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Russell Brand's account of not being allowed in the U.S.
Admittedly, Russell Brand, the British comedian and actor, probably best known in the U.S. for his role as Aldous Snow, a rock star in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall, can go a bit over the top with his humor.
Because he will be hosting the MTV Video Music Awards tonight, he is on U.S. entertainment radar again. However, it's an earlier appearance on David Letterman in May that caught my attention.
This account of why he missed his first scheduled appearance on David Letterman pokes a bit of fun at U.S. immigration without being anti-American. According to him, Brand wasn't allowed back in the U.S. after a trip to Britain to promote the movie because of his past record. Although he doesn't specifically state his past problems, they have to do with drug issues for which he has had treatment.
Basically, Brand's hilarious style of story-telling captures an interesting cast of players and circumstances at U.S. immigration. I do think he's embellishing, but it's funny. For example, he describes a Gambian man wearing an American flag tie under going questioning and hones in on the stereotypes of people who look suspicious.
Brand never does say how he cleared his record to be allowed back into the U.S. after being sent back to Great Britain.
When Brand was in the U.S. filming Forgetting Sarah Marshall, he probably had a work visa which would be different from the type of visa he would have to make talk show appearances. That's my assumption.
It just seems odd he would have been granted a visa for one circumstance and denied entry for another. However, Brand is not that well known--yet, so perhaps the immigration officers didn't believe him. That's also what Brand conjectured. Since he is a comedian, who can be sure of the truth and what makes for good entertainment?
There is a funny part at the end of the interview when he talks about what it was like to be in Hawaii during the filming of Sarah Marshall. Being in paradise too long is like "being hit over the head with a rainbow."
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Stories, United Kingdom, United States, Video
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kat Sep 7th 2008 1:12PM
On Russell's radio show after the incident he clearly explains that his visa had expired and he was only given one to remain in America. When he went back to Britain, he wasn't allowed to come back because he has a criminal past.
RG Sep 8th 2008 11:19PM
I loved it when he told a joke in front of HM The Queen (yes, ERII herself) and Prince Philip that he always shows respect for the monarch when he licks a stamp--with his eyes shut. No one else can pull that stunt.
Tammy Sep 9th 2008 1:06AM
Oh, I don't know. anyone who looks like an idiot like this guy, shouldn't be allowed in our country.
What a loser.
TS Sep 9th 2008 12:07PM
Russell Brandt is a puppet and it's sad to say he is unaware. Disrespectful of a system that allows him to be successful. How has anyone in America benefitted from his presence here?
He seems a bit spoiled, bitter, and he's intolerant of others that do not hold his views. I think he should stop reading his own fan site and get a real job-stay in England pal. Humility would benefit him greatly.
JD Dicenzo Sep 9th 2008 5:27PM
I can't believe the US imigration allow this clown into the USA. his own bio alone shows he is trouble. He has bipolar disorder.
He is a former heroin addict, sex addict, alcoholic and has had numerous run-ins with the police, having been arrested 11 times for public indecency. During the time of his addiction, he was known for his debauchery, a notable example being his ejection from The Gilded Balloon, in Edinburgh. He has abstained from drug use since 2003 and is now a patron of the addiction charity Focus 12. His abandonment of drugs and alcohol was instigated by his agent John Noel. He did so with the help of the Hare Krishnas, to whom he feels "indebted". But he is still a insipant plebian, or he is just a shock celebrity. Either one is unacceptable, especially to young minds, what little they have.
haslinda Sep 11th 2008 12:30AM
Well, america did allow Akon into the US and he was a drug dealer.
So I guess, they don't do double standards in your country. Its a place of freedom of speech. Go figure.
Amifan Sep 17th 2008 8:47PM
So "insipiant" plebeian foreigners unacceptably endanger our children? I'd think there would be enough "unacceptable" fellow citizens of our own country to keep a narrow-minded moralizer like you sufficiently outraged and occupied. Who cares about some D list late night TV personality?