Mar 23, 2010
Notes From A Far-Flung Correspondent
Welcome to Notes from a Far-Flung Correspondent, which features the weekly interests and musings of Bossy’s Son, who is currently enjoying his sophomore year at Columbia University in the City of New York.
This week: Ali G.
So, I’m back from Spring Break in Puerto Rico, and can’t wait to share pictures and stories from the trip! But let’s just say that my flight was delayed 30 hours due to inclement weather, and so I spent the remainder of my vacation in a state of constant fun and exploration to make up for the lost time.
So considering my Medalla stupor well-earned fatigue, plus some understandable delays in waiting for pictures from friends-with-cameras, the Spring Break stories will be slightly delayed. Or, as I like to think of them, fashionably tardy.
In the meantime, there’s always Ali G.
Better known as Sasha Baron Cohen, the actor of Borat and Brüno cinematic infamy, whose Da Ali G Show was picked up by HBO in 2003. From that point on, it’s been nothing but ascendance for Cohen, whose humor is the best that British no-holds-barred satire has to offer.
But I have to say, I wasn’t a tremendous fan of Borat, and I didn’t even bother with Brüno. There’s something about transporting British satire to Hollywood that dilutes the scorchingly witty parts of the humor and replaces them with hairy testicles.
But where Sasha Baron Cohen really shines is with his character Ali G., during shorter interviews.
I collected just a few examples below. They can be among the funniest things on TV/Youtube, and since they’re interviews, they’re short and can be watched in the random moment or two. I’m kidding. They’ll take up hours. Embrace the fact.
I loved Borat, and laughed so hard I nearly threw up. Charming I know. As for Bruno, it was a pretty bad movie. But we always have Ali G, and his spots are brilliant!
Love me some Ali G. Very entertaining!
I cannot watch the US version of The Office….I think the original Brit show is so much more better.
Those English people sure are funny.
I thought Ali. G was okay till I reached the Feminism video. Let’s just say my skull cracked from frowning so much. This is probably the reason I don’t like Borat. Or the part with the hairy testicles. Make that ESPECIALLY the hairy testicle part.
See now, this one I got (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyLSstqMvH8&feature=related). Naomi Wolf is amazing.
You have got to get yourself some Black Adder.
I like Ali G myself, troof
I agree that Ali G is his best and funniest character. Respect!
that’s some funny, shit!
so true. borat schmorat, and i totally didn’t even try on bruno. but da ali g — man, he filled so much of my first year of college. <3
Have you seen da Ali G movie? M’Julie?
His interviews are the BEST. Sound bytes from them are now part of my family’s everyday lexicon.
I was back in Euroland when this one came on the telly. It always cracked me up. It’s Dodai Al Fayed’s dad who was getting well hunted down at the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bYjGHRX9dE
I loved Borat, but didn’t bother with Bruno. I knew of Ali G but hadn’t seen much. I’m enjoying these video clips in drips and drabs.
OK, the first three I liked, the last two, not so much.