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)
i think that was smart for jordin sparks to say that. she did not overreact.
i mean, come on, the jonas brothers just want to save themselves for their wives.
I think Jordin's comment was absolutely unacceptable. It's not okay to start name calling because a comedian is telling a joke. It was a stupid teenage outburst on her part and now she'll lose fans over something that should have not been said.
I actually think his comment is quite poignant and encapsulates what the Christian walk is all about.
He is right- and I like the way he put it. It is like being superman and not flying.
The power they have at the moment is quite incredible.
I think his comment is a great analogy for the Christian walk.
Anybody can give in to sexual temptation and the desires of the flesh. Anybody can 'fly'.
As for his jibes to begin with...
Again- why are we so surprised when Christians get persecuted for the
sake of the gospel. It is the way we are told it would be.
They are trying to walk a higher path they need to expect that not everyone will respect that.
he's a comedian. at every one of these award shows, the jokes have to be relevant to the times. usually, the most popular people are the ones to be made fun of for whatever they were featured in the tabloids for. whatever. last year it was paris hilton, this year its the jonas brothers. one mans publicity is the nation's comedy.
(for clarification's sake, my comment had nothing to do with the morals of that band. i agree with them on that point, but i think that everything is fair game for comedy.)
I couldn't agree more with you. Actually you beat me because I was going to blog about this. I could see the side Russell was merely joking but okay do it once. He kept berating the Jonas brothers the entire show. Then he made the aside comment when Taylor Swift introduced them, something along the lines of it would be awhile before she "got them off" or something. She looked visually uncomfortable. I'm not even a fan of the Jonas Brothers but I commend them for bringing to light the fact that it is okay for teens (especially teen boys) to remain virgins. How can we point the finger at Palin's pregnant daughter when MTV with a teen demographic makes a joke about remaining pure. Also every female performer (except for Haley from Paramore) were not even wearing pants! They all had on short short dresses or like swimsuit bottoms. I don't want to sound like a prude but what kind of message are we sending out to the youth? I clapped when Jodin made the comment she did.
all I say is... who cares. hahaha... He's a comedian, he's suppose to make fun of something. I mean, did you see sarah silverman last year going off on Paris Hilton? that was just as bad, yet no one really said anything about it... haha. (I'm not even sure if that was the VMAs)
I TOTALLY agree with lotta_valdez.
I don't watch award shows because what the "stars" say usually annoy me or offend me. It is funny how it is not politically correct to offend anyone except Christians. Jordin Sparks spoke out of anger, but I don't think she was saying that anyone who doesn't wear a promise ring is a slut. I think she was making the point that she was tired of being made fun of for her moral choices and if she were sleep around like half of hollywood/music industry either is doing or wants everyone to think they are doing, no one would be making a joke about it. Another funny thing, it is politically correct to say everyone should be themselves and their life style choices is no one's business, but when a Believer stands up for morality than suddenly they are laughed at and made fun of and that's OK.
But, we all should expect this my now and not be surprised by it. We live in a world not our own. Looking forward to going home!
Blessings everyone, have a great day!
I don't watch the VMAs because over the years they have gotten more vulgar and more offensive every year. I as a Christian do not feel comfortable subjecting myself to that type of thing.
Russell Brand is a comedian, and I can't remember seeing a comedian who didn't make fun of the celebrity guests at least a little. I didn't watch the VMAs, but I did laugh a little when I read the joke he made, because I thought it was funny.
Did he go over the line? I don't think so. Maybe it's just Jordin Sparks' reaction that was though. It seems a little like she took it too seriously, and made it into something that wouldn't have been that big a deal otherwise.
That being said, in response to what leeeeeeeeeeez said, I doubt Jordin really thought that far into her words. It sounded more like a childish angry outburst than anything. She just as easily could've said something a little more eloquent the next day or after the show.
As someone who does not wear a promise ring, I was slightly offended by her implication that people who don't wear them sleep around (whether or not that was what she meant.)
But then I remembered, who cares?
is it just me or did no one else think brand was funny at all? i mean maybe it's sort of a cultural thing with him being a brit import and all (i usually don't "get" UK humor anywyz..). it's almost as if he was trying to get a rise out of ppl cuz at first they weren't really responsive to him. politics too? he's really trying to stir something up. i'm glad i don't have any kids right now and have to explain how brand is one idiot out of many promoting sexual promiscuity. and while i'm not a fan at all of the jonas brothers' music, i'm glad they're so huge right now and maintaining their clean image. i wish paramore had said something along the way.. heh
i also applaud sparks for standing up and doing that. i don't think ppl misconstrued it as meaning everyone ELSE who doesn't wear a promise ring are sluts in spite of her bad phrasing. good for her =D
btw, here's an interesting wiki fact on the fool too-
Brand's first presenting role came as a VJ on music channel MTV presenting
Dance Floor Chartand MTV Select. However he was fired after coming to work dressed as Osama bin Laden the day after 9/11.
[3]as a virgin (by choice!), i'm a little sick of all the cracks against abstinence. i used to wear a ring, but it doesn't fit anymore (i've been waiting a long time!) It's about time people, (like Jordin Sparks) stand up against the sluts of Hollywood, where, i might add, happy marriages are nearly nonexistant. I doubt she meant to imply people who DON'T WEAR RINGS are sluts... she meant that those who chose to ABSTAIN deserve respect. I admire her for her comment, especially in the midst of the provocative Britney, Christina, and Rihanna. They wouldn't be offended by the "slut" comment if it wasnt true.
@godsreflection@xanga - That is correct, my friend. I appreciate your good feedback and discussion without resorting to bashing or name-calling or just immature behavior. I tend to be under attack sometimes for voicing an opinion here.
I admire Jordin Sparks for her comment. I watched the VMAs last night and I was sort of appalled at the way Russell Brand was talking about that. While pining over a ring is ridiculous, it is important to consider the implication that those little rings have; as Christians, it's important to stand up for our convictions and our stance on sexual purity. Honestly, I mentor middle-schoolers and high-schoolers; while they may not care about the Jonas Brothers or Jordin Sparks, they will care about the values and the decisions that surround us daily as people of God keeping pure in this world.
I don't think he went far at all. Especially where the Jonas Brothers are concerned. Their purity image only goes so far. It does not take einstein to fugure out that it wont last too much longer. They will pull a Britney, a Christina or, more apropriately, a Justin and leave the Disney name to become what everyone always dreads.
I am a Christian and believe in pure values, but I am also a realist. Soon, the people that have grown to love the Jonas Brothers as fans will grow older, not buying into that pure image and, if they want to continue on the mainstream, they'll have no choice but to change or, make a lot less money. When you've been raised rich, it would be rare of them to pick the second option. Sadly, this is a reality for most pop stars, even for the "Vigin Jessica Simpson". It's hard when you grow up in show business.
i think jordin sparks is referring not to EVERYONE who doesn't wear a promise ring... cuz frankly I don't because a band of sterling silver doesn't do much for me first off... and second... purity is a state of mind and direction to travel... not a piece of jewelry....
Jordin sparks though I think is appropriate... color her a prophet AGAINST promiscuity and sexual revelry... though i really don't know cuz I didn't watch the VMAs
It's like you people watch these events just so you can find something to talk shit about.
Christians need to take this a LOT lighter. He wasn't making fun of promise rings or the Jonas Brothers, but as soon as they get involved together in a joke everyone gets so threatened.
This is like... if he was up there saying "OMG Close your mouth when you breathe I know air is important but its not THAT important" and then some fat bitch ran up and screamed "I JUST WANT TO SAY AIR IS VERY IMPORTANT ... for guys or girls... IF YOU WANT TO KEEP BREATHING"
I think his remark was inappropriate. Sure, he had every right to say it. Many comedians choose to say inappropriate things just for the laugh. I don't think it's funny, so I don't listen to them.
Are the JoBros and Jordin Sparks Christians?
i dont think russell really got the point. it's because the jonas brothers CAN sleep w/ anyone is why they got chasity rings. This shows maturity and humility. That knocks them up a notch in my book. I originally dislike they b/c they make middle and some high school girls gaga and make they their idols which the ten commandments tells us not to do. But them wearing a chastity ring shows a good example toward their audience. Now whether they keep this promise or not, no one can tell. I can see where the chastity ring can go so far, where one would say that if they arent wearing it they dont need the promise which is a bunch of bull, b/c i used to wear one and now i dont solely because of the fact that I was allergic to that cheap metal inside it and its too expensive to buy a good one w/o the cheap metal.
the sex jokes have gone outta control now, and those that are on Russell's side and don't see a problem are too used to them. If you call yourselves christians (and im sure that not everybody subscribing to this is one) but to those who are, be sure to examine your own life and think about what you watch. Don't forget, we are to be set apart from this world and to put God in front of ourselves
Russell Brand appears to be getting bad reviews in general. He just didn't go over. I see his comments as an indication that he just doesn't get it. The lifestyle that people like the Jonas Brothers are at least trying to live is totally alien to him. He doesn't see the point, and since he's not a believer, I can see why. I wish he would have kept his mouth shut, but I understand his confusion.
who's Russell Brand?.... oh well, who cares? Whatever. Just some washed up comedian? taking a jibe at someone else's expense to boost his non-existent popularity.
Him talking about the Jonas Brothers got us talking about him talking about the Jonas Brothers which got him plenty of undeserved airtime!
You know the best way to register contempt? You ignore someone like he wasn't there.
So again, Russell who?