Russell Brand To Host MTV’s Video Music Awards
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Russell Brand To Host Video Music Awards
MTV is staking its brand on a lesser-known one: Russell Brand. The British actor and comedian will host this year’s Video Music Awards, set to air live from Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on September 7, MTV told the Associated Press yesterday.
Mr. Brand recently co-starred in the Judd Apatow-produced comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and the Reese Witherspoon-produced fairy tale “Penelope.” He is currently filming the Adam Sandler comedy “Bedtime Stories,” slated for release later this year.
“I’ve just been invited to do it,” Mr. Brand told the Associated Press in a telephone interview from London. “It’ll be good to preside over what is sure to be only vaguely coordinated televised insanity.”
Mr. Brand’s popular radio show, “The Russell Brand Show,” made its debut two years ago in Britain, and his TV show, “Ponderland,” was recently nominated by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in the “Best Comedy Programme” category.
Prior VMA hosts include Jack Black, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Chris Rock.
As previously announced, the teen pop trio The Jonas Brothers will perform at the event. Other performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.