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David James/Warner Bros.
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Last night, F/X debuted two shows whose success (or lack thereof) will hinge on how much you like the polarizing lead they’re based on. One is Russell Brand’s late night style talk show ‘Brand X With Russell Brand’ and the other is Charlie Sheen’s ‘Anger Management.’ I’m personally not a fan of either, but I definitively liked one show more. That would be ‘Anger Management.’ ‘Anger Management’ stars Charlie Sheen playing a character, so does Russel Brand on ‘Brand X,’ but that character is Russell Brand — a character I find insufferable. Grading time!

Strength of Episode – D/B-: Ok. There are two grades there and that’s because I kind of despise Russell Brand and find everything that he does annoying, cloying and with a hint of trying too hard. I admit, however, there are people who like him, so the first grade — the D — is for people like me. The second — the B- — is for those of you who fall on the side of Camp Brand. The show is not good either way, but I’d imagine if you could stomach Brand for thirty minutes, you’ll be entertained, because that’s what the show is – thirty minutes of Brand doing Brand. I’m of the opinion that Brand overstayed his welcome and that F/X is about three years too late on this, but it’s here so we have to deal with it.
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Was There Anything You Personally Liked, Pat?: Uhm, no, not really. I just don’t get it. He talks to the audience, does “commentary” on news stories and it’s all so annoying. When Brand was first becoming something here in America, he would talk show appearances that I thought were mildly charming and fitfully funny, but for thirty minutes!? I just can’t do it. There’s also nothing innovative about the show. He’s not reinventing the talk show because it’s not really a talk show. There’s no guest, it’s just him. I really don’t understand what it is.
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Anything Else?: Not really. There’s not much to discuss. It’s Russell Brand. If you like him, give it a whirl, if not, avoid at all cost. It’s not even the kind of show that’s fun to hate.