Brutal Legend appearing at Spike VGAs (oh, and Jack Black as host)

by Christopher Grant { Dec 2nd 2008 at 12:03PM }

Though still wandering a shadowy, publisher-less limbo, Brütal Legend stands tall in the minds of gamers everywhere, who are eager to see (and, perchance, if the Gods are favorable to their plight, experience) the latest from Tim Schafer and his crew at Double Fine. It is something of a blessing that we're able to count master thespian, raconteur, and all around rabble-rouser Jack Black amongst that group of gamers – not only is Mr. Black the centerpiece of Brütal Legend, he's the host of this year's Video Game Awards on Spike.

Astute readers may know we've had our fair share of complaints about the VGAs in the past. While last year included a roster of worthy winners (note: this blogger was, and is, a VGA judge) the actual show itself left ... well, it left a lot to be desired. While we're not sure how much better this year's show will be, Spike is replacing longtime host Samuel L. Jackson with someone who actually knows how to hold a game controller. Shocking! And Mr. Black is bringing a date to the show: "the world premiere of Brütal Legend gameplay."

You know what that means? The Spike VGAs just became must-see TV for nerds everywhere, who will undoubtedly cringe at the desperate gestures to the mainstream audience while celebrating the more obscure "world premieres" littered throughout the show. Included with the price of admission (free) is: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, God of War III gameplay, Fight Night Round 4, Mafia II, Terminator Salvation, Watchmen: The End is Nigh, "a special announcement regarding Gears of War 2" (imulsion maps?) and more. Set those TiVos for December 14 at 9:00 PM ET – just be ready with that skip button.

Tags: BreakingNews, Brutal-Legend, Jack-Black, Spike-VGA, Spike-VGA-2008, VGAs

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

The Dark Wayne @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:07PM

even that cant make me watch the terrible joke that is the VGAs

Archon @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:14PM

I, on the other hand would like to see it for GoW III and Uncharted 2, just to name a couple, unfortunately, it'll be 2 AM here in the UK so a quick question, will the whole thing be available to watch online after the show?

Antagonist @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:55PM

Oh come now Archon. There's no need to pretend that the internet won't be teeming with footage after it is shown on the VGA.

Hyams @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:56PM

I'd imagine Gametrailers will have everything of interest.

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:13PM

"Spike is replacing longtime host Samuel L. Jackson"

THANK YOU LORD JESUS!! THANK YOU!!!

Jack Black FTW! Also, A Will Ferrell and John C Reilly (aka Brennan and Dale) appearance playing GH or RB would be WINNN!!! :D

Albanian_Killa @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:17PM

Haha, Samuel Jackson as host was awkward. Jack Black makes sense.

Christopher Grant @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:20PM

Awkward, that's a good term to describe it. Dude was just reading off of cue cards, had no idea what he was talking about. The part where he "played" a game and had no idea what buttons to press on the gamepad was the definition of "awkward." About time someone realized there are actual "gamers" who could do this job.

The Dark Wayne @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:23PM

I did sorta enjoy it the one time where they put SLJ inside a scene from "The Warriors". That was really the only good part ive ever seen on the VGAs

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:33PM

Annoyed is really the word I would use to describe him hosting it. Knowing damn well that he didn't play all these games that he so enthusiastically announced bugged that shit outta me.

How bout Will Arnett? Love how he was all over COD4 when he appeared on Conan.

MowDownJoe @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:15PM

Time to bust out the old VCR.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Dec 3rd 2008 7:32AM

I'M NOT ALONE!

tmacairjordan87 @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:18PM

This show is getting more and more interesting. God of war 3 gameplay, uncharted 2 and now this. I'm actually going to watch this for once.

Dirty @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:20PM

But what happens where there are mother fucking snakes on this award show.

gen-dm @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:20PM

Everyone runs to the nearest airport of course!

xGeneral DEATHx (Mr ESC Welcome Back Party Ultimate Mega Action Force) @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:54PM

+1 due to LoLz.

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:22PM

Uncharted 2, Fight Night R4 and the Gears 2 stuff is enough to make me set my DVR so I don't miss it. w0000t!

Duke @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:25PM

I'm most interested in the Watchmen game.

Courtney @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:22PM

Let's see, waste an evening watching this crap, or, wait until the next morning when all of the exclusive footage is online? I think I know which I will do.

Dirty @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:50PM

I dunno, I like watching on my big screen, plus gametrailers videos are barely HD. To each his own, but Ill just DVR that bitch and fast forward thru the lame parts.

Deeznuts420 @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:29PM

oh snap a brutal legend will be shown on tv....oh and the game too

dantebk @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:33PM

I didn't expect to say this but... I'm sold!

Brutal Legend, Fight Night Round 4, God of War III, and Uncharted 2 premiere videos? I guess this will be the first VGAs I watch!

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:40PM

What powers you ask?? I don't know, how bout the power of flight? Does that do anything for ya? It's levitation holmes.

How bout the power to kill a Yak from 10,000 miles away, with mind bullets!! That's telekenisis Kyle!!!

How bout the power....to move you?

WONDER BOY!!!!

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:41PM

So..erm..yess,I am excited about Jack Black hosting.

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:50PM

I miss Tenacious D Jack Black.

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:57PM

Well, I miss Nacho Libre Jack Black...

"Those eggs were a lie, Esqueleto. A LIE! They give me no eagle powers! The give me no nutrients!"

AwesomeTown @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:41PM

Wow, I might actually watch this.

Hyams @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:41PM

I can't belive you mentioned this, and not the fact that freakin' GoWIII will be appearing there.

Hyams @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:42PM

Oh, lol, you do. Nevermind then.

That'll teach me not to complain about an article before actually reading it...

SuperAfroBoy @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:56PM

I've heard rumours that there may be a trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic too.

Maverick Saturn @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:08PM

Jack Black is legend :)

Megadanxzero @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:23PM

You had me at Brutal Legend. Well actually I don't really care about any of those other things at all, I'd prefer it if it was JUST Brutal Legend...

So what is this, some kind of TV show? Guess I'll probably be able to watch the gameplay online within a few hours of it being on. Silly Americans and their... 'Televisions'

deaftly @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:28PM

Good to know that Al Borland is still in the biz.

xGeneral DEATHx (Mr ESC Welcome Back Party Ultimate Mega Action Force) @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:56PM

I don't think so, Tim.

xGeneral DEATHx (Mr ESC Welcome Back Party Ultimate Mega Action Force) @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:57PM

Ah yes, the Al Borland show, otherwise known as the "All-Flannel Channel".

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:05PM

+1 Gen Death :D

Wiinterfang @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:37PM

A friend of my told me last week that Jack Black was found dead on his apartment.

I cried like a bitch, thank god it was fake.

Farseer (GDI) @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:19PM

That would have been one hell of a way to go - dying on an apartment. You'd leave everyone wondering how the hell you got up there...

The Dark Wayne @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:03PM

there's these things called ladders...

Wiinterfang @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:15PM

Okay okay I mean to say IN his apartment not ON, sorry Grammar Police it was an accident you see the I and the O are side by side. I plead innocence.

Farseer (GDI) @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:31PM

aaah... but if a ladder were involved in the death, you would probably be on the ground, yes?

Syphilitis @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:45PM

I'm amazed that people actually think Jack Black is funny.

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:48PM

Sucks to be you I guess...

Noshino @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:05PM

You have no soul...

Shmil @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:16PM

I'm amazed that people have their own opinions, fuck those people!

Wiinterfang @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:25PM

You're not human, go watch Tenacious D: the pick of destiny and if you don't laugh at least a bit then you should probably go to a nuthouse or something.

Paulmichael @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:08PM

I gotta agree with you there! His brand of humor does not play well with me. I don't like his music either. Maybe it's on his delivery or something. Still can't believe I was dragged to watch Nacho Libre by a bunch of friends, never seeing that movie again.