Sunday, 07 September 2008
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Blogging the VMAs: Russell Brand Disses JoBros for Promise Rings, Jordin Sparks Retaliates
At the beginning of the VMA's tonight, host Russell Brand (that British comedian from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall") ripped on the Jonas' Brothers decision to wear promise rings. I don't have the exact quote, as I don't think it's been transcribed yet, but he said something like, "The Jonas Brothers wear these rings as a sign of their purity. In my opinion, that's being really ungrateful because these three guys can sleep with whoever they want. Imagine being Superman and not flying!"
Yeah, it's Russell Brand - being crass is his schtick. But for some reason, I couldn't help but feel like he went a little too far. Maybe it's because the JoBros actually do a pretty good job of keeping up a pure image, as opposed to other stars who claimed to be abstinent but did not present themselves as convincingly pure. Maybe it's because I take barbs at Christian values a little personally. Or maybe it's simply because the joke wasn't delivered that well.
About an hour later, while introducing some artist I can't remember, Jordin Sparks burst out, "And I'd just like to say that purity rings are not stupid because not all of us want to be sluts!"
I know I've gone over declaring one's sexual purity in public, so I'm not going to deal with that again in this post; rather, I'll go with Jordin Sparks' outburst.
To be honest, I kind of admire her for saying that. I don't, and I never have, worn a promise ring or purity token of any sort, but I think it's great that she stood up for her convictions. Still, using "not all of us want to be sluts" was a huge generalization, and probably not thought through very well given her anger at the moment. I'm sure that while many of her fans are cheering her on, she'll have to apologize for being so publicly harsh with the others.
And oh, what do you know - Russell Brand just apologized for his comment. "Promise rings, I'm well up for it, but they're not for everyone," he said, or something like that.
I suppose I'll keep this short and end with a couple of questions: first, was Russell Brand going a little too far by ripping on the JoBros for their promise rings? And secondly, was Jordin Sparks' strong reaction appropriate, given that she announced that people who don't wear promise rings are sluts? Or would it have been more effective for her to say something once she'd calmed down a bit?
EDIT: During the closing credits, Russell Brand said, "I'm going to take up chastity now, as I've been inspired." When Kim Stolz (sp?) asked him what he were doing later tonight, he replied, "I'm gonna go home and polish my chastity ring." Just thought that was worth including in the post, as I'm blogging live...
(My roommates and my reaction: "That's enough now, Russell...don't overdo it....")
The Datingish Team is also talking about waiting until marriage to have sex...go here to join in on the discussion.
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Comments (87)
wow chill theres already a artical about this? ha relax he was just fooling around
He went too far on a couple subjects tonight.
1. Promise rings are awesome.
2. Leave poor Bush alone.
3. Jordin's comment may not have been that well thought through, but it got an apology out of Mr. Brand!
=]
Honestly, I think Russel was just being funny, I don't think it was a deliberate negative comment against the Jonas brothers. i have nothing against purity rings. and Russel said nothing about people who don't wear them are sluts, he just said that Jonas brothers could have sex with a lot of girls. It is obviously a joke, and harmless comment. If anything I Jordin sparks comment was a little bit unnecessary who says anyone who doesnt wear a purity ring is a slut?
I think it was appropriate, but maybe after she had calmed down a little. But not in any form or fashion do I fault her. That was just disrespectful to those who are following their convictions. They are not conforming to the ways of the world. Very commendable! Go Jordin!
People make jokes. Whether or not they're inappropriate is up to each person's interpretation. Russell Brand has the constitutional right to say things that offend people as much as Jordin Sparks has the right to freak out about it. I'm sure the Jonas Brothers either took it all in good humor or forgave Brand for his offense.
He went Too Far. I was like "Go JoRDIN"! for what she said. Dang, Leave it alone already. It seemed like everytime he came on he had to mention the "Promise Rings" and "how the brothers need to get laid". Get Over it....People Always mocking when someone's doing right. He means well, b/c he was trying to be funny all night.
Isn't he british? Why is MTV importing talent like that? Oh well, no one watches the VMAs anyway. I think his sister called and wants her pants back by monday.
@godsreflection@xanga - Well, making the decision to have sex before marriage is not conforming in anyway. It is a decision that anyone and everyone can make. And in the end, the person will accept the consequences to whatever their answers may be. It is as much decision as choosing a religion, which politician to elect, etc. In the end, however, everyone is still human.
I do agree that Jordin Sparks was brave to stand up for it. In no way am I trying to to talk down on it. And I also agree on how those who simply make decisions to just conform is just silly.
Tonights VMA's were a perfect example of the the negative thoughts toward anything pure. Although Jordon spoke in harshness I can understand why she was so upset. The show starts with a direct slam on Palin and her pregnant daughter. Then goes on to slam the Jonas Brothers and their choice to stay pure. I think it's funny that any choice made that's pure isn't good enough.How sad to say that Palin's daughter is only keeping her baby because of the Republican party. I am neither a Democrat nor Republican but but I was upset just the same. MTV has lost a fan.... Shame on them for allowing trash to host!!!!
What Russell Brand said was derogatory.
What Jordin Sparks said was derogatory.
Neither one should be praised for their comments.
@laytexduckie@xanga - Well, we both have our interpretations on what is conforming to the world. I feel that having sex before marriage is conforming, and you dont. We will agree to disagree on that point. But I know the Bible doesnt condone it, and im not saying that I havent done it, but I do have that understanding now, and I feel that way about it, and im not trying to conform with what the world says is ok. I dont know about it being the same as choosing a religion or politician, but hey, thats why we are individuals, right?
hmm .. didn't watch it so didn't hear the comment ... however, I'm sure a lot of people will probably think JS is a jerk or something for saying what she did and RB is a hero for mocking her ... thus is the world. and a generalization. (o:
wow. jokes are jokes. learn to take them
& if you can't don't bitch about it.
[sorry for the bitchyness.. sortof]
>________________>
but anywys. russel brand is love(:
& pretty funny for the most part
hmmm
Joking or not, to make such a statment that the JoBros could have any girl they want was taking their values and sincerity and treating it like someone used a hundred dollar bill as toilet paper. The JoBros have the purity rings as a sign of their heart-felt determination to live up to a higher standard. No, they don't need them, but as a symbol...well, how many other male stars like the Bros do you see out there declaring their goal for purity and seeking to live up to it? They could declare their goal verbally, and sure many people would hear it. But
i most definitley agree with lovelyingenue.
but for the most part,
no one should get hyped about it.
I feel like the Jonas Brothers whore themselves out in other ways, aka to the evil empire called Disney. So to me, there's no difference really. But that's just my opinion.
PuRTIY RINGS ARE LAME!! haha. No actually they're not. Nice that teens are still doin that. Seriously JORDIN hes a comedian--take it a little lighter and dont say dumb shit on tv. MTV hires people like Brand, Sarah Silverman, Wayans, to say crazy stuff like that on purpose. DONT TAKE IT PERSONALLY JSPARKS!
Brand was not questioning their purity, he was simply joking that it was something he does not understand. Award hosts ALWAYS make fun of the guests. Have you guys ever seen an award show before? Especially one on MTV? Really, people, the VMA awards on MTV are notorious for giving awards to songs that have incredibly vulgar lyrics and THIS is what you are getting upset about?
(pretend there's a "give me a break" mini here. I'm not spending credits on this poor excuse for an outrage)
i found myself saying way to go jordin! alot of ppl are goin to spin the whole thing in crazy directions.
russell brand is a comedian, it's his job to make jokes. if people think he went to far, they should just chill out. jordin sparks, while i see she was defending something important to her, i don't think she should have said what she did. just because someone chooses not to wear a purity ring, doesn't mean they are sluts. i was actually really offended when i heard her say that, more than anything russell brand said. Â
you don't need to have sex to be a whore.
seriously... all the horrible shit in the world, and we as Christians are getting mad about something as stupid and meaningless as this.
This whole thing is stupid. And that whole promise-ring-clique is beyond annoying.
Statistically speaking, most people won't wait until marriage for sex, it doesn't mean that everyone without a damn ring is a slut.
I have no problem with Russell making joke about purity rings, but he needs to know that there are boundaries u dont cross. Firstly implied that the Jonas brother's couildn't possibly remain virgins by saying "it would be more convincing if the wore the ring on their genitals" and he also compared being a celibate celebrity to being able to fly but taking the bus.
Why would anyone take a bus when they could fly? In other words why would anyone not have sex when they can have all the sex they want cuz their celibrities? Basically Russell was saying that purity rings are stupid and celibrities sleep around or are sluts, so the Jonas brothers should take advantage of the fame and do the same.
As for Jordin the word slut refers to RUssell who has admitted publicly that he is a sex addict which was quite evident if u ask me. it wasn't directed at everyone who doesn't wear a ring. she was saying that just because ur a celibrity doesn't mean u have to be a slut.
Hmmm...normally when comedians (or whoever) mock Christians, I get pretty peeved about it, but if you quote is at least somewhat accurate, I actually find nothing offensive in what he had to say. I see it more as gentle teasing...but I also didn't watch the show, so perhaps the tone that he used and the WAY that he said it wasn't so much of the gentle ribbing variety.
As far as Sparks response goes...it was flippin' HILARIOUS!! I definitely don't think that it went over the line.