Brand fails to impress US with MTV purity ring remarks

|PIC1|LOS ANGELES - The biggest Hollywood buzz from Sunday's 2008 MTV Video Music Awards may have been Britney Spears' hailed comeback, but taking a close second are the crude antics of comedian Russell Brand, who took shots at President Bush, Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, and the family-friendly Jonas Brothers, among others.

Brand, who is relatively unknown in the United States, urged Americans Sunday to vote for Barack Obama, called Bush "that retarded cowboy fella", and labelled Palin a "VILF".

"Some people - I think they're called racists - say America is not ready for a black president," the VMA host said in front of the celebrity-filled crowd at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles. "But I know America to be a forward thinking country because otherwise, you know, would you have let that retarded cowboy fella be president for eight years?"

While Brand's political comments certainly brewed up a storm, Brand's repeated jabs at the Jonas Brothers and the purity rings they wear as a symbol of their vow not to have premarital sex also drew fire.

The band of three brothers, whose father is a pastor, famously wear the rings on their left-hand ring finger to remind themselves of their "promise to ourselves and to God that we'll stay pure 'till marriage". They also abstain from alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

At one point during Brand's time onstage, the British funnyman pretended he had stolen a Jonas Brother's virginity as he played with a ring in his hand.

"Let me tell you, it was an enjoyable and pleasant experience and I wish the rest of the Jonas brothers the best of luck because over the course of the evening I want a collection of these bloody things," he said.

Following Brand's comments, American Idol winner and fellow purity ring wearer Jordin Sparks took to the stage, and before presenting an award, defended the evangelical Christian brothers with a quick statement.

"I just wanna say, it's not bad to wear a promise ring because not every guy and a girl wants to be a slut, OK?" Sparks stated, drawing the applause of the crowd.

While many have been supportive of Sparks' stance, some have been angered by the implication that those who don't abstain are "sluts".

Sparks assured News.com.au, however, that while she doesn't feel bad for what she said, she "didn't mean to offend anybody if I did".

The openly Christian music star also told FOXNews.com's Pop Tarts column later Sunday night at the In Touch magazine after-party that she was more than happy to put Brand in his place.

"Somebody had to do it," she said.

Shortly after Sparks' onstage comment, Brand apologised, but managed to squeeze some punchlines into his apologies - both onstage and off.

"I've gotta say sorry 'cause I said them things about promise rings; that was bad of me," he said before presenting television stars Lauren Conrad and Chase Crawford.

"I don't want to p*** off teenage fans," he added before making another off-colour joke.

"Promise rings, I'm well up for it ... but a bit of sex, occasionally, never hurt anybody."

Offstage, Brand told The Associated Press, "I feel a bit bad that I kept talking about their vows to chastity, and I'd like to take this opportunity to say no one ever have sex again. It's a mad idea. What a way to spend an evening."

Brand, a former heroin addict, talks openly about his addictions to sex and drugs in his autobiography My Booky Wook.