VIDEO : Sacha Baron Cohen Presenting as Ali G Was Turned Down By the Oscars

Last Sunday, Sacha Baron Cohen brought his most famous character to the Oscars ? even though the show didn't okay his bit ahead of time. The comedian was asked to introduce one of the night's Best Picture nominees, Room, alongside Olivia Wilde. On Tuesday, though, he revealed that the awards show specifically asked him not to present in character. So Baron Cohen enlisted his wife, Isla Fisher, to help pull off his plan. Though he didn't ask the show's producers for permission, Baron Cohen reveals he did get a last-minute seal of approval from the night's host: "I bumped into Chris Rock on the way on and pitched him the gig and he gave me the thumbs up, so I went for it."