DVDs in Review

Russell Brand: Scandalous - Live at the O2

Title: Russell Brand: Scandalous - Live at the O2 (2009)

Release date: November 9 2009

Certificate: 18

Format: DVD

DVD RRP: £19.99

Rating: 2/5

'Scandalous' capitalises on exactly that - Russell Brand's controversial period in which he and Jonathan Ross left a lewd message on comic actor Andrew Sach's answer machine, which led to Brand resigning from the BBC in the midst of mass public outcry.

Around the same time he also caused offence across the pond when he hosted the MTV music awards and called George Bush a "retarded cowboy", urging everyone to vote for Obama.

This period, along with his general Casanova status, ensured that he dominated the headlines. And this is how 'Scandalous' opens - a collection of media clippings and news reports about his notoriety set to swirling classical music.

All very well and good, but an hour into his energetic set and he hasn't progressed. This show is all about him and his antics - all of which we've seen on the news before. If the news was released on DVD, this would be the commentary track equivalent.

As such, scandalous is probably the most ego-centric stand-up acts in living memory. Brand proudly talks about how he regularly Googles himself, and flashes a screenshot of him featuring on Google's top 10 searched for list, admitting that the vast majority of the clicks were his own.

Brand is a talented performer, and a savage observer of society's flaws which are begging to be satirised but Brand doesn't even take on the media here - he's just showing off. Listening to someone who is full of himself boast in front of his trapped audience is one challenge, but to pay money for the privilege is another matter.

His previous shows have made for some fantastic comments on life's ups and downs (check out his 'Ponderland' series or other stand-up shows) but this one is too immediate and narrowly focussed. In five years, when this media storm has definitely blown over, this show will be completely redundant.  

The DVD contains a 45-minute interview with Brand and Frank Skinner as well as a few outtakes.