Sacha Baron Cohen Banned (Kind Of) From Oscars, Takes Over 'Today' Show

Well, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made it official today.

Sacha Baron Cohen was completely welcome attending this Sunday's 84th Academy Awards representing Best Picture-nominated animated feature "Hugo." Alas, it was made crystal clear that Adm. Gen. Shabazz Aladeen, the titular tyrant character creation of Cohen's upcoming comedy "The Dictator," can't play in their red-carpeted sandbox if he won't behave himself.

Cohen, of course, took this with understanding and let the matter pass into nothingness.

In still other news, I know a deposed Nigerian royal who would reward you all handsomely for the assistance of sending him a $500 cashier's check to secure your National Lottery winnings.

Now the Los Angeles Times reports that to celebrate the Academy once more banning him - a 2007 presenting gig was similarly nixed when he requested that producers let him present as his boorish Kazakhstani reporter persona Borat - Coh . . . er, Aladeen instead decided he's take out his rage by trolling Matt Lauer on NBC's "The TODAY Show" and making him wonder for what exactly that new contract had just signed him up.

"[The Academy has] until midday on Sunday to give me my tickets back. If they do not, they will see and face unforseen and unimaginable consequences," Aladeen threatened. "Let's just say oil prices might be raised."

After confering, Academy President Tom Sherak said Wednesday that Paramount Pictures, which not only wil be distributing "The Dictator" but also distributed "Hugo," that Cohen trotting out his latest character would be "a bad thing to do." In response, Aladeen issued a video to Deadline dubbing the Oscar honchos "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Zionists."

It's OK, folks. Remember, Cohen is Jewish. He can say things like that. When he does, it's as blasse as starting a "S**t Sacha Baron Cohen Says" meme.

It's best to just check out the full video clip below. Actually, Cohen's dedication to character in the face of hosts Ann Curry and Carl Quintanilla trying to get him to break is arguably as admirable acting as has been seen in any Best Picture nominee this year.

"Hugo" included.

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