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If there's one thing that Sacha Baron Cohen is good at, besides making us pee our pants with laughter, it's stirring up a hornets' nest of controversy. The British comic follows up his uproariously un-PC flick 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' with the equally un-PC (and, we suspect, equally hilarious) 'Bruno.' 'Bruno' features Baron Cohen as his gay Austrian fashion reporter alter ego, instead of his awkward Kazakhstan nationalist reporter alter ego, but the formula's pretty much the same: infiltrate real-life events and elicit uncomfortable (often racist, sexist, homophobic -- or all three at once) reactions from folks who aren't in on the joke.
It's no surprise, really, that Baron Cohen's antics are the cause of oodles of controversy, lawsuits and embarrassment. Here's a rundown of the contention caused by the movie and its star -- before it's even hit theaters. -- By Angie Argabrite
A Gay Old Time: Universal Pictures had been screening the film for gay and lesbian groups for feedback, but some members of those groups complained they were brought into the loop way too late, when it was impossible for any of their suggestions to be implemented. GLAAD has asked the studio to include a message of support for gay rights and tolerance at the end of the flick. The answer was no. We're shocked it's taken this long for a feud to emerge.
(Scroll down for more controversies)
Bruno Photos
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as a gay fashion reporter, attends the Dutch premiere of his film "Bruno" in the red light district of Amsterdam. June 19, 2009. REUTERS/United Photos/Robin van Lonkhuijsen (NETHERLANDS ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
Sacha Baron Cohen (C) attends "Bruno" photocall, at Las Ventas bullring on June 18, 2009 in Madrid, Spain. Sacha Baron Cohen Attends "Bruno" Photocall In Madrid Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Madrid, Spain June 18, 2009 Photo by Fotonoticias/WireImage.com To license this image (57720269), contact WireImage.com
Fotonoticias/WireImage.com
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as a gay fashion reporter, attends the Dutch premiere of his film "Bruno" in the red light district of Amsterdam. June 19, 2009. REUTERS/United Photos/Robin van Lonkhuijsen (NETHERLANDS ENTERTAINMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, center, adjusts his hair as he arrives for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen reacts as he leaves after a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, foreground, who plays the part of Bruno, poses with male models as he transformed the city's famous red light district into a pink light district as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
AP
MTV Movie Awards Altercation: Baron Cohen, in character as Bruno of course, came soaring over the crowd at the recent MTV telecast, only to land -- butt cheeks first -- in Eminem's face. Granted, we learned later that Em was in on the gag, but we must say we admire the rapper's acting skillz. Tell us you weren't fooled at first by his display of anger and disgust. 
If the Suit Fits: Let the litigation begin. In early June, a California woman sued Baron Cohen for an alleged altercation at a bingo tournament. The plaintiff is allegedly using a wheelchair since she fell after trying to get the mic back from Bruno. If the lawsuits spurred by 'Borat' are any indication, we bet this is just the first of a long line of legal action Baron Cohen will face. Ratings War: Initially 'Bruno' was given an NC-17 rating by the MPAA. After some initial hesitation, filmmakers cut enough of the graphic and lewd sex scenes to get upgraded to an R. You'll just have to wait for the DVD for that stuff. (Though it should be noted that Baron Cohen declined to make further cuts to the film to get it rated 15 in Britain, so it'll be released there as rated 18.)
That's Bull: Baron Cohen showed up at the Madrid premiere of 'Bruno' dressed in a furry black steer costume, complete with prominent genitalia (naturally). Not that controversial, really, we just think it's funny.
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Reader Comments (458)
dolly at 8:11PM on Jun 19th 2009
if you dont like this kind of stuff then dont see it
no one is forcing you to watch!
jeff at 9:38PM on Jun 19th 2009
I agree totally if you dont like it dont watch it
michael at 9:30PM on Jun 19th 2009
AMEN! its a movie, its entertainment....im sure not every pakistinian liked ZOHAN but tough shit, thats the way it is....controversy is so over rated.....just gives most of u simple people a reason to gab
oh and FYI, i am gay, im not offended....i think its hilarious....and i agree, gay pride parades (as well intended as they are to be such a gathering of respectable gay people) are a rainbow shit fest so dont argue that its not LEAST of all as a comment to a movie u dont like
holly at 9:46PM on Jun 19th 2009
so agree. people need to lighten up and get a sense of humor. There are far worse things that are going on with the world. If you don't like it don't watch it, nobody is forcing you.
soxley75 at 11:09PM on Jun 19th 2009
So a movie making fun of black people is acceptable to you? I guess I just have different standards for comedy.
mick0628 at 10:18PM on Jun 19th 2009
yea, this is america. gay people should just deal with it. it is funny
Geyser at 10:19PM on Jun 19th 2009
He just represents the lack of taste and discernment that is soooo evident today. Yes, I am older, and yes, I am offended. Since he is constantly on TV (at least the tatest junk from him) I can't avoid him, if I want to see some news.
I don't care whether he is gay or straight, slime is slime.
Dave at 12:16AM on Jun 20th 2009
Well there are plenty of movies making fun of white people so yeah I guess it is safe to say that a movie making fun of black people should be acceptable as well.
onexl85 at 10:41PM on Jun 19th 2009
to soxley75
there not just making fun of black people........sacha picks on ever ethnic group based on stereotypes......you see this as making fun of black people...you are a racist just like everyone that voted obama based on the fact that he is black
john at 11:25PM on Jun 19th 2009
That's excellent advice, thank you, I won't watch.
marco at 11:42PM on Jun 19th 2009
I'm gay and I think this is funny as hell. Get a frickin life, it's a joke. Nobody really acts like this. It's just a joke. There are way bigger problems in this world to worry about. If this guy can make people laugh, that's a good thing.
zr at 12:05AM on Jun 20th 2009
exactly, if you have a problem with this stick to disney movies and quit crying about what other people are watching
uwwbabe16 at 12:15AM on Jun 20th 2009
I could not agree with you more, people get so mad at stuff like this and I want to tell all of them to ignore it. People like Sasha Baren Cohen love it when people are offended. If you really want to annoy him then ignore him. I'm not in support of this movie, I'm just saying if you don't like it mind your own business and stay out of it.
ladybug at 12:21AM on Jun 20th 2009
BRUNO DO U THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY WITH A BLACK PRESIDENT TIMES HAS CHANGED LIVE UR LIFE 2 THE FULLEST.GOOD LUCK I LOOK FORWARD 2 SEEING MORE FROM U.
Chanelxx at 12:22AM on Jun 20th 2009
You are very right! If you can't handle don't watch!
Rodney at 4:55PM on Jun 24th 2009
quit sticking this crap in my face!!!!!!!!!! if you want to be gay than be gay just do it on your own television stations and dont flaunt it infront of others!!!!!!!! thats why you should move to San Francisco
Fuka Gayman at 2:02AM on Jun 20th 2009
There are plenty of movies of black people making fun of white people and plenty of white people making fun of black people. Whats the big deal with making fun of gay people? Why is it such a big issue?
jacqueline at 2:57AM on Jun 20th 2009
agreed! and thanks to whomever wrote this article. I love it.
p.s.
I'm gay. quit being so sensitive.
j faivre at 3:25AM on Jun 20th 2009
Clearly the intellectual capabilities of the human race is in decline. Only common people find amusement in such things. He is smart though, he definitely appeals to the lowest common denominator and is getting rich from it.
ken at 4:18AM on Jun 20th 2009
I Completely agree...we have Don Imus, Sean Hannity, Arrianna Huffington, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Moore, Dr. Laura, Al Gore,,,we're all Over the spectrum, as it Should be...this is what makes us America...one Big, Happy, sometimes dysfunctional, Family...and NONE of us should be Hating ANY of our Opinions...else we could all move to Iran or North Korea and "...Be as One..."