After watching the MTV Video Music Awards last weekend, I've realized
that we are experiencing a British Invasion. Many viewers did not
recognize, and as a result, much like Brit host Russell Brand,
but anyone who's paying attention at all would know he's been around
and is a force to be reckoned with. He was a scene-stealer in Forgetting Sarah Marshall
and claims superstar status in the U.K. Why is America so slow to catch
onto everything cool? Well, I for one am loving the invasion—Amy
Winehouse, Posh and Becks, Ricky Gervais, Russell Brand, Sacha Baron
Cohen, Lily Allen—the whole lot. They've taken over all forms of
media and are churning out fresh talent unlike anything we've ever
seen. (Lord knows, it's about time.) This is a big statement but let me
bring out the evidence. Exhibit A!
1. Amy Winehouse.
Multi-platinum, five-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter. Combines
musical style and genres, old and new. Sadly, she's becoming more well
known for her struggles with drugs, alcohol, and anorexia. But her voice
and album Back to Black have nevertheless made an undeniable impact on the new music scene. Her soulful heart-wrencher "Wake Up Alone" brings back the painful reality of breakups and gets me every time.
2.
David Mitchell and Robert Webb of Peep Show. Sounds like a risque title but is by far the funniest material I have seen in a long, long time. The first-person filming, the inner monologue narration, and the contrast in characters make it a pitch-perfect gem. I'm embarrassed to say that they're already heading into their sixth season and still no one here has heard of them. And if you have, you are awesome.
3.
Ricky Gervais. "Chimpanzee that, it's monkey news!" Don't get me
started. Comic genius who should donate his brain to science when he
dies. If you want to laugh until tears are rolling down your cheeks and
you're going to throw up, listen to his podcast (and more specifically, his bantering with Karl Pilkington). Ricky's laugh just may be the best sound
in the world.
4. Russell Brand. It's sad that we're only just
now hearing about him, but heed my advice and do your research. Listen
to his podcast, watch his stand-up and The Big Fat Quiz Show of the Year on
YouTube, and rent Forgetting Sarah Marshall. He is so quick and sharp,
and amazingly, is a former heroin and sex addict. And that hair...
5.
Lily Allen. My FAVORITE newest discovery. I can't get enough of her.
Before you make a judgment based on the negative media portrayal of
her, listen to her debut album, Alright, Still. Listen to
every word of every song, start to finish. What sass! What
intelligence! What in-your-face bitchiness! She is brilliant. My personal
favorite tracks are "Smile" and "Not Big"—I wish I had the guts to tell
it like it is the way she does. I think we knew each other in a past
life...when she probably kicked my a**.
This is just to name a
few. I could go on and on about smart-alec TV doc Hugh Laurie, fashion
icon (and unfairly maligned) Sienna Miller, Posh and Becks (I think she's MAYJAH but I can't take him seriously after hearing his helium-meets-London cabbie voice), the incredible duo of
Little Britain, the cast of Harry Potter, etc. Do me a favor and check out this all-star lineup if you haven't already. And then go make yourself some tea and biscuits, hum God Save the Queen, and give a nod
to our trendsetting mates across the pond. Cheers!
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