Tag Archives: Russell Brand’

Paloma Faith, Bobby Gillespie Join Vivienne Westwood Launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org

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Paloma Faith, Duffy, Jools Holland, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie join Dame Vivienne Westwood + others to launch Launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org

frackingpalomafaith 

Musicians Paloma Faith, Duffy, Jools Holland and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie have come together with campaigning celebrities including Dame Vivienne Westwood and her son, businessman Joe Corre, chef Mark Hix, double Olympic Gold Medallist rower Andrew Triggs Hodge, artist Sarah Lucas and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell to show support for the launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org by taking a selfie holding up their fracking question for Minister for Energy Matthew Hancock MP.
 
In the images released today to mark the website going live, singer Paloma Faith is pictured holding up the question: “How can you be sure that our health will not be put at risk by fracking?” The singer goes on to comment that she is “really concerned about the health risks to the population and the long-term repercussions (of fracking)”. Duffy is shown in her photo asking Mathew Hancock MP if he will attend a Talk Fracking debate to address the public’s concerns and says: “I would like to call for a National Moratorium. A ‘stop the clock’. No more intrusive fracking until we, as a country, can assess whether this is the most sustainable, economic and safest source of energy”.
 
Vivienne Westwood says: “MyFrackingQuestions.org is asking the key questions that the public has told us they want answered definitively by the current government. We are acting now to empower the next generation, preventing them from having to deal with the potentially devastating effects of fracking should it go ahead in this country – from watching the economy crash to house prices nose-diving by 25 percent. This debate belongs to the British people but without any solid and reliable information, they cannot take part in this most critical of conversations. Until these questions are answered and until there is open public debate, there can be no social license and no democratic mandate.”

In his photo Bobby Gillespie raises concerns about whether or not we can trust the government on fracking when there are clear conflicts of interest. He adds: “Why is Lord Brown allowed to advise David Cameron on energy policy when he is a major shareholder in the fracking company Cuadrilla? Isn’t this a conflict of interest? Or is corporate corruption at the heart of the British government just business as usual?” Meanwhile chef and restaurateur Mark Hix asks: ”How will you ensure fracking companies have responsibility for compensation in the event of environmental or economic damage?”

MyFrackingQuestions.org allows the public to log on and ask their fracking questions directly to the energy minister with the aim of getting the government to provide factual answers to their concerns. The website allows users to choose their three most important concerns and send these questions to Matthew Hancock MP by Twitter or email. People can also submit their own questions via the platform if they prefer. MyFrackingQuestions.org poses questions relating to health, energy security, water, climate change, conflict of interest, economic benefits and also asks Matthew Hancock MP to attend a public debate to address the concerns of the public and engage in an open and factually informed debate about fracking in the UK.

MyFrackingQuestions.org is being launched by Talk Fracking, a UK initiative to raise awareness of the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, and the government’s fast-moving plans to introduce it in the UK. Spearheaded by Dame Vivienne Westwood and her son, Joe Corre, Talk Fracking is calling for more independent debate into the potential dangers this industry holds for the UK at this critical moment, before the government’s plans go ahead, changing the UK forever.

Talk Fracking is supported by over 150 celebrities, scientists and respected organisations including Sir Paul McCartney, his daughter Stella, Yoko Ono, Helena Bonham-Carter, Jude Law, Sadie Frost, Greta Scacchi, Sir John Elliot Gardiner, Guillem Balagué, Lily Cole, Thom Yorke, Russell Brand, Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto, Lord Rea, Stephen Frears, the RSPB, The Salmon & Trout Association, Jeanette Winterson OBE,  Dietmar Hamann, Graham Norton, Nick Grimshaw, Alan Carr, Bill Bailey, Matt Lucas, Vanessa Redgrave, Gavin Turk, Noel Fielding, Sir Antony Gormley OBE, Cornelia Parker OBE, Mariella Frostrupp, Fergus Henderson, James Bolam, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Tracey Emin CBE RA.

Joe Corre says: “Talk Fracking has so far invited over 80 policy makers, industry figures and scientists to take part in a series of panel debates to discuss the merits of fracking in the UK. The former energy minister Michael Fallon’s email invitation was opened over 70 times. Despite this not one of them has had the courage to attend and answer the critical questions from the British public on the serious dangers this technology poses for the UK. I am astonished at the level of contempt this shows to the electorate. The ‘My Fracking Questions’ initiative offers another opportunity for the energy minister to set out his detailed answers to the questions we have gathered so far. This issue is not going to go away! It is building massive public support by the day as more people inform themselves of the risks and wake up to the fact it is happening on their doorstep. Fracking has the potential to fracture our economy, environment, health, communities and even political parties. The government should stop listening to the lobbyists, the spin-doctors and their industry friends. They need to listen to the people and realise that we are doing them a favour by facilitating the forum for them to do just that!”

 

Harry Styles, Russell Brand Pay Tribute To Gay Equality Charity Stonewalls 25th

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Sam Smith, Harry Styles, Russell Brand and friends pay tribute to gay equality charity Stonewalls 25th anniversary

harrystyles russellbrand samsmith alancarr ritaora

Celebrities have contributed to a #FirstSNOG Insta-Exhibition using an app created by SNOG frozen yogurt to pay tribute to gay equality charity Stonewall’s 25th anniversary

 

Celebrities from the worlds of fashion, film, music and art provided their image in support of the charity’s international work and decorated them with graphics by Cassette Playa inspired by peace and love.

From top to bottom: Harry Styles, Russell Brand, Sam Smith, Alan Carr and Rita Ora.

 

Russell Brand To Release New Book On Politics

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russellbrandComedian, actor and political activist (or non-politics activist, whichever you prefer) Russell Brand is to bring out another book. Ben Dunn, Publishing Director of Century has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the new book.

The book will tackle Russell’s views on ecology, inequality, rioting, financial meltdown, and the total mistrust of politicians. Told with humour and passion, the book will act as a provocation; urging its readers to discard apathy and challenge the status quo.

Russell Brand said ‘People keep asking me how The Revolution will work? “We all want to bring down the government and establish a personal and global utopia but how?” They ask. Well in this book, I’m going to explain it. Having accrued the greatest wisdom known to man (by conducting interviews, watching DVDs, reading books, thinking and looking at the sky) I am now able to put in a simple, accessible book(y wook) the solution to internal and external turmoil. And about time too.’

Ben Dunn said ‘Like the rest of the world, I have been avidly following Russell’s writing and stand up and have been inspired by his passionate call to arms. This book will be a massive extension of that and I can’t wait to publish his brilliant words later this year.’

Century will publish in hardback in October 2014 with an Arrow paperback the following year.

Russell Brand is an acclaimed, comedian, presenter, author and actor. Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, Brand rose to fame in 2003 for his appearances on MTV and on Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother’s Big Mouth. His career really took off with his first nationwide stand-up tour, Shame, in 2006; which was released on DVD as Russell Brand: Live. Brand launched his second nationwide tour in 2007, Russell Brand: Only Joking ; released on DVD as Russell Brand: Doin’ Life and in 2009 he brought his stand-up comedy tour to the United States with Russell Brand: Scandalous. At this time, Brand also hosted countless award shows including the 2006 NME Awards, 2007 Brit Awards and he has hosted the MTV Video Music Awards three times in 2008, 2009 and 2012. After his phenomenal success as a stand-up Brand turned his attentions to Hollywood where in 2008 he was seen as rocker ‘Aldous Snow’ in the Judd Apatow-produced box office hit comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Since then Brand has starred in several films including Rock Of Ages, Arthur, Hop, Get Him To The Greek, Bedtime Stories, The Tempest, Paradise and the voice of ‘Dr. Nefario’ in the hugely successful Despicable Me series. Brand is also an acclaimed author, and has written two books, My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs and Stand-Up, and the follow up, Booky Wook 2: This Time It’s Personal. Currently Brand is touring his new stand-up show Messiah Complex around the globe, a DVD of which was released in December 2013.

 

The Least Romantic Quotes

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Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

“It’s sort of odd, isn’t it, because you can’t just maraud through life f**king whoever you like…which is a shame, because I actually could do that.” Russell Brand in 2010, when he was still married to Katy Perry.

“I’d be having sex thinking, ‘think of anyone, anyone else.'” Russell Brand again. This time on his sex life with Katy Perry.

“If loving someone is putting them in a straitjacket and kicking them down a flight of stairs, then yes, I have loved a few people.”
― Jarod Kintz, It Occurred to Me

“Believing in marriage and not in divorce is like believing in joint stock companies and not in bankruptcy.” Neil Ferguson

“He has been Tom Cruise for 30 years. I know who I am and where I am and where I want to go, so I want to focus on that.” Katie Holmes, 6 weeks before she filed for divorce.

“I don’t believe in soulmates…the idea of it is beautiful, and very romantic to talk about it in a movie or a song, but in reality, I find it scary.” Vanessa Paradis, 5 months before her split with Johnny Depp.

“I rack my brain thinking “Why am I not out there playing the field? One of my buddies was like, ‘You have no idea what’s going on right now. You’re peaking on ecstasy and you’re watching television.” Zac Efron, 2 months before he split with Vanessa Hudgens.

“Being married means I can fart and eat ice cream in bed. Jen is brilliant. I’m really missing her.” Brad Pitt when he was married to Jennifer Aniston

Do you have a least romantic quote?

Russell Brand Says We Shouldn’t Vote. Is He Right?

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In this weeks New Statesman Russell Brand edits and rights a lengthy piece. Yes, that Russell Brand. He says he did it because a beautiful woman asked him (That would be Jemima Khan, his rumoured girlfriend). For his theme he chose revolution  ‘because the New Statesman is a political magazine and imagining the overthrow of the current political system is the only way I can be enthused about politics.’ He goes on to say;

 

When people talk about politics within the existing Westminster framework I feel a dull thud in my stomach and my eyes involuntarily glaze. Like when I’m conversing and the subject changes from me and moves on to another topic. I try to remain engaged but behind my eyes I am adrift in immediate nostalgia; “How happy I was earlier in this chat,” I instantly think.

I have never voted. Like most people I am utterly disenchanted by politics. Like most people I regard politicians as frauds and liars and the current political system as nothing more than a bureaucratic means for furthering the augmentation and advantages of economic elites. Billy Connolly said: “Don’t vote, it encourages them,” and, “The desire to be a politician should bar you for life from ever being one.”

 

I don’t vote because to me it seems like a tacit act of compliance;

 

To be fair he does have a point. It is not possible to look at politics and not find something to be upset about. But his piece is hard to read and long winded. More about Russell Brand than the state of politics and what should be done. One feels he chose the theme of revolution because he could not make a logical and informed argument about any other aspect of politics. Just tear it down instead, eh, Russell?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Should Brand stick to the entertainment industry?

Brand goes on to say “We have succumbed to an ideology that is 100 per cent corrupt and must be overthrown”. Really? What country does he think this is? Italy?

He even mentions that the London riots were political. They may have started that way briefly but they were more about the need for a new TV in the end.

Being a politician is a hard job. To try and make this world a better place (and plenty of politicians do try) is much harder than being a comedian/actor/whatever. Russel Brands stream of consciousness in The New Statesman reminds me of a teenager who just became angry with the world. What, I think we should ask, did Russell Brand ever do for us? Because I know what politicians do; they get up everyday and they work a proper job. Some of them do it for the right reasons, some of them do it for the wrong ones, some start off good and become corrupt, but so far so the same as every other industry/establishment. I guess what really riled me about Brand’s essay of nothing is this: I have worked in politics. I interned for Zac Goldsmith, I campaigned for Tamsin Omond (her own party, The Commons) and Suzanne Moore (Independent). Both Tamsin and Suzanne would have been great and made a difference. Zac got elected and is doing well in Parliament. (On a separate note, Zac is the brother of Jemima Khan. Small world)

I campaigned for pretty much everyone at the last election apart from the Liberal Democrats, who in my opinion are dirty campaigners, and Labour, who did a lot of damage to the country but never seem to be brought up on it by the press or anyone else, while the Tories still pay for crimes done in the 70s/80s.

I don’t promise to be loyal to a political party as they can all go wrong and lose their way, caring more about being reelected and individual careers than the people they represent. Russel Brand seems to be pro-riot and anarchy. More about tearing things down instead of building them up. He doesn’t offer a solution and if his ‘eyes glaze’ when people talk about politics then how informed can he actually be? Has he done his research?, does he read the newspapers? I am not so sure. I have nothing against Brand. Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek were both great, but if you don’t know anything about a subject, best to keep quiet.

It may be that there is no one to vote for, only fools to vote against. But to vote against a fool is better than to not vote at all. And if you are still thinking of siding with Brand and not voting then just remember that he was the guy who dressed up as Osama Bin Laden the day after 9/11 and went to work at MTV, who rightly fired him. That is not exactly sound judgement, is it?

 

SEVEN-year-old boy wins £10,000 for charity in rap competition

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SEVEN-year-old boy wins £10,000 for charity in FiNDAPROPERTY.COM rap competition

Celebrities, including Russell Brand and Mick Jagger, tweet support for winning rap

Kent-based children’s hospice chYps has received a £10,000 donation thanks to the rapping efforts of a seven-year-old boy who lost his younger brother to a rare form of cancer.

A total of 67 contestants battled it out in the FindaProperty.com Rap For A Cause competition in which Dartford-based Charlie Saunders and his father Tony Saunders – rapping as “Charlie Chyps and Divvy Dad” – won the contest with more than 6,870 public votes.

The competition, run by property website FindaProperty.com, was held in conjunction with a recent advertising campaign in which a number of characters rapped about their property needs.

The contest was closely fought, with the winner receiving only 1472 more votes than Leeds-based 11-year-old Dylan Broadbent – rapping as “Dylz” – who was representing The Christie Charity which funds projects that fall outside the scope of the NHS.

“Dylz” received huge online support, including over 5401 ‘likes’ on Facebook and, in the closing stages of the competition, a tweet of support from Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths and the comedian John Bishop. Charlie had some celebrity support of his own, with encouraging tweets from Russell Brand, Mick Jagger and Nadia Sawalha.

Charlie entered the competition to raise funds and awareness for chYps, the Kent-based children’s hospice that looked after his younger brother Oscar during his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. By providing homecare, chYps supported the Saunders and allowed them to spend us much time as possible away from hospitals while Oscar was gravely ill. The £10,000 prize is being donated to support chYps’ respite service.

Tracie Dempster – Head of Care, chYps, said: “Winning this £10,000 is absolutely amazing and will support the chYps service in so many ways. Much of our service is funded through charitable donations and core services that each family needs, such as specialist nurses that deliver cancer support and chemotherapy rely heavily on monies from the public.

“This £10,000 will help fund our chYps respite service, which is offered to all families. Just imagine what a difference a trip to the seaside could have on a child at the end of their life with competent staff to look after the child for the whole day. We are so thrilled to have won the money and are so grateful to Tony and Charlie for winning it for us in memory of Oscar.”

Tony Saunders said: “Losing Oscar was an incredibly traumatic experience, but without chYps it would have been a hell of a lot more traumatic.

“I kept saying to Charlie, if we get to number one we’re really lucky, but at least we’re doing it for the right reasons.

“If it wasn’t for chyps and the fact they provided treatment at home, we would have been at the hospital non-stop for 18 months. But instead I was still able to run my business and pay the mortgage, Charlie was still able to have a life and go to school.”

The competition was organised by property website FindaProperty.com, following their national TV advertising campaign featuring a rapping granny, young father, and father to be, who all rap at speed about their changing property needs. The contest ran for three-and-a-half months and contestants were encouraged to upload their own rap version of the advert. Visitors to the site were then able to vote for their favourite.

To see “Charlie Chyps and Divvy Dad” perform their winning rap, please visit rap.findaproperty.com.

Russell Brand Jokes About Katy Perry Divorce.

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Russell Brand joked that he was looking for a new wife at the MTV Movie Awards last night.

The British comedian hosted the award ceremony at the Gibson Amphitheatre.

“Last time I did an MTV show I ended up marrying someone,” he said. “Tonight I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for my next wife.”

He also joked about Kim Kardashian and her 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries.

“Kim took a lot of pressure off with her world record marriage – thanks, Kim.”

The audience included Charlie Sheen, Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron,

The British Comedy Awards: Who Will Be The King – Or Queen- of Comedy.

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The British Comedy Awards sponsored by Foster’s return to Channel 4 live from 9pm on December 16 with Jonathan Ross back at the helm and ready for mischief.

Nominations will be revealed in full during a one hour Channel 4 nominations show on December 11 at 10pm, a few days before the main event is broadcast live on Channel 4 from Fountain Studios in Wembley.

Today however, we can exclusively reveal the six nominees for the prestigious People’s Choice Award for the King or Queen of Comedy – the only category where the viewers choose the winner.

Reigning Queen of Comedy Miranda Hart will be defending her crown against star of Peep Show and 10 O’clock Live presenter David Mitchell, chat show supremo and guru of all things Eurovision, Graham Norton, Fresh Meat star, Jack Whitehall, BAFTA-winning comedian, actress and author Jo Brand and stand-up sensation and panel show favourite Sarah Millican.

People can vote for their favourite by calling 0901 616 4444 and selecting the following numbers to cast their vote.*

For DAVID MITCHELL press 1

For GRAHAM NORTON press 2

For JACK WHITEHALL press 3

For JO BRAND press 4

For MIRANDA HART press 5

For SARAH MILLICAN press 6

Lines open Monday 28 November and voting closes during the awards ceremony, shortly before the winner is revealed and we find out who is officially the funniest person in Britain.

Host Jonathan Ross said: “I’ve tried, but I can’t think of a more entertaining way to spend a winters evening then watching a room full of our best and brightest comedians get slowly drunk while they wait to see which of their rivals picks up an award. Surely that’s what Christmas is all about?

“To be hosting it again, for what feels like the 87th time, is also an honour and privilege and I will do my best, like the Batman facing a room full of Jokers, to keep things running smoothly”.

There are 17 categories in this year’s British Comedy Awards, including Best New British TV Comedy, Best Sitcom, Best Comedy Actor and Actress, Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Contribution to British Comedy.

Previous winners include Russell Brand, Ricky Gervais, Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas David Walliams. Sascha Baron Cohen and Peter Kay.

The event also attracts a star studded audience with recent guests including Goldie Hawn, Alec Baldwin, Madonna, Samuel L Jackson, Eva Mendes, Jack Black, Juliette Lewis, Matt Groening and JK Rowling.

For the latest news on this year’s event, go to www.channel4.com/britishcomedyawards.

Twitter: #ComedyAwards

TX Details

British Comedy Awards Nominations Show – Sunday 11 December at 10pm on Channel 4

British Comedy Awards – Friday 16 December live from 9pm on Channel 4

British Comedy Awards: Live Lock-In – Friday 16 December from 11pm on E4

Voting

*Calls cost 36p from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will cost considerably more. Touchtone phones only. Maximum 6 votes per caller. Details and Terms at channel4.com/comedyawards. Voting closes during the Comedy Awards on 16th December 2011