By Producer Jack
Stood drunkenly on the terrace of the Red Lion pub in Hoxton Square I received my first phone call from Russell Brand. It was a Saturday night in October 2006 and I was a frivolous Assistant Producer with a new job. At this time, at least on the face of it, Russell was a digital TV presenter and ultimately my new boss.
Shocked into sobriety I remember the conversation surprisingly well. In hindsight the ambition and conviction he displayed then is no surprise, but at the time I was startled – which was dangerous considering I was pissed on a roof.
The purpose of the call primarily was to tell me I was up for a promotion. On what seemed like an ill-advised whim, Russell had decided I was to become his new Producer, not something I’d envisaged to be frank.
Russell relayed the good news in his own inimitable way, a heady concoction of compliments and commandments – like the promotion itself was a caveat for the workload ahead.
I hung in there determined not to slur at my ultra composed caller and listened as he detailed a glittering future that in all honesty was difficult to perceive. However, so rousing was the speech that by the end of the call had he said jump…..
After it ended I returned to the party all detached and bewildered like a nan at an orgy. I realise now I’d fallen for the cock eyed optimism and charisma of Russell Brand – girls I know how you feel, but in this case it was the gauntlet that had been laid.
I remembered that phone call last Saturday as we discussed Booky Wook 2 and the amazing O2 gig of the night before. Such a blur of activity has since past that I sometimes wonder if it happened at all. Maybe it didn’t. Maybe I just stumbled off that roof and as we speak an unknown presenter has just delivered grapes to my bedside.
congrats jack, i love to read all the good things you and russell write. russell truely cares for the people whom are with him always, he truely is a very caring, understanding, and sometimes can surprise you when you least expect it. keep up love to read everything from the revolution write. i get chills and get excited to find out whats coming or whats going on with all of you. best of luck you deserve it. truely jack, love you all from bottom of my heart, it aches when your all not here. say i to russell for me. love renee
Well written young sir and don’t forget to wash your gauntlet.
Jack,
Recognizing talent in others is a talent, and now we see why you are working together.
There is madness to Russell Brand’s reason, and I am glad you are helping him keep it that way.
Cheers, Mariana.
Yay, you! Thanks for sharing. And best of luck in all future endeavors with our Russell. He’s got the talent and the drive, but he needs your hard work to achieve his objectives, I’m sure. If it helps, you’re not just doing it for the fame and the money–there’s a Revolution in the offing; you’re laying the groundwork.
Peace & Love Forever…
<3
Oh no! I wanted to be the personal chef! I can make a miriad of things with rice cakes, yummy. Having a hippy for a mom pays off now and again!
let me make that a “myriad of things”. One day I hope to spell at a primary school level. ;( peace and love to all
sarah(again)
Someday, someone will think to collect all these recollections from people who’ve worked with or are friends of Russell’s and make a book. The perspectives from others are both insightful and funny. Thanks, Jack!
What have you done with Matt????
ahh that was lovely… i love anecdotes involving russ … interesting to hear his vision then the reality ie hollywood etc…… do you think he needs any company out there writing his book??????
o2 was amazing.well done to all involved for all the hard work…. was matt morgan there?????? if not where the bloody ell is he?????
love a very devoted russ fan xx
Good that you can remember all that while drunk! And hope everything becomes better every day as it seems its going.
XXXXX
You are true brilliant for this. There is NOTHING like a response to a call. It’s life itself at the bedside of the future.
He had a gauntlet eye for your talent – flattering. What was it he saw in you?
MORE
lol :) what is it that he has? i cant seem to put my finger on it! but he has sure got something, and im glad your feeling it to…im not going mad after all… great blog!
I was startled – which was dangerous considering I was pissed on a roof.
LOVE that line LOL
hey jack ,
“like the nan in the orgy” brilliant .. .. Ican see by the way you entice language and reflect with intelligentia yet humble compassion that you are apart of jesus revolution..
..if you speak to him that man THE CANDID CHARACTEROLOGIST…master brand ..can you PLEASE WITH A CHERYY IN TOP!get him to answer these questions in booky wook 2 if i may be so bold..
what happened to the EFFERVESCENT COLIN the stepfather/boyfriend with the obbsessive -COMPOLSIVE rotating cushion i have the remote surgercically attached to my hand, very sad bastard that he was and probally still is…
and madaline russell first SEXUAL conquer did he go back ..and shall i quote..” do the job propper like” …i,m shaw he did attemp a seduction VOL II involving his new and improved boudoir yoga moves..
I am sure his italia villa is not wit out a bed warmer..and wish him luck with dead line ..bosom cuddlesxxxx
Cock-eyed optimism is it?
Yes, I guess it is. XD
I wish I had been present at that O2 gig…