Russell Brand signs copies of his new book “Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions” at Barnes & Noble Union Square on October 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Getty Images
An awkward clip of comedian-turned-YouTuber Russell Brand has gone viral after a combative appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored resulted in Brand flipping through a Bible, unable to find a meaningful passage.
The viral clip has been compared to a scene from The Office, containing several tense seconds of dead air, the silence broken by the sound of flipping pages and Brand’s apologetic muttering as he searches for the relevant verse.
Why Was Russell Brand Searching His Bible?
A formerly outspoken atheist, Brand converted to Christianity in 2024 and has publicly embraced his faith, having just released a new book, titled How to Become a Christian in 7 Days.
Brand currently faces multiple charges of sexual assault and rape that date back more than 25 years—all of which he denies.
Brand is known to carry a Bible to his court appearances, which prompted a question from Piers Morgan.
On Piers Morgan Uncensored, Brand was asked about taking comfort from his Bible.
“What was your thinking in taking it into court? And you were seen looking at some passages— what were the relevant passages for you?” Morgan asked.
“Thank you for asking me,” Brand responded, before flicking through the pages of his Bible, inadvertently creating a moment that would resonate through social media.
As Brand searches, Morgan waits quietly, even looking at the camera as Brand continues to flick through the pages.
Eventually, Brand gives up and quotes a verse from the Old Testament, Isaiah 12:1-2, that he deemed “good enough.”
Online commentators found the awkward moment as hilarious as a scripted comedy and the clip quickly became a meme.
Social media users started to quote the video with increasingly absurd captions.
Several compared the clip to awkwardly searching a restaurant menu—pretending to consider ordering an expensive wine proved a common theme.
On X (Twitter), one commentator even dubbed the “generational” clip the “2026 Meme Of The Year.”
Responding to the viral moment, Piers Morgan posted a picture of Brand praying beside him, writing:
“I knew my Russell Brand interview would be an interesting experience when he insisted on saying a prayer for both of us before we started.”
Brand isn’t the first public figure to have experienced an awkward moment with the Good Book—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently quoted Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction while hosting a Christian worship service at the Pentagon.
Brand’s viral moment echoes a famous clip featuring President Donald Trump, in which Trump was asked to name his favorite Bible verse and outright refused to answer.
When asked if he prefers the Old Testament or the New Testament, Trump appeared amusingly uncertain, responding, “Uhh, probably equal?”
Brand seemed aware that his Bible clip was spreading through social media, as a few days later, Brand joined the discourse to notify Morgan that he had finally “found that verse!!”
In his post, Brand added:
“The really important thing is that we, you, me all of us are loved. And not because of anything we have accomplished or ever could achieve. But because of who loves us.”
Leave a comment