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Hybrid Media Celebrity

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Russell Brand: Comedy, Celebrity, Politics

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Comedy ((PSCOM))

Abstract

This chapter traces Brand’s self-fashioning into a cross-media celebrity and film star and his move from digital television and radio presenting to Hollywood acting, then into political journalism and the creation of his YouTube channel The Trews. It uses this account of Brand’s career trajectory to identify the contradictory elements of his celebrity brand, its differentiation across the hybrid media system and the strongly divided responses it provokes. It identifies how he successfully adapts to new genres and cultural contexts despite periods of crisis such as ‘Sachsgate’ that threaten his public reputation. A close analysis of his notorious interview with Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight leads into an account of how he repurposes his celebrity and skills as a comedian and entertainer to seek influence in the political field.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom

    Jane Arthurs

  2. University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom

    Ben Little

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  1. Jane Arthurs
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  2. Ben Little
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Arthurs, J., Little, B. (2016). Hybrid Media Celebrity. In: Russell Brand: Comedy, Celebrity, Politics. Palgrave Studies in Comedy. Palgrave Pivot, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59628-4_3

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