So, here's a funny story: it looks like Sacha Baron Cohen, who would've been attending the Oscars as a cast member of Hugo, has been asked not to attend by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, according to Deadline. The brouhaha started circulating earlier this morning, as word spread of Cohen's request to attend the red carpet premiere as his character from The Dictator; word was that he would pose for photos outside, then change to a tuxedo for the actual show.
The Academy, of course, likes to not have people use its show to promote upcoming films that almost definitely won't be garnering any kind of Academy Award nominations next year, and said no. They obviously can't control who he shows up as, and without some kind of guarantee that there wouldn't be some kind of nasty fight over his entrance to the show on the day it happens, they've apparently decided to pull his tickets and ask that he not attend at all.
Honestly, I would have no problem believing that SBC would play the situation up for a laugh and arrive on an elephant or something, even if that meant he'd never be invited back for the ceremonies ever again. I'm betting the Academy members believe the same thing, and are hedging their bets by asking him to stay at home this Sunday. Not much more information is available at the moment, but we'll update when anyone involved has official word on it.
You know what I like ... they call themselves THE Academy ... sigh , as if they really did care for cinema for its artistic merits than only the money grubbing business.
i don't get it. this seems totally fair?
@not_a_bumblebee: alas my friend, and i can't speak for the other two show's you named, but
there won't be any new shameless or any other showtime shows this weekend.
@Hef said:
Yeah, that was kind of awesome.
Hes easily one of the funniest actors of our time, Borat was the most brilliant comedy performance since Will Farrells Ron Burgandy.
In the long run, a moronic stunt like this doesn't really hurt the Oscars but I can understand their trepidation. Whenever you have something like this, people wind up talking about the bizarre event and not the winners. For the other actors and creative talent who have finally (or once again) been recognized by their peers, its not really fair that they should have the media spotlight stolen from them by a publicity stunt.
that movie looks terrible anyhow..
I don't know what was the reasoning behind this... it's fucking Sacha Baron Cohen, if he wants to do something, he'll do it no matter what.
@Jazzycola said:
The Oscars are easiest the most meaningful 'mainstream' awards show. Stuff like this just reminds me of shit like the Grammys or MTV award shows, which I really don't want the Oscars to become.
Perhaps this is all part of the joke?
So he puts his uniform on anyway and goes with a camera, they escort him away or he's arrested and gets even more attention. Oscar really nipped that in the bud. Have they never seen his films?
Seriously though, wake me when Sacha Baron Cohen learns to make a decent film without having to resort to over-exaggerated caricatures by way of racism and homophobia.
@ryanwho said:
Exactly... Borat and Bruno were built entirely on that idea. They will only give him more material for the cutting room.
I don't think they handle this situation properly, but I can understand their discomfort to it.
The academy is full of wimps.
This sounds like a good thing to me. Before Cohen was going to show up and say things the shitty character he made up would, that doesn't sound funny at all. Now he's going to show up as said shitty character, get kicked out and pretend to make a scene about it, which should actually be mildly entertaining.
Limp wrists.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-red-carpet-sacha-baron-cohen-dictator-294867
Now they're letting him come in character, maybe they'll let the Muppets perform now.
Wait, he was the Station Inspector in Hugo?! Didn't recognize him with clothes on....
This stinks of the studio contacting the academy, going "Hey guys, can Sacha show up at the Oscars in costume and do his thing?" and the Academy basically saying "Sure, but only if we can make a story out of it. It seems like all those old people are gonna give all the awards to The Artist which no one saw, and we've got fuckin Billy Crystal hosting and... Fuck, we need something to get some buzz going."
@The_Patriarch said:
This only reflects poorly on the Academy. First they seem like a bunch of stodgy wimps who don't want anything fun or interesting happening, then they seem extra-spineless by succumbing to minor pressure from the public. Sacha coming dressed up won't magically make the awards anything but awful. I'd rather they stick to their position, even if it is ridiculous.