Da Ali G Show Season 1: Reviewed

Yo check it, this is a terrific show on HBO, starring Sacha Cohen, an over-the-top British comedian. It’s been on the air for about five years, and despite it’s hilarity, HBO has never really pushed or heavily promoted the show.

Here’s the jist; the show consists of three different characters (all portrayed by Sacha). Ali G, the main character, is a clueless British gangster. Ali G’s trademark has to be his disgusting attire, the gaudy gold necklace, dew-rag, yellow running suit or matching basketball jersey and shorts, sunglasses, and huge gold rings on every finger. He uses his character’s mindlessness to annoy and confuse his interviewees into saying the stupidest things. Newt Gingrich, Buzz Aldrin, Donald Trump, James Lipton, Andy Rooney (the best interview ever!) and many other famous peeps have been stupefied by his ignorant yet extremely entertaining and witty commentary. A womanizer, occasional weed smoker, and extreme homophobe, he’s everything you would expect of a British bellend.

Bruno, the gay German fashion correspondent, is probably the least funny of the three, which is still saying a lot. His role in the show is to explore the superficiality and vanity of Americans. Bruno definitely looks the part, his highlighted Mohawk and tight designer shirts and jeans are absolutely fabulous. While Bruno doesn’t ever interview any A-list celebrities, he interviews plenty of A-list imitators and supporters such as aspiring fashion designers, club owners, stylists, runway models, and Hollywood critics. Basically, he exposes how phony and outlandish the “new money” upper-classers can be.

The other character is known as “Borat” (pictured above), the Khazigstani reporter. Sporting a mustache that would make even Underwood wince with jealousy, a puffy Ishtar-like fro complete with mild upper-forehead-balding, and a horrible suit that hasn’t been washed in five years, Borat travels America in search of the most racist, prejudice, and backwater folks. Somehow he gets interviews with these idiots, and has even suckered one poor sap that was running for office to admit that he believes all Jews are going to Hell because they don’t believe in Jesus. In my opinion, his most entertaining segment has to be where he goes to a hole-in-the-wall southern karaoke bar, and sings a song he wrote called “In My Country There Is Problem”.

It should be noted that though Sacha pokes fun at Jews a lot, I’m pretty sure he’s Jewish himself. The real comedy in Da Ali G Show is the reaction of his interviewees and crowds, his ability to manipulate and twist their responses into something totally different from what was intended and watch them try to worm their way out of it.

As I said, this is an excellent show, but the episodes only average 30 minutes. On HBO there is so much more expected, it seems like a waste to have a series that is less than an hour per episode. Overall, it is hilarious and entertaining, and I guess that’s all that matters. My review; 3.75/5.00 Stars!