Pretty much everyone with an internet connection will have already heard about the "run-in" between Bruno and Eminem last night. If you haven't, here is the 411:
When Sacha Baron Cohen was set to present Best Male Performance at the MTV Movie Awards, he appeared in character as Bruno (his latest alter ego, a gay Austrian fashion reporter and the star of his eponymous new film) and descended from the rafters dressed as an angel. Making out as though the cables holding him had malfunctioned, Bruno, wearing nothing but a jock strap, landed right on top of Eminem's face. That is to say, Eminem was virtually kissing Bruno's posterior.
"Eminem, nice to meet you," he said.
Eminem had just performed some tracks from his new album (Relapse) prior to the incident. With Bruno straddling his face, he can be seen uttering an expletive. He calls on a series of bodyguards to remove Bruno. A scuffle follows and Eminem and his entourage proceed to leave their seats and walk out of the show.
I can't decide if it was staged or not. On the one hand, Sacha Baron Cohen (who was also the star and creator of Borat and Da Ali G Show), is known for being entirely in control of his own character. However, he never seems to dictate the reactions of his, erm, victims. So while his movements are always pre-determined, those of the people around him are spontaneous. Not only that, these people often believe that the interviews are sincere and legitimate.
On the other hand, although Eminem's lyrics have been called homophobic in the past, the rapper has repeatedly argued that he is not speaking for his own beliefs. He defends the prejudices he espouses on his albums by saying that he's speaking as a character, one that represents homophobia in America.
Eminem has also performed in the past alongside openly gay music icon Elton John. I suppose performing a duet on stage is a bit different to having a man's bum in your face, but that does not mean Eminem is actually homophobic. I'm not sure I'd like a stranger's naked rear end in my face, gay or otherwise.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1. I'm not an Eminem fan, however, I found the skit in bad taste and totally disrespectful to Eminem. I believe Eminem's reaxtion was stayed. Had I been the victim, I would have assaulted Borat and let the MTV people know of my displeasure. I believe a lawsuit is not out of the question for jeapordizing Eminem's health due to Borat's genitilia and anus in his face.
Posted at 9:28PM on Jun 1st 2009 by Jeff
2. I saw that whole thing on Sunday night, and I couldn't believe that anyone would think that was funny. If my opinion is worth anything, I don't think Eminem knew it was going to happen, and I do think he handled it with more class than Cohen could ever hope to have in his career. Personally, I think it would have taken a huge amount of restraint for Eminem to just leave calmly. It wasn't appropriate, it wasn't funny, and I'm sorry that Cohen has undersetimated the intelligence level of north america to the extent that he thinks that sort of behavior is something that we'd appreciate.
Posted at 11:44AM on Jun 2nd 2009 by Jessie
3. It had to have been pre-arranged otherwise I'm sure Eminem would have sucker punched Bruno's you-know-what. Still, I didn't find it very funny but rather jeuvenile and stupid.
Posted at 11:58AM on Jun 2nd 2009 by Shelley
4. I don't like Eminem and his songs. But that is my personal point of view. Notwithstanding this, I can claim that he is rather popular with teenagers and even grown-ups, therefore he could be called if not talented, then rather hard-working, what can promise success and ensure its lion's share. Still, I think that he is homophobic and that gives us food for thought...
Posted at 9:29AM on Feb 10th 2010 by Torrent Search