Russell Brand Inks Deal for Comedy Central Special

NEW YORK, October 3:
British comedian Russell Brand, who recently hosted the 2008 MTV Video Music
Awards, has inked a deal for a one-hour stand-up special with Comedy Central.

The special is set to tape
in New York in November for broadcast on the Viacom-owned cable channel next
year.

Elizabeth Porter, the
senior VP of specials and talent at the network, said, "Russell Brand's
comedy is a perfect match for our audience. He's a fresh new face with a
rock-star aura and a unique and unpredictable act that pushes the envelope of
comedy. American audiences who have been exposed to Russell through Forgetting
Sarah Marshall and the VMAs have
seen just the tip of the iceberg."

Brand's one-hour special
will be produced by Den of Thieves in association with Comedy Central.

—By Mansha Daswani