BREAKING: Sacha Baron Cohen Banned From Oscars 2012:
The Dictator is a spoof about the “heroic story of a Middle Eastern dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy never comes to the country he so lovingly oppressed”. Whether the fact that the 84th Academy Awards will be beamed into 200 countries had anything to do with this ban is unclear. But an Oscars spokesperson acknowledged to Deadline yesterday: ”We would hope that every studio knows that this is a bad idea. The Red Carpet is not about stunting.” Oh really? then why did Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park crossdress down the Red Carpet as J-Lo and Gwyneth Paltrow in evening gowns in 2000? Or Ben Stiller appear as an Oscar presenter in full blue Avatar makeup and hair in 2010?
It’s about the right stunting. Everybody knows the only political leaders you can mock at the Oscars have to be Republican. And I bet you a trip to Los Angeles that the show’s script on Sunday will include at least one jab at the GOP primary contenders…or at least one mocking reference to tonight’s GOP debate…or both!
UPDATE: Academy denies.
LATEST (Feb. 23, 2012 at 5:26 PM MST): The matter is far from resolved, but it’s starting to be fun.
MORE: (Feb. 24, 2012 at 10:21am MST): General Alladeen addresses the Academy: “I Applaud The Academy For Taking Away My Free Speech”.
(Cross-posted at The Rhetorican)
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