Jonas Brothers: Pure talent

They're holy and impossibly wholesome, but when Russell Brand thought he could use America's Jonas Brothers for cheap laughs, he got it so wrong. By Esther Walker

(ap)

Some British things don't translate well in America. A free and universal health service, Marmite and tennis whites have never managed to gain a foothold across the pond. And neither, it seems has Russell Brand, whose now-infamous appearance at the MTV video awards on Monday night was received by the All-American audience about as well as a cold cup of sick.

Most unpopular with the audience was Brand's treatment of the Jonas Brothers, a young pop group trio of squeaky-clean siblings, who wear "purity rings" as a proud symbol of their virginity.

By way of teasing the brothers about their pledge, Brand produced a similar ring onstage and held it aloft, claiming it has been given up by band member Nick, 15. "Nick was a bit reluctant at first," joked Brand, "but after a bit he realised that it was for the best."

The audience of American teens was nonplussed, and Brand was forced to apologise to the audience by American Idol winner and fellow purity ring wearer Jordin Sparks, who said: "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut!"