Product Description

Studio: Hbo Home Video Release Date: 09/13/2005

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42287 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2005-09-13
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Dimensions: .65 pounds
• Running time: 360 minutes

Amazon.com
"Keep it real" says Ali G (Sacha Baron Cohen) at the top of each show. Keeping it real is what the British comedian does--and doesn't do--during each episode. First, there's the character of Ali G himself. There's nothing real about this slang-slinging geezer. He's a poser, a white hip-hop wannabe from the 'burbs who aspires to be "gangsta" like Biggie and Tupac. His interview subjects, on the other hand, are the real deal: Newt Gingrich, Buzz Aldrin, Donald Trump, etc. Ali asks stupid questions, they attempt to provide intelligent answers. The humor comes from the disconnect between the two, which is to say: 60 Minutes meets In Living Color.

Da Ali G Show was a hit in Britain before Cohen brought his act to the States, but Ali wasn't the only character who came with him. There's also Borat, a Kazakhstan TV reporter with a shaky command of English. His show-within-a-show is called "Borat's Guide to America" and he travels the "US and A" interviewing regular folks, such as matchmakers and rodeo riders. Then there's Bruno, a sexually ambiguous fashion reporter with "Funkyzeit Mit Bruno." His subjects include models and designers. Borat and Bruno have their moments, but Ali G is the star of the show and gets the most screen time. It's Ali G, after all, who gets both James Lipton and Ralph Nader to rap. (The verdict? Lipton's got skills; Nader should stick to politics.) As proof of his popularity in the U.K., Ali G got his own theatrical release, Ali G Indahouse in 2002. As proof of his popularity in the U.S., HBO renewed his show for a second season. Due to sexual content, raunchy humor, and drug content, Da Ali G Show is recommended for mature audiences. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

If there's such a thing as surreality TV, then Sacha Baron Cohen is da man, and Da Ali G Show is da bomb. Better known as his alter egos Ali G (the "wanskta" journalist), Borat (the clueless correspondent from Kazakhstan), and Bruno (the gay Austrian fashionista), Cohen is consistently hilarious in the six episodes (on two discs) from the second (2003) season of his HBO show. With his cracked Cockney-Rasta patois ("does you 'tink ") and constant malapropisms (confusing "incest" with "incense" and "bi-lingual" with "bi-sexual"; calling MIT linguistics professor Noam Chomsky "Norman"), Ali G is the star. But so is the odd and, well, surreal assortment of folks he interviews in his relentless, "Candid Camera"-goes-hip-hop assault on the idiots and idiosyncrasies of American culture and politics. Some are at least partly complicit; Pat Buchanan, of all people, plays right along with the shtick, as does Immigration and Naturalization Service chief James Ziegler. Others are merely confused, like the doc who grows increasingly frustrated by Ali's inability to differentiate between "veteran" and "veterinarian," newsman Sam Donaldson, or former LAPD chief Daryl Gates. But as absurd as Da Ali G Show gets, this isn't Jackass, and Cohen is no dummy. Along with all the goofing are some shrewd questions about abortion, teaching religion in schools, Iraq, and homeland security, to name a few ("How come there ain't no security on trains?" Ali G asks Ziegler, who laughs off the question and then came the Madrid and London subway bombings). With a generous helping of extras (including Ali's commencement speech at Harvard!) along with the episodes, Da Ali G Show is a riot. Fuh real, yo. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

tons of laughs
Viewing this collection will have you laughing forever. This guy is witty, creative and has an uncanny ability to know what is going to make us laugh. Taking advantage of people who crave media exposure, and duping them so effectively, is ingenious! This guy is a brilliant comedian.

One of HBO's Funniest Shows
I was very upset to hear that Sacha Baron Cohen would not be returning for a third season but this DVD does provide some closer. If you missed Da Ali G Show when it first aired or if you want to relive the comedy then this DVD is right for you.

I hate when people say Ali G is offensive and racist when in fact he is just basically poking fun at himself. Sacha Baron Cohen is Jewish and most of his humor is just stupid fun. There are several appearances by politicians who try to survive Ali's odd and idiotic line of questioning. Then there's Borat the anti-Semitic person from Kazakhstan. Finally there's Bruno the Austrian fashion guru who attempts to makes other uncomfortable by acting as homosexual as possible. I have never laughed so hard at any HBO show and I highly recommend it.

Even though forty dollars seems a bit much for twelve, half hour segments you will get you money's worth over and over again. This set is a great addition to anyone's collection and I highly recommend it.

Politically Hilarious
It's amazing how this comic genious gets to interview so many people and they are unaware of what is to come. Three different personalities, one simply hysterical show. I recommend this DVD combo to anyone with an open mind, or anyone with at least a sense of humor. Definately worth every penny.