NY Mag recently obtained some production notes from Brüno, which for once are actually interesting (production notes are usually just a collection of the cast and crew’s embarrassing, sycophantic praise for each other, like a daisy chain in print form).  You can check them all out over there (and some are spoilery), but this is undisputed highlight:

According to whoever wrote the production notes, it was “stunningly easy” to get both Paula Abdul and LaToya Jackson to use Mexican gardeners (who were really actors) as chairs, despite Abdul’s claims to the contrary. “Both were very game,” allegedly.

Of course they were.  I try to avoid American Idol as much as humanly possible, but every time I hear Paula Abdul talk she sounds like Kirk Douglas on a whippet binge, which is generally a good indication that a person’s taking a stiff cocktail of reality-avoidance pills (not that there’s anything wrong with that).  Bottom line, if you can’t feel your face, you’re probably not going to feel a Mexican’s shame.  Poor guy. Sources say he was so embarrassed that he told Abdul, “Ju can seet right here long as ju want, chica,” while pointing at his crotch and making kissing sounds.  True story.

The New York Daily News reports that Pauly Shore is upset that Brüno’s black-baby adoption is hogging all the press while Shore’s own Afridoption-themed film flies under the radar (despite, I must admit, looking pretty funny), and is even considering legal action.

There may be more trouble brewing for Sacha Baron Cohen. Comedian Pauly Shore is the latest person to threaten the “Bruno” star with legal action, claiming that an adopted-baby bit in the upcoming “Bruno” bears a striking resemblance to the trailer and tag line for his 2007 film, “Adopted.” Shore tells us he has contacted his attorney and is waiting to take legal action against Baron Cohen…

The tagline to which Shore seems to be referring (if he was even being serious, when they quote these things without context it’s hard to know if the person was taking a pensive drag on a rolled cigarette or humping a soda machine when they said it) is the “First there was Angelina, then there was Madonna, now there’s Pauly!” bit from the Adopted poster. Which is a lot like Brüno’s voiceover, “Angelina’s got one, Madonna’s got one, now Brüno’s got one,” at 1:30 of the Brüno trailer, which came out a couple months after the Adopted trailer.  Still, it’s hard to prove someone ripped you off when your idea was pretty obvious to begin with.  I think the obvious solution here is for each of them to train their respective black kid in a winner-take-all fight to the death.  That’s how settled things back in the good old days.

On Friday I reported that Universal had cut a scene from Brüno featuring LaToya Jackson a few hours before the Brüno premiere in LA.  At the time it was unclear whether the scene would make it into the theatrical version.  They’ve since confirmed that it won’t be.

The studio confirmed the scene would be out of the theatrical version of the movie, and said removing it won’t be expensive because the prints have not yet been made or shipped.

Sacha Baron Cohen interviews an unsuspecting LaToya Jackson about a number of topics, including her brother. Among the gags is a joke about the King of Pop’s high-pitched voice, as well as a reference to his trademark white glove, all done in Baron Cohen’s characteristically absurdist tone. [THR]

Oh no, not his voice or his glove!  Too far, you guys. That’s the Ronald Reagan of pop you’re talking about.  Lot of people think you can make fun of dead people, but really, that’s the best time to make fun of them.  For one they can’t chase you and for another you can dress them in silly outfits.  Haha, why you hittin yourself, Billy Mays?

Sacha Baron Cohen (still in character, obviously) stopped by the Tonight Show after the L.A. premiere of Brüno (opens July 10th) last night, and you’ll never believe what happened.  He took his clothes off and tried to molest the host.  I know, I was as shocked as you are.  “Outrageous” is the only word that can describe it. (video after the jump).  Meanwhile, CHUD reports that there’s a scene in the movie that’s become even more topical since the death of Michael Jackson:

The sudden death of Michael Jackson could potentially impact the film, since there’s a (very, very funny) scene featuring LaToya Jackson as one of Bruno’s unwitting co-stars in which Michael Jackson jokes are made.

Michael Jackson jokes??!! Not cool, man. When I see this scene the theater, I plan on yelling “TOO FAR!” while coughing up nacho cheese and demanding he “get back to the queer stuff.”

UPDATE: Only a few seconds after I post this and the buzz going around is that the LaToya scene was cut from the version that premiered last night. Which was a very classy, respectful move. (*cough*) PUSSIES! (*cough, cough*). Hoo, air’s dusty today.

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Brüno and friends recently made an appearance in Germany wearing furry, anatomically correct bodysuits (with matching Ugg boots), an idea he clearly stole my old family portraits.  The description doesn’t tell us much about the occasion for the photos, just that they were taken Sunday in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Germany as part of a “photocall.”  I’m guessing the joke was that they gave the Asian guy the biggest penis.

[via JustJared]