Top 10 Best Of Russell Brand

Top 10 Best of Russell Brand

From party animal to political analyst! Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 best of Russell Brand.

Whether he’s crossing paths with Hollywood stars, performing award-winning stand-up routines or rebelling against the system, Russell always gives us hilarity and controversy in almost equal measure. For this list, we take a look at his best bits.

#10: Delivering 5-Star Stand-Up Routines

From calling out Google to describing an awkward first encounter with Britney Spears, whatever subject matter Russell takes to the stage, he always brings unique energy and razor-sharp wit to the performance. And even without his ever-intelectual material, Russell’s mere look and stage presence is enough to keep anyone enthralled. But if you ever attend a live show yourself, heckle him at your peril - this guy’s got an answer for everything!

#9: Giving Advice to Katie Price

Perhaps “Loose Women” isn’t the first show you’d expect to see Russell on, but he pops up with a peach of an interview here. The self-confessed former sex and drug addict appeared on the programme in 2017, and was kind enough to lend his expertise to Katie Price, to aid her in coping with her boyfriend’s own struggles with addiction. With Katie being a constant target for comedians in the past, it must have been a relief to have one give her some genuine, honest advice.

#8: Interviewing the Dalai Lama

To another unexpected pairing, when Brand interviewed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, at Manchester Arena in 2012. Brand often incorporates his own spirituality into his act, especially in more recent years, and here he relished the chance to speak with one of the world’s foremost religious leaders. And it’s not just Russell providing jokes either, as the Dalai Lama’s sense of humour drives conversation too, allowing them to share a few laughs between insights and stories.

#7: Taking on Nigel Farage

Russell is a regular on “Question Time” nowadays, but his most memorable appearance has to be when he took on ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage, during a debate over immigration. What starts as a mostly calm disagreement, quickly escalates into more hostile territory, as the audience themselves join the fray and tensions grow increasingly more heated on both sides. And through all the shouting, we’re left in little doubt as to what Russell thinks of Nigel.

#6: Getting Frank on Jeremy Clarkson

When Jeremy Clarkson found himself at the centre of controversy with the BBC, who could have been better qualified than prank call pals Brand and Jonathan Ross to offer their views on the matter. Russell gets rather philosophical considering the story involved someone punching someone else over a sandwich, but Brand never fails to find the bigger picture. You might even say that he has unplugged himself from the Matrix. Which is handy, because Keanu Reeves (AKA Neo) is sat right next to him.

#5: Speaking at the Committee on Addiction

Never one to shy away from the big issues, Russell drew on his experiences as an ex-heroin addict to offer opinion to the Home Affairs Select Committee, in 2012. Despite the obvious formality of the occasion, Brand can’t resist cracking a joke here and there, but he mostly manages to stick to protocol, delivering sincere and eloquent points on an important topic. Given the flamboyance we’re used to, Brand’s efforts reveal a different side to his character, earning him praise from all corners.

#4: Becoming a Movie Star

Brand’s first (and probably most famous) foray into Hollywood saw him shake things up as Rock Star Aldous Snow in the 2008 comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”. And the character proved so popular he was giving his own spin off a couple of years later, in “Get Him to the Greek”. Since then, Russell has starred alongside the likes of Tom Cruise in “Rock of Ages” and Jennifer Garner in “Arthur”, cementing himself as a go to guy for elaborate comedy. And don’t forget his voice work as Creek in “Trolls”!

#3: Teaching how to Report the News

The hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” got more than they bargained for when Russell stopped by to promote his “Messiah Complex” stand-up show. Quickly diverting from talk of the tour, Brand teaches his hosts everything from basic manners to the importance of body language, focusing on the psychology of news stories, before outright mocking the presenters and the programme, and going rogue straight to camera. If Russell ever wants to add to his ever expanding CV, he’d make a mighty fine news anchor.

#2: Wrecking the Big Fat Anniversary Quiz

He’s a well-known activist, but it’s not just the political system that Brand disagrees with - he’s got beef with the “Big Fat Quiz”, too. Russell, and his teammate Noel Fielding, ran riot on the anniversary show in 2015, refusing to play by the rules and constantly proving a sizeable thorn in the side of host Jimmy Carr. Assists from Jonathan Ross and Jack Whitehall only made the rebellion stronger and even funnier for the rest of us watching at home.

#1: Facing off with Paxman

Today’s winner, and it’s quintessential Russell Brand, pitching his anarchical, political outlook with unique humour - and all for Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight in 2013. Even Paxman seems perplexed at times, taking issue with Russell landing a role as a political magazine editor. And the interviewer becomes increasingly bemused as Brand flits between his beliefs on the voting system, and his admiration for Jeremy’s beard. It’s not all fun and games however, as Russell uses facts and statistics to back up his anti-establishment arguments.