bound to cheat. Once you go to an extreme its kinda hard to come back from it and be satisfied with normalcy.
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