With the world still reeling from the tragic news of Michael Jackson's untimely death, Universal Pictures made a game-time decision before last night's U.S. premiere of 'Bruno' to cut a segment of the film that poked fun at the legendary King of Pop.The clip in question features Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as his gay Austrian fashion reporter alter-ego, interviewing LaToya Jackson. In the absurdist tone his fans have come to expect, Baron Cohen mocks Jackson's trademark white glove, asks LaToya to talk in a higher voice so she'll sound like her brother and finally snatches her Blackberry and proceeds to read off Michael's phone number in German. While the bit is tame by comparison to the other 99 percent of the movie, director Larry Charles and Universal felt it best to pull the clip out of respect for the iconic singer and his family.
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With 'Bruno' set to open wide on July 10, the studio now faces the dilemma of whether to undertake the costly process of cutting the scene from thousands of prints of film or, should the clip remain intact, risk alienating audiences. "We decided to take it out for tonight and we'll reassess before the release whether to keep it out," Larry Charles told The Hollywood Reporter.
What do you think: Would it be inappropriate to leave the scene in, or is it OK in the name of entertainment?
Reader Comments (142)
csiblackwell at 12:13PM on Jun 26th 2009
Don't know about inappropriate, that's a word used by people with a stick up their ass.
Having his sister try to sound like him for the interview and reading off the phone number of a dead person is not funny.
If he were alive the bit would work.
Tommy at 8:38AM on Jun 27th 2009
Show it all, or none. If his sister is willing while he was alive, what's the diff.
gthays at 9:17AM on Jun 27th 2009
FYI, the MJ clip in question contains nudity and can already be seen online at http://tinyurl.com/bruno-clip-uploads
jmn1228 at 9:23AM on Jun 27th 2009
i agree completely
Angel at 9:57AM on Jun 27th 2009
Ok, let me get this striaght.....we can mock people when they are alive and our feelings and ego can be crushed....but once were dead and cant feel it anymore, its not ok? Just think about it.
Proud Father at 10:26AM on Jun 27th 2009
The fact he was a chomo wasnt funny either
dwight freedman jr at 12:06PM on Jun 27th 2009
So all of the other dead stars we can't joke about either? How long is the mourning time before we can use or right to freedom of speech? I am also in disbelief that he passed but limiting what a writer can write or a performer can perform because they are worried about offending someone's feelings is also a form of censorship. Cohen is a great comedian and pushing the envelope is what they do. I think it should stay in the movie.
jeff at 12:12PM on Jun 27th 2009
I say it's best to cut the clip for now just because of timing. If they play their cards right, they could get an extra boost if they rerelease the film later and/or when the DVD comes out with the clip there. I say, right now, as his family has just begun their mourning, show some respect and cut it, until it is funny again.
Eliza at 1:00PM on Jun 27th 2009
"Inappropriate" is not a word used by people with a stick up their a**, it's a word used by people who are educated.
eve42638 at 1:14PM on Jun 27th 2009
"So all of the other dead stars we can't joke about either? How long is the mourning time before we can use or right to freedom of speech? I am also in disbelief that he passed but limiting what a writer can write or a performer can perform because they are worried about offending someone's feelings is also a form of censorship. Cohen is a great comedian and pushing the envelope is what they do. I think it should stay in the movie.
dwight freedman jr at 12:06PM on Jun 27th 2009"
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Free speech is different then respecting the dead esepcially when they just died idiot! Maybe in a few years when the pain has lessened even still. If you or anyone else cannot understand this you have no common sense or your parents did not raise you with any decent manners. But they probbaly did I would not blame them but you. Do you think it would have been appropiate to joke about JFK 2-3 days after his death? Family Guy has after what 30 years. I just don't know why anyone would want to make fun of someone after they die? You no what.. it just ain't funny anymore. I like Sacha Baron Cohen but if he chose to keep it in good luck with his career suicide.. That is why the big bosses were mentioned because they know the backlash that would come to that movie.
S at 1:36PM on Jun 27th 2009
idiot, when the movie was filmed Jackson wasn't dead, do you not understand that? movie was filmed months ago and Jackson died 2 DAYS ago. so get a life.
JagerRev at 1:36PM on Jun 27th 2009
Here is the question we are faced with..........freedom vs. form. Whereas it is perfectly legitimate to keep it in, and the right to offend is protected and Lord knows I use that freedom excessively myself.......the question is a matter of taste.......It's not a question of legality or constitutionalism in any way shape or form, it's a matter of class........poking fun at a celebrity living or dead is all in good fun..........but I ask....would you poke fun at Farrah Fawcett's bald head today?
deruwid at 1:24PM on Jun 26th 2009
The scene should stay in. If no respect is shown in the first place, why be two faced about it now? If disrespect is shown without thought to how someone would be hurt in life, it certainly wouldn't hurt them now. Typical hypocrisy.
sterry121963 at 1:34PM on Jun 26th 2009
Well said.
dee1113 at 7:34AM on Jun 27th 2009
Agreed!!! Thank you!
Anonymous at 8:12AM on Jun 27th 2009
wow...never thought of it that way...sooo true
jmn1228 at 9:26AM on Jun 27th 2009
Its not about respect or disrespect. There are many retarted Jackson fans who would be rioting and stuff, and the filmmakers want a well-reviewed movie. Plus, with that rapist dead now, the joke wouldn't be as funny.
jonny at 9:44AM on Jun 27th 2009
That's not true.the man just died and it would be disrespectful to play that and u need to think about his family.what if u had a son that just died,would u want people to continue making movies scenes about him making fun of him.R.I.P MJ
eric at 10:11AM on Jun 27th 2009
That is a very well stated and deep response
jess at 10:40AM on Jun 27th 2009
I think being two faced would be poking fun when he just died...rather than when he's alive to see it. Think about the message being sent...everyone knows that jokes are just jokes...so tell me what's so funny about a dead man?
Other than the obvious disrespect to him, his family, friends, fans, and human lives in general....if they put that bit in people are going to be so P.O'd; and with reason. Right now,for those who loved, liked, and/or respected M.J is a time for mourning, not jokes.