Russell Brand sets out to prove his comedic abilities on American Idol after critics pan his Arthur remake

By Daily Mail Reporter


Defiant: After his panned performance in the new film Arthur, Russell Brand was intent on proving his comedic abilities as he appeared on American Idol tonight


He has endured a slew of slatings for his performance in the new movie Arthur this week.

But Russell Brand was intent on proving his comedic abilities as he appeared on American Idol tonight.

The 35-year-old actor and comedian made a surprise appearance on the reality show, ironically as a charisma coach for contestants.


The pre-taped segment showed Brand meeting with contestants and offering advice.

He singled out contestant Casey Abraham for praise.

'Casey, I'm very happy you are here,' he said. 'I think you're a gorgeous hairball of wonder.'

Mentor:The 35-year-old actor and comedian made a surprise appearance on the reality show as a charisma coach for contestants


Brand then tried to get the Idol gang to relax with some stretching exercises and telling the boys to concentrate on their crotches.

'I think you need to be limber,' he told them. 'Steven Tyler can still do this I think.

'The great rock frontmen, not being rude, comes from this area here.'

Amusing advice: Brand then tried to get the Idol gang to relax with some stretching exercises and telling the boys to concentrate on their crotches


He then jumped behind the judges table with the singers.

'I think the fear comes from them judges judging us, who the hell bloody hell do they think they are,' he said.

His eagerness to please, comes after critics this week ripped into Brand's remake of the late Dudley Moore's famous role as Arthur, with one even describing Brand as 'just not that funny' and that the movie 'should put a nail in the coffin' of his film career.

Funny or die: His eagerness to please on the show comes after critics this week ripped into Russell's remake of the late Dudley Moore's famous role as Arthur


The film, also stars 65-year-old Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, 38, and Nick Nolte, 70 - but it is Brand's appearance which has drawn the most opprobrium.

Writing on the Huffington Post website, film critic Marshall Fine slammed Brand saying: 'If anything, this movie should put a nail in the coffin of Russell Brand's career as a movie comic because, well, the guy's just not that funny.

Not top hole: The overall view from American critics has not been positive though it's unclear if Brand is concerned

Co-stars: Dame Helen Mirren also stars in the film alongside Russell


Particularly not when he assays an entire role in that high, whiny, little-boy voice that he uses here.'

He added: 'I've seen him do stand-up and that didn't make me laugh. He's really only amusing in small doses.'

And Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter said: 'Director Jason Winer turns things over to Brand but it's a rough, out-of-focus performance.

Forlorn: Brand was spotted leaving his New York apartment, which he shares with wife Katy Perry, looking downcast today

Chic: He strolled the streets of Tribeca in a stylish trench coat which he paired with a black and blue striped cardigan and jeans


'Brand goes full bore in every scene, almost as if the movie isn't so much about a drunk as an eccentric billionaire who would be loopy if he drank only lemonade.'

The U.S. version of OK! magazine meanwhile reckons that Brand will earn a Razzie for the movie, and dismissing him as 'channeling Johnny Depp channeling Keith Richards channeling a lifetime of chemical abuse.'

Los Angeles newspaper Century City News meanwhile bemoans Brand's character as a 'shadow' of that portrayed in the original, and continues: 'Dudley Moore made the most adorable drunk but Brand doesn’t even get the slur right and the self-indulgent behaviour that once beguiled is irritating this time around.

Shy? Katy, 26, was also seen leaving their abode separately dressed all in black


'It’s also a mystery why an actor with a cockney accent was given the part of an upper class "toff", who should be speaking with the same plum in his mouth as the royal family.

'Having M’Lord’s nanny (Helen Mirren) sounding posher than M’Lord himself is rather like Prince William chatting to the Queen in a Michael Caine accent. It’s just too odd to contemplate.'

Dame Helen, who plays Arthur's nanny in the film, said of Brand: 'He's got a good heart. He's kind, generous and fantastic to work with.'

Meanwhile Russell was spotted leaving his New York apartment, which he shares with wife Katy Perry, today.

Together again: Katy jetted into New York from Glasgow yesterday, where she was performing in her California Dreams tour, especially to be reunited with Russell


Looking downcast he strolled the street of Tribeca in a stylish trench coat which he paired with a black and blue striped cardigan and jeans.


Katy, 26, was also seen leaving their abode separately dressed all in black.

Their outing comes after the pop star jetted into New York from Glasgow yesterday, where she was performing in her California Dreams tour, especially to be reunited with Russell.

The two were spotted walking into a Manhattan hotel after Russell picked his wife up from the airport.




source:dailymail