Da Ali G Show

[Jazzooo]

Whoa. This weird HBO show has really grown on me. I might have to have it surgically removed at some point.

Is anyone else watching? it may be the strangest thing I've ever seen on TV. If it turns you off at first, all I can say it stick with it and see what happens.

The concept is this: he's a British actor/comedian (Sasha Cohen) who poses as a rapper doing a BBC show aimed at inner city kids. Therefore he's able to line up interviews with everyone from Newt Gingrich to Boutrous Boutrous Gali to C. Evertt Koop to Marlon Fitzwater. He proceeds to ask them the dumbest imaginable questions, using uncomprehensible rap lingo that he makes up. They sit there and squirm and try to hang onto their dignity, but NONE of them ever ends the interview (except for Fitzwater). Cohen is so convincing as a dunce that they are taken aback but also drawn to help him...and even when he engages them in ridiculous debates. Here's one off the top of my head:

Ali G (to a panel including a famous computer expert, a sociologist, a creationist and someone else): Check it out--our topic today is Tekmology--whut is it good for? Will a compooter ever be as smart as, say, a human?

panel member: well, there are different kinds of intelligence...

Ali G: Yeah, but will a compooter ever be able to multiply 9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...

Panel member (smiling): yes!

Ali G: Wait! You didn't let me finish. 9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...9...

panel member: the answer is yes, because...

Ali G: You don't even know what i'se going to say next, so how can you answer yet? (Silence) ok, 9...9...9...9...99999999 times, say...

panel member: Look, the answer is always yes...

Ali G: hold on...times 10,10,10,10,10,10,10,10,10,10...10,10,10, without blowing up?

And so it goes. Later in that same interview:

Ali G: I has a friend who lives witout any teckmology.

panel: Does he live in a house?

Ali G: yeah, but NO tekmology at all.

panel: If he lives in a house, then he's using techNOlogy. he eats food, right?

Ali: he grows his own, if you know wut I mean (he smiles). No tekmology--you can look right on his website and see what i'm sayin...


Then last night, James Bakker answered a question about our foreign policy by saying that we used the "stick and carrot" philosophy.

Ali G: Does you really tink that a country...like a good one...would care about getting carrots from us?

Bakker, smiling: Well, it's just a figure of speech...

Ali G: yes, but...even if it's like, 17,000 tons of carrots, and carrots is their national food...wouldn't they want money instead?

Bakker: Forget about the carrots--it's a figure of speech.

Ali G: A'ight. I'm not saying nothing against carrots, mind you...it just seems kind of jiggy that we, as da richest superpowers in da world, wouldn't offer somethin else...


ok, it doesn't seem all that funny as pixels on the screen, but it's painfully funny (and painful) to watch.

[Dr Dave]

I have not actually seen this show, but a young friend (he's about to graduate from high school) has done some routines from the show and cracked me up. As I understand it, he plays any number of characters, including a Serbian TV reporter. In my neighborhood, it's on HBO late Friday night (12:30 am) and I hope to see an episode soon.

[Jazzooo]

Originally posted by Dr Dave
As I understand it, he plays any number of characters, including a Serbian TV reporter.

yes--that character's name is Borat and the bit is Borat's Guide to America. It is quite hysterical. He also does a gay fashion reporter.

[john williams]

We have had Ali G on Australian TV for about three years now - very funny stuff. He loves to have ultra conservative types on his show and do his routines on them.


The one I remember is when he had the animal rights people on the show and asked them if they would eat a hedgehog.

They of course found the idea repulsive. He then said if I threatened to kill two hedgehogs if they did not eat one hedgehog.

This is a standard morals/ethics type of dilemma often used in undergraduate phililosophy courses.

It was of course a lot funnier on TV than here but Ali G explores some interesting subjects, whilst cleverly disguising himself as an idiot.


Check dis
http://www.boratonline.co.uk

Speaking with George Paton Orange Lodge Grandmaster in N Ireland...

Ali : When you is on your marches is there music?
George : There is lots of music.
Ali : Is you knocking out a drum and bass sound or is it more speed garage?
George : *pause* Er, different drummers have different styles.
Ali : Do you not think you should use a bit of human beat box? Then people could really chill.
Ali : Would you ever marry a protestant girl?
George : Perhaps.
Ali : Well that is a good gesture, no. Wot about marrying a Catholic girl?
George : Possibly because of my faith I would not.
Ali : But what if she was fit?
George : Again, because of my religion, no.
Ali : But what if she had her own car, AND sound system and she wasn't gonna be stealing money off you all the time. Would you marry 'er then?
George : I think I could be friends with Catholics.
Ali : Bu' could you get giggy with them?
George : It's hard for some people to understand, but because of my faith, no.
Ali : But what if they woz really, really fit?
George : NO.
Ali : Wot about the band the Corrs? Would you marry them?
George : NO!
Ali : So you is telling me that if they walked in 'ere now and asked you to marry them you wouldn't.
George : Because of my faith, no.
Ali : All three of them.
George : NO.
Ali : So you really believe this stuff then!



Talking to Sue Ramsey. A member of the assembly of Sinn Fein...

Ali : Wot is it the language that they speak 'ere?
Sue : Gaelic.
Ali : GAY-LICK? What is that botty language or somfin, what is the real name of it?
Ali : What is the vibe with drugs in Ireland? It might be stereotyping or whatever man but I is heard that the Irish is always up for the
crack.
Sue : No, no. Crack in Ireland means having a good time.
Ali : A'ight, for real but crack is a bad drug there is a high but also a low.



Talking to the Lord Mayor of Ireland...

Ali : Me don't know what going on 'ere.
Mayor : Well there are some people in Ireland who want to become a part the United Ireland and then there are people who would like to become a part of United Kingdom.
Ali : And where does Wogan stand? Is he in the IRA?



Censorship with James Thurman...

Ali : That has got to be the best job no? Watching porno all day. I mean you've been doing it for 25 years man and surely no one can keep it hard for that long?
Ali : Why did they ban The Chocolate Orange?
James : Clockwork Orange.
Ali : Whatever.
Ali : Do you not think that the category 18 is too vague. Do you not think that you should 'av a category that guarantees you muff?
Ali : What swear words make an 18. Is flange an 18?
James : What is flange?
Ali : It's a word for the punani. What about virgina? Does that make it an 18 coz that is the most dirty word man. That makes it sound 'orrible.



Tony Benn

Ali : Why do they call it the welfare state? Is it coz it is well fair?
Ali : Unemployment benefit is wicked no, coz you get money for doing nothing, just chilling.
Ali : Me want to work when me want to work. Most of the time me want to just chill or whatever, or just hang with me beetches.
Ali : The good thing about electing celebrities is that you know what day is like, ufferwise you get the MP's and then you find out that after a year that they is like, you know sleeping with horses or whatever.



Judge Pickles and Law...

Ali : When can you murder someone?
Pickles : Well that's really a nonsensical question if I may say so because if you are entitled to kill somebody it's not murder.
Ali : OK, but can you murder someone if someone, lets say called your mum a slag, diss your mama? .. If they call your mum a slag, you ring up the police, the police 'aint gonna do nothing, you know they laugh at you.
Pickles : It depends I suppose, if you called my mother a slag and I then killed you, provocation can reduce murder to manslaughter,
Ali : So where's the line then? If they call her slag - manslaughter, if they call her bitch - is that murder?
Ali : Do you think women should be on juries?
Pickles : Oh yes, of course.
Ali : What about when they got the painters in?
Pickles : I'm sorry?
Ali : What about when it's rag week? How can they be thinking straight, serious! Serious, my woman, she doesn't know what's going on, guilty *everyone is guilty when it's her time, everyone is guilty, I do something small - GUILTY! You should be chopped, whatever.
Pickles : I don't honestly think you could start asking people intimate questions and say "no, you can't do this."
Ali : Exactly, this is why you should not have women on juries.



Education with Rhodes Boyson...

Ali : What is education.
Rhodes : Education is basic literacy and numeracy.
Ali : And what is they?
Ali : What do you reckon about the Maffs.
Rhodes : What, the Maths?
Ali : Ayyy. Do you rate tha Maffs or do you rock tha Maffs?
Rhodes : What is the Maffs?
Ali : You know. One, two, three or whatever.
Rhodes : I see, yes.
Ali : Well why don't they teach propa Maffs in schools?
Rhodes : What do you mean by propa Maths?
Ali : Instead of teaching kilos and grams, why don't the teach ounces,
quarters and eighths?
Rhodes : Yes, I mean in baking you need to know those terms.
Ali : Ayyy, for real. Me know baking.
Rhodes : I bake my own breakfast every morning.
Ali : Ayyy. An me make ME own breakfast an all. I mean who ever bought a kilo of anything man. Except me mate Dave but he's gone down now.

Ali : Do you think we should have mixed schools?
Rhodes : I think that everyone should have the choice.
Ali : Do you not think that in mixed schools, all the boyz will spend all their time chasing muff, and all the girls spend all their time
preparing their muff?
Ali : Well me, me got an A+ in punani but me fail me exams coz me spend all me time chasing the kitty.
Rhodes : Well that's your fault.
Rhodes : I think, overall, single sex schools perform better than mixed ones.
Ali : But do you not think that single sex girls schools bread, well, people who drink from the furry cup?
Rhodes : Well never having drunk from the furry cup one doesn't know what liquor is kept in it.
Ali : Well you know them girls who drink from the furry cup, also, eat from the bushy plate. You know what I is getting at?
Ali : Do you think sex education should be taught in schools?
Rhodes : No, it should be taught within the family.
Ali : Do you think that porn stars should teach the kids?
Rhodes : No
Ali : Why not?
Rhodes : I do not respect them.
Ali : But they has had more experience than anyone, man. Someone who has had a four header will no how to cope with any situation.
Ali : Well you have shown that, Education should be spread throughout the nation, if we want to get into the space station. Wicked, reespect, boyaka-sha, big up.



The Bishop of Corsham...

Ali : Jesus. Does he really have a beard?
Bish : Not necessarily.
Ali : Is he a man or a woman?
Bish : He's neither a man nor woman.
Ali : Wot? you mean he's a ladyman?
Ali : But wot has god ever done.
Bish : He made the world.
Ali : Wot he made the world?
Bish : Yes.
Ali : Did he?
Bish : I can only tell you what I believe.
Ali : So you saying god made the world? And since then he's just chilled.
Ali : What about the Virgin Mary? Is she really a virgin?
Bish : Yes.
Ali : Was she really?
Bish : I believe she was. She found herself pregnant.
Ali : But me know girls who also find themselves pregnant. There muffa's say wotz been 'appening 'ere. They say "listen, you been mucking about? 'Ave you been drunk maybe? Don't lie to me."



Talking to James Whittaker about Princess Di...

Ali : Why was she nobbing that Pakistani?
James: He wasn't a Pakistani he was an Egyptian.
Ali : A'ight...
James : She fell in love with him and she had a summer romance.
Ali : Will Carr-mella ever be queen?
James : Camilla?
Ali : A'ight Carr-mella.
James : I think she will.
Ali : Do you think that a lot of the objection to Camilla is because she is so minging?
James : So *what*?
Ali : So minging.
James : What does minging mean?
Ali : Her face is very.. ugly. NO me didn't wanna say that.. she's RANK.
She's rank.
James : Most women in this country...
Ali : A'ight - are a bit dodgy.
James : Well no, being compared to Diana who was a very beautiful...
Ali : She was tasty.
James : Very tasty - so you put anybody up against Diana and it's a wee bit of a problem. She is also a very fit woman. She rides well -
Ali : She 'aint fit man!
James : No this isn't Diana I understand Prince Charles as well -
Ali : But she look like Rod Hull.

Ali : She does man.. what do you think about Fergie?
James : I think she is a... decent person -
Ali : Did they not find pictures of her sucking someone's nob or something?
James : No they wouldn't find pictures like that - you're referring to sucking someone's toes or having her toes sucked...
Ali : A'ight but they used the word toe.. they used the word toe
James : NO.. er watch it... naughty!



Women

Ali : Boyaka-sha. Check dis. Today we is talking about the women. I is with none other than Sue Leetch. She be none other than director of the centre for gender research and we is going to talking about ladies.
Now, one in two people in the country is "a women", so we has got to know about this. Women. They is important aren't they?
Sue : They indeed are, very important, as important as men.
Ali : Which is better? Man or Woman?
Sue : Well equality is not about who is better.
Ali : But which one is better? But one must be just a little bit better.
Sue : In what way?
Ali : Like, in the way that somefin is worse and somfin is better.
Ali : Do you think there will ever be a female Prime Minister?
Sue : There has been one.
Ali : Who?
Sue : Mrs. Thatcher.
Ali : Yeah but she wasn't a real Prime Minister. Do you think they'll ever let another one slip through?
Ali : Do you think that a women should be able to 'av any job?
Sue : I think so yeah.
Ali : Yeah, but would you feel safe thought if you new a women was flying your plane.
Sue : Would you feel safe then? Do you feel safe being driven by a women?
Ali : Nope. Would you not be scared though that she might start nattering or what ever or start finking about fings and then forget to
fly the plane, and get angry with somebody?
Ali : A lot of boys me know are trying to get their girlfriend to try a bit of feminism, do you think that if right?
Sue : Yeah I do actually I think it's a good thing.
Ali : Do you think all girls should try feminism at least once? Do you think it's right that they should try it when they is drunk at a party or what ever with one of their mates?
Sue : What is trying feminism?
Ali : You know try a bit of feminism and when they is sober wake up in the morning and get back with their boyfriend?
Sue : What do you mean?
Ali : When they kiss a women.
Ali : Me uncle Jamal say that he is tri-sexual. That he will try anything that is sexual. What does that mean?
Sue : There are a lot of people who would like to have sexual relationships with men and women.
Ali : So you think that he is saying that he is having it with blokes?
Sue : Yes.
Ali : Ayyy?
Sue : It would suggest that or that he is interested in it, but maybe not done it. It depends what done it means.
Ali : So you fink my uncle Jamal is a botty boy?
Sue : I don't think he is a botty boy but...
Ali : So you think that he just like it in both pipes?
Sue : Not necessarily.
Ali : So you think that it is a joke? Coz he is a joker. Coz if you call him that to his face he'd probably kill ya.



Ali in an Art Gallery looking at Paintings...

Ali : Who be dis cheeky lickle lady?
Guide : It's a friend of Van Gough
Ali : She look like she just been having??
Guide : She doesn't look very happy.
Ali : Perhaps she just been taken up the wrong 'en or something?



Ali in the Royal opera house...

Ali : Look at dis. It's the royal opera 'ouse. Don't it look rubbish? That's why they is spending 25 billion squid to try to make it look like the John Nike Leisure centre in Bracknell.
Ali : Why is it that so many of the singers 'ere are so terribly fat?
Guide : They're not all fat.
Ali : Is it because of the discrimination that you is letting all of the fatties in?
Ali : What is the acoustic like in 'ere.
Guide : It's brilliant.
Ali : Wicked.
Guide : Try it.
*Ali Sings* HERE ME NOW, RYYYYYYYDE THE PUNANI. RIDE THE PUNANI.

Ali : So, if you wanna sample some culture you can spend fifty squid on
a night out at the opera or me can get you a bag of skunk DIS BIG.



The Health Service and Faith healers...

Ali : I have been told that I have 'ealing hands. I can make some girls have one that haven't ever had one before.
Healer : Well you're a lucky man aren't you.
Ali : For real. Is it not just down to technique or whatever, coz I know a few tricks. Or is it that I is keeping the vibe going to the punani?



Consulting Western Medicine...

Ali : Can you check me?
Healer : Can I see your tongue?
Ali : Me tongue's a bit dirty. That is a little bit down to me Julie this morning.



Fashion...

Ali : Respecting wot you is wearing now. You is styling it, you is rocking. Wot is it?
Thomas : It's mohair.
Ali : Mo' hair? Mo' hair, from the muff?
Ali : Why do you not put your labels on the clothes? If you do you is selling the clothes and advertising the clothes. You is knobbing two
ladies with one johnny, no?
Ali : Will you make clothes for any women?
Thomas : I don't have a problem with that. As long as they are happy to wear them.
Ali : Even if they is mingers?
Thomas : Mingers?
Ali : You know, "Nice Personality". You know, face like a rotweilers arse.
Thomas : I find that very offensive
Ali : Do you think that the wonder bra should be banned?
Thomas : What on earth for?
Ali : You think you is going to get something that isn't there?
Thomas : It's your fault for thinking that in the first place.
Ali : The other week tho me was in dis club an me see this girl, she had a bad face but these serious babylons man, and me was grinding wiv 'er and me was doing the boggle and me took 'er 'ome and me unleash them and day disappear. One on the floor, one behind her back.That aint fair.
Thomas : You have to give it her. She fooled you.
Ali : Me did give it to her but me still no fink it fair.



Talking to Prof. Heinz Wollf about the big bang...

Ali : Would it be louder than all the car stereos in the World,Universe and England and America put together and any alienstereos out there?

Ali : What is the smallest thing in the world. What ever it is it can't be smaller than salt. Salt is the smallest thing knownto man?
FLOUR. Flour is the smallest thing? I got it muddledup.



Ali talks to Adrian Knoble about acting and drama...

Ali : How did you get into acting?
Adrian :Well actually there was a girl who I liked at school who was in a play. I auditioned, got the part and started going out with her. Since then I've had the bug.
Ali : What, she gave you the lurgy?



Wales...

Ali : Check dis. I is now in a coal mine which is where the Wales people used to live, underground. Millions of years ago miners lived under here before they became human beings.
Miner : They never lived here, they just worked here.
Ali : They worked in 'ere? What a crap job.
Miner : Now I'd like to show you some photographs
Ali : So why is it mainly buffers who is working down here? Why is it mainly the black man? That's a bit racialist
Miner : Oh no, that's sweat and dirt.
Ali : Whatever, but why has he blacked himself up and tried to be like a buffer?



Environment

Ali : For them people out there, what is they actually doing? Why is they here?
Protester : There are so little trees left in London and they are going to cut them down and build a multi storey cinema complex
and a roof top car park in.
Ali : Ow, wicked.
Protester : It's going to house over 1000 cars!
Ali : Ah, but is it going to be one of those new cinemas with air conditioning and Dolby surround?
Protester : I don't know but it will be a modern cinema of some sort.
Ali : A'ight, but they is wicked no?

Ali : We is now going to meet the main copper, the guy what is sorting it all out.
Copper :Hello.
Ali : If it comes to a ruck who do you think is going to win?
Copper :It's not going to come to a ruck.
Ali : Ayyy, but if it does?
Copper :No it's not going to come to a ruck. This is being dealt with as peacefully as possible.
Ali : Is it possible for us to get in?
Copper :Not at this stage because it's still dangerous.
Ali : Is it coz I is black?(he's white)
Copper :Not at all.

Ali : Do you not think that it's time for the protesters to start looking out for themselves and protecting themselves?
Protester : Well violence doesn't solve anything now does it?
Ali : Well I don't know, it does.
Protester : Well it don't.
Ali : Yeah, well mainly it does.
Protester : Not really. You can't conquer nothing with violence can you.
Ali : Well you can.
Protester : In what situation?
Ali : Well, in a violent one.

Ali : All right. Me has heard both sides of the argument. Me don't understand either of them. But me is well up for a ruck anyway...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[mke]

I first saw Ali G about 5-6 years ago. I love him. Just reading this stuff (as I can picture him, his clothes and his accent perfectly) had me in tears.

I guess he had to go to America because everyone knows him in the UK now.

[Salvador Dali Lama]

he goes "fick you!!!"

hahaha i love it. borat is great.

[Dr Dave]

Thanks, JBW. He's a panic.

[stonemonkts]

Ali G show is hilarious. Very funny stuff.

You have to hand it to HBO, they have produced and aired some of the best stuff on television (or theaters, for that matter) in America. What is so strange about HBO to me is they have the sense to produce excellent material (The Wire, Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc) and yet they air the most godawful movies out there. Must be two very distinct divisions within that company.

Speaking of "The Wire", that series was one of the best things I've ever seen...truly amazing!

[Brian Olewnick]

Maybe someone can confirm this, but I heard that Sarah Silverman is set to have her own show on HBO. Can't wait.

Does everyone remember her line:

"There I was, licking jelly off of my boyfriend's penis and I thought, 'My God! I'm turning into my mother!'"

[steve(thelil)]

Not only do I remember the line, I remember her mother.

[Jazzooo]

Lol at that sarah Silverman quote! I do remember seeing her say that--she really does have a knack for saying something outrageous while acting like it's nothing.

[Salvador Dali Lama]

I love me some Sarah Silverman. Thats marrying material right there. Best racist comic ever! Did anyone see her on politically incorrect arguing with the asian anti-defamation leage president or whatever he was?

classic.

[Jazzooo]

i didn't see her on P.I., but she was quite outrageous on Maher's new HBO show a couple of weeks ago.

[clinthopson]

Maybe I'm showing my age, but I tried the aligshow and besides not being able to understand half of what that guy was saying, what I did understand, I found sophomoric and vulgar.

I think true humor is more than some phony accent, physical contortion and vulgar repostes.

Maher, to me, is about as unfunny as any comic around. His whole schtick is cynicism and sarcasm. He's a wannabe George Carlin without the intelligence, wit or timing.

Those screaming heads on the show are about the same as the yamerers on Fox.

I tried the show three times and went looking for Larry Sanders reruns.

[Jazzooo]

"Maybe I'm showing my age, but I tried the aligshow and besides not being able to understand half of what that guy was saying, what I did understand, I found sophomoric and vulgar.
"

I think the other half was the part you would have found funny, Clint! ;)

[Brian Olewnick]

Doug, that HBO Maher show was the last time I saw her. Remember her line, "You know, not everything about the Holocaust is funny." ? Audience panic! How do I react?

She pushes things like no one else I've heard.

[Jazzooo]

That was the line that really caught my attention, Brian! That and correcting her niece about the number of Jews killed in concentration camps...man, I can't even bring myself to type the bit here!

[Jazzooo]

Ali G was a guest on Craig Kilborn's show the other night. He was pretty funny, but it's a very different experience watching people interract with him when everyone is in on the joke.

[Alastair]

Originally posted by Jazzooo
Ali G was a guest on Craig Kilborn's show the other night. He was pretty funny, but it's a very different experience watching people interract with him when everyone is in on the joke.

Absolutely. It's a one trick pony act. Not that I ever found him funny in the first place. After all, he's just a spin on Mrs Merton - Caroline Aherne's job before she created "The Royle Family". Mrs M was a little old lady who interviewed celebs and asked the unaskable questions, being able to hide behind being a little old lady. The fact that she was nothing of the kind never seemed to register with her dupes. After the first series celebs were queueing up to been seen as "game for a laugh" and the whole thing degenerated into self parody. Rather like Mr G. His movie got appalling reviews.

[Rob C]

I just rented the first season DVDs of Da Ali G Show this weekend, first time I've seen it. I laughed until I cried, then I laughed some more. I feel kind of bad for some of his marks, but comedy is not pretty....

[Jimmy J]

I am pleasantly surprised that Da Ali G show has been generally well received in the US. It originated here of course but the whole premise of the show depends on the perception of the viewer.

It started as a general mockery of the subculture of UK youth who are excruciatingly, desperately trying to be black and adopting the jamaican slang and dress code - hence his common use of the phrase "Is it cos I is black?" and "Aiiiii".

Ali would, for example, visit a farm and feign astonishment that eggs came from a chicken's backside. But then, the responses of the unwitting straight-men in the joke became what was actually funny, hence the appearance of Borat and Bruno - the Khazak and the Mincer, respectively.

The trick is finding people who don't know who he is now.

My fave is when he asked Body Shop cosmetics founder (and animal rights sympathiser) Anita Roddick would she ever consider testing a product on animals.

"Absolutely not!" she replied.

"Even if the product is for animals?" he retorted.

She had no answer except a wry smile.

[Jimmy J]

BTW, good to be back. The role I have had in the last 6 months has prevented me dicking around too much during work time :)

[stonemonkts]

It started as a general mockery of the subculture of UK youth who are excruciatingly, desperately trying to be black and adopting the jamaican slang and dress code - hence his common use of the phrase "Is it cos I is black?" and "Aiiiii".


I see the humor hit on many levels. As you state, it is meant as a mockery of white kids trying to act black. That's funny enough.

But to me the real brilliance lies in the exposé behind all the people who whore themselves just to appear on any television show, even his. These jackasses think it is just another cable talk show, or whatever. To me that's the most brilliant aspect of the show.

He has also been brutal with American culture. The scene where he sings as Borat in the red neck bar, with the audience singing along "throw the Jew down the well, so my country can be free" was absolutely devastating.

[Brian Olewnick]

As stone alludes, the bits where, in the guise of the gay Austrian character, he gets fashionistas to change their opinions at the drop of a hat are classic and perform the valuable public service of alerting viewers to the general level of integrity of the media talking head class.

[hearsay]

I love Da Ali G show. Borat is my favorite, I find it so amazing at how patient are with somebody they think is just an ignorant foreigner. Brilliant.

Brian, I've also heard that Sarah Silverman will have a show on HBO. I saw her show last year at the zipper theater (Jesus is Magic), with Howard Stern and Jimmy Kimmel sitting right in front of me, and it was the funniest show I've ever seen. One of her jokes:

"I'm not that into jewelry, but I do have this one necklace that I love... it's made from the tail bone of an Ethiopian baby. It's just beautiful, it's like a diamond but it has that new baby scent. Although I do have some ethical issues with it, because the company the skins the babys treats their worker really badly. Oh but if you could see it."

[Rob C]

I like it so much I just ordered the DVDs of the first HBO season on Amazon, even though I rented both discs last weekend. Hopefully repeated viewings will pay dividends....

[Jazzooo]

Well, he isn't going to make any more Ali G shows, Chris. It's over--the jig is up. He's already aired interviews with Newt Gingrich, Marlon Fitzwater, Donald Trump, Boutrous Boutrous Gali (or as Ali G called him, "My main geezer, Boutrous, Boutrous, BOUTROUS Gali!") C Everett Koop, James Baker...no high-ranking person would walk into an interview today without being made aware of the joke by his own handlers.

Sascha Baren Cohen, the man behind Ali G, is looking for something new. I'll be watching.

[graypencil]

Sascha /Ali has already disappeared from my HBO /Comcast lineup ..and boy I'm pissed!

I Love that show! ( especially Borat )

I'm sure sorry there won't be more of them ..

[Rob C]

Well, he isn't going to make any more Ali G shows, Chris. It's over--the jig is up. He's already aired interviews with Newt Gingrich, Marlon Fitzwater, Donald Trump, Boutrous Boutrous Gali (or as Ali G called him, "My main geezer, Boutrous, Boutrous, BOUTROUS Gali!") C Everett Koop, James Baker...no high-ranking person would walk into an interview today without being made aware of the joke by his own handlers.

Sascha Baren Cohen, the man behind Ali G, is looking for something new. I'll be watching.

All he needs to do is come up with three new characters!

[Jimmy J]

"My name is Boutrous Boutrous Gali,
Put down your gun and check Bob Marley."
- B. B. Gali

[Brian Olewnick]

http://dudemanphat.blogspot.com/2005/08/someone-finally-tackles-pamela.html

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

2nd season on DVD on September 13th. The 'Throw the Jew Down the Well' sing-along ranks up there with David Cross as Ronnie Dobbs singing 'Y'All Are Brutalizing Me' on Mr. Show as my favorite HBO Comedy moment.

[Nim Chimpsky]

Mrs M was a little old lady who interviewed celebs and asked the unaskable questions, being able to hide behind being a little old lady. The fact that she was nothing of the kind never seemed to register with her dupes.
If you want to see celebrities behind totally duped and boundaries of good taste being pushed to the limits then you need to see Brasseye, especially the paedophile special. A much better example of British comedy than Ali G, imo.

[sonic1]

Sorry. A little late here, but I just saw a double DVD of Da Ali G Show, loaned to me by a friend. I don't have cable TV so I don't get to see this stuff until someone gives me a heads-up.

I absolutely LOVE this show. Is he still on HBO? Is he still recording shows? I saw him interviewed on Conan O'Brian fairly recently but I of course am in the dark.

My favorite show (and one of the most disturbing) is when, as Borat, he goes shooting with those guys at that rare animal shooting range, and says how great it would be to put in jews to shoot instead of animals. After a lot of severe anti-semetic remarks those guys kinda laugh and tell him that people in the US would get upset at him, but that THEY agreed with him. All the while I was thinking of how Sacha Baron Cohen is jewish!

I also loved the bit when as the very obviously gay Bruno, gets those frat boys at Daytona Beach on spring break to completely humiliate themselves until they find out the obvious. Fucking classic.

[Jon Abbey]

2nd season on DVD on September 13th. The 'Throw the Jew Down the Well' sing-along ranks up there with David Cross as Ronnie Dobbs singing 'Y'All Are Brutalizing Me' on Mr. Show as my favorite HBO Comedy moment.

I'd like to nominate the first Tenacious D. 12 minute show in its entirety, and the Jim Carrey song from the last episode of Larry Sanders.

the Ronnie Dobbs song is pretty great also: "can't a man control his bitch with violence?" (sung slowly and operatically).

[MRS]

http://www.webgeordie.co.uk/borat/images/usacountry05.jpg

[sonic1]

http://www.webgeordie.co.uk/borat/images/usacountry05.jpg

Yeah, that was in Tucson too!

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

That lady with the horns was pretty much the best part. I saw the 'Jew Down the Well' episode right before going to Athens last summer, and the thing was stuck in my head for the better part of a month.

The Porter Waggoner interview is nice too; "My sister, she is #2 or 3 prostitute". When i saw Porter interviewed in the Johnny Cash documentary, i couldn't help but flash back to his "That's important too" exchange with Borat.

I also can't watch that Andy Rooney thing enough. "Is it cuz i's black?"

The DVD extras are pretty good, although the Harvard thing wasn't too exciting. I would also recommend avoiding the movie (In Da House), which is quite stupid. I guess maybe worth a rental if you're an obsessive fan, but i love this show and found it pretty worthless.

As far as Tenacious D, my favorite is the one with Flarna. "Flarna is an angel in disguise...." "with karate i kicked your ass...." The first couple episodes are really really funny but i'll take Ali G or the best stuff from Mr. Show.

[burning dog]

If you want to see celebrities behind totally duped and boundaries of good taste being pushed to the limits then you need to see Brasseye, especially the paedophile special. A much better example of British comedy than Ali G, imo.

Brilliant stuff, the "Cake" episode was superb as well!

[Jazzooo]

He's only in reruns on HBO now--the jig is up, so to speak. He can't fool bigshots anymore as Ali G. I hear he's working on a new show.

I did see Ali G the other night on TNT, doing a promo for their NBA coverage. He was sitting there with some player from Canada and asked "You was voted the Most Valuable Player. So how does it feel to be made the MP3?"

The guy tries to correct him and says "That's MVP." Ali G says "yeah, the MP3."

When the guy tries once more to correct him, Ali G says "I can't really understand you--you're speaking Canada." The guy says "We speak English in Canada" but Ali G just shrugs his shoulders and says "Can't understand a word, sorry."

[rollhead]

I have a strong physiological response from this guy's work -- intense and chronic cringing. I literally can't watch.

[moneyp]

Brian, I've also heard that Sarah Silverman will have a show on HBO. I saw her show last year at the zipper theater (Jesus is Magic), with Howard Stern and Jimmy Kimmel sitting right in front of me, and it was the funniest show I've ever seen. One of her jokes:

"I'm not that into jewelry, but I do have this one necklace that I love... it's made from the tail bone of an Ethiopian baby. It's just beautiful, it's like a diamond but it has that new baby scent. Although I do have some ethical issues with it, because the company the skins the babys treats their worker really badly. Oh but if you could see it."

"When God gives you AIDS.... make lemonAIDS."

[walto]

I think my favorite line from the first season was the line about how come so many nuns work part time as strippers. I nearly bust a gut.

I totally understand Rollie's cringe factor, though. That reality TV aspect is what sets it apart from, say, some SNL sketch about a rap artist interviewing an archbishop and a rabbi. They must have amazing advance guys.

[Brian Olewnick]

In case you haven't seen it yet, the trailer for "Jesus Is Magic" is available here:

http://media.filmforce.ign.com/media/771/771529/vids_1.html


I cannot wait.

I love you more than Gary Busey
I love you more than dykes love poosy

[Lazz]

I have a strong physiological response from this guy's work -- intense and chronic cringing. I literally can't watch.

Hello Mr Head.

I'm new around here and have been cruising the threads with great interest - especially the political commentary - during which time I have developed a sense of illusory affinity with you (among others). So I have to say, my good sir, that I am shocked and stunned by your response to Ali G - 'though I always knew he would go down like the proverbial shit-sandwich amongst huge swathes of the great amerikan public. I think the guy is shocking, outrageous, potentially dangerous, and very necessary.

Of course, I am only seven and a half years old and wouldn't recognise satire if it were to poke me in the eye with a stale sausage-roll.

I do, however, have exactly the response you describe when fate places Saturday Night Live before me.

[Rob C]

I have a strong physiological response from this guy's work -- intense and chronic cringing.

Exactly--that's the best part!

[Mike Schwartz]

As the NBA is about to launch a new season, Ali G has done some spots with pro basketball players. The one with the current MVP Steve Nash is hilarious!

I just re-upped a 6 month special with the cable company and will once again check out Ali G and other HBO shows

[Cem]

In case you haven't seen it yet, the trailer for "Jesus Is Magic" is available here:

http://media.filmforce.ign.com/media/771/771529/vids_1.html


I cannot wait.

I love you more than Gary Busey
I love you more than dykes love poosy

Thanks, Brian. She's great! Is she the one who was in that movie about a crass joke y'all were raving about? I have no cable & don't get out much.

[Brian Olewnick]

Thanks, Brian. She's great! Is she the one who was in that movie about a crass joke y'all were raving about? I have no cable & don't get out much.

She does have a part in "The Aristocrats", one of the more unusual takes on the joke and one of the best, imho.

[Jazzooo]

I heard her tell a joke once like this:

So the other night, I'm sucking jello off my husband's penis and suddenly I have this horrible thought: oh my God, I'm turning into my mother!

[jeff54]

Kazakhstan threatens to sue comedian

Tuesday, November 15, 2005; Posted: 9:58 a.m. EST (14:58 GMT)

story.borat.jpg
Sacha Baron Cohen portrays a spoof Kazakh television presenter named Borat.

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (Reuters) -- Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry threatened legal action Monday against a British comedian who wins laughs by portraying the central Asian state as a country populated by drunks who enjoy cow-punching as a sport.

Sacha Baron Cohen, who portrays a spoof Kazakh television presenter Borat in his "Da Ali G Show," has won fame ridiculing Kazakhstan, the world's ninth largest country yet still little known to many in the West, on British and U.S. channels.

Cohen appears to have drawn official Kazakh ire after he hosted the annual MTV Europe Music Awards show in Lisbon earlier this month as Borat, who arrived in an Air Kazakh propeller plane controlled by a one-eyed pilot clutching a vodka bottle.

"We do not rule out that Mr. Cohen is serving someone's political order designed to present Kazakhstan and its people in a derogatory way," Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Yerzhan Ashykbayev told a news briefing.

"We reserve the right to any legal action to prevent new pranks of the kind." He declined to elaborate.

[Rob C]

And then they had a party.

[graypencil]

They just put the original Ali G series back on In Demand on the cable!!

I am a happy canmper again!

And yes, I do realize that finding the humor in this show *is* an acquired taste ( similar to having Sarah Silverman hoover jello off your johnson ...)

but I reall do love Borat -cowpunching and all :D

[Jazzooo]

Isn't it just like those Khasaks?

[jeff54]

"We do not rule out that Mr. Cohen is serving someone's political order designed to present Kazakhstan and its people in a derogatory way," Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Yerzhan Ashykbayev told a news briefing.

I wonder who has it out for the Kazakhs enough to do that. :eek:

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

In my country, there is a problem.

[Cem]

I don't know whether anyone was into SCTV, but Borat reminds me of Yorgi, everyone's favourite Kossack, played by John Candy.

"Hey Yorgi!
He's coming to your town
Hey Yorgi!
He never wears a frown
Hey Yorgi!
He's as happy as can be
'Cause all of Mother Russia
Is Yorgi's family, HEY!!!!"

[Sergio Zamora]

They just put the original Ali G series back on In Demand on the cable!!

On Demand. InDemand was the old style pay-per-view system. On Demand is the greatest invention in the history of the universe.

[graypencil]

On Demand ..my typo

[Jon Abbey]

so somehow I never sat down and watched these, just bits and pieces here and there. I watched the first episode from season 1 last night, and big thumbs up, a lot better than I remembered. I'm going to make my way through both seasons.

what's he done since then, anything? there's a Borat movie out soon, right?

[Rob C]

there's a Borat movie out soon, right?

Yes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443453/). Hopefully this (http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/xp-16655)will be included....

[graypencil]

We must start a write in campaign to bring back Borat!

[Jon Abbey]

oh, man, the first six episodes are generally very inspired, I'm pretty much a total convert.

as for the upcoming film, it's pretty biased feedback, since the director is Larry Charles who has done a lot of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but supposedly when Larry David saw it at a test screening, "he stood up half way through and began screaming for them to stop the show. It was too funny."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196737,00.html

the Wikipedia entry says it's coming in November, so I'll be able to make it through season 2 by then.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borat

[wesbound]

This show is hilarious!

[Dan G]

I just saw this show for the first time on Sunday night. A bit hit and miss, but overall, quite entertaining. Could have done without the fashion critic bit, but it was the one with the afore-mentioned throw the jews in the well song, which is a pretty scary thing, seeing how happily the rednecks were singing along with it.

There was also a panel discussion about democracy, with a couple of US politicians and a couple of political scientists. Ali G suggested that the voting criteria no longer be age, but whether someone had pubic hair. He also questioned whether, since women have now been allowed to vote for about 20 years (!), animals would get a vote in another 20.

What years was the show made? Much of what he was doing reminded me of interviews/news stories that Daily Show correspondents have done, particularly Samantha Bee and Stephen Colbert, or Colbert's new Better Know a District series, except that Ali comes off as being too stupid to understand what the people are saying, whereas the others try to make their interviewees look like the stupid ones.

[Jon Abbey]

Cohen started doing things along this line in 1994, The Daily Show began in 1996 (and that was Craig Kilborn, Jon Stewart's reign began in 1999).

[jeff54]

Trailer for the Ali G movie.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/movies/trailers/1809426565/1809737602/?http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/mf/frame?theme=minfo&lid=qtv-56-p.1463242-169495,wmv-1000-p.1463250-169495,qtv-100-p.1463243-169495,qtv-300-p.1463244-169495,qtv-700-p.1463245-169495,wmv-56-p.1463246-169495,wmv-100-p.1463247-169495,wmv-300-p.1463248-169495,wmv-700-p.1463249-169495,qtv-28-p.1463242-169495,wmv-28-p.1463246-169495&id=1809426565&f=1809426565&mspid=1809737602&type=t

[Rob C]

Trailer for the Ali G movie.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/movies/trailers/1809426565/1809737602/?http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/mf/frame?theme=minfo&lid=qtv-56-p.1463242-169495,wmv-1000-p.1463250-169495,qtv-100-p.1463243-169495,qtv-300-p.1463244-169495,qtv-700-p.1463245-169495,wmv-56-p.1463246-169495,wmv-100-p.1463247-169495,wmv-300-p.1463248-169495,wmv-700-p.1463249-169495,qtv-28-p.1463242-169495,wmv-28-p.1463246-169495&id=1809426565&f=1809426565&mspid=1809737602&type=t

Oh, God, that looks awesome. I'm so happy the rodeo appears to have been included....

[graypencil]

just watched the trailer ...

OhmyGAWD! that is gonna be a RIOT!

I can't wait until it comes out!

[walto]

FWIW, after seeing the (IMO awful) Ali G movie, it's kind of hard for me to get too excited about this one.

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

FWIW, after seeing the (IMO awful) Ali G movie, it's kind of hard for me to get too excited about this one.

The Ali G movie is worthless. I love the series, but why that movie ever saw the light of day is beyond me. I can't say I'm optimistic about the Borat movie, but I guarantee it's better than the Ali G movie.

[Rob C]

You're right, the Ali G movie was terrible. I wonder what happened?

[Brian Olewnick]

<nyt_headline version="1.0" type=" "> Equal-Opportunity Offender Plays Anti-Semitism for Laughs </nyt_headline>

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/09/07/arts/07bora.1.600.jpg 20th Century Fox
Sacha Baron Cohen plays a Kazakh journalist touring America in “Borat.”



By SHARON WAXMAN (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/sharon_waxman/index.html?inline=nyt-per)



Published: September 7, 2006



LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 — Fall is traditionally when Hollywood turns to more serious films, and the Toronto International Film Festival is where they are frequently shown. But a new movie that seems certain to raise hackles and induce squirming is a raucous comedy that makes its points by seeming to embrace sexism, racism, homophobia and that most risky of social toxins: anti-Semitism. <nyt_text> </nyt_text>

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</td> </tr> </tbody></table>



<nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "> </nyt_byline> http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/09/07/arts/07bora_CA1.190.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:pop_me_up2%28%27http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/09/07/arts/07bora_CA1.ready.html%27,%20%2707bora_CA1_ready%27,%20%27width=316,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes%27%29) Photo illustration by The New York Times; Photo from 20th Century Fox.




In one scene Borat insists on driving to California rather than flying, “in case the Jews repeat their attack of 9/11.” As he tours the South, he becomes terrified when he learns that an elderly couple who run an inn are Jewish. When cockroaches crawl under the door of his room, he becomes convinced the innkeepers have transformed themselves into bugs, and throws money at them.

In another scene Borat returns to his home village and participates in an annual ritual, “The Running of the Jews,” complete with giant Jew puppets that the villagers beat with clubs.

This anti-anti-Semitic humor is mixed in with other outrageous behavior, including slurs against Gypsies and gays, and a nude wrestling match. But in a world in which resurgent anti-Semitism has become — sometimes literally — an explosive topic, the movie may well hit a particular nerve, especially in Europe.

The British-born Mr. Baron Cohen, who calls himself an observant Jew, has performed this same high-wire comedy act for his HBO series, “Da Ali G Show,” in which he plays three characters, including Borat, each hilariously offensive in its own right.

The title character of the show, Ali G, is a vaguely Muslim British idiot with a hip-hop persona, who was the subject of a rather tame, and unsuccessful, film in 2002, “Ali G Indahouse,” (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=291152&inline=nyt_ttl) released straight to video in the United States.

With “Borat,” (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=346334&inline=nyt_ttl) Mr. Baron Cohen — who shares screenplay credit with several others — decided to head straight for the most sensitive areas of politically incorrect global culture, and for the first time will be doing so for a mass audience, far beyond the sophisticated niche of HBO. The film is to be released by 20th Century Fox on Nov. 3 on more than 2,000 screens nationwide.

(Borat is not explicitly Muslim, but Kazakhstan has a large Sunni Muslim population along with a sizable contingent of Orthodox Christians.)
Mr. Baron Cohen, who is appearing in Toronto as Borat, declined to be interviewed for this article and will be conducting interviews ahead of the film only in character.

20th Century Fox also declined to comment for this article or otherwise participate. Executives at the studio said that they were concerned about overemphasizing the political aspects of the humor, or otherwise labeling the movie, which they said they hoped would have broad appeal to a young audience.

The film is experimental and highly unusual for Hollywood, in some ways reminiscent of the guerrilla humor of Andy Kaufman (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/filmography.html?p_id=37092&inline=nyt-per), who baited members of the unsuspecting public with his characters, or the buffoonery of Charlie Chaplin (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/filmography.html?p_id=12334&inline=nyt-per) as a Hitler (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/adolf_hitler/index.html?inline=nyt-per)-esque tyrant in “The Great Dictator” (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=20649&inline=nyt_ttl) in 1940.
Film historians said that Hollywood was usually reluctant to take on controversy in general and had particularly avoided treating anti-Semitism in the past.

“Hollywood has a history of avoiding controversial topics, and notably did so at the end of the 1930’s, with the rise of Nazism and anti-Semitism,” said Jonathan Kuntz, who teaches American film history at the University of California (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_california/index.html?inline=nyt-org), Los Angeles. Studios “were afraid of offending audiences, and of limiting their popularity in the European market,” he added. “And because so many moguls were Jewish, they were afraid this would be used to attack Hollywood as anti-Nazi.”

Today too Hollywood is often reluctant openly to discuss anti-Semitism, as was evidenced by the careful debate over Mel Gibson (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/filmography.html?p_id=91479&inline=nyt-per)’s 2004 blockbuster, “The Passion of the Christ.” Only when Mr. Gibson was heard making anti-Jewish slurs this summer during a drunken-driving arrest did a few Hollywood veterans speak out against him.

“Borat” was to some extent made outside the Hollywood system. Fox kept the film off its production list and created a separate company, One America, to be the nominal producer. Mr. Baron Cohen also ran into creative differences with his first director, Todd Phillips (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/filmography.html?p_id=106394&inline=nyt-per), who left the production last year, while the film shut down for five months. The veteran comedy director Larry Charles eventually completed the film.

A spokesman for Mr. Baron Cohen said that Mr. Phillips’s departure was “a mutual decision.”

During the shoot Fox ignored numerous protests from the Kazakh Embassy in Washington, whose officials were concerned about the depiction of their country as prejudiced.

Early indications are that the film will be a hit. It rocked audiences with laughter at the Cannes Film Festival, where Mr. Baron Cohen was photographed on the beach wearing a neon-green kind of thong, and won an audience award at Michael Moore (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/filmography.html?p_id=103383&inline=nyt-per)’s Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan this summer.

Still, “I can almost guarantee you that not everyone will get the joke,” said Richard B. Jewell, a professor of film history at the University of Southern California (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_southern_california/index.html?inline=nyt-org). But he added: “In my opinion it’s a very healthy thing. Some of best films that have been made in the last 50 years have been black comedies.” He cited “Dr. Strangelove,” (http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=62164&inline=nyt_ttl) which poked fun at nuclear holocaust.

“What can be more serious?” he asked. “It makes people think about these things in ways they don’t when there are more straightforward, serious, sober films.”

[steve(thelil)]

Throw the Jew Down the Well
So Our Country Can be Free