Dawn French interviews Russell Brand

November 5, 2009 10:48 PM

Russell Brand talks to Dawn French about comedy, revealing a peculiar and compelling intelligence apparently gleaned from TV and substance abuse. Part 1, 2, 3, 4 [YT]
posted by mhjb (14 comments total)

...and gleaned from the empathy that comes from successfully integrating the lessons of rehab. I've read his autobiographical 'Booky Wook' and there are some examples of very insensitive, self-absorbed and callous behaviour. Yet there's also the positive kind of introspection that makes for better empathy. He strikes me as someone who really wants to learn from life, even as he lives it to the fullest.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 11:11 PM on November 5, 2009

When I read the post, I initially thought Dawn French was the one being interviewed, and, frankly would have preferred it that way, although I wondered what substances she might possibly have abused (and don't ANYBODY say 'food'). Oh well, Dawn asking the questions is better than nothing...
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:30 PM on November 5, 2009

This was part of a 2008 BBC series called "Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy."
posted by MuffinMan at 12:34 AM on November 6, 2009

Here's the full series on Youtube
posted by slixtream at 4:58 AM on November 6, 2009

I think Stern makes this type of interview much funnier and compelling.
posted by rbf1138 at 5:05 AM on November 6, 2009

dawn french is one of the most under-appreciated comic actors out there. when she's on the mark she's really, really sharp. kind of like irish whiskey: goes down so smooth you don't realize you're getting drunk.
posted by lodurr at 6:00 AM on November 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

I dont agree - that Vicar of Dibley thing is fuckin awful. She could go on eating Chocolate Oranges until she explodes for all i care.

With the exception of her husband, I dont think a comedian has made me laugh so little.
posted by the cuban at 6:47 AM on November 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

I loved at least some seasons of Vicar of Dibley and the first two seasons of Chef! and I'm not afraid to admit it.
posted by kmz at 7:20 AM on November 6, 2009

That was really fascinating and thought-provoking. Thanks for this - I'm off to watch the rest of them now. I thought Dawn French comes across as a great interviewer - she knows her subject really well and can empathise, but she does it with a lightness of touch, rather than constantly interjecting with her own take.
posted by RokkitNite at 7:29 AM on November 6, 2009

It annoys me (simply because he's so popular all of a sudden) that he can sound that intelligent, and yet he insists on this deeply unfunny, extra camp (compared to usual) and idiotic comedy.
'My booky wooky'? What the fuck, you moron? You talk about the influences Wilde had on you, and then come out with that shit?

It just makes it worse when he goes and hangs out with BNP members and I'm forced to agree so fundamentally with him.
posted by opsin at 8:24 AM on November 6, 2009

I watched one of Russell Brand's stand-up bits while I was on mushrooms, and it was a relevatory experience for me. In spite of (because of?) the substance, it's really endeared Brand as a cultural critic to me.
posted by codacorolla at 9:18 AM on November 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

Some of you have apparently missed the team up of Noel Fielding and Russel Brand on "The Big Quiz" revelatory indeed. I can't really stand his Stand Up, but he is genuinely funny otherwise.
posted by NiteMayr at 12:24 PM on November 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

I find him refreshingly funny the way he uses language. Thanks for the post.
posted by NoraCharles at 2:06 PM on November 6, 2009

Charlie Rose, eat your heart out.
posted by gallois at 7:18 PM on November 6, 2009