The Oscars were awarded Sunday, but the most talked-about moment didn’t involve the ceremony.
After nearly being banned from the event due to anticipated antics, “Borat” star and well-known prankster Sacha Baron Cohen stepped onto the red carpet in a costume from his upcoming movie, “The Dictator.”
Cohen was flanked by two women in military uniforms and a jar of what he claimed was the ashes of recently deceased North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il.
The night’s most infamous moment came when red carpet host Ryan Seacrest was interviewing Baron Cohen. After greeting Seacrest by saying “death to the West,” Baron Cohen was asked about his military outfit, to which he replied that he was “wearing John Galliano, but the socks are from Kmart.”
A minute into the interview, Seacrest asked Baron Cohen about the ashes, which Baron Cohen then “accidentally” spilled on Seacrest. Baron Cohen was dragged away by security guards and wasn’t heard from again for the rest of the night.
I loved Baron Cohen’s stunt. It was hilarious, shocking and everything I expected from him. It’s a shame the Academy didn’t want him participating in the show, as he likely could have provided a boost to both the ratings and the dull ceremony.
Reactions to Cohen’s stunt were mixed. Some called it disrespectful and crude, while others thought it was another great piece of comedy from the legendary practical jokester.
Seacrest responded gracefully, simply changing into a new jacket and saying the stunt wasn’t staged.
This isn’t the first time Baron Cohen has done something like this. For a scene in his film, “Bruno,” Baron Cohen and his team used fake IDs to infiltrate a Prada fashion show. As the titular character, he wore a Velcro suit onstage with random items of clothing stuck to him.
Following the release of “Bruno,” Baron Cohen made a memorable appearance at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, dressing as an angel and being lowered from the rafters.
After an apparent malfunction, Baron Cohen, who was nude except for a jockstrap, was lowered onto Eminem. Eminem later revealed that the prank was staged.
Everyone should have seen this coming. It was Hollywood’s biggest night, and Baron Cohen has a new movie to promote, so it was the prime opportunity for some classic Borat-style shenanigans.
Baron Cohen’s antics were necessary. On the night when everyone in Hollywood is acting straight-laced and serious, it was great to see someone making fun of the pompous proceedings. Better than any of Billy Crystal’s bits, the prank served as a reminder that the Oscars need comic relief every now and then.
Leave it to the reigning king of practical jokes to provide the night’s most memorable moment. Hopefully we can rely on Baron Cohen to deliver moments like these in the future.
 
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Contact Joey Groner at [email protected]