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 view Jordin's remark as appropriate for how Russell's comment was taken. They were both abbrassive, you know? However.. I think it's a little reading into too much to say that she's calling everyone without a ring a slut. I viewed it simply as her stating that not everyone wants to be sluts, and some choose to wear rings to remind them of that.. kind of thing. Haha. I may be wrong in my take on her comment, but that's what I got from it. :)
I have no clue who either of these people are, though. Isn't Jordin a music artist? I think my old roommate had a CD of her's.. o.O?
<3,
~*Akarui Mitsukai*~
P.S. I don't fully understand Russell's comment, though.. Someone care to explain it for me? I don't understand how it's them being ungrateful, you know?
I don't know how u can stand to watch that crap. Today's popular music is so crappy, ugh.
The comedian did not go too far, but Jordin did.
really i have to say that even though i agreed with jordin sparks and HATED they way russle brand was acting! i'd have to say that both of them proved to be immature in a way! im pretty sure if the jonas brothers minded his comment! THEY would have said something themselves BUT i know she prolly said that for the people watching to let THEM know that there is nothing wrong with promise rings! and there IS NOTHING wrong with them! BUT it's a choice THAT you make not one that is forced on you! so yeah! it was just wasn't needed! either way!
Well to rebuke another Christian is one thing but to rebuke or condem the unchurched is judgment and wrong... to many Christians in the name of Christ have tried to condem public or civic persons... we only give ourselves a black eye. But I'm proud of Jordan Sparks for speaking out.... But calling those who make the choice to have a sexual relationship outside of marrage sluts is also going too far. I have friends that are in serious relationships commited but not married, I don't think they are sluts,they are very decent people, just making a different choice. We have to learnn to play this game on there turf, and not drag the unchurched kicking and screaming into the Kingdom. Trust me they won't stay... Peace!
i think russell brand meant it just as a tease and was only joking but i do think he took it a bit too far by bringing it up every time he could.
as for jordin, go jordin, stand up for what u believe, but cool down and say it jokily. no need to be so damn accusatory about it.
Personally, considering Brand's humor, I take it with a pinch of salt. I like RB, I like watching him in stand up and his various appearances on TV, so him saying this doesn't bother me in the slightest and doesn't cause offence because it's all in keeping with his kind of humor.
As for the reaction from Sparks, in the spur of the moment I suppose they wouldn't have realised that they were generalising the entirety of people who don't wear promise rings. Not all of us choose to wear a symbol to represent something we incorporate into our moral way of living. However it would have been interesting to hear a more astute reaction later on, then again, it would be nice to find people actually *get* Brand's type of humor rather than take offence at his comments. Perhaps Brand should have done more thinking towards the audience he was playing too. Sparks reaction shows they were angered at the comment by directly applying her reaction towards Brand, he'd obviously hit a nerve. However Brand is a recovering sex addict and is openly honest about his dealings with his rehab etc. His was a flippant comment based on his comic humor and stand up and hers was a direct attack on his character and past.
To be honest it all seems blown way out of proportion to me.
The Jonas Brothers have a really good image and Russel Brand shouldn't have ripped them off like that. Jordin Sparks was good to say whatever she was feeling, becase it was for a good reason.
I think America over-reacts to any attack at Christian values. The Right-wingers at least. It's unnecessary. Here in Western Europe the joke was seen as just a joke and then the show went on. I was amazed at the 'outcry' I read about online!
Everyone is entitled to their own views. However I don't think these views have to be laundered in public. Russell Brand was being himself. I don't think he should apologise for the Purity Ring joke (the outdated and unnecessary atttacks on Bush, maybe - Politics in't very MTV!). But ultimately MTV knew what they were getting themselves into when they booked him!
If these men want to wear the rings they have to be aware that not everyone views them as something special or significant. If they are going to wear they're 'heart on their sleeve', they should be able to take the jokes and insults. Otherwise it is nothing special, but merely a publicity and marketing stunt. If you take yourself that seriously that you can't laugh at a little joke, I don't think MTV is the place for you, young Jonas Brothers.
Personally, I can see no reason why a person would announce such a belief. I have friends who hold these beliefs, but do not proclaim it to the general public as they feel it does not benefit them in anyway.
I too believe personall, that Russell Brand would be a better figure for the church were he religious. He believes in goodwill and equality to all men. He's been to the depths of sex and drug addiction and came out of it clean and believing in the goodness of humankind. He's seen the other-side and tore himself from it and now lives straight-edge lifestyle in L.A.! That can't be easy! The young lads have a Pastor father and don't know anything about the evils of drugs or sex. They have no life-experience, but are expected to be the role model for thousands of young 'pure' teens!
They're a pure gimmick and until they can defend themselves I won't look at them any other way. Russel's joke was justified - until these men have more life-experience and have been put in situations that requires them to make tough decisions regarding sex, they're worthless in the eyes of millions.
Being a Brit, I've found this entire debacle about Russell's Brands
comments quite incredable and I was even more stunned that he had to
give a public apology. Bernard Shaw once described America and England
as "two countries divided by one language" and I tend to agree.
The British mentality is that *everything* and *everyone* is fair game
when it comes to comedy. It's a long tradition and even if you go back
to the 60s Monty Python were causing a stir with Life of Brian.
MTV
knew what they were getting with Brand, he has been a very successful
stand-up comedian and TV host for some years now and if they booked him
you can be sure it's because they wanted something controversial to
happen to get more press.
Brand is a sex addict; he's also a recovered Heroin addict and he's
extremely vocal about the problems those lifestyles cause. He's as
happy to point out his own faults as he is to point out other peoples
and much of his stand-up comedy is self-deprecating.
Purity rings would cause him bemusement, they cause many Brits
bemusement. Personally I find the concept of wearing a ring to let
everyone know you're a virgin a little bizarre. At some point in our
lives we're all virgins, do we really need to advertise the fact? It
always seems to me that the wearing of the ring is either an
ego-stroking thing ("Look at me and how GOOD I am!") or is worn out of
fear that, without a visible sign to ward off horny teens, the wearer
may succomb to temptation.
I think Russel Brand went overboard although that is his job.I admire the Jonas Brothers for what they are doing but I don't think it is necessary to wear a promise ring or publicize it 'cause I remember when Britney Spears was 'supposedly' staying a virgin till marriage.I hope they keep to their word and don't dissapoint kids that are looking up to them.
I think Jordon Sparks made a very shallow comment which was overboard too but got her point across which I guess is good.
I don't know who Jordin Sparks is, but go her for pushing women further back in their quest for equality!! except not.
TWO ---comedians make fun of people. That's what they do. Maybe he's a crappy comedian ---I don't watch dumb crap on MTV--- but that's still his job.