In 2002’s RE:Brand TV documentary, nothing was off-limits for Russell Brand as he sought to “performs various tasks in a bid to break cultural taboos.” The premise sounds pretty good, but the actual product was occasionally offensive — especially the final episode, “Wanky Wanky.”
The episode began with Russell taking a cab to SoHo (which he calls “GayHo”) on a mission to learn about his sexuality.
“I wonder why I’m not gay. I wonder if it’s just social conditioning or if it really is a gene,” the comedian mused. “I’m going to wanky wanky a man… See if that makes me gay.”
Once in the bar, Russell accomplished his goal. He then concluded he’s straight.
Watch the first part of the episode in this NSFW video…
(Parts 2 and 3 are available on YouTube. They’re a bit more NSFW.)
Although Russell later said the incident occurred at the height of his drug addiction, he isn’t ashamed of the demeaning encounter. Earlier this year, he recalled the whole encounter with colorful imagery for Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre podcast…
“I trawled around Soho… Going [to] various gay bars, gay gyms trying to pick people up with a film crew,” the ex-husband of Katy Perry said. “I went in this pub and I goes: ‘Anyone want me to wank them off?’ And this bloke goes, ‘Yep.’ Like as if I was saying: ‘Does anyone want a packet of crisps from the bar?'”
Of course, the shock value is lessened by the fact we’re talking about Russell Brand. His whole schtick is talking about taboo subjects and saying the things most others wouldn’t dare verbalize.
Still, is this crossing the line?
