Sasha Baron Cohen(Ali G/Borat/Bruno) shows Eminem too much

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Also, you mentioned some of Eminem's anti-gay disposition... Is the character "Bruno" pro-homosexuality? I actually think Bruno is probably offensive to the gay community. He's way over the top with the character and works off of a lot of stereotypes. So if anything, Eminem was probably all about something poking fun at homosexuals.

But I probably wouldn't read that far into it. IMO it was just two people who are very popoular right now doing a stunt to have some fun.

I don't think Cohen is trying to be pro-gay or anti-gay. His character is definitely offensive to the gay community but I think he is trying to make a point of how stupid the people are he interviews. I recommend you guys watch some of the Ali G show and check out the skits. Some of them Bruno interviews people from the fashion industry(more people like him, really flamboyant, etc.) and other times he goes to places like Alabama and almost gets killed. It's funny because one time he is at a gun show interviewing a dude talking about rights, and the right to choose to bear arms, and the guy pretty much says gays don't have that right, lol.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by hooskins

I don't think Cohen is trying to be pro-gay or anti-gay. His character is definitely offensive to the gay community but I think he is trying to make a point of how stupid the people are he interviews. I recommend you guys watch some of the Ali G show and check out the skits. Some of them Bruno interviews people from the fashion industry(more people like him, really flamboyant, etc.) and other times he goes to places like Alabama and almost gets killed. It's funny because one time he is at a gun show interviewing a dude talking about rights, and the right to choose to bear arms, and the guy pretty much says gays don't have that right, lol.

I think I've seen just about every episode of Ali G. I think it's hilarious. That guy at the gun show was about ready to knock him out.

I agree that he's not trying to be pro or anti gay, I was just speaking about Eminem's participation in a skit with a guy who is obviously offensive to the gay community. itvnetop was arguing that Em wouldn't willingly do that because of his homophobe reputation.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by GMScud

itvnetop was arguing that Em wouldn't willingly do that because of his homophobe reputation.

It's not so much of a reputation- I said it's a rep built within a culture that is traditionally homophobic. His first few albums had derogatory terms for gay people all over the place, but I doubt he's running any kind of anti-gay movement... aside from the Elton John performance, he actually considers him a friend he's turned to during his depression. The dude slams everyone on his albums.

His original fanbase includes listeners of Snoop, Dre, etc... now that he's ingrained in mainstream pop culture with little suburban girls hanging his posters on walls, I'm not surprised I'm hearing "Eminem rehearsed the skit." His career doesn't need any more negative publicity when it's obvious homosexuality is prevalent in pop culture... At the same time, I find it hard to believe he would proactively go out of his way to wear some dudes legs as earmuffs for any reason.

Again, you guys can take the words of MTV writers (Andy Samberg's, anyone?) and blogs... but I've lived in LA for a very long time. And these sources are more about PR than anything. Of course I could be wrong, but it makes for good discussion.

Em is the only one not speaking about it

I never said the stunt wasn't fake- I said it was staged, but I feel everyone except Em was in on it. And if anyone is wondering how SBC dare do this to an unsuspecting victim, it was mentioned above that this is Cohen's shtick. He makes people feel uncomfortable... specifically those who he thinks would feel awkward around some group or culture. While Eminem probably isn't homophobic, he's probably the last person to laugh something like this off... If he eventually comes out and says that he was in on it himself, I think he was instructed to by his management ("hey, this proves Eminem is not only a friend to gay people... he's a great actor. Let's cast him!"). There's a reason why he didn't confess it within a day- it's because he wasn't in on it and he's trying to figure out how he's going to play this.