Sacha Baron stormed onto our screens back in 1998 with a character that anyone over the age of 20 will remember, Ali G. The creation was first aired on Channel 4's 'The 11 O'Clock Show' where Baron was given a regular slot of just a few minutes in which to showcase his creation. It soon became a hit and by 2000, Channel 4 commissioned a prime time show named 'Da Ali G Show'.
Ali G was a middle-class, misguided, jungle listening b-boy, who however much wanted to be a reputable gangster from the streets, didn't quite succeed. Claiming to be part of the Staines Massif and wearing enough bling to sink a ship wasn't even enough to give him the 'ghetto' status he sorely wanted.
The format of the show was not entirely new. Essentially, Cohen would interview unsuspecting television stars and politicians under the guise of Ali G. Pleading ignorant to current affairs and managing to knowingly cause a reaction from the interviewee, Cohen could push the situation to the very limits, with the end result of the interviewee looking ridiculous. This was Cohen's way of showing the nation that people will do and say literally anything to be on television.
Once the show became a hit and Ali G became a household name, the UK celebrities grew wise to Cohen's intentions and avoided humiliation at all costs. As such, the format of the show had to change and it became much more scripted, losing some of its appeal. To overcome this, the show moved overseas with 'Ali G in the USAiii'. This allowed Ali G to go back to his routes and target unsuspecting Americans, successfully humiliating them on national television.
Sacha Baron Cohen's success continued to rise after Ali G, with the introduction of new characters such as Kazakhstanian reporter Borat and German fashion journalist, Bruno. What is next in the pipeline from Cohen? Only time will tell.
Ali G was a middle-class, misguided, jungle listening b-boy, who however much wanted to be a reputable gangster from the streets, didn't quite succeed. Claiming to be part of the Staines Massif and wearing enough bling to sink a ship wasn't even enough to give him the 'ghetto' status he sorely wanted.
The format of the show was not entirely new. Essentially, Cohen would interview unsuspecting television stars and politicians under the guise of Ali G. Pleading ignorant to current affairs and managing to knowingly cause a reaction from the interviewee, Cohen could push the situation to the very limits, with the end result of the interviewee looking ridiculous. This was Cohen's way of showing the nation that people will do and say literally anything to be on television.
Once the show became a hit and Ali G became a household name, the UK celebrities grew wise to Cohen's intentions and avoided humiliation at all costs. As such, the format of the show had to change and it became much more scripted, losing some of its appeal. To overcome this, the show moved overseas with 'Ali G in the USAiii'. This allowed Ali G to go back to his routes and target unsuspecting Americans, successfully humiliating them on national television.
Sacha Baron Cohen's success continued to rise after Ali G, with the introduction of new characters such as Kazakhstanian reporter Borat and German fashion journalist, Bruno. What is next in the pipeline from Cohen? Only time will tell.
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