With all the ups and downs surrounding the Academy Awards this year, the last thing they want is to turn their star-studded fasion freak show into a, well... freak show.
After word got out that "Dictator" creator Sacha Baron Cohen wanted to attend the awards fest as his most recent character (and not as himself, representing Best Picture nominee Hugo), the Academy was quick to the defense when rumors of Cohen's banning began to circulate:
"We haven't banned him," an Academy spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter. "We're just waiting to hear what he's going to do."
Still, the Academy is making it clear that Cohen is not welcome to use the red carpet as a platform for a promotional stunt for his upcoming movie The Dictator...
Appearing on the Today Show, Admiral General Aladeen (Cohen's The Dictator character) had a few choice words not only for the Academy, but for America as well, plus some extra props to host Billy Crystal.
"I am OUTRAGED at being banned from The Oscars by the Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Zionists.”
He adds, "While I applaud the academy for taking away my right to free speech ... I warn you that if you do not lift your sanctions and give me my tickets back by 12 PM on Sunday, you will face unimaginable consequences!"
Hopefully these consequences don't include appearing on the Red Carpet in a mankini made popular by Cohen's previous character and film-star Borat. If his hair and beard are any indication, I'm sure his man bits would look something along the lines of two plums dressed as Treasure Trolls for Halloween.
But Cohen, not shy to push the bar, may still have something up his sleeve. Will he let the Academy "dicate" the Dictator? I'll have to watch on February 26th to see!
