Prepare to hear the name RUSSELL BRAND a lot in the coming year. Introduced to American audiences in last year’s JUDD APATOW comedy, FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, BRAND was already a sensation in England. Now, he descends on Comedy Central in his own stand-up special this Sunday night (3/8). Titled RUSSEL BRAND IN NEW YORK CITY, the performance is a perfect showcase for his irreverant humor (his recounting of hosting the MTV VIDEO AWARDS is worth watching by itself).

We spoke with BRAND several months ago and asked him about being funny and if he was considered the ‘class clown’ as a kid. Listen in below: