Russell Brand Gets Comedy Central Special

Comedy Central has given a one-hour comedy special to British comedian Russell Brand, who recently completed a successful night at MTV's Video Music Awards.

The special will feature Brand and many guests and be taped in New York in November. The announced airdate for the episode will be sometime on the network in early 2009.

Brand (who worked for a time as a musical interviewer) is extremely popular in the United Kingdom, and has seen his star rise a bit in the United States over the past year.

By appearing in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and hosting the 2008 VMAs, MTV's sister station (Comedy Central) now feels like the comedy that Brand does would play well on their network.

"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," Comedy Central senior vice president of specials and talent Elizabeth Porter said in announcing the special. "American audiences who have been exposed to Russell through Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the VMAs have seen just the tip of the iceberg."