Russell Brand, the Jo Bros and sex at the VMAs

Russell Brand is a bad, bad boy. Thank the punk rock saints for that! As the English comic and sole male inheritor of Amy Winehouse's hairstyle laid waste to good taste as the host of Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards, somewhere in heaven's dark alley, Joey Ramone and Sid Vicious shared a laugh.

Brand's banter, overflowing with outré political statements (such as calling George Bush a "retarded cowboy"), juvenile sex jokes and relentless mockery of the well-groomed pop stars surrounding him, was totally, deliriously in the spirit of transgressive rock and roll. In fact, it was mild by comparison to the Sex Pistols showering British television host Bill Grundy with obscenities in 1976, or the Ramones recording the anti-Reagan "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg" nearly a decade later. That's the funny thing about the razzing Brand is currently receiving all over the blogosphere -- nobody seems to remember when rockers were supposed to rattle the jewelry of the folks who attend glittery galas.

But subversive rockers are out of favor right now, with hip-hop and R&B a more reliable source of edginess. Artists in those genres enjoy the insider perks of commercial success -- T-Pain rode the VMAs' red carpet on an elephant, for goodness sake, and Lil' Wayne, who's recorded anti-Bush raps in the past, celebrated his Top 40 triumph with unlikely collaborations -- first he was paired with bland songbird Leona Lewis, and then joined Kid Rock for "Summertime," a song partially based on the unofficial Confederate anthem "Sweet Home Alabama." (Why has no one picked up on the weird compromise of Weezy, a black Southerner, doing that?)

MTV has long trafficked in turning rebelliousness into a commodity. Brand, saying uncontainable things, upset the apple cart. That made the most old-fashioned presence in a program full of young, aggressively commercial self-packagers, for whom any statement -- political or otherwise -- is best judged by the number of units sold.

And what of Brand's tormenting those Disney-sponsored sweeties, the Jonas Brothers? He couldn't keep his hands off their purity rings, even inspiring their sister in abstinence, Jordin Sparks, to offer one of the few impromptu lines of the night: "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut!"

Sparks showed spunk in deviating from the script, though it's truly unfortunate that she invoked an age-old stigmatizing term to do so. As Emily White wrote in her groundbreaking book "Fast Girls: Teenage Tribes and the Myth of the Slut," the word "slut" is a weapon often used against girls who don't fit in, whether they're sexually active or not. If Sparks is really the Christian she claims to be, she should be more compassionate.

Nor should the Jonas Brothers worry that their oft-discussed purity is just a joke. It's hard to believe these adorable lads aren't getting any action, especially since oldest brother Kevin is nearly 21; but they're far from the first teen idols to adopt a pristine persona. A warm, fuzzy image is key when your target audience is young girls tentatively exploring their own budding desires. Anything more aggressive would be icky, to use a term popular among Jo Bros fans.

Elvis Presley kept his jail-bait girlfriend Priscilla under wraps for years to prevent damage to his mama's boy image. Elton John was a 16 Magazine cover boy until outing himself as a bisexual in the more adult-oriented Rolling Stone. Britney Spears, the other news at Sunday night's VMAs, claimed to be a teen virgin until her old beau Justin Timberlake hinted otherwise; she's still dealing with questions about exactly when she lost her innocence, even after bearing two kids.

This is what teen music, and to a certain extent, all pop, is about: the confusion, excitement, fear and joy that sexuality inspires. The Jonas Brothers make music for kids starting to become aware of the erotic realm -- kids terrified of what that might mean, but inevitably intrigued. Their endorsement of abstinence is just a variation on the complex stance teen pop has always taken on this subject. Counter to Brand's ribbing, they're not simply prisses. But neither are they hypocrites.

Last week, Chicago Sun-Times critic Jim DeRogatis caused his own blogosphere brush fire by comparing the Jo Bros song "BB Good" to "dialog from a date rape." That's as offensive, and much more wrong-headed, than any quip Brand made at the VMAs. If DeRogatis had thought for a minute about teen pop's history, he could have come up with a long list of songs that play in nearly the same mood of frustrated desire.

Songs like "Wake Up Little Susie" by the Everly Brothers. Or "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & the Shondells. Or "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" by the Partridge Family, which had David Cassidy singing "I'll treat you like a woman, love you like a woman" -- while his stepmom, Shirley Jones, shook a tambourine behind him. DeRogatis even compares "BB Good" unfavorably to the Beatles' "Please Please Me," as if John Lennon's lyrics weren't all about pushing his girl toward third base.

Pop music is the place where we, as a society, talk about sex in all its messiness, potential risk and wonder. The Jonas Brothers are part of that conversation, purity rings or not. Russell Brand's admittedly insensitive comments merely brought that truth into the light. And even if the Jo Bros squirmed as he did so, it was a gentler comeuppance than the seemingly inevitable scandal that may one day force one or all of them to join Spears and enter adulthood under pop stardom's harsh lights.

-- Ann Powers

Photo of Russell Brand with Paris Hilton by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Comments

[Snit]

I agree. My problem with Russel Brand was quite simply that he wasn't funny...

[Christie]

Oh PLEASE!!! Jordan Sparks said what was on her mind and you are quick to pull the christianity thing out of the bag on her but Brand can say whatever the hell he wants and apparently he is a comedic genious....people in the media are so freaking pathetic. In my opinion, she said exactly what everyone else is to stupid and over sexed to say, that abstinance is ok, and not everyone...girl...or BOY wants to be a slut...come on...if you sleep around you are a slut....and the media are just a bunch of whores spreading thier diseased opinions on everyone else....

[jennie]

Russel Brand is not in the least bit funny. He is totally stupid.

[Scott]

Ann Powers is an idiot! Is she actually trying to compare Russell Brand to the past icons of Rock? This is the bushleague MTV VMAs, folks are looking to be entertained. Brand wasnt entertaining. Ann seems to think all things "edgy" are good and true to rock & roll roots. What a moron. My guess is she is attacted to this joke of an entertainer's political views.

[Cassie]

Umm
'inheritor of Amy Winehouse's hairstyle'
Russell Brand had that hair style LONG before Amy. Amy is a skank, at least Russell has straightened out his life; she has no interest in life.

[bowater]

it is crazy that this idiot russell brand who is from the UK would come to the USA and call our President a bunch of dirty and insulting names. this bum should have his passport revoked and have him swim home. If he wants to insult our President from his country, that is fine, but stay out of the USA. we don't want you here.

[lisa]

The guy's an inconsequential t-shirt. I'd never heard of the dude til I read the this story. I have one word for him. Boring.

[tom]

this bum, russell brand should have his passport revoked and sent home. we Americans don't like people coming here to the USA from their home country (UK) and calling our President insulting and dirty names. you can insult him from your country but don't come here to do it. go home, we don't want your kind here.

[Kim]

Russel Brand was the absolute worst host ever not ONE joke was funny NOT one.... I understand being offensive at times can be funny but he was so lame and unfunny I couldnt stand watching the show everytime he opened his mouth!!!
And why is it that if you actually stand for something other than what this world thinks your labled as something odd WHATS wrong with wanting to remain a virgin for whatever reason ?????? And why is it that if your a Christian you cant stand up for your faith without someone calling you uncompassionate????????? There is nothing in the Bible that says your suppposed to lay down and be a door mat in fact its the opposite your supposed to stand up for your beliefs in EVERY situation!!!!!

[NGIBBSALAB]

The VMAs were AWESOME… because of Brand. I’m a Republican and I voted for Bush (twice). Brand’s a comedian and last night he just told ‘his’ truth about the way things are and have been. I thought he was crude, but then again, pretty funny! Shocking too! That Jonas Bros stuff was too funny! PPl need to be able to laugbh at themselves more - this is MTV and it was a joke!! With regard to his political leanings, I guess I can admit that Bush is a little slow, I think he means well, but he isn’t the smartest. Retard is too strong though. Maybe retard doesn’t carry the level of offense in the UK that it does here - maybe someone should’ve told him!?

I don’t think anyone’s gonna listen to Brand’s political views, but I’ll say this. To those fellow Americans out there who say that a Brit can’t comment on American politics, I say you’re wrong. Great Britain have fought alongside us in Iraq, aFGHANISTAN and in WW1 AND WW2. He has every right to comment.

Plus, our own comedians have been saying much worse for years! I’m still voting McCain, but politics is about debate and if Brand has done anything, by God he’s created that! I believe in free speech for everyone. pLUS, Brand is a Brit and therefore an ally of this country and has every right to say what he thinks, where he wants, even if I disagree with him. MTV should’ve been more carfeul if they didn’t want a ’situation’ on thier ahnds. Alot of people posting this hate stuff make me ashamed to be an American and a Republican. There’s my 2 cents…

[NGIBBSALAB]

The VMAs were AWESOME… because of Brand. I’m a Republican and I voted for Bush (twice). Brand’s a comedian and last night he just told ‘his’ truth about the way things are and have been. I thought he was crude, but then again, pretty funny! Shocking too! That Jonas Bros stuff was too funny! PPl need to be able to laugbh at themselves more - this is MTV and it was a joke!! With regard to his political leanings, I guess I can admit that Bush is a little slow, I think he means well, but he isn’t the smartest. Retard is too strong though. Maybe retard doesn’t carry the level of offense in the UK that it does here - maybe someone should’ve told him!?

I don’t think anyone’s gonna listen to Brand’s political views, but I’ll say this. To those fellow Americans out there who say that a Brit can’t comment on American politics, I say you’re wrong. Great Britain have fought alongside us in Iraq, aFGHANISTAN and in WW1 AND WW2. He has every right to comment.

Plus, our own comedians have been saying much worse for years! I’m still voting McCain, but politics is about debate and if Brand has done anything, by God he’s created that! I believe in free speech for everyone. pLUS, Brand is a Brit and therefore an ally of this country and has every right to say what he thinks, where he wants, even if I disagree with him. MTV should’ve been more carfeul if they didn’t want a ’situation’ on thier ahnds. Alot of people posting this hate stuff make me ashamed to be an American and a Republican. There’s my 2 cents…

[Mary]

Brand was totally offensive. It's one thing to critisize our own, another to have some foreigner come and try to influence our election and insult our leaders. MTV is desperate for attention and their true bias showed. I won't be watching anymore. And the stuff about the Jonas Brothers...what a great message they send to kids: you dont have to have sex if you dont WANT to! They aren't preaching, they are offering kids a choice. For young woman, it is a very very positive message. And good for Jordin Sparks. Your judgment on her was totally hypocritical after defending BRAND! Just goes to show your incredible insecurity against positive influences. Dare I guess, you were a "slut"?

[splatshot]

Brand stunk, just like Slider in Top Gun! Thank God for Jordin Sparks - I saw no one else stepping up and saying what needed to be said!

[Jeff]

Oh for God's sake, what is the matter with you over there? It's like when America went hysterical over The Beatles and started burning their records. Haven't you evolved at all since then? You're suppose to be the most powerful nation on Earth, but your collective ego is so fragile that you get upset over one stupid stand-up!

American comedians come over here (to the UK) and make jokes about our Royal family all the time, and we usually agree, laugh or take no notice. That's how mature adults should respond.

[jo]

the vma's were getting way too sanitised, isn't mtv about pushing the envelope - well it used to be, they are getting back to their edgy roots and two girls snogging on stage just wasn't doing it for them anymore - put yourself in your teenager shoes all those years ago... you would of loved russell brand you would of raised him above your head and paraded him down the street! he spoke about topical issues that everyone was either thinking or before the show aired whispering in their mates ears.

give him a chance he is an extremelly funny, endearing comedian (he's famous in the uk for a reason)

maybe peoples bad reaction to him is a representation of what america is at the moment and
highlights what he said that we need a NEW AMERICA.

[Dougie Fresh]

Brand was brilliant!

[Jordan Catalano]

Hey Ann,

Trust me, some of us definitely noticed the discrepancy in Wayne performing "All Summer Long" w/Kid Rock. But that's par for the course for Weezy, who I'm sure was well aware of the irony and loving every bit of it.

[metwocents]

I completely agree that the 'slut' comment was ugly and uncalled for.

I think the writer's assumption that the Jonas brothers' 'purity' is just a gimmick is equally ugly.

Russell did not pull off anything sexy or provocative. He was downright boring and if you didn't see it, this article should tell you all you need to know.

To mention Joey Ramone or Sid Vicious in the same article is to attempt to brush Russell with some edginess that, quite frankly, he just doesn't have.

[ncgal]

I never watch the VMAs, but for the first time ever I tuned in. Why? Russell Brand....Totally worth it!

[Kelly]

Russel Brand had his hair like that before Amy Whinehouse.
That is all.

[Adriana]

In my opinion Russell Brand was awesome. Yes he said some thinngs that alot of people dind't agree with but guess what....it's MTV, he's not that important, and he has a right to his own opinion. I'm sure it's no surprise that not everyone is fond of Bush. People take things way too seriously. I personally think hewas funny and I admire his courage and his ability to speak his mind. No one should have to hide what they think or feel to sugarcoat things for everyone else. Some of our own comedians have said worse and there have been hosts in the past who have said worse so why pick on Russell?

As for Jordin Sparks well hey good for her with her ring but ummmm hello Jordin...it's a JOKE. he was trying to be funny and every year some celeb is made fun of in some way. Just because some girls don't wear a promise ring or believes in what she believes doesn't mean they're sluts. I'm sure the Jonas Brothers will live on maybe they were a little emabarassed but they'll live. I think the promise rings are a wonderful thing for alot of teenagers and it's nice to see that Jordin wants to stick up for them but i didn't see the need to be so uptight about it. Take a joke plz.

and lastly...Perez Hilton can be such a hypocrite sometimes.

all in all i think people should have just enjoyed the performaces and awards that's what las night was for right?

[michelle]

Get over it ppl. Russell Brand is a comedian and a good one at that!! Look up more of his stuff. He is one of the most intelligent, quick witted and hilarious comedians out there. Are you really going to base his comedic abilities on a show that scripts all of their 'reality' shows? And are ppl really going to listen to a comedian/MTV dummy awards to get their political insight? Russell Brand rocks my world. I didn't want to share him with anyone in America anyway! Love, A Midwesterner with an open mind for ENTERTAINMENT

[Haley Gray]

So its just okay to make disrespectful sexual comments towards CHILDREN like that, because Britney happened to not be a virgin in the 90's? I think not.

I personally think the Jonas Brothers and Jordin deserve a pat on the back for having respect for themselves and setting good examples for the millions of kids that idolize them.

[Blondie]

The self-righteous, mass-produced, bastions of mediocrity that most MTV stars and fans seem to be needed to be shaken up. He was only calling it like he saw it, and I'm glad he refused to be a politically-correct clone. Thank God someone had a pulse, that show was so dead!
P.S. Why does Jordan think the only options are 'virgin' and 'slut'? That is immature, to say the least.

[Danny]

A different opinion. Someone different to the copies of presenters out there. Russell Brand can have my chastity ring any time