Sacha Baron Cohen Refuses To Present At The Oscars As Himself
Posted by John Campeaon 23. 02. 2007in News Chat
I’m not sure what I think about this one. First, read what the good folks at IMDB tell us:
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.”
On the one hand I think “Oh come on! Let the guy present as Borat! It’ll be funny, people will laugh and it will be a memorable moment”. But on the other hand I also think: “Oh come on Cohen! Drop the “my way or no way” attitude and just acceptthe honor of presenting at the Oscars as yourself… you know… like all the other performers are doing”.
I can see both sides here… but this may surprise you… I’m actually siding with the Oscars here. Yes, I wish they had let Cohen just present as Borat, but I think that would steal the spotlight away from the category and whoever the winner is. And that should be THEIR moment, not Borat’s. Still, I’d like to see Borat up there. But so what… they said “no”. So just go up and present as yourself. Present as Sacha Baron Cohen, the performer.
Oh well… either way the show loses. Too bad.
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oh come on. they let tom hanks and tim allen present as woody and buzz, why not borat? sounds like the academy is playing it safe once again. they’re afraid he might do something offensive (ie entertaining)!
Hey Nautica,
fair enough… but does that mean Cohen should cross his arms, stomp his feet and say “if i can’t do it MY way, then I won’t do it at all” at an event like the Oscars that isn’t supposed to be about him?
i can’t argue with that john. chris tucker comes to mind when you mention “feet stomping”.
I think Cohen is being sensible. Think about it this way – an actor has to appear in all these interviews and is constantly followed by press. By always appearing in character either Ali G or Borat he is keeping a little bit of himself personal. He can put this mask on to deal with hollywood then take it off with his friends etc. Seems like a good way to not get caught up in all your own bullshit to me.
As someone who thought Borat was terrible, I’m glad I don’t have to be subjected to it during the Oscars.
I must admit, I’m very over Borat now.. I really enjoyed the film, but never wish to see it or Borat again. This refusal undermines Cohen’s pretense at being more than a one (two, including Ali G) trick pony. I say boo to him!
It would have been nice…but I think the Oscars jumped the shark last year with the best song performance…
Oh who gives a shit. I guess the writer’s of South Park showing up and presenting as J Lo and P Diddy wasn’t that low of a standard.
Personally,I like that he isn’t going to the Oscars. For the same reasons I was happy Pulp Fiction didn’t win Best Picture. It would make them more Hollywood, and doesn’t feel like ours anymore.
As to the “Toy Story” note..whether it is Toy Story, Mickey Mouse, Daffy Dck…some of those animations can be annoying, but I think they are the exception because the category in question usually deals with animated films. It should be also said that Tom Hanks in that Toy Story bit Nautica mentioned ALSO presented as “himself”.
Do I think it is Oscars loss than Cohen not be a presenter? No. But I think Cohen is being an ass about it. Just declne. Furthermore, while he was in Borat this past year, he also appeared in that Will Farrell film.
Here’s the thing: if Cohen keeps this up, his star will b in danger of fading; he will essentially become the next Jim Varney- best known for one character and then in death, be only known for that role (Ernest P Worrell) when he had more to offer. Is this what he wants-to be a freaking novelty act? Also, I don’t think having him in Borat character while someone is getting thier award and acceptance speech (why else be Borat?) is a good thing.
When an actor/filmmaker is asked to present, it is an honor and a privledge.
He could decline, and that would be that. But nooo..he has to be a jerk about it.
So be it.
BTW, would it be neat if they asked Cohen to be the HOST instead? He even could work Borat (or Ali G) into a pre-show intro skit or something like that. That could work, I think.
OSCARS ARE SO LAME…..USUALLY THERE ARE BETTER MOVIES OUT THERE THEN WHAT THEY PICK
hmm is it true that Daniel Radcliffe is gay?
or is this just another rumor?
thanks for cleaning it up anyone…….
Okay, and when your career stalls because people see you only as Borat, I don’t want to hear one fucking word from you, buddy.
Couldn’t disagree with you more Darren. Madagascar, Talledega Nights, Borat. This guy is in no danger of being Typecasted. He has created a whole new breed of Borat fans, and I think they would respect him more for doing this. Being true to his character.
He would have sold out in my eyes, if he went to the oscars, so this is a good thing.
If he had just declined for no good reason, he would have looked like a bigger dick in somones eyes, atleast he now has an excuse.
Its good that he sticks to his own terms, but I’d question the rationale of these terms in this case.