True, Björk tried to lay an egg on it. And yes: Angelina Jolie once kissed her brother there. But more often than not, the Oscars red carpet is an uncontroversial place, memorable only for tuxedos, gowns and Colgate smiles.

Fortunately, Sacha Baron Cohen spits in the face of convention. Or, more literally, sprays it with Bisquick pancake mix. Using Sunday's awards to publicise The Dictator – his new film about General Aladeen, a fictional Arab head of state – Baron Cohen dressed as the character, and brought along a vase filled with what he claimed were the ashes of Kim Jong-il. Kim, he told TV host Ryan Seacrest, was Aladeen's former tennis partner.

"It was his dream," he continued, "to come to the Oscars and be sprinkled over the red carpet." Seconds later, he tipped the vase over both Seacrest's Burberry suit, and the velvet below. Seacrest was clearly annoyed, but other stars – comedian Tina Fey, for one – had their picture taken beside the mess.

"It's OK!" Cohen comforted his peeved interviewer. "Now when someone asks what you are wearing, you can say: Kim Jong-il!"