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'BrandX' with Russell Brand on Mother England and more, tonight, some thoughts

By April MacIntyre Jul 5, 2012, 17:02 GMT

Russell Brand - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos

Tune in alert for 'BrandX' with Russell Brand, which airs Thursday, July 5 at 11:00 PM e/p.

Russell Brand's FX's 'BrandX' is the perfect late night unscripted antidote to the normal promotion choo choo train that runs us over nightly with Jay, Dave, Jimmy and the other Jimmy.

The day after July 4th is a loverly day to dissect sex, bestiality in the news, anal porn tutorials and the oddities of how we all learn about the naughty business - in humorous anecdotes that only someone like Russell Brand can get away with.

Even more entertaining is the notion of a "United" States or Great Britain, which is completely deconstructed by Brand in his cheeky irreverent way. He's entertaining as hell, and will offend many who hold church and state dear, with no wiggle room for silliness.

Admirably, FX, unlike network pablum, has huge big balls with their testosterone-y (go with it) lineup, if you think about it. Charlie Sheen is their number one darling, a guy familiar with the wily ways of hookers and Blow. Top drama "Sons of Anarchy" is run by an attention loving, self-deprecating showrunner who regularly calls out tv critics as "c*nts" on Twitter and is as good acting in front of the camera as penning or directing it.  Louis CK owns the introspective comedy from a middle-aged guy's POV in 'Louie' and Elijah Wood has revealed himself a master at comedic absurdities in Jason Gann's 'Wilfred.'

Heck, for the hardcore men folk, they even feature ultimate cage fighting and other he-man programming, making them more dudetastic than Spike or Fuse.

BrandX really excels when host Brand is allowed to compare and contrast child America and Mother England. Lanky and loaded with hipster hirsute cro-magnon man charm, Brand talks in rapid-fire scatological circles honing in on real news, human nature and events, less the bullshit celebrity news that dominates the tabloids.

For those of us east coast people, Brand's propensity to deliver his banter in wicked fast woven themes is a fun ride.

BrandX is a refreshing surprise from FX and helps makes the network stand out among their peers for truly original programming that is wholly unique, never stale. 

Now if they could only resurrect "Sons of Anarchy" villainess Agent June Stahl (Ally Walker) for another series.