Culture

No Borat, No Baron Cohen: Oscars

by Kaitlin | February 23, 2007 at 11:52 am

582 views | 0 Recommendations | 1 comment

Not sure why the Academy is so resistant to having Borat when Baron Cohen is just as likely to stir things up (see: Golden Globes acceptance speech, below). Maybe they're afraid he'll feel up Helen Mirren, or something.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with the writer of this piece that he's "reluctant" to appear as himself--like all brilliant performers, his choices are most likely very calculated. That peek of the real man at the Golden Globes was probably a choice, just as his decision to not show that person now is a choice as well. I've long said that he's the Andy Kauffman of our time--he has a very controlled notion of himself and his comedy.

(andPOP) - SACHA BARON COHEN will not be a presenter at Sunday's Academy Award ceremony, because he could not appear as his famous character BORAT SAGDIYEV.

Baron Cohen has been reluctant to make appearances as himself, preferring to do interviews as the star of the faux documentary BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Oscar broadcast producer LAURA ZISKIN tells the Los Angeles Times, "He was asked, but he declined."

There had been speculation that the comedian's participation in the ceremony would bring a welcome shot of excitement to the broadcast.

Baron Cohen's acceptance speech at the Golden Globe ceremony last month was one of the most talked-about events of the night.