That Russell Brand thing at the MTV Video Music Awards

Russell Brand seemed a little out of place as the host at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Not because he's British or relatively unknown in America, as most of the chatter was about before Sunday night's show from Los Angeles.

It was because Brand injected the VMAs with blunt politics, self deprecation, unabashed sexuality, and, yes, plenty of off-color remarks.

Didn't he know where he was? The VMAs? In La-La Land?

No, this was no place to voice anything like an opinion on world affairs or joke about young Christian pop stars. This is a place to look cool and thank the almighty for the honor of little moon man statuettes.

Early in his opening monologue, Brand pleaded: "Please, America, elect Barack Obama. On behalf of the world."

Most of the crowd, seemingly caught of guard, cheered, though at least a few pop stars didn't. The camera caught Britney Spears _ who in 2003 said citizens should "just trust our president" _ sitting quietly.

Partisanship, of course, can hurt sales. But Brand was refreshingly ignorant of many of the concerns that keep the lips of American pop stars zipped. For good measure _ and surely stepping over the line _ Brand referred to President Bush as "that retarded cowboy fellow."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/07/russell-brand-mtv-vma-hos_n_124684.html