IN DEFENSE OF SACHA BARON COHEN’S RED CARPET JOKE ON RYAN SEACREST
We feel obliged to come to the defense of Sacha Baron Cohen’s red carpet hijinks. Far too many humorless people were actually HORRIFIED by Cohen’s stunt with Ryan Seacrest. Unfortunately for Sacha, it was not clear to E! TV viewers (or Ryan) what the gold urn carried by The Dictator was all about. The fact that it was supposed to contain the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il’s “ashes” was NOT clarified in advance to the ashes being “spilled” on Seacrest. So it wasn’t as funny as it COULD have been. As security dragged Cohen away, he shouted that when people ask Seacrest who he’s wearing he should say “Kim Jong-Il.” Viewers also missed that part. Ryan was annoyed, but regained his composure and described the powder as “Bisquick” although it appeared that the substance could easily be brushed off his jacket. (Ryan shouldn’t be a martyr – he ought to be flattered that Cohen selected HIM for the stunt.) An unnamed “A-list presenter” was later quoted as saying “It’s the Oscars, for God’s sake. It’s just not the time or the place!” HELLO – this is an award show for MOVIES, not a military funeral! More fun – related to movies – is what the show desperately needs, not more reverential worship of overpaid movie stars! Nice try, Sacha!
