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.
Blog Princess G says
March 23, 2010 at 8:21 amI 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!
Dara says
March 23, 2010 at 8:32 amLove 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.
jaded16 says
March 23, 2010 at 9:10 amI 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.
jaded16 says
March 23, 2010 at 9:27 amSee now, this one I got (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyLSstqMvH8&feature=related). Naomi Wolf is amazing.
km says
March 23, 2010 at 9:33 amYou have got to get yourself some Black Adder.
I like Ali G myself, troof
Michele says
March 23, 2010 at 12:09 pmI agree that Ali G is his best and funniest character. Respect!
teri says
March 23, 2010 at 1:46 pmthat’s some funny, shit!
meredith says
March 23, 2010 at 11:10 pmso 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
Kate says
March 24, 2010 at 9:07 amHave you seen da Ali G movie? M’Julie?
Ris says
March 24, 2010 at 12:50 pmHis interviews are the BEST. Sound bytes from them are now part of my family’s everyday lexicon.
km says
March 25, 2010 at 12:38 pmI 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
David says
March 28, 2010 at 1:44 amI 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.
David says
March 28, 2010 at 2:24 amOK, the first three I liked, the last two, not so much.