Madonna
In a far off place…Warsaw, Poland, our beloved American Pop star Madonna is not wanted there. Warsaw claims that Madonna’s past performances are overly controversial in the ‘religion’ department. Madonna has a track record of doing things a little bit differently like kissing an actor playing Jesus in one of her videos and staging a crucifixion scene in her last world tour. In some other countries, these kind of antics are taken TOO seriously, just like Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” and “Bruno” movies. Some uptight countries simply just can’t handle our entertainment.
This year, Madonna has planned a visit once again to the town that utterly adores her! Not really. Reuters reports that “Madonna has upset some believers in devoutly Roman Catholic Poland by timing her Polish debut concert [in Warsaw] to coincide with the day when Christians mark the Virgin Mary’s ascension to heaven.”
Okay, so the town ‘Warsaw’ doesn’t want her, but the town “Rumin” does! As a matter of fact, people are praying for Madonna to stop there for her tour!
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Letterman
David Letterman has beaten Conan O’Brien in the ratings again. Last week, The Late Show with David Letterman beat The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien by more than 800,000 viewers. This is Letterman’s best run since 2000 when he recovered from heart surgery. He’s had a great guest list, including Sacha Baron Cohen and, most recently, Paul McCartney. Also, his publicized feud with Gov. Sarah Palin boosted his ratings even more. Things have really been going well for Mr. Letterman.
Not that Conan’s doing poorly. He is well-received by the critics and seems to be keeping his fanbase intact. Indeed, Conan is cleaning up when it comes to the coveted 18-49 age demographic. That means that while my dad watches Letterman, I’m watching Conan. As we all know, advertisers are constantly aiming to attract young viewers so NBC is quite happy with Conan’s ratings. Of course, I’m sure they’d like to be number one.
A little late night competition never hurt anybody. For viewers, it’s a win-win either way. David Letterman is hilarious and an obvious influence on Conan O’Brien, who delivers great comedy night after night. As a late night viewer, I’m happy with both shows. We can all exist in harmony! Still, it’s fascinating to watch this little back and forth ratings battle.
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Good morning, folks. We’ve made it to Hump Day. Doesn’t Friday feel within your grasp? Just a couple more days and then the weekend is here. Well, let’s take a look at the stories that are bound to be on the pop cultural radar today.
Here are some upcoming stories to count on for Wednesday, July 8:
- Obviously, people will still be talking about Michael Jackson’s memorial today. It’s all over now but you can bet that the media and blogosphere will still be discussing it all day. Expect highlights and first-hand accounts from many people, including some right here on The Count. It’ll definitely be an interesting retrospective.
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Senator
- Comedian and former Saturday Night Live writer Al Franken is officially a senator. He was sworn in by Vice President Biden Tuesday morning and today will be his first day in the Senate chambers. Do you think he’ll liven the place up with some comedy? That place could use a dose of humor.
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Bruno (and horse)
The New York Post has a fascinating article interviewing some of the subjects of Bruno, Sacha Baron Cohen’s sure-to-be comedy smash. They reveal how these folks (doctors, cops, agents) were duped into being on film face-to-face with Bruno. Alas, they weren’t able to get any word from Ron Paul.
Also highlighted are some of the methods that Cohen and company used to trick people into being in the movie. They convinced them that the film would only be shown in Germany and Austria (but had them sign waivers for any international release), they hid Bruno from this guests to prevent any last minute walk outs, they kept the director incognito. This was a well-funded, incredibly smart group of people trying to make the most awkward, over-the-top comedy ever. From what I’ve been told by those who’ve seen it, they may have succeeded.
Head on over here to have a look at the piece and see just how Bruno became Bruno.
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Bruno
Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film, Bruno, hasn’t even opened yet but he’s already stirring an awful lot of controversy. Universal Studios has already been sued by one woman who claimed to be harmed during filming and now comes some serious concern from the gay community regarding Bruno’s incredibly flamboyant demeanor.
E! Online has a more detailed look at the story, including GLAAD’s desire for certain scenes to be cut or for a pro-tolerance message to be added to the film. Some of the eyebrow-raising scenes include Bruno and a male partner dressed in bondage and a baby sharing a hot tub with two men who are engaging in some very personal acts.
“This movie does not unmask stereotypes by showing pictures like that, they enforce them,” said GLAAD’s senior media director. We all remember when Borat opened and scores of people were concerned that the film portrayed Kazakhstan unfairly. Sure, it was offensive, but to everyone: Kazakhs, Americans, women, college students, Jews, the list goes on. Still, as someone who really enjoys the comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen, I hope this gets solved quickly and doesn’t cause too big of a mess. I really want to see this dang movie!
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Bruno
Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie, Bruno, doesn’t come out until July but that doesn’t mean people can’t sue him yet. Remember when Borat came out and everybody under the sun had a complaint filed against the film? Looks like Bruno may be much worse.
Richelle Olson is suing the comedian over a stunt filmed for the new film (due in theaters this July). Olson claims that a tussle at a bingo game left her disabled and is asking for more than $25,000.
Apparently, Bruno and Miss Olson’s melee started when Bruno wouldn’t give up the microphone at a bingo tournament. Olson claims she tried to take the mic from Cohen and things got hairy. In the process, Olson got injured and says she now uses a wheelchair and cane to move around.
I think it’s interesting that Olson is filing this lawsuit less than a week after Sacha Baron Cohen made huge headlines for his Eminem stunt. I’m not saying that Olson wasn’t hurt just that the timing is convenient.
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Once in a while I get jealous of families that are adorable. I don’t have any kids of my own yet. There are a few celebrity kids I melt over and Isla Fischer/Sacha Baron Cohen’s little girl Olive is one of them. Second is Violet from the Affleck clan. Here are two pictures for you to fawn over.
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E
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Pop your popcorn, crack open a soda and tune into NBC @ 8 – 11 p.m. (EST)
The 66th Annual Golden Globes are on tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Golden Globes
Presenters include Simon Baker, Elizabeth Banks, Drew Barrymore, Pierce Brosnan, Sandra Bullock, Gerard Butler, Don Cheadle, Glenn Close, Sacha Baron Cohen, Sean Combs, Patrick Dempsey, Johnny Depp, Cameron Diaz, David Duchovny, Aaron Eckhart, Zac Efron, Laurence Fishburne, Megan Fox, Ricky Gervais, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Salma Hayek, Dustin Hoffman, Terrence Howard, The Jonas Brothers, Shah Rukh Khan, Jane Krakoswki, Jessica Lange, Blake Lively, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Mendes, Demi Moore, Hayden Panettiere, Chris Pine, Amy Poehler, Zachary Quinto, Seth Rogen, Susan Sarandon, Martin Scorsese, Sting, Emma Thompson, Mark Wahlberg, Sigourney Weaver, Rainn Wilson and Renee Zellweger.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) – Sacha Baron Cohen went undercover as his alter ego Bruno on Sunday by crashing a rally in support of a ballot measure that would ban gay marriage in California. 
The British comedian is working on a film based on the fictional character Bruno, a gay Austrian fashion reporter who conducted gag interviews on HBO’s “Da Ali G Show.”
Cohen, in disguise in a blond wig and preppy outfit, marched with demonstrators who support Proposition 8 while being trailed by cameras in a rally across from City Hall.
When photographers and reporters realized who he was and tried to approach the star, members of his film crew tried to shield him, and he was eventually whisked away in a van.
Cohen, who has made a career out of filming unwitting victims of his fake identities, also played a journalist in the hit movie “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”
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