The cover of Russell Brand’s issue, by Shepard Fairey
Russell Brand is to guest-edit a special issue of the New Statesman out on Thursday 24 October. The comedian, whose recent polemic on celebrity and corporate culture at the GQ Awards went viral worldwide, will be joined by an international cast of friends and supporters as well as regular NS contributors and essayists for this issue. David Lynch, Noel Gallagher, Naomi Klein, Amanda Palmer, Alec Baldwin, Gary Lineker, bestselling author Graham Hancock and many others will contribute. From climate change and gay rights to transcendental meditation and dealing with drug abuse, Brand’s guest edit will explore the theme of REVOLUTION.
Russell Brand said:
I am honoured to be editing an issue of the New Statesman. My first act is to edit the name of the magazine to the Nude Statesman, which will allay fears that this populist move will descend into puerility.
This issue will either recapture the glory of J B Priestley’s piece which created the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, or plunge the title into despair not seen since it alleged that John Major was giving Downing Street’s caterer an unconventional bonus.
I am also suggesting a ‘Man of the Year’ award ceremony and am looking for sponsors with a spotless past. No time-wasters please.
Helen Lewis, deputy editor of the New Statesman, said:
We’re delighted to be working with someone as entertaining, inquisitive and provocative as Russell Brand on this special issue of the New Statesman. With contributors ranging from Judd Apatow to Naomi Klein, the edition will be witty, intelligent and surprising. I mean, looks-wise, he’s no Ken Livingstone, but you can’t have everything.
Previous guest editors of the New Statesman, the award-winning weekly politics and culture magazine and website, include: the former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, whose issue caused a rift between Lambeth Palace and Downing Street; the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei, whose issue won an Amnesty International UK award for human rights journalism; Ken Livingstone; Richard Dawkins; the former Labour leadership contender David Miliband; and Jemima Khan, who is now associate editor of the magazine.
The Russell Brand issue (dated 25-31 October) will be on sale in London on Thursday 24 October and in the rest of the country from Friday 25 October. International buyers can obtain copies through our website.
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