Sacha Baron Cohen's Oscar Skit Yanked

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 3rd 2010 07:24AM

If there was anyone who could fall into the "too racy for the Oscars" category when it came to writing a skit, Sacha Baron Cohen sits at the top of the list. So it's no surprise that the man behind raunchy-yet-hysterical alter egos like 'Borat' and 'Bruno' had his skit vetoed from this weekend's Oscars telecast. Why? Because it apparently contained some jokes directed at 'Avatar' director James Cameron, and the show's producers didn't want to insult the man behind the biggest movie ever.

In a report broken by New York Magazine's Vulture blog, the story goes like this: Cohen was announced as an Oscar presenter just last week, so he got going on penning his skit, which would be done along with Ben Stiller. One would think that has the potential to be hysterical, but in the mind of show producer Bill Mechanic, it was too risky.

Vulture reports that Baron Cohen's skit involved him dressing in a blue 'Avatar' female Na'vi costume, unable to speak English. Stiller would be his translator, but as the skit goes on, frustration between the two grows because apparently Stiller isn't translating properly. It all culminates with Baron Cohen showing everyone that he/she is pregnant ... with James Cameron's baby.

"Let's just say that Cameron isn't known to be, shall we say, 'self-deprecating,'" a Vulture insider explained.

So what now for Sacha? He's staying put in London and skipping the Oscars altogether. His spokesman explained the situation to Vulture.

"I hate to use the term, because it's so ubiquitous, but there were 'creative differences.' Nothing acrimonious, but both sides felt that since they couldn't agree, [Cohen] might as well remain in London," Matt Labov said.

As previously reported, Baron Cohen was also producer's first choice to host this year's Oscars, but the Academy similarly balked at the selection of the raunchy comic.

While we would have loved to see the skit, we get the apprehension on the side of the producers, as Baron Cohen has a history of extreme awards show shenanigans. At the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, a bare-buttocked Baron Cohen -- decked out in full 'Bruno' garb -- plummeted from the ceiling on a wire, landing crotch-first in the face of rapper Eminem. The accused-of-being-homophobic rapper stormed out in disgust, but it was later revealed that the whole thing was planned from the get-go. Video (Warning: Male butt) below:

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Tags: Avatar, james cameron, oscars, sacha baron cohen

Comments

(28)

Sunday 07 March

By Ace

Vote down Vote up Report this

What the hell are you talking about

Wednesday 03 March

By Ben from Baltimore

They needed to boot all of the people that still think that it is OK for Roman Polanski to keep getting away with child rape, not Sacha's skit. Art does NOT trump rape, plain and simple.

By Jeannie

I'm no fan of James Cameron (who thinks WAY too highly of himself) but I absolutely DESPISE the ground that Sasha Baron Cohen walks on. He's disgusting, pathetic, and in no way talented or amusing. I'm glad that, for what ever reason, at least some awards show had the decency to veto a skit by this skanky looser. Now, if only every other awards show would take the hint, too, and stop allowing this puke to have any audience other than the poor fools who actually think he's funny. It's bad enough to know that some people find him clever--don't make it worse by subjecting everyone else to his disgusting antics.

Saturday 06 March

By Werewolfetiquette

I find it hilarious that he upsets uptight pretentious turds like you. If he pisses you off that much you have some serious issues.

By John Hendrix

Censorship in America, I thought we passed this stage with the help of Lenny Bruce? Why didn't anyone let Cameron view this info. so he could decide if it was tasteful or not. We are dealing with Networks that are living in the 1950's presenting to people in the 21st century--we aren't dealing with the same Class-e-ness! I understand the Oscars are within taste, but everyone looks like they are dying in the audience, they are waiting for the after Party. I'd like to know what James thinks about this? Unless his wife recently miscarriaged, I don't think he would mind. I'd like to see the Birth in 3-D. Lets thank Mr. Cohen for his ability to push the envelope--he is the Dionysus of the 21st century.

Monday 08 March

By wreckonice

U want 2 C the birth in 3-D!!! Now that was a good WON!

By devon

avatar is a terrible movie and deserves every bad thing that has been said about it. i for one could not believe that people bought into that crap. it really shows you how our minds have really turned to mush when we make AVATAR the highest grossing movie...ever. James Cameron deserves to be the butt of just as many jokes as the movie for being such a douche.

By miked32

I love all these people saying James Cameron has no talent. The man made The Terminator, The Abyss, Terminator 2, True Lies, Aliens for crying out loud. Titanic wasn't my favorite but Avatar blew me away, despite the bad writing. James Cameron is one of the most brilliant filmmakers alive, Cohen is a foul-mouthed moron who gets attention by wagging his penis in the faces of moviegoers. Anyone claiming he's more talented than Cameron is betraying a stupendous level of stupidity.

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