Writer: Eminem-Cohen incident was staged

LOS ANGELES, June 2 (UPI) -- An incident involving Eminem and Sacha Baron Cohen at last weekend's MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Calif., was staged, says one of the show's writers.

Dressed as his gay Austrian journalist alter-ego Bruno in a bottomless angel outfit, Cohen dropped from a wire headfirst into Eminem's lap, prompting the rapper and his entourage to storm out of the theater as the audience howled with laughter.

EW.com cited unnamed sources close to MTV and Cohen as saying the stunt was planned ahead of time and everyone involved was in on the joke.

Scott Aukerman, who has described himself as the head comedy writer for the awards show, also claimed on his blog, "The Bruno/Eminem incident was staged."

"They rehearsed it at dress and yes, it went as far as it did on the live show," Aukerman said.

EW.com said MTV and Eminem declined to comment for its story.