Jackson Death Causes Bruno Cut

The death of Michael Jackson “forced a last-minute cut to Sacha Baron Cohen‘s Bruno,” according to the Guardian‘s Xan Brooks. As the news of Jackson’s passing broke, a scene in which Cohen interviews the singer’s sister, LaToya “was hastily removed from the film” for last night’s premiere screening, he reports. “Sources at Universal, Bruno‘s distributor, said the decision had been made ‘out of respect for Jackson’s family.’”

Ten minutes ago I asked Universal publicity if the LaToya footage would be permanently cut. Their response, received at 11 am LA time, was that they “can’t offer comment just yet.”

The offending scene, as Brooks explains, “features Cohen, in the guise of Bruno, attempting to find Michael Jackson’s phone number on LaToya’s BlackBerry. After Bruno reads aloud what he claims to be the singer’s number, an apparently enraged LaToya terminates the interview and storms off the set. Reports suggest that the scene will not be restored for its official release on July 10th.”

I’ve seen the scene and it’s very mild. It doesn’t slag Michael Jackson — it merely pokes fun at his worldwide fame. LaToya is made fun of but who cares about that? I wouldn’t cut it if I were Universal. Stick to your satirical guns, guys! Stand with Sacha and let the Jacksons eat cake. Why be extra-sensitive about a super-popular and super-talented performer who nonetheless became a full-fledged Frankenstein monster who had his way with young boys?

17 thoughts on “Jackson Death Causes Bruno Cut

  1. because the scene doesn’t mean anything and is not a highlight of the picture, and because they have class? That would be a good reason. There are as many valid reasons for having a different opinion than yours, (as Universal does) and it doesn’t mean they are pussies because they decide to have some class about this.

    Surprised at your “let the Jacksons eat cake” as you have suffered a family loss that was devastating to you. No matter the freak show he became to the world, no doubt he was still a beloved son, as least from the mother’s point of view, and, by all indications, a beloved brother to his siblings.

  2. I expect every HE poster who throws down Fuck Yous and Insensitive Cunts at anyone who dares to make jokes at a dead person’s expense to fully and vocally endorse this move by Universal.

  3. I would never condone child molestation whatsoever, but the Rich & Famous in Hollywood is filled to the rim with sick, perverted people in every nook and cranny there is.

    R Kelly is one example. There are 100s, if not 1000s of the R&F who qualify as well.

  4. CNN is reporting that Michael Jackson died from eating 3 year old wieners and 9 year old nuts.

    Strange thing is, that’s never even made actionman sick.

  5. In related news, LaToya Jackson was put down today in a decision made “out of respect for Jackson’s family.”

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