The new promo spot for the MTV Video Music Awards featuring Britney Spears and the show’s host, British comedian Russell Brand, has been unveiled.
Spears and Brand reference the singer’s 2007 VMA performance via an elephant in the room, which the duo make no reference to. The pachyderm performs tricks in the background as Spears and Brand joke about his less-than-household-name status in the United States.
In one spot, Brand jokes with Spears about her not knowing his name, as she calls the “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star Russell Brown.
“You will remember that name because I think pretty soon it’s going to be your surname — Britney Brand,” he jokes with the pop star.
In the second spot, Brand revels in meeting a famous American celebrity.
“You are Britney Spears, right? I’m not dreaming this am I,” Brand asks as the enormous elephant stands on its hind legs nearby.
“No, this is real,” Spears tells Brand before giving him a playful pinch to make sure that he’s awake.
Though Spears has been nominated 17 times at the VMAs, she has never walked away with a moon man statue. This year she is up for awards for best female video and best pop video.
MTV has not announced if Spears will perform during the show.