There’s brief mention of it toward the end but I don’t go into detail about specific incidents. It’s mostly headlines that I cite concerning Russell brands past. Hope this helps!
Even worse. Usually comedians say "you can't say that." So the guy in the audience who hasn't talked to anyone all week anyways feels personally oppressed by the fact that transphobic specials aren't making enough money.
@@MattAngiono they're still employed and backed up by Netflix Spotify etc they have millions of fans and supporters they say shit 90% of the population thinks in short no ones getting cancels and you're coping if you think so
Okay, Russel Brand “being” a “born again Christian” is kind of hilarious because it’s like he almost finished completing predator in hiding bingo card. 😂😂
Oh.... "re-wire your brain", is that how this guy sees comedy? No wonder the Far Left can't laugh at anything anymore unless it is hate & mockery directed at anyone NOT a Leftist. Stop seeing humanity as a problem to be managed, and stop CENSORING every word coming from your mouths & the mouths of everyone else alive. You are NOT by Big Brother!
C’mon bro, just think about, bro, he is a comedian that doesn’t do comedy. You ever think about that? A comedian that doesn’t do comedy. It almost makes him more of a comedian, you ever think about that? Hey Jamie, pull up comedians who don’t do comedy.
Brand was well aware that the "alt right" fan bases are more forgiving of sexual misdemeanors (at least against women...) so the timing of his pivot is just a LITTLE suspicious...
The people who have had a dubious history with the opposite gender are expected to do what exactly? Die off? Doesn't the left believe in reformation anymore? Betterment? No? Why is that not stated more explicitly? Anyone with misdemeanors are relegated to subhuman standards of living because the abstract aggregate deems this to be the only acceptable life left for anyone that ever did anything not perfectly moral. Thought anyone? Suggestions? Are we going to uphold the notion of pariah in society? What will that look like? Just become poorer so that they incur some sort of acceptable penalty?
@@TheSim1derful Charges don't just get filed because someone says something. There has to be SOME evidence. If he was charged, there was something there. Maybe not what the law is claiming, but something. And if you dance close enough to the rape fire to even get singed, it's no one's fault but your own.
I'm 15 years off Heroin. I can't say I'm "sober" bc I still drink occasionally & enjoy mushrooms. But I've been able to purchase my 1st apartment, get my sheet expunged & quit committing crimes. Russell was a hero to me with his pro HARM reduction, empathy based, mental health stand point. Then I saw his new stuff & was flabbergasted. Peace
I wish I knew how to find good smack, and I’m not even joking. I’ve lived 30 years with an incurable chronic pain disorder and it is nearly impossible to get the opioids I need to have the quality of life I deserve. It was not so difficult and traumatic, 8-10 years ago. Now?! It’s practically impossible. Good on you for getting sober and I wish you many more healthy years!
@@iamcasihart Yeah, it's sad that bc of addiction, Dr.'s are scared to prescribe. DiaMorph (Diacetyl Morphine HCl) is the prescription name of heroin. It's used in end of life care, extreme traumatic pain bc it not only kills pain, but also makes you feel good. Cocaine is a prescription drug. Not to take home but often used in eye surgery. I'm actually a chronic pain patient & after years of trying every medication under the sun, when I moved to Austria they immediately put me on Morphine Sulphate. They know all meds I've tried & my H history so I only get a weeks worth at a time. I have to work very closely with my Dr.. UA's anytime, bring in my pill box to show the exact amount is in there if asked. Sometimes opiates are the only answer. My only suggestion, but I'm sure you've done this, is get into a Pain Clinic. But in America that isht ain't cheap. Oxycodone is a great pain killer but has the same euphoric issues as H. Hydromorphone, time released is good or the fentanyl patch for reducing most of the "high" if taken exactly as prescribed. Don't, PLEASE, don't start messing with street drugs. Waay too risky, but I know the desperation. When I was in pain & totally sober, I told my Dr. after 2 years of complete sobriety I'm going back to Heroin cuz this pain is not living. They finally put me on low dose OC but it was better than nothing. The health care over here is top notch. Peace I hope you find comfort.
@@nickrustyson8124 Everytime I see right wingers post George Carlin clips thinking he was on their side, makes me roll my eyes... and wonder if they ever saw his bit about them and abortion from his 1996 special.
if you look into it, Bill Burr is FIRMLY on the left. I see him defending socialism (and "socialism") quite frequently. FWIW, I think that's dope. I think his angry demeanor just throws people off the trail lol
@@harlandspinks It seems to me that many high profile 'personalities' who begin to fade into irrelevance flirt with the right wing, and they go ever further down that dark road if they have any success at it. I think it works for some because that ready-made audience of bigots and other gullible followers is huge. DJT showed the way, traveling the same road as Father Coughlin, John Birch, Barry Goldwater, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Richard Nixon, and on and on. It is indicative of those with no moral compass, unjustifiably overgrown egos, and a lack of integrity, among other unpleasant character traits. PS Just found your channel. I hope that you continue, as you are on a good path here. Thanks!
If comedy isn't dead, it's at least on life support. Here's proof. Ted Cruz, Feb. 2022: "When someone asks me what my pronoun is , I say, 'My pronoun is kiss my a**!'" Roseanne Bar in a stand-up routine several weeks later: "When someone asks me what my pronoun is , I say, 'My pronoun is kiss my a**!'" When comedy has been reduced to plagiarizing "jokes" from Ted Cruz, possibly the least funny person who ever lived, it has clearly entered its death throes.
@@javi__... I won't argue with that. In fact people from all over the entertainment industry are doing pretty much the same thing. Still, as bad as that may be, it is made even worse by the fact that someone as unfunny as Ted Cruz can get laughs from an audience. Who laughs at something like that?
The thought of those two dumping loads at the same time just sent me somewhere real gooey in my brain. I didn't expect that when clicking this video. Thank you.
That's a super common path for the whole pipeline. Previous comedy relied on shock value instead of being funny >> nobody's shocked anymore so the lack of humor is laid bare >> cOmEdY iS iLlEgAl NoW!!!
they all think they are george carlin being arrested for cussing. but now they are all millionaires with multiple platforms creating content to millions of viewers lmao
@@MattAngiono No. I'm just tired of the comedians who think being offensive is the objective. There's a difference. Some comedians are brave and take risks and might wind up offending some people. That's the nature of the beast. It's always been that way. But a lot of comedians these days think that deliberately offending and antagonizing people is the point. Do want to know how I know that? One of your buddies in the comments section of another video, didn't like my criticism of purposefully offensive comedians and explicitly told me verbatim. "It's comedy. Being offensive is the point." Some comedians have lost the plot so bad. That they've even convinced regular people that comedians are supposed to be antagonistic a-holes. Once again, here's another TH-cam commenter proving my point.
@@MattAngiono Well, you and your buddies keep confirming it. Everytime I criticize belligerent comedians. It's the same responses everytime. "Comedy is supposed to be offensive, you're ruining comedy, you're against free speech." Just to be clear. The purpose of comedy, is to make people laugh. Not piss them off. The purpose of workshoping new ideas in a comedy act. Is to see what works and what doesn't. Not to go on the internet and cry about woke cancel culture. When your jokes don't land.
@@MattAngiono read your very first comment again. You said exactly that. "You think that comedy has to be so watered down that literally no one ever gets offended?"
“I used to be edgy and counterculture, but then they changed what edgy and counterculture was, and instead of changing to stay on the edge or even just stay where I was and fade into obscurity, I decided to go so far the other direction that I’m now surrounded by people who also don’t like my old work and want me to change what I say too” Good logic rando comedians
“I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. It’ll happen to you!” Grandpa Simpson
@@Dan_Ben_Michael That was one of the first things that came to my mind, too! I just couldn’t remember entirely what Grandpa Simpson said. Now I feel the need to go on a binge-watch of Simpsons clips.
Oops - forgot Lenny Bruce. This guy was arrested and banned in certain cities for using profanity in his act. He made it so George Carlin could say those 7 words on stage without getting thrown in the pokey.
I don't think it was. Narcissists like Brand who don't hold any true values are like weather-cocks that follow the prevailing wind as all they care about is bettering their own situation. He was a leacherous, laddy type when that was weirdly a thing here in the UK, then a new-age hipster when yoga and chai lattes were all the rage, and he's now just doing the whole alt-right, conspiracy theorist thing as that's what's most profitable to him (and conveniently they'll be the easiest to convince all the allegations against him are false as it's the "deep state" out to get him!)
@@bettyspag_ he might be insufferable, but he's ABSOLUTELY smart enough to know what he's doing is wrong. Nobody who knows that many words is stupid. he might not be brilliant, but he's not dumb by any means. That's what makes it so much worse. He _knows,_ he just doesn't care.
“People used to laugh at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian. Well they're not laughing now.” ― Bob Monkhouse, Crying With Laughter : My Life Story
Rogan did a ton of things in his comeup and managed to keep most of his audiences frm his various endeavors Before i fully knew about Rogan, if you told me the Fear Factor man would act like this I would totally believe you
His podcast and fear factor were the catalyst for his audience. Now he thinks he’s an elite comedian because he sells out arenas. His name has become a brand regardless of comedy quality
9:48 just like with homophobia I'm convinced it has to do with them not wanting to be treated like how they treat women. Phobes are terrified of being harrassed.
As Bill Burr said "you're just getting old". The world Joe Rogan and Ricky Gervais knew, the progressive one they went after, came and went. And thats fine. Its progress. But eventually you just get too old and start hating change. Sucks but is what it is. Progress doesnt stop because Grandpa thinks it got achieved. New age, new ideas, new challenges.
The idea that we all eventually fall into conservatism is quite sad. Although I think I get your point that as the needle moves, some people get left behind. As a 50+ year-old I personally know people in their 70s who are progressing well with the times. I hope that person.
He's certainly doing his best to start one. He's always had his head firmly lodged up his own ass, clean or sober. Regardless of substances or sex, his real addiction is feeding his own insatiable ego. It's why I never found him funny. Now he's gone from unfunny over-the-top guy to absolute batshit crazy religious loon.
It used to be said of "The Arts" : "Those who can, do...Those who can't, criticize..." These days, in terms of "The Arts", it's more like: "Those who can...Do...Those who can't...Pander to the Alt-Right with a Stand-up routine and a lame podcast..."
You have to admit the pandering must be a tempting path, just because it's so damn easy. You don't have to be original or creative or even funny. You just have to punch down a lot and act like a strongman dictator will save us, and POOF you're a darling of the far right.
My mum just out up a Russel brand “I’m a Christian” and Trump “I love Jesus” (she’s Australian) because as long as someone publicly SAYS “oh totes yep, Jesus rocks” she thinks they’re great. Cos that’s how easy these conservative Xtians are to dupe.
Yeah I'm from the UK, started using heroin at 15 and stopped at 27/28 (is wasn't a complete break, morw of a gradual shift over that year and a bit). Im 41 now and i also used to look at Brand and feel that he was refreshing and i enjoyed him being apparently genuine and his hyperactive persona was the complete opposite to how i was/am and i liked that too-plus he made me laugh during times that i was in a shit place. Crazy how things have changed though, its just frustrating that he has influence on people and those people harm the vulnerable in society, there's enough of that already in the world
Same bro although I’m still on methadone maintenance, but I watched The Trews for example, and loved every episode and feeling like there was a celebrity I could relate to, again during some very shit times. But you know what, having lost Brand sadly, I feel better reading your experience. We’re the same age too. Wild. In solidarity +
Brand's book Recovery really helped me during my 5 years of clinic and therapy for my opiate addiction. I'm in the U.S., and Russell Brand's hard right turn was more disappointing than Bill Maher's .....
I wonder how many of these comics kept hearing "you're a genius! You're get it! Tell us how it really is" and start believing every thought they have is gospel
@@harlandspinks if anything, he's one of the rare few that has seems to have actually moved leftward. he started out a pretty hard-eyed libertarian as a direct result of his abusive upbringing-his whole bit used to be laughing at all the trauma he survived and telling people they should just wear a helmet
@@LukeMcGuireoides that's what really hurt about trevor moore's untimely death (whitest kids u know); just thinking about him yesterday after their channel had a tribute stream for him last night. he had a clearly leftist voice in his comedy and seemed like he was pretty based in his politics. he actually started writing comedy when he was twelve and one of the things i've heard a lot from young fans is how he would spend time talking to them after panels, talking about comedy and encouraging them to write. i think he was a light for good in comedy that got snuffed out too soon
@@ObjectorSnarkgod I fucking miss Trevor too. TWKUK is as big as Kids in the Hall to me. It's such a shame we lost him in a freak accident. I think about him whenever I read tweets from the other guys.
He’s never been funny. The comedy on his podcast is just a stoned guy laughing at insults. I saw a clip with Louis CK where he seemed pretty disgusted with himself for even being on there
I was very disappointed that Rogan didn't include the famous 'Humping the Stool live on Stage' bit. 💔 heartbreaking actually, as this is well known as his best work. I personally would of paid $$$ to see him do it LIVE. So disappointed 😞
“Steve Martin…was not for everyone”. Uhh, Steve Martin invented the arena comedian. He was more popular than any stand-up before him. What are you talking about?
Martin and a few others of the time upset the genre and paved the way for generations of offbeat performers. Their popularity sprang from a whole new demographic of younger fans. But they certainly weren't for everyone. Many (most?) older viewers preferred to stay with established and predictable comics such as David Brenner, Joan Rivers, Robert Klein and the like.
Russel Brand's slow 180 degree turn surprised me. Not in hindsight, but boy did it go fast. He's an actor with ADHD who's smart enough to spot the trends and hypes . He acted as the extreme leftwing ant-establisment junky , next he turned to full New Age guru and now he's earning good money selling division as the rightwing / MAGA Christian. Who Russel really is, who knows ?
Don't forget that before his New Age guru phase he was a lecherous, laddy type (see him on Big Brother's Big Mouth, for example). That's why I could never stand him. I saw his first, insincere pivot and I just didn't buy it. I remember about 12y ago someone said I looked like him (I don't, but I'm tall and had long hair and a short beard) which I remember not appreciating. I cut my hair shortly after that and never grew it back out, I didn't realise it then but that's maybe the reason why 🤣
@@scootaymildo1070 LoL. You doing your best not to look like him is a funny anecdote. Many people do the opposite . I used to like him as the ' smart working class guy with a big mouth ' . But it was also obvious he loved the sound of his own voice. His guru -phase was just a bit boring and (ironically ) a huge Ego-trip. So I stopped watching his content . But seeing this new Russel Brand as MAGA /Evangelical rightwinger . That was truly bizarre. Maybe because I didn't see the slow changes. At the end of the day he's just another 'sell out' . I doubt he believes all his own BS, but it will make him a very rich man.
He's just the product of mental instability and too many drugs. I met a dude who looked, sounded, and acted exactly like him and it was fully the product of significant drug use for years. Some people handle it fine. Some people get unhinged from reality and form some kind of spiritual Messiah complex.
We have a saying here in Appalachia where this "born again - storefront religion" got its start: "He lost his 💩 and found Jesus." Brand in a nutshell. 😅
If anyone is interested in great (recent) stand-up that's produced by people prioritizing empathy over alt-right money, check out Bo Burnham, James Acaster and Gianmarco Soresi. I know there are many more, but these are some of the ones I've enjoyed in the last couple of years.
One of my favorite comedians is definitely Chris Fleming, but it probably helps that they are genderqueer themself and have really creative jokes around that existence in relation to binary gender (I'm trans/nonbinary myself so it's nice to see a comedian who's like me). Plus they just have an unreal level of absurdism in their skits and routines that I haven't really seen in many other places. It's refreshing and they take you places where you've never been (most recent vid was on how there are snacks in Trader Joes that only women can see. The physical comedy is peak)
As a woman, I've never felt safe or catered to by comedians. Teenage me saw a two minute slot by a woman in a televised festival, and when they came to my city for a comedy show, my mum took me. We went every year after that, the venues slowly got bigger, and the attendees all felt like safe welcoming people. On multiple years, we ran into the comedienne on her way to the venue, and the final time, she announced quitting which was sad to hear. Thankfully, Hannah Gadsby ended up with her Netflix special of that "last" show, which is arguably her least comedic but most thought-provoking set.
No, we've gone full circle. The snake is eating its tail and the end game of ultra conservatives is anarchy, even if that's not what they actually want.
Yeah wish more people realized this, literally fundamentally opposite. Anarchy is all about rejecting unjust hierarchy, while the right is dedicated to making hierarchy as unjust as possible
Russell Brand is the hardest one to cope with for me. Started listening to him well before the pandemic and I really appreciated his message. Then once covid started, I noticed his thumbnails become more and more grandiose and full of propaganda. His message become more aggressive and alt-right. It was pretty devastating to see someone I admired go down that path. It made me realize that we should not idolize any celebrity, movement, or idea. They all come from humans and humans are very flawed in many ways. Trust yourself and think critically.
@@MattAngiono I'm still subscribed to Russell's channel (as well as JP Sears 🤮), but I stopped watching sometime before 2020. I noticed the tilt toward grifty anti-authoritarianism. It came with sensationalist clickbait thumbnails and fear-mongering headlines, promoting vague conspiracy theories. I noticed that those hooks tended to be zanier than the actual content, but that didn't stop the loony conversations from percolating in the comments. I don't know whether Brand went "alt-right," but I know his content is no longer recommended to me at all. I know that I found his marketing extremely irresponsible. My apolitical (but rapidly being steered rightward by TH-cam) younger brother dismissed my concerns in a similar manner to you. So consider this directed at _my brother,_ not you: _That's not asking logical questions._ _It's just gaslighting._
I used to like Russel brand and Elon musk. I'm fact I used to like a bunch of comedians that came through the Joe rogan pipeline, but that's when I didn't know who they were and didn't actually research them. Turns out the news media is a shit show because back in the day, they would be pilloried for being awful people. Now, I have to research everyone because nobody has shame and our media doesn't function as a method of learning news. Also corporations love cosying up to these psychopaths because the right wing pipeline is filled with people who would crawl over broken glass to deny someone else's happiness
My favorite was watching Jim Bruer on Fox, try to trot out the 'ol "court jesters were the truth tellers of their time" chestnut. But Jim being the idiot that he is. Puts it like this. "Comedians have been the truth tellers.... since the beginning of time!" And he says it all wide eyed with open hands in the air. Like he's trying to keep a 5 yr old engaged in his stupid story. Really Jim? Since the beginning of time? Were their dinosaur comedians poking fun at the absurdities of not living in a society? 🤦♂️
Wait, wait....am I older than you? 21 in 2008? You're 37? This information is not good for my mid life crisis... Russell Brand's massive change in personality has devastated me as well. Also, are we the same person? Our stories are so similar. Here's a vape hit from one fucked up millennial to another!
It happens in waves, realizing you’re older than a lot of those making the content you ingest. I think it starts with actors, then musicians, then athletes, then political commentators, then presidents, and then finally… you realize every new book you’ll ever read will be written by a dead person or someone younger than you. 🥲
I love the extra flare to your editing, the font choice, title cards, and music. I also enjoyed the history of comedy. Thanks for the video. Enjoy your dopamine hit!
As a Brit from the same area as RB, i could tell something was always off about him. His tilt towards the right happened to coincide with the allegations. He knew he needed an audience after channel 4 outed him as a predator
I’m subscribed and I am special! I’ve really been enjoying Josh Johnson and his standup - there’s still good stuff out there and it’s not all crowd work. I’m not completely against crowd work and I think we’re seeing a lot more of it because that way comedians can get their name out there without having to post the jokes they’ve honed.. or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
George Carlin. Bill Burr. These guys will always age like fine wine. Don’t worry we get more comics like this and those alt-right dudes will fade away and we won’t even remotely remember their names.
Carlin was edgy to the evangelicals but he was always just some grouchy neo liberal “ahhh my wife died gods fake fuck you ahhh” shit got old and he’d 1000% have a Kamala Harris bumper sticker in 2024
carlin knew how to pivot because he always knew who he was at the core. when he needed to find a new way to connect with a changing audience he did it while still remaining entirely true to himself. when he saw sam kinison breaking out in 1984, he understood that he needed to put *that* kind of rage into his delivery-but unlike kinison, he still used it to punch up whereas sam liked to punch down a lot
God, I'll never get over the fact that the guy from Fear Factor, a show from 20 years ago that once featured a challenge in which contestants literally ate horse rectums to compete for a measly $50,000, is now at the epicenter of contemporary social and political discourse.
@@kevinel1398 I really wish he would stick to that instead of willfully promoting conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and other harmful misinformation in the process. Not everyone likes that shit.
Jim Jeffries has done a good job of being very open about his past addictions, autism, and trying to be a better human. He's flawed but it's clear he means well. He also has a surprising flare for Stewart-esque or Oliver-esque humorous political observation. Worth getting to know.
Thanks for this. For similar reasons to yours, my disappointment in Brand verges on heartbreak. I used to point others in recovery - esp. early recovery - to him as a plain-speaking, funny and articulate advocate for sobriety. At a small L.A. seminar, he was touchingly tender and supportive of my daughter when she was particularly worried about me. Where did that guy go?
I want from loving Tom Segura, Joe Rogan and to a lesser extent Bert to absolutely hating and wiping them from any and all socials. I honestly cannot stand to hear any of their voices. Theo Von and Mark Normand are still in my media rotation.
@@ROVA00 right curious is hilarious but so accurate! I still do watch both of them. Theo's hillbilly presentation with straight forward empathy and Normand's lack of filter on top of what seems like just a very normal moral compass I think helps with the less 'pc' jokes. But goddamn if you're not right about the right curiosity 😂
@@ROVA00yeah but that kind of works with the redneck kind of comedy it's very much a kind of thing you'll laugh at because the guys a bit backwards so naturally some conservative or right-wing views coming from him is not exactly surprising and it's still funny as hell if Theo Von wasn't a complete redneck hillbilly type guy I wouldn't be able to forgive him for leaning a bit right a little bit for at least being somewhat interested in it.. That being said me personally I like Bert Kreischer I've got nothing against him although I don't listen to a show with Tom Segura because I don't like Tom however I do think bird is basically what you would have if you gave a 7 year old a bunch of money except he's 50 and I think that's kind of amusing
@@jefferson808 yes us regulars need to be displayed on the web more and more as if we are a special type of breed in the world of high quality creators and influencers. It’s all a part of a much larger issue I don’t think any fan of Theo von would think is reality but I digress
What happened in Comedy is similar to what happened in music: we passed from artists like 2Pac to complete crap like mumble rap. In comedy we passed from legends like Bill Hicks or Carlin, to grifters like Rogan, Amy Schumer, Brendan Schaub.... At least we still got Billy Boy!
I think a lot of people are looking at comedy like it's supposed to be taken literally . A jokes only job is to be funny , and idk I think I'm in the wrong crowd here but to me saying something horrible for the sake of a joke doesnt mean the comedian actually believes what they are saying . On the flip side just cus something is horrible doesnt automatically make it funny . But when they get it just right , chefs kiss
As a trans man, thanks for calling out transphobia so much. I'm sick and tired of having my existence as a person "debated" as if I'm a Untermensch (and yes, I chose this word deliberately).
@@MattAngiono Tell me, have you always been passionately defending womens sports or does it just coincide with the recent controversies at the Olympics (which just fyi, the two boxers in question are both cis women but they don't fit into the stereotypical beauty that is required of women). Not to mention that there has NEVER been a trans woman that has absolutely dominated their professional sport: sometimes they win, sometimes they lose, just like everyone else. Not to mention the implementation (or trying to implement) laws all over the world that try to literally make being trans illegal. You have no clue what you're talking about and you're exactly the people I was complaining about. Either educate yourself or stay silent
If Brand is a genuine born again then i am genuinely a billionaire with the charm of Clooney, the looks of a young Brad Pit and the general coolness of Keanu. To be clear. I am none of those things. And neither is he. I only wonder how far does his grifting go back. Im guessing a long way.
Grateful for the algorythm Gods for having suggested this video. You seem so articulate and well-informed on the subjects you discuss! Can't wait to discover more of your videos.
No clue what I've been watching that made you pop up in my feed, but this was a really interesting video, so thank you! 49 yr old British female here who was also pretty keen on Russell Brand. He'd pop up quite often presenting bits and bobs of TV, doing short sets on comedy shows and then of course his longer specials. He was also a pretty entertaining guest on a lot of talk shows here. Had a well-liked radio show, 2006-2008 but was axed after a VERY distasteful phone call prank. The naughtiness and desire to shock was always there, albeit mixed in with his messages of love and light. But boy, did he take a left at the lights, as the saying goes... or more accurately, a right at the lights with YTube, Covid and Trump. It was truly bizarre and fairly difficult for me to process initially, just how far he'd fallen down the rabbit hole; taking on the role of a truth-revealing messiah to many seemingly angry, paranoid and disillusioned followers, (who were perhaps in reality just scared like the rest of us about a global pandemic and in need of comfort). The comment sections on his videos, (which I could only stomach a handful of times) were truly disturbing, but more so was/is his encouragement for his followers to remain in a state of unease and mis-trust. I think the role of ego plays a part in this shift in comedy. You can't get up on stage without believing you have something to say, and that it's something people need to hear. It gives you that much needed buzz of appreciation, even adoration that keeps you alive - an addiction for some? I don't believe all comics are massively egotistical or narcissistic but it comes with the territory to a certain degree. When cancel culture popped up, I think it made some performers indignant. An attitude of "Nobody's gonna tell me what I can and can't say. And no-one's gonna threaten my livelihood" took hold. Given that any publicity is good publicity, trying to maintain their success led some to speak out and push the acceptable limits to stay relevant. The more controversial the better because in our inter-connected world, negativity spreads far quicker than positivity. So if meanness and cruelty becomes the best way to stay visible amid an ever-growing number of stand-ups, so be it. And as the possibility for immediate fame and success is potentially just a couple of viral videos away, this must only add to a sense of frustration for those comics who have been grinding away for years, honing their craft, (great evidence of this in one of the Trevor Noah specials/documentary can't recall which. Older comics said quite bluntly that Trevor had acted disrespectfully by not building up a wider following in smaller S. African venues for years, before jetting off to the USA and returning home to sell out stadiums. It wasn't the done thing and their envy and anger were pretty clear - he had jumped the queue!) To sum up, I wonder if some of the once loved, now 'controversial' comics now lack self-awareness and are unaware of the real motivation for doubling-down on the outrage. If the Left is chastising them, and courting the Right keeps them relevant, then perhaps that's the only option some feel they can tap into those much needed doses of adoration and relevance. 🤔🤔
Interesting take…but was Brand actually ever ‘funny’. I used to find some of his commentary interesting back in the day but can’t recall ever actually laughing.
@@robsengahay5614 I think initially, it was the whole persona and slightly 'out there' demeanour that appealed to me and I do remember relating to some of his stuff and definitely finding it funny. I would never have classed him as a leading comic though in the UK. His talents were not on parr with the likes of Dylan Moran, Eddie Izzard etc. He was definitely quite present in the media and I did get swept up in it for a while.
Yeah, no, as a recovered addict and humanist who works in Healthcare, I felt Brand's downfall felt like finding out Buddha was an asshole. Hit way too hard. 😢
I’m trans and it’s been really upsetting seeing comedians I followed devolve into bigots, especially since people in my life have used their “jokes” as justification for saying terrible things to my face. Thank you for talking about how it seems all these people have devolved into transphobia, I’ve been so frustrated with how it’s not talked about enough!
But you don't care when comedians make fun of others. If you want to be a part of society you have to tolerate jokes like everybody else. Comedians aren't funnier just because you personally like their politics
@@HannahFortalezza If you're going to allow figurative punching you can't go "yeh but nobody punch me though, just punch the people I arbitrarily decide deserve to be punched" its nonsense
@@adamprice3466 what? You’re clutching at straws to continue your argument. as I said, the comment you originally replied to simply mentioned they don’t like being the subject of ridicule. You assumed that they would then intend that there are other people that can be ridiculed, but again, they never said that. You were putting words in their mouth
@HannahFortalezza A lot of people don't like ridicule. Saul Alinsky called it human's most potent weapon of which there is no defense. If we're going to allow it then everybody is fair game.
Wow, really great essay, and I'm glad to hear another sober voice comment on comedy, the weirdness of Russell Brand, and generally have such an honest conversation about your own sobriety. I'll definitely be checking out your other videos and sharing this with other sober comic friends! Thanks for putting this out there!
LOVING the new intro and vibe. I also don't care if the definition of polemical being weird was a mistake, I laughed so hard. I genuinely think you should keep doing that
I guess if Dave Chappelle was transphobic he would not have transgender friends/associates ? Well I think you can joke about pretty much anything ...especially if you are a comedian. Anyone who loves comedy knows the things comedians say are well exaggerated. That's what comedy is, a caricature of the thing, not an actual thing. If you lose the ability to laugh at human condition ... it is a sign you have radicalized to the point of no return.
Definitely gets a sub! I agree with everything you said. A lot of these guys changed my attitude towards society and made me realize how important it is to be empathetic and to stop judging others. It stings when I see what they’ve become. Joe and Brand are at the top of that list! Looking forward to more of your content…well done buddy.
Hard disagree that standup sucks now. Maybe white dudes doing standup, but there are a ton of HILARIOUS women and non-white dudes making funny jokes that don't just punch down and alienate weirdos like me.
I was very disappointed that Rogan didn't include the famous 'Humping the Stool live on Stage' bit. 💔 heartbreaking actually, as this is well known as his best work. I personally would of paid $$$ to see him do it LIVE. So disappointed 😞
i wanna watch this vid, but can anyone let me know if there's any discussion of SA/r*pe? thank you :)
There’s brief mention of it toward the end but I don’t go into detail about specific incidents. It’s mostly headlines that I cite concerning Russell brands past. Hope this helps!
@@harlandspinks that's exactly what i needed to know! thank you so much for replying!
@@finnemerick3258 it happens at the 20:40 mark.
I love this interaction! ❤❤
@@scarahtl2731Yes. Subbing. I'm also subbing for the storage room chic.
I used to dislike Russell Brand. I still do, but I used to too.
To me he's always had the charm of a urinary tract infection.
@ziploc2000 haha, at first I thought urinal cake...still fits lol.
He was never likable
Never liked that leary git!
I used to dislike Bot comments. I still do, but I used to too.
“They don’t want me to say this” > he says on stage during the taping of his 7th multi million dollar Netflix special
Even worse. Usually comedians say "you can't say that."
So the guy in the audience who hasn't talked to anyone all week anyways feels personally oppressed by the fact that transphobic specials aren't making enough money.
@@MattAngiono they're still employed and backed up by Netflix Spotify etc they have millions of fans and supporters they say shit 90% of the population thinks in short no ones getting cancels and you're coping if you think so
Okay, Russel Brand “being” a “born again Christian” is kind of hilarious because it’s like he almost finished completing predator in hiding bingo card. 😂😂
He was never christian. he's not a "born again" he just became Christian.
Of course he did choose to become a Catholic - oh, the irony.
Or not.
@stipebalenovic6497 Tell that to the Catholic church, some sects of Mormons and Evangelicals, Scientologists, and cops.
Oh.... "re-wire your brain", is that how this guy sees comedy? No wonder the Far Left can't laugh at anything anymore unless it is hate & mockery directed at anyone NOT a Leftist.
Stop seeing humanity as a problem to be managed, and stop CENSORING every word coming from your mouths & the mouths of everyone else alive. You are NOT by Big Brother!
Zactly. He's finally finished in the UK, so comes here to hang out with America's dumbest.
Rogan is a comedian only in the sense that he is a joke.
C’mon bro, just think about, bro, he is a comedian that doesn’t do comedy. You ever think about that? A comedian that doesn’t do comedy. It almost makes him more of a comedian, you ever think about that? Hey Jamie, pull up comedians who don’t do comedy.
LOL Nailed it!!!
@@Gueli you ever do DMT? Jamie pull up research on DMT.
@@afrocoolio25 That was funnier than Joe Rogan's special!
@@afrocoolio25 Lmaoooo
Brand was well aware that the "alt right" fan bases are more forgiving of sexual misdemeanors (at least against women...) so the timing of his pivot is just a LITTLE suspicious...
Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy have entered the chat.
The people who have had a dubious history with the opposite gender are expected to do what exactly? Die off? Doesn't the left believe in reformation anymore? Betterment? No? Why is that not stated more explicitly?
Anyone with misdemeanors are relegated to subhuman standards of living because the abstract aggregate deems this to be the only acceptable life left for anyone that ever did anything not perfectly moral.
Thought anyone? Suggestions? Are we going to uphold the notion of pariah in society? What will that look like? Just become poorer so that they incur some sort of acceptable penalty?
@@DaveTex2375 Hence the pivot. The Right has zero principles. They'll forgive anything if you agree with them.
most men accused of sexual assault get charged, so whether or not he was charged really has no bearing on whether he did it or not
@@TheSim1derful Charges don't just get filed because someone says something. There has to be SOME evidence. If he was charged, there was something there. Maybe not what the law is claiming, but something. And if you dance close enough to the rape fire to even get singed, it's no one's fault but your own.
I'm 15 years off Heroin. I can't say I'm "sober" bc I still drink occasionally & enjoy mushrooms. But I've been able to purchase my 1st apartment, get my sheet expunged & quit committing crimes. Russell was a hero to me with his pro HARM reduction, empathy based, mental health stand point. Then I saw his new stuff & was flabbergasted. Peace
I wish I knew how to find good smack, and I’m not even joking. I’ve lived 30 years with an incurable chronic pain disorder and it is nearly impossible to get the opioids I need to have the quality of life I deserve. It was not so difficult and traumatic, 8-10 years ago. Now?! It’s practically impossible.
Good on you for getting sober and I wish you many more healthy years!
@@iamcasihart Yeah, it's sad that bc of addiction, Dr.'s are scared to prescribe. DiaMorph (Diacetyl Morphine HCl) is the prescription name of heroin. It's used in end of life care, extreme traumatic pain bc it not only kills pain, but also makes you feel good. Cocaine is a prescription drug. Not to take home but often used in eye surgery. I'm actually a chronic pain patient & after years of trying every medication under the sun, when I moved to Austria they immediately put me on Morphine Sulphate. They know all meds I've tried & my H history so I only get a weeks worth at a time. I have to work very closely with my Dr.. UA's anytime, bring in my pill box to show the exact amount is in there if asked. Sometimes opiates are the only answer. My only suggestion, but I'm sure you've done this, is get into a Pain Clinic. But in America that isht ain't cheap. Oxycodone is a great pain killer but has the same euphoric issues as H. Hydromorphone, time released is good or the fentanyl patch for reducing most of the "high" if taken exactly as prescribed. Don't, PLEASE, don't start messing with street drugs. Waay too risky, but I know the desperation. When I was in pain & totally sober, I told my Dr. after 2 years of complete sobriety I'm going back to Heroin cuz this pain is not living. They finally put me on low dose OC but it was better than nothing. The health care over here is top notch. Peace I hope you find comfort.
I never trusted or liked Brand. I mean, even Katie Perry rejected him...
You'll do it again
But you are still making it work, and that’s to YOUR credit. Keep fighting.
If Bill Burr ever goes full heel, comedy is cooked.
What's crazy is he was on edge of that back in the day, not official but I remember him being popular with Alt RIght guys back in 2016-2019
He's pretty comfy sitting right in the middle laughing at everyone.
@@nickrustyson8124That’s cos they were to thick too figure out he wasn’t one of them.
@@nickrustyson8124 Everytime I see right wingers post George Carlin clips thinking he was on their side, makes me roll my eyes... and wonder if they ever saw his bit about them and abortion from his 1996 special.
if you look into it, Bill Burr is FIRMLY on the left. I see him defending socialism (and "socialism") quite frequently.
FWIW, I think that's dope. I think his angry demeanor just throws people off the trail lol
There’s also a failed actors to right wing politicians pipeline. And a gym bro to Andrew Tate pipeline.
I found my next video ideas.
@@harlandspinks - and no doubt, your little simps will eat it up! Never seen a more tightly sealed echo chamber than this one. smh
nah the actual, dedicated gym bros are too zen for Tate bullshit
@@harlandspinksyou should include the ones who aren’t also male like Michelle Rodriguez who tried to join in on racist bullying of the little mermaid.
@@harlandspinks It seems to me that many high profile 'personalities' who begin to fade into irrelevance flirt with the right wing, and they go ever further down that dark road if they have any success at it.
I think it works for some because that ready-made audience of bigots and other gullible followers is huge. DJT showed the way, traveling the same road as Father Coughlin, John Birch, Barry Goldwater, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Richard Nixon, and on and on.
It is indicative of those with no moral compass, unjustifiably overgrown egos, and a lack of integrity, among other unpleasant character traits.
PS Just found your channel. I hope that you continue, as you are on a good path here. Thanks!
I love the way Bill Burr corrected Bill Maher by saying, "The kids are supporting Palestinians."
Watching everyone respond to that podcast was a great week
Yeh the kids that hate White people
Maher's rabid Islamophobia can't take a break even in the face of genocide.
Except they're not. They're supporting Hamas. They don't give a flying fuck about Palestinian civilians, it's all about being FASHIONABLE.
@upstny I’m Maher’s age, and watching my generation turn into grumpy old men sucks.
If comedy isn't dead, it's at least on life support. Here's proof. Ted Cruz, Feb. 2022: "When someone asks me what my pronoun is , I say, 'My pronoun is kiss my a**!'" Roseanne Bar in a stand-up routine several weeks later: "When someone asks me what my pronoun is , I say, 'My pronoun is kiss my a**!'" When comedy has been reduced to plagiarizing "jokes" from Ted Cruz, possibly the least funny person who ever lived, it has clearly entered its death throes.
Comedians aren't setting trends or telling you something new. They are following and riffing on what they see on social media.
@@javi__... I won't argue with that. In fact people from all over the entertainment industry are doing pretty much the same thing. Still, as bad as that may be, it is made even worse by the fact that someone as unfunny as Ted Cruz can get laughs from an audience. Who laughs at something like that?
They BOTH likely stole that joke from a twitter post.
RFK Jr. has genuinely made me laugh harder than any modern comedian in recent weeks. The bear thing, in its full glory, made me hurt from laughter.
Well c'mon, it's Roseanne what do you expect?
If Timothy Olyphant and Chris Pine had a baby.
OMG, well spotted 😂
OH MY GOD. nailed it.
The Stetson box gives it away.
Exactly
The thought of those two dumping loads at the same time just sent me somewhere real gooey in my brain. I didn't expect that when clicking this video.
Thank you.
I think a lot of comedians in the early 2000s were just assholes, and were lucky that being a complete asshole was considered very funny at that time.
I have noticed something similar with Trump supporters. They are either unempathetic or “not into politics”.
That's a super common path for the whole pipeline.
Previous comedy relied on shock value instead of being funny >> nobody's shocked anymore so the lack of humor is laid bare >> cOmEdY iS iLlEgAl NoW!!!
That's Bobby Slayton to me - not funny and just an a-hole!
they all think they are george carlin being arrested for cussing. but now they are all millionaires with multiple platforms creating content to millions of viewers lmao
Dane Cook has entered the chat
Born again Christian is the grifters final form.
Actually it's God Emperor of a communist nation
I hate how comedians have used "anti-wokeness" and "free speech," to convince themselves that being an offensive, unapologetic a-hole is a virtue.
@@MattAngiono No. I'm just tired of the comedians who think being offensive is the objective. There's a difference. Some comedians are brave and take risks and might wind up offending some people. That's the nature of the beast. It's always been that way. But a lot of comedians these days think that deliberately offending and antagonizing people is the point. Do want to know how I know that? One of your buddies in the comments section of another video, didn't like my criticism of purposefully offensive comedians and explicitly told me verbatim. "It's comedy. Being offensive is the point." Some comedians have lost the plot so bad. That they've even convinced regular people that comedians are supposed to be antagonistic a-holes. Once again, here's another TH-cam commenter proving my point.
@@MattAngiono Well, you and your buddies keep confirming it. Everytime I criticize belligerent comedians. It's the same responses everytime. "Comedy is supposed to be offensive, you're ruining comedy, you're against free speech." Just to be clear. The purpose of comedy, is to make people laugh. Not piss them off. The purpose of workshoping new ideas in a comedy act. Is to see what works and what doesn't. Not to go on the internet and cry about woke cancel culture. When your jokes don't land.
Then when they ultimately hit bottom, they screech that they are being "cancelled". Nah bruh, that's just the consequence of your words and actions.
@@MattAngionowhere in the above comment did they say that no one should ever be offended by comedy?
@@MattAngiono read your very first comment again. You said exactly that. "You think that comedy has to be so watered down that literally no one ever gets offended?"
“I used to be edgy and counterculture, but then they changed what edgy and counterculture was, and instead of changing to stay on the edge or even just stay where I was and fade into obscurity, I decided to go so far the other direction that I’m now surrounded by people who also don’t like my old work and want me to change what I say too”
Good logic rando comedians
“I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. It’ll happen to you!”
Grandpa Simpson
@@Dan_Ben_Michael nailed it, glad you clocked it 😂
Russell Brand is a complete idiot and charlatan. His ‘Christian conversion’ is a blatant attempt to avoid his asserted sexual crimes.
Yeh it was soooo much funnier back when socialists like Amy Schumer were making all the money lmao
@@Dan_Ben_Michael
That was one of the first things that came to my mind, too! I just couldn’t remember entirely what Grandpa Simpson said. Now I feel the need to go on a binge-watch of Simpsons clips.
Oops - forgot Lenny Bruce. This guy was arrested and banned in certain cities for using profanity in his act. He made it so George Carlin could say those 7 words on stage without getting thrown in the pokey.
Thank you. Came to say the same. Bruce kicked open the door, everyone after owes him a debt
the russel brand fall off was insane..
Jimmy Dore did the same thing right about the same time.
I don't think it was. Narcissists like Brand who don't hold any true values are like weather-cocks that follow the prevailing wind as all they care about is bettering their own situation. He was a leacherous, laddy type when that was weirdly a thing here in the UK, then a new-age hipster when yoga and chai lattes were all the rage, and he's now just doing the whole alt-right, conspiracy theorist thing as that's what's most profitable to him (and conveniently they'll be the easiest to convince all the allegations against him are false as it's the "deep state" out to get him!)
No, he was always a narcissist, it's not really a coherent political position
@@dzonbrodi514agreed, he's always been insufferable.
@@bettyspag_ he might be insufferable, but he's ABSOLUTELY smart enough to know what he's doing is wrong. Nobody who knows that many words is stupid. he might not be brilliant, but he's not dumb by any means.
That's what makes it so much worse. He _knows,_ he just doesn't care.
“People used to laugh at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian. Well they're not laughing now.”
― Bob Monkhouse, Crying With Laughter : My Life Story
👌
His lines and delivery were the best.
Thanks for the source. I always find that sentence hilarious
That was so bad and it genuinely made me laugh out loud 😄
I will never understand why is Rogan so popular.
He has a targeted audience of the ignorant 🤷🏼♀️ personally I had no idea there were so many until Trump got elected.
@@phangkuanhoong7967 Rogan's attraction is his guest list.
Rogan did a ton of things in his comeup and managed to keep most of his audiences frm his various endeavors
Before i fully knew about Rogan, if you told me the Fear Factor man would act like this I would totally believe you
He says the quiet part outloud on behalf of all the bigoted misogynists who worship the single brain cell he has in that chrome dome of his
His podcast and fear factor were the catalyst for his audience. Now he thinks he’s an elite comedian because he sells out arenas. His name has become a brand regardless of comedy quality
9:48 just like with homophobia I'm convinced it has to do with them not wanting to be treated like how they treat women. Phobes are terrified of being harrassed.
As Bill Burr said "you're just getting old". The world Joe Rogan and Ricky Gervais knew, the progressive one they went after, came and went. And thats fine. Its progress. But eventually you just get too old and start hating change. Sucks but is what it is. Progress doesnt stop because Grandpa thinks it got achieved. New age, new ideas, new challenges.
Either bend with the times or the times bend you.
Gervais, Rogan, and Brand have become geezers before their time. 😅
i believe you can still grow old and like progress, maybe you'll miss your childhood but you can still enjoy the current times
I guess that you are reading Gervais unironically.
The idea that we all eventually fall into conservatism is quite sad. Although I think I get your point that as the needle moves, some people get left behind. As a 50+ year-old I personally know people in their 70s who are progressing well with the times. I hope that person.
Russell Brand gives me Charles Manson vibes. I'm surprised he hasn't started a cult already.
He has. Just watch a bit of his TH-cam channel
He's certainly doing his best to start one. He's always had his head firmly lodged up his own ass, clean or sober. Regardless of substances or sex, his real addiction is feeding his own insatiable ego.
It's why I never found him funny. Now he's gone from unfunny over-the-top guy to absolute batshit crazy religious loon.
@@MattAngiono Fair, but they play same melodies on similar instruments.
100%
he's on his way to do so
It used to be said of "The Arts" : "Those who can, do...Those who can't, criticize..."
These days, in terms of "The Arts", it's more like: "Those who can...Do...Those who can't...Pander to the Alt-Right with a Stand-up routine and a lame podcast..."
😂 😂 😂
This.
The day the comic died... by grifting, shout out to these clowns
I’m always saying: Those who can, do; those who _can’t_, shill. 🥰
You have to admit the pandering must be a tempting path, just because it's so damn easy. You don't have to be original or creative or even funny. You just have to punch down a lot and act like a strongman dictator will save us, and POOF you're a darling of the far right.
My mum just out up a Russel brand “I’m a Christian” and Trump “I love Jesus” (she’s Australian) because as long as someone publicly SAYS “oh totes yep, Jesus rocks” she thinks they’re great. Cos that’s how easy these conservative Xtians are to dupe.
Yeah I'm from the UK, started using heroin at 15 and stopped at 27/28 (is wasn't a complete break, morw of a gradual shift over that year and a bit). Im 41 now and i also used to look at Brand and feel that he was refreshing and i enjoyed him being apparently genuine and his hyperactive persona was the complete opposite to how i was/am and i liked that too-plus he made me laugh during times that i was in a shit place. Crazy how things have changed though, its just frustrating that he has influence on people and those people harm the vulnerable in society, there's enough of that already in the world
Same bro although I’m still on methadone maintenance, but I watched The Trews for example, and loved every episode and feeling like there was a celebrity I could relate to, again during some very shit times. But you know what, having lost Brand sadly, I feel better reading your experience. We’re the same age too. Wild. In solidarity +
Brand's book Recovery really helped me during my 5 years of clinic and therapy for my opiate addiction. I'm in the U.S., and Russell Brand's hard right turn was more disappointing than Bill Maher's .....
i liked him on the panel shows and what not back in the day. he was cool for a little while but now, sheesh
@@volusiasorange the Goth Detectives had my teenage heart
I wonder how many of these comics kept hearing "you're a genius! You're get it! Tell us how it really is" and start believing every thought they have is gospel
i suspect chappelle fell to that hype
Hey leave George Carlin out of this
Basically they are stuck in that mode because any other thinking would lead to suicide.
Empty vessels make the most noise. Brand believes in fuck all
@My-cat-is-staring-at-youmore likely …what gives him money.
"Uncensored insensitive shock comedian" is basically equal to being alt-right.
I have no idea what happened to the font in the definition of polemical. what the hell.
@@harlandspinks i honestly thought it was part of the bit 😭
@@sikmunkeeme too lol
Guess we all did 🤣
It's written in a language only polemical folks understand💁♀️😅
dw it's poetic i love it
Amazing how many comedians have multiple Netflix specials about how they are not allowed to say what they are going to spend the next 2 hours saying.
Hey now, Christopher Titus remains a solid lefty.
Honestly. Completely forgot about him. But I do remember watching his sitcom and enjoying. Very Bill burr coded iirc
@@harlandspinks if anything, he's one of the rare few that has seems to have actually moved leftward. he started out a pretty hard-eyed libertarian as a direct result of his abusive upbringing-his whole bit used to be laughing at all the trauma he survived and telling people they should just wear a helmet
Really? That's awesome. There aren't enough lefty comedians
@@LukeMcGuireoides that's what really hurt about trevor moore's untimely death (whitest kids u know); just thinking about him yesterday after their channel had a tribute stream for him last night. he had a clearly leftist voice in his comedy and seemed like he was pretty based in his politics.
he actually started writing comedy when he was twelve and one of the things i've heard a lot from young fans is how he would spend time talking to them after panels, talking about comedy and encouraging them to write. i think he was a light for good in comedy that got snuffed out too soon
@@ObjectorSnarkgod I fucking miss Trevor too. TWKUK is as big as Kids in the Hall to me. It's such a shame we lost him in a freak accident. I think about him whenever I read tweets from the other guys.
Russell Brand and Joe Rogan tanking harder than Game of Thrones, with similar reactions from their fans
That new rogan special was painful..he pandered to the Texas crowd so hard it seemed desperate
it really did. it was kind of embarrassing. i watched the whole thing waiting for a punchline that couldn't have been written by crowder or gutfeld.
He's very close to becoming a born again Christian! He's close friends with Jordan Peterson, Elon Musk and governor Greg Abbott! Enough said 😂
He’s never been funny. The comedy on his podcast is just a stoned guy laughing at insults. I saw a clip with Louis CK where he seemed pretty disgusted with himself for even being on there
I was very disappointed that Rogan didn't include the famous 'Humping the Stool live on Stage' bit. 💔 heartbreaking actually, as this is well known as his best work. I personally would of paid $$$ to see him do it LIVE. So disappointed 😞
"You know why you're here!!"
Texans: "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!!"
I used to love Mitch Hedberg. I still do, but I used to, too.
Every time I'm on an escalator and it breaks down, I stand there on the stairs and think of Mitch.
@@FurtiveSkeptical we apologize for the convenience
Nicely done
❤❤❤
“Steve Martin…was not for everyone”. Uhh, Steve Martin invented the arena comedian. He was more popular than any stand-up before him. What are you talking about?
... TV shows on the CBS network are quite popular. Does that make them universally enjoyable?
Martin and a few others of the time upset the genre and paved the way for generations of offbeat performers. Their popularity sprang from a whole new demographic of younger fans.
But they certainly weren't for everyone. Many (most?) older viewers preferred to stay with established and predictable comics such as David Brenner, Joan Rivers, Robert Klein and the like.
Steve Martin wasn’t funny. He was just goofy. One trick pony.
Opium, alcohol and cocaine sounds like breakfast for Don Jnr
Russel Brand's slow 180 degree turn surprised me. Not in hindsight, but boy did it go fast. He's an actor with ADHD who's smart enough to spot the trends and hypes . He acted as the extreme leftwing ant-establisment junky , next he turned to full New Age guru and now he's earning good money selling division as the rightwing / MAGA Christian. Who Russel really is, who knows ?
Don't forget that before his New Age guru phase he was a lecherous, laddy type (see him on Big Brother's Big Mouth, for example). That's why I could never stand him. I saw his first, insincere pivot and I just didn't buy it. I remember about 12y ago someone said I looked like him (I don't, but I'm tall and had long hair and a short beard) which I remember not appreciating. I cut my hair shortly after that and never grew it back out, I didn't realise it then but that's maybe the reason why 🤣
He’s a rapist grifter.
Brand has always been trash. Dressing as Bin Laden on 12th Sept 2001? Called as a 'vile predator' in 2006? Big clues were always there
@@scootaymildo1070 LoL. You doing your best not to look like him is a funny anecdote. Many people do the opposite .
I used to like him as the ' smart working class guy with a big mouth ' . But it was also obvious he loved the sound of his own voice. His guru -phase was just a bit boring and (ironically ) a huge Ego-trip.
So I stopped watching his content . But seeing this new Russel Brand as MAGA /Evangelical rightwinger . That was truly bizarre. Maybe because I didn't see the slow changes.
At the end of the day he's just another 'sell out' . I doubt he believes all his own BS, but it will make him a very rich man.
He's just the product of mental instability and too many drugs. I met a dude who looked, sounded, and acted exactly like him and it was fully the product of significant drug use for years. Some people handle it fine. Some people get unhinged from reality and form some kind of spiritual Messiah complex.
We have a saying here in Appalachia where this "born again - storefront religion" got its start: "He lost his 💩 and found Jesus." Brand in a nutshell. 😅
If anyone is interested in great (recent) stand-up that's produced by people prioritizing empathy over alt-right money, check out Bo Burnham, James Acaster and Gianmarco Soresi. I know there are many more, but these are some of the ones I've enjoyed in the last couple of years.
I commented this earlier, but check out Hannah Einbinder as well.
James Acaster is unusually funny and for sure, good natured.
Acaster is one of the funniest people on the planet. Burnham makes me want to fight Burnham. Probably just me.
i like romesh
sammy obeid
Josh Johnson is pretty good
Yeah discovered him not so long ago. Tho didn't go through his past stuff yet. But the recent stuff I like.
One of my favorite comedians is definitely Chris Fleming, but it probably helps that they are genderqueer themself and have really creative jokes around that existence in relation to binary gender (I'm trans/nonbinary myself so it's nice to see a comedian who's like me).
Plus they just have an unreal level of absurdism in their skits and routines that I haven't really seen in many other places. It's refreshing and they take you places where you've never been (most recent vid was on how there are snacks in Trader Joes that only women can see. The physical comedy is peak)
I’ve been seeing more of them lately myself. I’ve become a big fan of Hannah einbinder as well.
You should check out River Butcher if you're not familiar with their work. Very similar and very deadpan.
Chris Fleming is AWESOME! Yeah I also love Julio Torres, John Early, John Mulaney, Cole Escola... just cool, surreal and unique people.
I LOOOOVE Chris Fleming
here for chris flemming fanclub meetup
As a woman, I've never felt safe or catered to by comedians. Teenage me saw a two minute slot by a woman in a televised festival, and when they came to my city for a comedy show, my mum took me. We went every year after that, the venues slowly got bigger, and the attendees all felt like safe welcoming people. On multiple years, we ran into the comedienne on her way to the venue, and the final time, she announced quitting which was sad to hear. Thankfully, Hannah Gadsby ended up with her Netflix special of that "last" show, which is arguably her least comedic but most thought-provoking set.
Seeing Mitch Hedberg made me a lil sad, I miss him
Lovely new opening bit!
I used to love Mitch....
@@mup_pet You still do, but you used to, too.
Same 😢
I was fortunate enough to see him live in the very early oughts... was absolutely devastated when he passed.
1:28 Just to provide some proper context, Anarchists aren't Alt-Right, they're Leftists
Preach
No, we've gone full circle. The snake is eating its tail and the end game of ultra conservatives is anarchy, even if that's not what they actually want.
Yeah wish more people realized this, literally fundamentally opposite. Anarchy is all about rejecting unjust hierarchy, while the right is dedicated to making hierarchy as unjust as possible
Yeah that's when I stopped watching the video lol
He's probably taking about anarcho-nihilism, not actual true anarchism
Russell Brand is the hardest one to cope with for me. Started listening to him well before the pandemic and I really appreciated his message. Then once covid started, I noticed his thumbnails become more and more grandiose and full of propaganda. His message become more aggressive and alt-right. It was pretty devastating to see someone I admired go down that path. It made me realize that we should not idolize any celebrity, movement, or idea. They all come from humans and humans are very flawed in many ways. Trust yourself and think critically.
@@MattAngiono I'm still subscribed to Russell's channel (as well as JP Sears 🤮), but I stopped watching sometime before 2020. I noticed the tilt toward grifty anti-authoritarianism. It came with sensationalist clickbait thumbnails and fear-mongering headlines, promoting vague conspiracy theories. I noticed that those hooks tended to be zanier than the actual content, but that didn't stop the loony conversations from percolating in the comments.
I don't know whether Brand went "alt-right," but I know his content is no longer recommended to me at all. I know that I found his marketing extremely irresponsible. My apolitical (but rapidly being steered rightward by TH-cam) younger brother dismissed my concerns in a similar manner to you.
So consider this directed at _my brother,_ not you:
_That's not asking logical questions._
_It's just gaslighting._
"Prayer; the last refuge of a scoundrel." Lisa Simpson
Heres a free hit of dopamine i hope you know i was watching this in the bathroom 🎉
We're living through the age of the grifter. History won't be kind to these people. It's just a shame we have to live in the now
I literally started calling him "Russell Branding Exercise" a few years back, boy was that shot right between the eyes.
Yeah, you got him.
I wonder if he’s gonna be okay.
Becoming a Christian will absolve him being a predator!? Sounds like he's just joined the club!
Talking about standup without mentioning Lenny Bruce is like giving the history of lightbulbs without mentioning Thomas Edison.
Literally.
Spot on
I used to like Russel brand and Elon musk. I'm fact I used to like a bunch of comedians that came through the Joe rogan pipeline, but that's when I didn't know who they were and didn't actually research them. Turns out the news media is a shit show because back in the day, they would be pilloried for being awful people. Now, I have to research everyone because nobody has shame and our media doesn't function as a method of learning news. Also corporations love cosying up to these psychopaths because the right wing pipeline is filled with people who would crawl over broken glass to deny someone else's happiness
really digging the film theme for your title card n whatnot!! it came out so good :)
Honestly, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock changed everything.
My favorite was watching Jim Bruer on Fox, try to trot out the 'ol "court jesters were the truth tellers of their time" chestnut. But Jim being the idiot that he is. Puts it like this. "Comedians have been the truth tellers.... since the beginning of time!" And he says it all wide eyed with open hands in the air. Like he's trying to keep a 5 yr old engaged in his stupid story. Really Jim? Since the beginning of time? Were their dinosaur comedians poking fun at the absurdities of not living in a society? 🤦♂️
Thanks!
Wait, wait....am I older than you? 21 in 2008? You're 37? This information is not good for my mid life crisis...
Russell Brand's massive change in personality has devastated me as well.
Also, are we the same person? Our stories are so similar. Here's a vape hit from one fucked up millennial to another!
I'm genX.
I think I exhaled dust just saying that.
I'm relating to the midlife crisis sentiment, only more ancient.
It happens in waves, realizing you’re older than a lot of those making the content you ingest. I think it starts with actors, then musicians, then athletes, then political commentators, then presidents, and then finally… you realize every new book you’ll ever read will be written by a dead person or someone younger than you. 🥲
@@YellaBellaReno couldn't agree more.
Well put. Hope life is kind.
@@YellaBellaReno is this a bad time to mention we are older than EVERY DOG, CAT, AND VARMIT currently alive? That fact alone haunts me.
@@kris12385 No! 😂 No, I’d say this is a relatively good time to share that. Thanks! I am now also forever haunted. 😂🤣😮💨🥲
I love the extra flare to your editing, the font choice, title cards, and music. I also enjoyed the history of comedy. Thanks for the video. Enjoy your dopamine hit!
As a Brit from the same area as RB, i could tell something was always off about him. His tilt towards the right happened to coincide with the allegations. He knew he needed an audience after channel 4 outed him as a predator
I love how Russell Brand is preaching abstinence based recovery when he's relapsed and committed various crimes since his recovery.
I’m subscribed and I am special! I’ve really been enjoying Josh Johnson and his standup - there’s still good stuff out there and it’s not all crowd work. I’m not completely against crowd work and I think we’re seeing a lot more of it because that way comedians can get their name out there without having to post the jokes they’ve honed.. or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
Thank you for saying "since the start of Covid" and not "during Covid."
George Carlin. Bill Burr. These guys will always age like fine wine. Don’t worry we get more comics like this and those alt-right dudes will fade away and we won’t even remotely remember their names.
Carlin was edgy to the evangelicals but he was always just some grouchy neo liberal “ahhh my wife died gods fake fuck you ahhh” shit got old and he’d 1000% have a Kamala Harris bumper sticker in 2024
carlin knew how to pivot because he always knew who he was at the core. when he needed to find a new way to connect with a changing audience he did it while still remaining entirely true to himself. when he saw sam kinison breaking out in 1984, he understood that he needed to put *that* kind of rage into his delivery-but unlike kinison, he still used it to punch up whereas sam liked to punch down a lot
Bill Burr isn't funny either, he's in the same group as Joe Rogan. Coasting off reputation
Burr is the same breed as the undertoad. Angry and not funny
@@SortOfEggishWhat? Why?
Thank you 💙
God, I'll never get over the fact that the guy from Fear Factor, a show from 20 years ago that once featured a challenge in which contestants literally ate horse rectums to compete for a measly $50,000, is now at the epicenter of contemporary social and political discourse.
He has a podcast where he interviews people from all different walks.
Some people like that.
@@kevinel1398 I really wish he would stick to that instead of willfully promoting conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and other harmful misinformation in the process. Not everyone likes that shit.
@@waxeightoneeight Oh, we’ve heard you. We know.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it🤘
Jim Jeffries has done a good job of being very open about his past addictions, autism, and trying to be a better human. He's flawed but it's clear he means well. He also has a surprising flare for Stewart-esque or Oliver-esque humorous political observation. Worth getting to know.
Thanks for this. For similar reasons to yours, my disappointment in Brand verges on heartbreak. I used to point others in recovery - esp. early recovery - to him as a plain-speaking, funny and articulate advocate for sobriety. At a small L.A. seminar, he was touchingly tender and supportive of my daughter when she was particularly worried about me. Where did that guy go?
I want from loving Tom Segura, Joe Rogan and to a lesser extent Bert to absolutely hating and wiping them from any and all socials. I honestly cannot stand to hear any of their voices. Theo Von and Mark Normand are still in my media rotation.
Theo von is definitely leaning a bit right-curious
@@ROVA00 right curious is hilarious but so accurate! I still do watch both of them. Theo's hillbilly presentation with straight forward empathy and Normand's lack of filter on top of what seems like just a very normal moral compass I think helps with the less 'pc' jokes. But goddamn if you're not right about the right curiosity 😂
Theo having regular people on is the best cast format yet. The one with the sanitation worker was wild.
@@ROVA00yeah but that kind of works with the redneck kind of comedy it's very much a kind of thing you'll laugh at because the guys a bit backwards so naturally some conservative or right-wing views coming from him is not exactly surprising and it's still funny as hell if Theo Von wasn't a complete redneck hillbilly type guy I wouldn't be able to forgive him for leaning a bit right a little bit for at least being somewhat interested in it..
That being said me personally I like Bert Kreischer I've got nothing against him although I don't listen to a show with Tom Segura because I don't like Tom however I do think bird is basically what you would have if you gave a 7 year old a bunch of money except he's 50 and I think that's kind of amusing
@@jefferson808 yes us regulars need to be displayed on the web more and more as if we are a special type of breed in the world of high quality creators and influencers. It’s all a part of a much larger issue I don’t think any fan of Theo von would think is reality but I digress
What happened in Comedy is similar to what happened in music: we passed from artists like 2Pac to complete crap like mumble rap. In comedy we passed from legends like Bill Hicks or Carlin, to grifters like Rogan, Amy Schumer, Brendan Schaub....
At least we still got Billy Boy!
Trans woman Commie sex doctor here. Great essay! Very informative! Subscribed!
Damn, I wish I knew "Commie Sex Doctor" was a thing when I was picking my major in college
Im really glad you stated that's your garage. The background wasn't giving clean and sober. Great video.
I think a lot of people are looking at comedy like it's supposed to be taken literally . A jokes only job is to be funny , and idk I think I'm in the wrong crowd here but to me saying something horrible for the sake of a joke doesnt mean the comedian actually believes what they are saying . On the flip side just cus something is horrible doesnt automatically make it funny . But when they get it just right , chefs kiss
As a trans man, thanks for calling out transphobia so much. I'm sick and tired of having my existence as a person "debated" as if I'm a Untermensch (and yes, I chose this word deliberately).
@@MattAngiono Tell me, have you always been passionately defending womens sports or does it just coincide with the recent controversies at the Olympics (which just fyi, the two boxers in question are both cis women but they don't fit into the stereotypical beauty that is required of women). Not to mention that there has NEVER been a trans woman that has absolutely dominated their professional sport: sometimes they win, sometimes they lose, just like everyone else.
Not to mention the implementation (or trying to implement) laws all over the world that try to literally make being trans illegal. You have no clue what you're talking about and you're exactly the people I was complaining about. Either educate yourself or stay silent
If Brand is a genuine born again then i am genuinely a billionaire with the charm of Clooney, the looks of a young Brad Pit and the general coolness of Keanu. To be clear. I am none of those things. And neither is he. I only wonder how far does his grifting go back. Im guessing a long way.
Grateful for the algorythm Gods for having suggested this video. You seem so articulate and well-informed on the subjects you discuss! Can't wait to discover more of your videos.
I still love the idea that a d list comic from "get him to the Greek" magically became a spiritual truth teller and bringer of secrets to the masses.
he's not even the most evil dude in that movie!
@@inimitableminimalist 🤫 #TruthInFiction #NoDiddy
became a what and a what now??? What "truth" and "secrets" has he revealed?
@@phiksit obvious sarcasm isnt obvious anymore huh?
First video of yours I've seen. Great job. Subbed!
No clue what I've been watching that made you pop up in my feed, but this was a really interesting video, so thank you! 49 yr old British female here who was also pretty keen on Russell Brand. He'd pop up quite often presenting bits and bobs of TV, doing short sets on comedy shows and then of course his longer specials. He was also a pretty entertaining guest on a lot of talk shows here. Had a well-liked radio show, 2006-2008 but was axed after a VERY distasteful phone call prank. The naughtiness and desire to shock was always there, albeit mixed in with his messages of love and light. But boy, did he take a left at the lights, as the saying goes... or more accurately, a right at the lights with YTube, Covid and Trump.
It was truly bizarre and fairly difficult for me to process initially, just how far he'd fallen down the rabbit hole; taking on the role of a truth-revealing messiah to many seemingly angry, paranoid and disillusioned followers, (who were perhaps in reality just scared like the rest of us about a global pandemic and in need of comfort). The comment sections on his videos, (which I could only stomach a handful of times) were truly disturbing, but more so was/is his encouragement for his followers to remain in a state of unease and mis-trust.
I think the role of ego plays a part in this shift in comedy. You can't get up on stage without believing you have something to say, and that it's something people need to hear. It gives you that much needed buzz of appreciation, even adoration that keeps you alive - an addiction for some? I don't believe all comics are massively egotistical or narcissistic but it comes with the territory to a certain degree. When cancel culture popped up, I think it made some performers indignant. An attitude of "Nobody's gonna tell me what I can and can't say. And no-one's gonna threaten my livelihood" took hold. Given that any publicity is good publicity, trying to maintain their success led some to speak out and push the acceptable limits to stay relevant. The more controversial the better because in our inter-connected world, negativity spreads far quicker than positivity. So if meanness and cruelty becomes the best way to stay visible amid an ever-growing number of stand-ups, so be it. And as the possibility for immediate fame and success is potentially just a couple of viral videos away, this must only add to a sense of frustration for those comics who have been grinding away for years, honing their craft, (great evidence of this in one of the Trevor Noah specials/documentary can't recall which. Older comics said quite bluntly that Trevor had acted disrespectfully by not building up a wider following in smaller S. African venues for years, before jetting off to the USA and returning home to sell out stadiums. It wasn't the done thing and their envy and anger were pretty clear - he had jumped the queue!)
To sum up, I wonder if some of the once loved, now 'controversial' comics now lack self-awareness and are unaware of the real motivation for doubling-down on the outrage. If the Left is chastising them, and courting the Right keeps them relevant, then perhaps that's the only option some feel they can tap into those much needed doses of adoration and relevance. 🤔🤔
Brand has always been trash. Dressing as Bin Laden on 12th Sept 2001? Called as a 'vile predator' in 2006? Big clues were always there
Interesting take…but was Brand actually ever ‘funny’. I used to find some of his commentary interesting back in the day but can’t recall ever actually laughing.
@@robsengahay5614 I think initially, it was the whole persona and slightly 'out there' demeanour that appealed to me and I do remember relating to some of his stuff and definitely finding it funny. I would never have classed him as a leading comic though in the UK. His talents were not on parr with the likes of Dylan Moran, Eddie Izzard etc. He was definitely quite present in the media and I did get swept up in it for a while.
Dude, new subscriber here🎉 you're a badass, your editing style, commentary, literally everything is on point! You're gonna blow up for sure
Yeah, no, as a recovered addict and humanist who works in Healthcare, I felt Brand's downfall felt like finding out Buddha was an asshole. Hit way too hard. 😢
Just came across your channel. Great stuff! I enjoy your delivery. Thanks for addressing this issue.
I’m trans and it’s been really upsetting seeing comedians I followed devolve into bigots, especially since people in my life have used their “jokes” as justification for saying terrible things to my face.
Thank you for talking about how it seems all these people have devolved into transphobia, I’ve been so frustrated with how it’s not talked about enough!
But you don't care when comedians make fun of others. If you want to be a part of society you have to tolerate jokes like everybody else. Comedians aren't funnier just because you personally like their politics
@@adamprice3466they never said that, you’re putting words in their mouth.
Punching down to minorities is never cool
@@HannahFortalezza
If you're going to allow figurative punching you can't go "yeh but nobody punch me though, just punch the people I arbitrarily decide deserve to be punched" its nonsense
@@adamprice3466 what?
You’re clutching at straws to continue your argument. as I said, the comment you originally replied to simply mentioned they don’t like being the subject of ridicule. You assumed that they would then intend that there are other people that can be ridiculed, but again, they never said that. You were putting words in their mouth
@HannahFortalezza
A lot of people don't like ridicule. Saul Alinsky called it human's most potent weapon of which there is no defense. If we're going to allow it then everybody is fair game.
This is my first video of yours, so glad I found your channel. You're awesome!
i didnt know u were battling addiction my guy. best of luck on ur journey!
Wow, really great essay, and I'm glad to hear another sober voice comment on comedy, the weirdness of Russell Brand, and generally have such an honest conversation about your own sobriety. I'll definitely be checking out your other videos and sharing this with other sober comic friends! Thanks for putting this out there!
LOVING the new intro and vibe. I also don't care if the definition of polemical being weird was a mistake, I laughed so hard. I genuinely think you should keep doing that
Don't get me wrong. I love zalgo font.
Video essays are my hit of dopamine, glad to find another good essayist. Subscribed, binge of back catalog commencing
Also Shane Gillis's racist jokes consist of making fun of Italians
Italians are pretty dumb
I guess if Dave Chappelle was transphobic he would not have transgender friends/associates ? Well I think you can joke about pretty much anything ...especially if you are a comedian. Anyone who loves comedy knows the things comedians say are well exaggerated. That's what comedy is, a caricature of the thing, not an actual thing. If you lose the ability to laugh at human condition ... it is a sign you have radicalized to the point of no return.
Stewart Lee is the antidote to stand up comedy.
And the Metropolitan Elite
@@TheSpecsShow The metropolitan elite have let themselves go.
I'm so happy the algorithm fairies brought you to my feed! I dig your take on this topic. Can't wait to watch more. ✌🏽🤘🏽🖖🏽
Joe rogan has frequent dinners with tucker carlson. Think about that.
YT algorithm keeps serving up absolute bangers. I don't think I've subscribed to so many new channels in a single day for a very long time.
I love that new (?) intro! Reminds me of the old lionsgate intros in a good way
Definitely gets a sub! I agree with everything you said. A lot of these guys changed my attitude towards society and made me realize how important it is to be empathetic and to stop judging others. It stings when I see what they’ve become. Joe and Brand are at the top of that list! Looking forward to more of your content…well done buddy.
Hard disagree that standup sucks now. Maybe white dudes doing standup, but there are a ton of HILARIOUS women and non-white dudes making funny jokes that don't just punch down and alienate weirdos like me.
EXACTLY 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Your channel just showed up in my infinite doom loop, thankfully. Great video!
I was very disappointed that Rogan didn't include the famous 'Humping the Stool live on Stage' bit. 💔 heartbreaking actually, as this is well known as his best work. I personally would of paid $$$ to see him do it LIVE. So disappointed 😞