Probably won't work for American audience.

Exactly my thoughts. He's trying really hard to be funny and instead we get a man on stage showcasing his insecurities as a person. It screams 'LIKE ME, LOVE ME, PLEASE'.

Just out of curiosity, Do many in the UK find him to be obnoxious? I just don't have the tolerance for his act or movies, and in all honesty, don't find him funny period. And I am a fan of British humor and sensibilities.

Going off this first episode I'll say that it's not quite on par with his past shows of similar formats. Given the subject it seemed like he'd need a bit longer to really come full circle on the topic, get a few laughs and not make it seem like a quickie in the back of the car. Could maybe use a guest, he seems to have made a lot of friends, could've been a big draw.
Supposedly it's filmed while he's on the road as to keep up to date on the 'news', which partially explains the questionable production value.
He mentioned on Marc Maron's podcast that Oliver Stone had approached him about a documentary and that he's had camera's following him for years now, so I imagine those same camera's are filming this show.

I definitely think, or hope there's at least 22 minutes out there for Brand. There aren't many that are or would, after having been afforded so much unwarranted attention by the mainstream media, leverage that extended gift of fame into an attempt at an entertaining discussion involving positive idea's and real societal issues as he often does.

There's so much vapidness perpetuated everyday via the same medium that people passively absorb, so I appreciate Brand for putting idea's and perspectives of the like out there into the ethos.

I'm a southerner from a Red State, and have a few issues with the show, but overall it's highly entertaining to me. He's not always a riot with laughter, but his little existential comments and his grand view of the world are what I enjoy. I understand that type of thing is not for everyone, but it is a niche that will find an audience if they know it's out there. He comes across as an 80's hair band vocalist when you look at him, but he is so much more than that when you get down to it. He's like a stout beer, when you first try it you are kinda put off by it, but as you are exposed to it more and more it becomes your first choice. That's my humble opinion of Mr. Brand. Unfortunately, there will be a large group of people who would like the show, but stay away, or watch the first episode till it's first commercial break, change the channel with an exclamation of "This SUCKS!" and never check it out again. I'm not saying I blame them, I just wish it had brought the funny first, and then settled in to what it's really about. You have to achieve an audience first then go for the weird and uncommon format. If you wanna have a highly successful show that is. If it's good people will push for it to be popular. If it's "eh" it will stay through it's initial run and never be heard of again. Also, not everyone's first attempt at a television show finds their strengths and appeals to the right people. I can think of a couple big ones. Louise C.K. had a show on HBO called Lucky Louise or something like that and it was GOD AWFUL, but look at his current show. It's perfect for him and his comedy. If it was something different like a regular sitcom it wouldn't be watchable. Jon Stewart had his show on MTV way back when, and it wasn't very good either. Now he's got the best show on TV in my opinion. I think Russel has the same problem. I think he's capable of making a good television show. I'm just not so certain this is gonna be his hit.