British Comedy Guide

Russell Brand "My Booky Wook"

Anyone else reading it? I'm quite enjoying it.

I also think it has the best dedication ever.

"For my Mum
The most important woman in my life
This book is dedicated to you
Now for God's sake don't read it"

Just finished reading it. It's alright some very funny bits, but Brand in written form is not as funny as when he's live and improvising.

Quote: Martin Holmes @ December 24, 2007, 5:40 PM

Just finished reading it. It's alright some very funny bits, but Brand in written form is not as funny as when he's live and improvising.

Rolling your Rs and using a flowering diction isn't improvising.

Did he cover why, a few years ago when he first appeared on Channel 4, he looked relatively normal and was just another crap unremarkable comedian before deciding to dress totally differently around the time the Boosh appeared?

Pulpy-wulp?

Yeah he did use to dress exceptionally normal around 2004ish. His hair was only midlength then as well.

I've only read excerpts from one particularly scathing review and it did not sound a pleasant read.

I don't rate him as a stand up, but as a TV presenter he's one of the best.

i got it for christmas. the first few pages are quite entertaining.
i always wanted to hate russel brand but that was before i saw him on the telly. i actually think he is brilliant and can't wait for the big fat quiz of the year.

I got it for Xmas! Yay! I agree about the dedication - brilliant.
Haven't read it yet, I've just looked at the mostly rather amusing photographs.

I have to finish reading Happyslapped By A Jellyfish first, then I'll get right on to it.

Quote: Seefacts @ December 24, 2007, 6:00 PM

Rolling your Rs and using a flowering diction isn't improvising.

No, but coming up with witty retorts and gags off the cuff with intelligence is, as his radio 2 show often proves.

Quote: Seefacts @ December 24, 2007, 6:00 PM

Did he cover why, a few years ago when he first appeared on Channel 4, he looked relatively normal and was just another crap unremarkable comedian before deciding to dress totally differently around the time the Boosh appeared?

Yeah on his radio show, he needed an image change, something that made him stand-out, he's not shy of admitting that he is ego-centric and craves fame, his self-awareness is one of the reasons I like him so much, as well as him having the ability to be very funny and intelligent, works best when he's riffing with his comedy partner Matt Morgan though.

And he's leagues ahead of the Boosh.

I think they're both rather fabulous.

It's quite sweet when Russell and Noel Boosh are together, unexpectedly Russell is the one yapping at Noel's heels and eagerly trying to impress him. (Which I don't think he needs to.)

I always thought he looked and sounded more like Captain Jack Sparrow than the Boosh! My friend told me the book is excellent, looking forward to reading it as I think he's very funny.

Quote: Martin Holmes @ December 25, 2007, 6:20 PM

No, but coming up with witty retorts and gags off the cuff with intelligence is, as his radio 2 show often proves.

Yeah on his radio show, he needed an image change, something that made him stand-out, he's not shy of admitting that he is ego-centric and craves fame, his self-awareness is one of the reasons I like him so much, as well as him having the ability to be very funny and intelligent, works best when he's riffing with his comedy partner Matt Morgan though.

And he's leagues ahead of the Boosh.

Most of his HIGNFY stuff which seemed improvised, had been repeated on about 6 other shows this year.

His camp style hides really poor material (and hinders the better stuff).

The style change was so contrived (good on him for spotting a trend though) it's painful.

Talentless bore who, outside of channel 4, gets looked on with the disdain he deserves.

He IS leagues ahead of the Boosh. But that's no compliment.

Quote: Seefacts @ December 25, 2007, 10:14 PM

Most of his HIGNFY stuff which seemed improvised, had been repeated on about 6 other shows this year.

Did you notice how annoyed Ian Hislop looked with everything that came out of Brand's mouth?

I like him, haven't read the book though.

Quote: Seefacts @ December 25, 2007, 10:14 PM

Most of his HIGNFY stuff which seemed improvised, had been repeated on about 6 other shows this year.

His camp style hides really poor material (and hinders the better stuff).

The style change was so contrived (good on him for spotting a trend though) it's painful.

Talentless bore who, outside of channel 4, gets looked on with the disdain he deserves.

He IS leagues ahead of the Boosh. But that's no compliment.

To be honest I don't think much of his TV work has been that good, apart from RE:Brand which is brilliant and a really inspiring piece of television. And that recent Jack Kerouac documentary was really good. I liked his hosting of the Brits too.

But it's definitely on the radio where he shines, you can see that he does have real talent, his self-aware and is a decent bloke. You should download some of the podcasts.

I don't think that it's just the Channel 4 audience that like him, I mean I certainly love his work from his BBC radio shows and RE:Brand which I believe was on UK Play (remember that?). But anyway he's onto movies now, the Judd Apatow (Superbad, Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin) film that he is in next year looks really good. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xuMfKxXnDk

His Radio 2 show is the number one podcast on iTunes, so it's not just the Channel 4 audience who like him.

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