When Sacha Baron Cohen — in character as “The Dictator” — dumped an urn full of “ashes” all over Ryan Seacrest Sunday (Feb 26) on the red carpet of the Oscars, many wondered whether or not the TV personality was in on the stunt.

Turns out … he wasn’t. And judging by his reaction, even if he was in on the prank, he would deserve to be nominated for an Oscar himself!

“I definitely did not know that he was going to do that!” Seacrest admitted during his radio show Monday morning.

However, Seacrest said that he did have his suspicious when Cohen’s people called his people to see if he would be interested in interviewing The Dictator.

“Now when we said yes,” Seacrest recalls. “In the back of my head I’m thinking this guy isn’t coming as The Dictator to not do something – to what extent, I don’t know. Would it be a joke or would it be something physical?”

Turns out … it was a little bit of both!

In case you missed it, or want to check it out again, watch below:

Did you think the “joke” was funny?

Every year, near the end of February, the world — or at least some of it — turns to Hollywood for its biggest night: The Academy Awards.

This year was no exception, with a show that’s controversy started months before the red carpet was laid, when the producer and host were abruptly pulled from the show, shocking insiders and fans alike.

Eddie Murphy’s title as host of the 84th presentation of the Oscars was short lived, as Billy Crystal became the new host after Murphy decided against going forward without his producing partner, Brett Ratner, who’d been ousted because of offensive comments made on a radio show.

This year’s show will undoubtedly be critiqued with as many disparaging words as positive ones. There were many moments to remember, from award winners accepting their gold Oscar, to moments on the red carpet that are memorable for reasons of fashion or just plain shock.

Here’s my take on the highlights of the show:

Sacha Baron Cohen is reportedly being sued by a cameraman who claims he was roughed up by the comedian’s film crew nearly 2 years ago.

According to various sources, Mike Skiff (a self described gay journalist in Los Angeles) is seeking more than $25,000 in damages, medcial expenses and attorney’s fees, and alleges that he suffered physical and emotional pain when he was shoved, pulled and threatened while shooting footage of Cohen as his “Bruno” character at a gay marriage rally back in 2008.

In the court documents, Skiff alleges that he was “injured in his health, strength and activity, sustaining injury to his body and shock and injury to his nervous system and person, all of which injuries causes and continue to cause Plaintiff great physical, mental and emotion pain and suffering.”

“Bruno” centers around a gay Austrian fashion journalist, and the plaintiff (Mr. Skiff) believes that the production team incited violence at the rally (ahead of an important vote on gay marriage in L.A.) in order to promote their movie. He also suggests that the production violated his civil rights. The lawsuit (obtained by RadarOnline.com) states:

“In order to create dramatic content for its production, Bruno Productions’ intent was to promote violent discord between the assembled yes and no factions. In stark contrast with the ‘ultra gay’ Bruno character, members of the crew of Bruno Productions carried ‘Yes On Proposition 8’ signs contrived for the sole purpose of inciting and sparking unrest to enhance the dramatic effect of what they may capture on film.”

Sacha Baron Cohen, who is pretty used to controversy (even bigger than this), has yet to respond to this story…

Sisters Khloe and Kim Kardashian sat court-side Tuesday night (Oct 27) at the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Los Angeles Clippers basketball game at Staples Center in California.

David Beckham, Jack Nicholson, Magic Johnson and Sacha Baron Cohen also watched the Lakers defeat the Clippers, 99-92.

“Terrorist leader” Ayman Abu Aita is furious over his portrayal in Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film Bruno. The Palestinian, who reportedly was involved with the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, is claiming that the film mislabels him and that Cohen conducted the interview under false pretenses. In fact, Aita holds on to claims that he is no longer involved with the organization and hasn’t been for years.

Aita, who is labeled in the movie as “terrorist group leader”, claims he was shocked when he learned that the film is about a homosexual character and contains scenes of graphic homosexual sex and full frontal male nudity. Cohen also stated last week on Letterman that Aita may have been carrying a weapon during the interview, a claim that Ayman Abu Aita disagrees with. He states that Cohen told him the film was going to help the Palestinian cause. He is threatening legal action.

Meanwhile, Bruno opened at #1 this weekend, pulling in over $30 million!

If you are an overly masculine straight man that’s so confident in who you are that you want nothing to do with a hint of homosexuality, do not see this movie! If you are gay and take extreme offense at overly flamboyant portrayals of gays, you should not see this movie! Brüno is more outrageous and offensive than its 2006 predecessor Borat.

Sacha Baron Cohen plays an extremely flamboyant fashionista who takes to Los Angeles for fame when he is sacked from his cable show “Funkyzeit.” While attempting to become “the most famous Austrian since Hitler,” Brüno, launches himself into a series of jaw-dropping acts; while some are funny, others fall short and feel staged and contrived.

Sacha outdoes himself this time with his targets. Brüno attempts to engage in sex with an irate and unsuspecting Ron Paul, states to a possibly armed terrorist that Osama looks like a wizard with a dirty beard, tries to hook up with a redneck hunter, and tells a “gay-curing” evangelist he has “blowjob lips.” But while these events are sure to leave the audience in a fit of light laughter, the 30 seconds of an erect waving penis jumping up and down, swinging around, and talking (yes, talking) will cause one to either laugh nervously or become disgusted/confused… or both. And while the extreme gay sex scene that lies in the beginning prepares for the rest of the movie, nothing can prepare you for the dildos, anal bleaching, and mime scene in which Brüno engages in fellatio and anilingus with the ghost of a member of Milli Vanilli.

While Brüno’s visit to a swinger’s party feels a tad staged, the bashing and violence that occurs while he makes out with his male assistant in front of a crowd of homophobic Arkansas residents feels too dangerous for comfort. At this point you begin to wonder how Cohen hasn’t gotten seriously injured making this movie. And through Brüno, we also learn how far “normal” people will go for fame when a mom agrees that her baby will either loose ten pounds or get liposuction simply to be a part of a photo shoot.

There’s no doubt that Brüno is funny. But while the character of Borat seemed to be good-natured and captured hearts with his natural silliness, Brüno, the character and movie, is over the top and at times forced. Unfortunately, half-way through the movie, the plot and story of the movie is lost, leaving one to wonder where director Larry Charles is going. In fact, e aren’t reminded the point of the story until the end where Brüno states his dream once more are we reminded the point of the story.

Overall Brüno is a funny movie but I would advise one not to go in expecting the same bang or innocent sentimentality that Borat held. And a word of advice, do not see this with your mom! I’m still surprised it’s not rated NC-17.

3/5 Stars

By: Kenni Nwajagu
Contributing Editor for Gossip On This

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Newlyweds Mike Tyson and Lakiha Spicer were seen eating a late lunch Tuesday (Jul 7) in Los Angeles at Cafe Med after attending Michael Jackson‘s private funeral and memorial services earlier in the day.

We also grabbed some candid photos of Vanessa Williams, Paris Hilton, Sacha Baron Cohen and more. Continue reading to check them out!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE / WENN / BAUER GRIFFIN ONLINE

If you’re under 17 and was hoping to see Sacha Baron Cohen‘s new “Bruno” movie, you’re in luck! When the movie was initially presented to the Motion Picture Association of America, it was given the very risky (and very rare) NC-17 rating, meaning that even with a parent, you could not see the film if you are under 17. Naturally, the studio went back to the editing room and cut out parts of the film and blurred out some scenes, then presented it back to the MPAA for an appeal and the rating was brought down to “Restricted.”

When we first heard this we were a bit upset – a film should be seen how the director wants it to be seen without unnecessary cuts. But Universal would lose so much money with teens not being able to see the film, that it wasn’t worth the trouble. So what has been cut? The numerous sexual scenes has been cut down, some scenes have been taken out entirely, and expect a black circle to cover sexual parts (think Borat).

“Bruno,” Cohen’s film about a gay Austrian fashionista trying to make it big in Hollywood, is the follow up to his hit movie “Borat” and will hit theaters July 10th.

British satirical comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has been hamming it up at all of these different photo calls for his upcoming movie Bruno, which is set for a July 10th release here in the States. Above he can be seen at a photo call for the movie in front of Brandenburg Gate Sunday (Jun 21) in Berlin, Germany.

Here he can be seen arriving at the premiere of the movie at Tuschinski Theatre Saturday (Jun 20) in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

He also attended a photo call in the Red Light District at Oudekerksplein Friday afternoon (Jun 19) in Amsterdam.

And here are a couple of photos of him dressed as a bull at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain Thursday (Jun 18) for a presentation of the film.

PHOTOS: GETTY / WIRE

Sacha Baron Cohen is in full promo mode for his new movie Bruno and the actor/comedian can be seen above with dozens of men in questionable attire at the UK premiere of the movie, which was held at Empire Leicester Square last Wednesday (Jun 17) in London. The movie is set for a July 10th release here in the States. Continue reading for more pics of Sacha cutting up (as usual) in London dressed up as one of those Buckingham Palace guards.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Actor/comedian Sacha Baron Cohen posed as his alter ego Bruno Monday (Jun 15) at the French premiere of his new movie, which bares the same name. The premiere of “Bruno” the movie was held at Publicis Champs Elysees in Paris, France. Continue reading for more photos of Bruno acting a fool on the red carpet of the premiere!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

The debate has been settled! If you cared enough to wonder whether or not that crazy … “incident” that happened between rapper Eminem and Bruno (played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen) really happened the way it happened or if it was a staged stunt simply for ratings, then we’re here to let you know that YES, it was staged! Scott Aukerman, head writer for the ’09 MTV Movie Awards, wrote about it on his blog (the post has been removed now) confirming that the incident was indeed staged AND rehearsed in advance!

In this day and age of staged publicity stunts, we had our eyes cocked in a nice “side-eye” position anyway, seeing as MTV has been known to do things like that. Besides, who would risk waiting to see what Eminem would do in a situation like that had it been completely real? If you still have yet to see what happened and have no idea what we’re talking about, click here. We’re just glad the debate has been cleared up and now everyone can rest easy knowing that Eminem and his beefy entourage were just acting and were in on it the whole time. You’re going to have to wake up pretty early in the morning to fool us, MTV!

SOURCE

Tyrese and Soulja Boy posed for a pic together as they walked the red carpet of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, held this past Sunday (May 31) night at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, California. Other celebs who hit up the annual event include: Keke Palmer, Will Ferrell, Lil Mama and more. Much more pics from the red carpet, backstage and the show can be found when you continue reading. Oh and if you missed it, get a load of Sacha Baron Cohen putting Eminem at the butt end (literally) of a hilarious (we think it was pretty funny) joke by clicking here!

PHOTOS: WIRE IMAGE // GETTY IMAGES

Jamie Foxx has been dubbed the luckiest man in the world after getting the once-in-a-lifetime chance to tongue wrestle one of the most admired women in the entertainment industry! We’re talking about Halle Berry people.

These two Hollywood stars caused a bit of a ruckus when they participated in a spit swapping gropefest after Halle accepted her “Decade of Hotness” award at Spike TV’s 2009 Guys’ Choice Awards, held Saturday (May 30) at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles. Jamie presented the award. Judging by the looks of the pictures, both parties enjoyed what immediately followed! Damn you Jamie!!!

Continue reading for more pics from the show and the red carpet.

PHOTOS:

Did this really happen … or was it a staged publicity stunt? That is the question running through everyone’s minds after watching British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, acting as “Bruno,” one of his many characters/alter ego’s, descend from the sky and land his ass (literally) in rapper Eminem‘s face last night during the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, which aired live.

Real or fake, the look on dude’s face coupled with him yelling “are you f**king serious?” was the highlight of the entire night! Not to mention the crowd’s eruption of laughter and members of Eminem’s beefy entourage roughing up “Bruno,” the gay Austrian fashion reporter, in an effort to get his semi-naked ass cheeks out of Em’s face.

Needless to say, Eminem and his posse did NOT get the joke and left the show on the spot. We wonder how this would have went down if this little “incident” had happened BEFORE Em’s performance.

Funny sh*t!