# DAMN Sacha Baron Cohen is funny funny funny **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347 "2009-06-01T13:06:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/101 "2009-06-02T17:07:10Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I swear the following is true, and I just had to share. > > I just saw one of those triple-split-screen talking-head segments on Fox News. > After a few moments on the Chrysler and GM bankruptcies, the Heads moved on to a much more serious topic: Sacha Baron Cohen’s ass in Eminem’s face. > > They spent at least 5 minutes discussing with utter gravitas whether it was staged, whether Eminem was in on it, how much MTV knew, if they’ll be fined, and on and on. > > When one of them said – with a completely straight face – “Is this worse than Janet Jackson’s breast?” is when I actually laughed out loud. What do they think MTV would be fined for, and who would fine them? They do know that MTV is on cable, right? Even if the bit had been done on a network that was under FCC jurisdiction, what was done in that bit that violated any rules? It’s not like there were any balls or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/102 "2009-06-02T17:25:16Z")
Can you show buttcheeks? There was definite unbleeped cursing in there. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/103 "2009-06-02T17:27:32Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Can you show buttcheeks? > > There was definite unbleeped cursing in there. There was nutsack poking up near the bottom of his cheeks. In screen shots taken by people on gossip websites, you can clearly see it. MTV (poorly) 'shopped it out of the pics on their site. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/104 "2009-06-02T17:35:12Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Can you show buttcheeks? > > There was definite unbleeped cursing in there. Comedy Central has shown the South Park movie unedited. 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/105 "2009-06-02T17:36:14Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Disclaimer: Sampiro is as close to infallible, to me, as an poster here. > > But. > > Fuck you, Samp. These people opened their own mouths and inserted their own foots. Get the fuck over it. Wow, I apologize heartily. I got laid off yesterday and we got drunk at work. I remember typing this, but I honestly don’t remember typing the the F-you part. I apologize. For what it’s worth, it was meant joshingly, like an elbow in the ribs. Still, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/106 "2009-06-02T17:48:12Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Can you show buttcheeks? > > There was definite unbleeped cursing in there. Neither of those things is illegal on cable. FCC regulations only apply to public airwaves (i.e. the stuff you can get for free – the major networks). You can say “fuck” and pull out your balls all you want on MTV (or on Fox News, for that matter). Most cable networks self-censor for sponsorship reasons, but they don’t _have_ to. It’s not illegal. They’re not under FCC jurisdiction. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/107 "2009-06-02T18:35:20Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Neither of those things is illegal on cable. FCC regulations only apply to public airwaves (i.e. the stuff you can get for free – the major networks). Yes, [but for how long?](http://www.techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20071209/220921) ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/108 "2009-06-02T18:42:13Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Yes, [but for how long?](http://www.techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20071209/220921) That’s from 2007. Certain people (Sam Brownback IIRC) have been trying to push this since at least around the time of the Broadcast Indency Act of 2004 (spawned by nipplegate at the Superbowl that year), and probably before that. It’s not going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/109 "2009-06-02T18:45:53Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > That’s from 2007. Certain people (Sam Brownback IIRC) have been trying to push this since at least around the time of the Broadcast Indency Act of 2004 (spawned by nipplegate at the Superbowl that year), and probably before that. It’s not going to happen. Yes, I know it’s been around a while, but I’ve still heard some talk about it even this year, and it seems that if the 70/70 loophole isn’t closed, it still is possible. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/110 "2009-06-02T18:59:52Z")
If it was going to happen, it would’ve happened before cable had the legit competition from satellite, internet, dvds, and digital tv that it does today. It would be hard to justify it at this point as anything but a favor to other industries, and would look like political bullying. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/111 "2009-06-02T19:10:42Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > I still don’t get it. Assuming that Eminem is the most humorless person in the world, why does that justify what Cohen did? Lacking a sense of humor is not an excuse for such “retaliation,” if that’s what it was. It was absolutely disgusting. > Not only that, but the frat boy would be facing prosecution. It is absolutely sexual assault. It’s not just that he’s humorless, but that he’s a “humorless PRICK.” The guy’s a total asshole. THAT’S why. He’s also been guilty of assault himself in the past. (Oh, and while I loathe the Freepers, someone did mention that Cohen was “lucky Eminem didn’t ‘take a bite out of crime’”. Yes, I’m immature, I laughed at that) Oh, and damn, **lissener** , if that’s the case, I’m sorry. Welcome to the club. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/112 "2009-06-02T19:44:31Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Amusing as the video was, just the still of Eminem reeling back inches from Cohen’s pooter is an instant classic. Reminded me of Captain Nemo in the Nautilus gettin’ eye’d by the giant squid. But was the eye brown? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/113 "2009-06-02T19:54:53Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > For what it’s worth, it was meant joshingly, like an elbow in the ribs. Still, I apologize. I knew it was meant in jest and I took no offense. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/114 "2009-06-02T20:15:23Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Neither of those things is illegal on cable. FCC regulations only apply to public airwaves (i.e. the stuff you can get for free – the major networks). You can say “fuck” and pull out your balls all you want on MTV (or on Fox News, for that matter). Most cable networks self-censor for sponsorship reasons, but they don’t _have_ to. It’s not illegal. They’re not under FCC jurisdiction. I’m aware of that. I was responding to your rhetorical question about “what if it was on broadcast TV?” ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/115 "2009-06-02T20:37:36Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t think it’s sexual assault, but I do think it’s an overrated comedian being a dick. Sexual assault was my first thought as well. But the word that (unbelievably) didn’t come to mind until just now was “Dick.” This doesn’t remind me so much of Andy Kaufman as Andy Dick. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/116 "2009-06-02T20:38:47Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > It’s not just that he’s humorless, but that he’s a “humorless PRICK.” The guy’s a total asshole. THAT’S why. He’s also been guilty of assault himself in the past. So sexual assault is okay as long as the victim isn’t a nice person? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/117 "2009-06-02T20:41:11Z")
> [@SuperNelson](#): > > Sexual assault was my first thought as well. But the word that (unbelievably) didn’t come to mind until just now was “Dick.” This doesn’t remind me so much of Andy Kaufman as Andy Dick. Yeah, you said it. Andy Kaufman’s jokes were irritating and aggravating on occasion, and yes, people got pissed off, but I don’t remember them being as mean spirited. Like, I can’t imagine him doing anything like this. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/118 "2009-06-02T20:53:50Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > So sexual assault is okay as long as the victim isn’t a nice person? 1. I don’t think putting your ass/balls near someone’s face/chest for a couple seconds in the spirit of humor is sexual assualt. What was sexual about that? Who was getting off? Who was hurt and how? Would be a much different scenario in a board meeting but we’re talking about MT-fucking-V here. Context. 2. It’s already been stated, pretty definitively, that Eminem was in on it. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/119 "2009-06-02T20:55:17Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Yeah, you said it. Andy Kaufman’s jokes were irritating and aggravating on occasion, and yes, people got pissed off, but I don’t remember them being as mean spirited. Like, I can’t imagine him doing anything like this. On the contrary, this was funny as hell. Wasting people’s time and money by reading the phone book on stage is mean spirited. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347/120 "2009-06-02T22:09:55Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Yeah, you said it. Andy Kaufman’s jokes were irritating and aggravating on occasion, and yes, people got pissed off, but I don’t remember them being as mean spirited. Like, I can’t imagine him doing anything like this. No? What about Tony Clifton, or his stint as a “woman wrestler?” A huge part of Kaufman’s schtick was getting the audience to actively hate him by adopting exceptionally cruel and offensive personas. The only real difference I see here is that Cohen’s material is somewhat cruder, and I don’t think that’s a reflection on Cohen so much as it is on society, and what someone like Cohen or Kaufman can get away with. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-sacha-baron-cohen-is-funny-funny-funny/498347.md?page=7)