Director Julie Taymor must be hoping the release of her film adaptation of 'The Tempest' goes more smoothly -- and is better received -- than her current Broadway project. A web of cast injuries and technical difficulties has plagued the musical 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,' a collaboration with U2's Bono and The Edge.

During her visit to 'The Colbert Report' (weeknights, 11:30PM ET on COM), she and the host focused on the film, debating Shakespearean English versus modern-day English. Colbert said he preferred the latter: "Don't say 'zoons,' say 'holy s---!'"

Taymor countered that actually, "the word 'f---' is an Elizabethan word." Colbert joked, "So, it's kinda classy?!" Then the director experienced yet more technical difficulties, this time with her mic. Is she cursed?

Russell Brand made his mark in England as a comedian before climbing up the ladder and landing roles in films. American audiences first got to know him as the aloof rock star Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and as the host of the 2008 MTV Music Awards. Sunday, America gets its first real glimpse of Brand as a stand-up comedian, when his first one-hour special, Russell Brand In New York City, premieres at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.

Brand is going to be everywhere in 2009. His autobiography, My Booky Wook, hits shelves next week, and he's working on Get Him To the Greek, a new Judd Apatow-produced vehicle for the Aldous Snow character and a remake of Arthur. He's already got the Julie Taymor-directed film of The Tempest, with Helen Mirren as "Prospera," waiting for release. I caught up with him by phone as he was at the airport on his way to Los Angeles.

TVS: Do you feel you have to introduce yourself to America as a comedian because most people know you from movies or perhaps as a host?