Craig Robinson and his kind-hearted, python-hunting character on “Killing It” are returning to television next month

Russell Brand has always prided himself on ruffling feathers. Indeed, the ruffle-haired, one-time-winklepicker-championing anti-establishment icon even uses a crow (farting), as the logo for his website and podcast. And yet, his preferred platforms have changed over the years: from London’s stand-up circuit to prime spots on British radio and terrestrial TV, to the Hollywood red carpet, and now to the favourite of every cash-hungry rebel – social media. Yes, the 48-year-old has become a darling of the self-styled “free-speakers” of the internet, with the likes of Andrew Tate, Alex Jones and Tucker Carlson name-checking him as a mainstream-fighting compadre. But really, it seems as though his great talent lies not in speaking truth to power, but in speaking so much and at such speed that you no longer remember what the truth was in the first place. Oh, and he also knows how to write a headline that will whet even a great sceptic’s appetite. With this in mind, indy100 has taken a look at some of the most attention-grabbing titles on his YouTube channel, to see what exactly he’s been peddling: 'Covid Tsar Admits Lockdowns Were NEVER About Science'; 'So, Trump Just Said THIS about Vaccines And it Changes EVERYTHING'; 'The Queen’s Funeral – the HIDDEN Truth THAT NOBODY’s TALKING ABOUT'; 'Bill Gates Has Been HIDING This And It's ALL About To Come Out'. Brand is, evidently, a master of clickbait and adoring followers or, as he likes to call them, his “awakening wonders” – who have helped contribute to him having more than 6 million followers on YouTube alone. His articulately spun monologues, which prance along with rhetorical acrobatics and comic asides at the expense of “big business, big media and big government”. And yet, while he’s railing against world powers’ alleged propensity to mislead and deceive the public, he’s showing off his own skills at influencing others. He boasts that he wouldn’t dare tell his viewers what to think, yet in the same breath – or in the same headline – declares that he’s discussing the “truth” – which, by traditional definitions, should refer to objective, irrefutable fact. In one episode, titled, ‘Joe Rogan UNMASKS CNN’s True Agenda’, which is about the US broadcaster’s relationship with Pfizer, he says: “You can decide for yourself whether you think there's a connection between the stance of particular media organisations and the kind of financial partnerships that they have.” However, after playing a reel showing programmes on the network which are “sponsored by Pfizer”, he stresses: “But once you've seen that bloody montage, it's like the scales fall from your eyes surely, don't they?” Oh, but then he quickly adds: “But that's just what I think. What do you think?” Most recently, Brand proved he’d secured the unfaltering loyalty of his fanbase by openly addressing the allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him. In a video titled ‘So, This Is Happening’ and delivered in his usual no-pause-for-breath style, the presenter announced: “This isn't the usual type of video we make on this channel where we critique, attack and undermine the news in all its corruption because in this story, I am the news. “I've received two extremely disturbing letters or a letter and an email, one from a mainstream media TV company, one from a newspaper listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks, as well as some pretty stupid stuff like my community festival should be stopped, that I shouldn't be able to attack mainstream media narratives on this channel. “But amidst this litany of astonishing rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute. These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time when I was in the movies, and as I've written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous. “Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. I was always transparent about that. Then almost too transparent, and I'm being transparent about it now as well, and to see that transparency metastasized into something criminal that I absolutely deny makes me question, is there another agenda at play?” He then went on to describe previous “coordinated media attacks” targeted at the likes of Joe Rogan. Then, channeling Andrew Tate’s “Matrix” narrative, he continued: “I'm aware that you guys have been saying in the comments for a while, ‘Watch out, Russell, they're coming for you. You're getting too close to the truth.” Finally, after suggesting that a “serious and concerted agenda” had been launched to “control” voices and platforms such as his, he urged his followers to “stay close, stay awake” and, most importantly, “stay free”. His statement was met with an instant flood of support, with one writing: “We support you, [it's] obvious this was going to happen, in fact inevitable.” The only real inevitability here is that his legions of admirers would respond in this way. Birds of a feather flock together, as they say. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Austrian-born actor Helmut Berger, a European movie star in the 1960s and 1970s who rose to prominence with roles in films by Italian director Luchino Visconti, has died

Chad Michael Murray and his wife Sarah Roemer celebrated the arrival of their first child in 2015, followed by the birth of their daughter in 2017

Blackpink headlined BST Hyde Park last night - but there was one rather unexpected British star in the audience... The South Korean girl group made history as the first-ever K-pop band to headline a major UK music festival. Members Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé performed their hits such as 'Pink Venom', 'How You Like That', 'Whistle', 'Shutdown' and 'DDU-DU DDU-DU’ to a sold-out crowd of 65,000 fans. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter And none other than Hugh Grant was spotted at the festival with fans delighted that the actor is a Blink - the name of the fandom which combines the words "black" and "pink". Clips on social media show the Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary star up on on a terrace at the concert venue - and at one point can even be seen wearing a Blackpink hoodie. In a TikTok post, @aaa_gus shared a 12-second clip where those behind the camera express their excitement at spotting Grant. "We're literally more obsessed with Hugh Grant than Blackpink," one person can be heard joking. For the caption, the TikToker added: "Him wearing a @blackpinkofficial is a mood." @aaa_gus Him wearing a @blackpinkofficial is a mood. #hughgrant #hughgranttok #hypedpark #blackpinkofficial Though not everyone believe it was actually Hugh Grant under the hoodie, so the TikToker posted a follow-up photo showing a clearer snap of the actor - minus the Blackpink hoodie. @aaa_gus Replying to @Kwanchit Attwood Grant himself confirmed he was in attendance last night and also admitted he's now a "rabid Blink" on Twitter, he wrote: "Very grateful to three eleven year olds for taking me to see @BLACKPINK yesterday. Am rabid Blink now. Slept with my heart hammer." Of course, these were iconic scenes for those who are both Blackpink and Hugh Grant fans. It's been a big year for Blackpink as the group also headlined Coachella Valley Music Festival back in April which received positive reviews. Elsewhere, Hugh Grant got the final say on whether Brexit has been a disaster. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

Warren Baker's latest endeavor involved styling Patrick Dempsey for People's Sexiest Man Alive cover story, which was shot in the picturesque setting of Malibu

Harry Styles broke the internet when photos emerged of his new buzzcut, and it provoked a mixed reaction in his fanbase - but now his mum has jumped to his defence. There have been a number of memes and comparisons that have circulated online in reaction to Styles shaving his head - for example his likeness being compared to Ian Beale from EastEnders. It's clear this attention hasn't unnoticed by the mother of the 'As It Was' singer, Anne Twist who took to Instagram to support her son and urged fans to TPWK [Treat People With Kindness] - which also a popular phase and song from Styles. In an Instagram post, Twist wrote: “When you consider that H has a legacy of kindness and inclusion, has always made every effort to make everyone feel seen and appreciated for exactly who they are... there’s an irony in the negativity he’s been shown for having a haircut." “Sorry but I don’t get it," she added. The post included a clear snap of Styles with his shaved head, followed by a screenshot of a New York Post headline that reads: "Harry Styles fans shocked over shaved head reveal: ‘Ruined my entire life’." “Let’s uncrap that,” Twist’s image reads, as underneath the headline is changed to “Breaking news: It’s hair! It’s his! Also it will grow back. If he wants.” Since sharing the post to her 2.6m followers, fans of Styles have shared their support in the comments. One person said: "Love it, any mom would feel the same. Such a talented young man, Harry has it all! Move forward with pride, ignore the negative!" "Fr it's just hair, chill people. He's on a break! Let him chill," another person agreed. Someone else added: "Why judge him just for a haircut? It’s his life, his hair, his decision. Sadly people lost the actual message of Treat People With Kindness." "TELL THEM ANNE!!!! a lot of noise considering this guy just wants to quietly get on w his life of joy and love and kindness," a fourth person commented. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Creditors Adjustment Bureau reportedly sought $252,151 from Aaron Phypers and his Los Angeles-based frequency medicine healing center

Warner Bros

Matthew McConaughey's wife Camila claims that her husband is entirely different from his 'laid-back' persona

David Ortiz and Tiffany brought the agreement to the court earlier this month, allowing them to avoid a messy public trial