VMA Host Goes Too Far

By: Alaina Gizzo
Posted In: Opinion

Most celebrities consider it an honor to host a nationally broadcasted award show. Hosts typically try to entertain an audience, but this year’s MTV Video Music Awards host, Russell Brand, took a different approach by shocking America, again.

On Sept. 13, 2009, the show opened with the solemn atmosphere Madonna left during an emotional Michael Jackson tribute. Brand broke the somberness with his trashy British accent, which could easily suit a chimney sweeper. Not even the preceding upbeat Katy Perry rendition of “We Will Rock You” disturbed the serious tone of reverence for true musical talent, but Brand certainly managed. The fact that he did not shave for the event, nor did he attempt to counterfeit any sense of hygiene at all, only embellished the atrocities that poured from his mouth.

After openly admitting to accusations of “bad taste” from his prior year of hosting, during which his crude humor touched upon various subjects including the former president and the Jonas Brothers, he continued his cycle of absurdity.

This year’s victims mainly included Megan Fox, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry-all women that he vulgarly referred to throughout the show. He claimed to have seen a uniquely inappropriate view of Katy Perry through a hole in her “knickers” during her performance. For Lady Gaga, he relentlessly tried pick-up methods including an attempt at siding with her against harsh media criticism. Brand said that the media continually attempts to push Gaga down because she is a powerful and talented woman. But he degrades her through ignoring her talent to discuss how sexy she is.

Maybe MTV selected this host again because of the controversy. After all, many people enjoyed him in the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Plus, he managed to act appropriately for about 90 minutes in the family film “Bedtime Stories.” Many MTV viewers are able to embrace his distasteful humor just as well as his typically skin-tight pants and easily-abhorred fashion. MTV viewers tend to prefer the trashy drama of “The Real World” and “The Hills.” The network’s choice of host is no surprise.

However, not all VMA viewers consistently watch MTV shows. The VMA’s is a highly publicized event that always has a good rating. According to Rolling Stone, the 2009 VMA’s pulled in 9 million viewers– the largest audience in five years. So how many of these viewers are actually accustomed to crude entertainment?

Even if you look beyond the degrading comments to female celebrities and his lack of concern for cleanliness, Brand knocks himself down again by mentioning American politics. As a British celebrity, it appears rude to claim that the American government is allowing citizens to die in the streets as a result of private healthcare. Whether the statement holds truth or not, Brand seems out of place by remarking on the situation.

Brand has a reputation for crudeness and certainly lived up to it throughout the show, even at the cost of others. Since his hosting did not entirely scare viewers away, perhaps he will offend America yet again in 2010.