Highlights
- Russell Brand pushed the boundaries during his 2008 interview with Craig Ferguson.
- Brand’s sexual remarks and comments about his own experiences caused discomfort.
- During his 2010 appearance, Brand went too far by disrespecting Ferguson’s beloved robot sidekick, Geoff Peterson.
Russell Brand has always been known as a provocateur. His often brash, daring, and sexually charged comedy made him famous and put him into hotly-debated situations, such as his interview with Wendy Williams. Brand continued his talent at evoking strong emotional responses when he moved away from comedy and acting in 2015. In fact, many would consider his venture into self-help, political commentary, and, what some would consider, conspiracy theories, as even more provocative.
It’s also been insanely lucrative for Brand and his growing net worth. But his 2023 assault accusations, which stem from a lengthy investigation involving the accounts of several women, have seemingly destroyed any prospect of him continuing with his success.
While Brand maintains his innocence, the accusations have caused many to reevaluate his past behavior. This includes his various talk show appearances. Among them is a particular appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
What Did Russell Brand Say During His Interview With Craig Ferguson?
Following Russell Brand’s success in the hilarious Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the British comedian was asked to host the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. In order to promote it, he went on Craig Ferguson’s beloved Late Late Show which followed The Late Show with David Letterman.
Craig Ferguson’s show was always known for its tangents, wacky antics, and wonderfully uncomfortable humor. Therefore, Brand was the right kind of guest to have one. But during his 2008 interview, which was his first of three with the Scottish comedian, he said a few things that some deemed to be very controversial.
Following a kind and enthusiastic welcome from Ferguson, Brand came out swinging. Like always, his energy was unmatched and he delved into topics that included UFOs, conspiracy theories, and the divisive American professor Noam Chomsky.
Ferguson and Brand had impeccable chemistry, bantering back and forth like the comedic professionals they are. But things took a little bit of a turn during a bit involving selling Ferguson’s “wee-wee”. Once Brand claimed he had “milked” Craig himself, the Scottish comedian shut him down.
“Now you’ve gone too far,” Ferguson said as the audience cheered.
Things became even more dicey after Ferguson inquired about how Brand lost his virginity, referencing his VMA jokes about The Jonas Brothers’ purity rings which were huge news at the time.
“Now that I am allowed to have sex, I like it. That’s just a different choice, now isn’t it? I really like cuddling someone, squeezing, the b*obs, bottom, just to cuddle up is so lovely,” Russell Brand told the late-night talk show host.
“What about ladies, you ever have sex with ladies too?” Craig Ferguson joked.
“Oh no Craig, just the fellas, big pair of hairy b*obs and a winky.”
Ferguson then tried to get Brand to tone it down a notch. The pair then agreed that their bit, as well as Brand’s VMA jokes about the Jonas Brothers, were made in good fun.
Things became even more sexual once Ferguson made comments about Brand’s rather notable zipper. Later in the conversation, Brand spoke about his love of spirituality, adding, “I’ve been able to convert love into sex with multiple partners for money.”
While Mirror.UK and other news outlets found this interaction to be both awkward and offensive, it’s clear that Ferguson wasn’t as shocked by it all. It was done in the name of comedy, after all. Only now, with the context of the allegations against Brand, are these moments truly uncomfortable. But something Brand did during his second appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson seemed to irritate the host.
Did Russell Brand Push Craig Ferguson Too Far During His Late Late Show Interview?
While Russell Brand’s first appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2008 received the most backlash, his second in 2010 seemed to irritate the host. Brand was on The Late Late Show to promote The Tempest, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s famous play.
The interview started well enough with the same energy between the two hilarious comedians matching their previous television moment. But Brand may have pushed Ferguson too far when he reacted the the presence of Geoff Peterson.
For those who don’t know, Geoff Peterson was Craig Ferguson’s gay, robot skeleton sidekick voiced by Josh Robert Thompson. For many, Peterson was one of the highlights of the late-night talk show which lasted from 2005 – 2014 and maintains a strong cult-like fanbase to this day. Peterson and Ferguson’s banter is often relived on YouTube via clips of the pair just losing it.
On top of Ferguson’s adoration of the character he created, the robot itself was expensive and built by the late Grant Imahara of the Myth Busters. So, Ferguson was understandably annoyed when Brand got up in Peterson’s face.
“I’m unnerved by that,” Brand said to Ferguson after Peterson cracked a joke.
“Hey, Russell, I have a boney-wone,” Peterson joked after the pair were speaking about the phallic symbol that was Ferguson’s snake cup.
As soon as Peterson commented again, Brand took his cup of water and stormed over to the robot.
“Don’t, Russell, don’t, don’t don’t…” Ferguson said forcefully, briefly bringing Brand back to his chair.
“Don’t kill it?” Brand said committing to his bit. “I don’t think he’d be so smug after the introduction of aquatic intervention.”
Brand then marched over to the robot again with the water.
“Russell, don’t! He’s very expensive! Don’t pour water on him!”
“He’s expensive?” Brand said turning to Peterson. “You bad robot! Apologize to me and respect me!”
Brand then proceeded to slowly pour water all over the robot’s head as the audience gasped.
“Oh, man… now you’ve done it,” Ferguson said, clearly uncomfortable as he pretended to read Brand’s book.
Ferguson skillfully pivoted the conversation away from Geoff Peterson on a number of occasions throughout the interview. However, Brand kept bringing it back to him. At one point, he even got up and violently shook Peterson until the top of his head popped off. Brand then took part of Peterson’s podium, slammed it into the robot, and then attempted to pour water directly into the circuitry.
“Russell, don’t!” Ferguson screamed.
“Too much?” Brand asked.
“Yeah, it’s too much. Calm down.”
While Ferguson has not publicly commented on the interview since it was clear he was unhappy with Brand disrespecting his set in the way he did
Source: NewsFinale
