Russell Brand is seen in resurfaced video calling Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski a ‘shaft grasper’ for the way she holds her water bottle – forcing her to go to commercial break
Russell Brand is seen in a resurfaced video calling Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski a “shaft grabber” for the way she holds her water bottle – forcing her to go to a commercial break
- Russell Brand appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe in the summer of 2013
- Brand, then 38, dominated the interview and put the presenters on edge
- He ended with an allusion to the way Mika Brzezinski held her water bottle
Russell Brand is seen in resurfaced footage of Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski being called a “shaft grabber” for the way she holds her water bottle, forcing her to take a break.
Brand was 38 at the time and was promoting his Messiah Complex stand-up tour, which kicked off in Abu Dhabi in August 2013.
He seemed to enjoy the awkward interview, in which he pretended to do the presenters’ job and mocked them for their dress sense, later tweeting: ‘This is me on a crazy American show. Pretty funny.’
But after he was accused of rape and sexual assault by four women in a bombastic report on Sunday, Brand’s comments are being seen in a new light.
Russell Brand can be seen in an awkward appearance on Morning Joe from the summer of 2013
Brand is seen leaving the Troubabour Wembley Park theater in North West London on Saturday evening after a comedy set. He has denied the allegations but has been let down by his management
The comedian and actor opened by commenting on the media, saying he loved stand-up because it gave him a direct connection to the audience.
“Don’t think about what I’m wearing – these things are just a distraction,” Brand said, in response to Brian Shactman’s joke that he planned to come to work the next day dressed like Brand, with an open shirt and several Chains .
“I’m distracted,” host Mika Brzezinski interjected. “Be distracted,” Brand said. ‘What do you think that gesture means, the way you touch that bottle? What’s the subtext of that?’
To loud laughter from the studio, Schactman said, “We need to take a break.”
Brand continued, “You need to lose that ring, Mika, because it means nothing to you.” She grabs the shaft. She’s a shaft grabber.’
Brzezinski looked slightly bewildered and grabbed her coffee mug to hide her shock.
“Russell…” began the other woman on the panel, fellow Briton Katty Kay. Schactman said with a laugh, “That was free, but it was great. We buy tickets.”