....very entertaining and extremely funny
Finally, we have Bruno, the fashionable Austrian boy toy who is not as dense as the Ali G character but is instead totally vain and self-absorbed in an artsy-fartsy way. One of my favorite Bruno segments involves his interview with PR guru Paul Wilmot in Episode 1. Bruno asks Wilmot to describe celebrities who are "in" and those who are "out" using the terms "wassup" and "ich-don´t-think-so" respectively. The really funny part about this segment is that Wilmot embraces Bruno´s request with the enthusiasm of a schoolgirl crush, leading to sidesplitting exchanges between them. Also starkly revealing is an interview with a fashion designer who simply agrees with whatever Bruno tells him as his own personal interpretation of the designer´s just-concluded fashion show. One minute Bruno says tells the designer that the show has a soft touch and in the very next sentence, says just the opposite--that the show has a hard edge to it. Both times, the designer just agrees with Bruno´s assessments, making me come to the conclusion that he is either on some kind of drug or just easily swayed!
There are people out there who simply hate Baron Cohen for his unorthodox interview style that ambushes his subjects and making them the ultimate punch line. Then there are others like me who simply enjoy the awkward and almost-farcical interviews that reveal so much of the personality of famous people that many in our society look up to. So what is it that ultimately stops all of them from reacting angrily to Baron Cohen´s interview style after they realize what is actually taking place? Many of them could simply get up and leave but surprisingly they do not. Instead, they sit through it even though it makes them very uncomfortable.
Well, the simple answer is: it is the camera, stupid! For many famous people, their careers heavily rely on the image and perception of the public. So, for them to react angrily in front of a camera that is constantly rolling would be a disaster. Many times, I really feel bad for the interviewees as I watch them squirm in their seats after realizing that they had been had. But at the same time, many of Baron Cohen´s questions border on such utter stupidity that I can´t help but laugh until my belly ached watching his subjects try to explain things in terms that are more suited for a 5-year old.
Bottom line, although "Da Ali G Show" is very entertaining and extremely funny, I must caution some of you out there that some of the episodes contain excruciatingly embarrassing situations that can be hard to watch. Either way, you have to see it to believe it!
HBO presents all six episodes from the first season of the show on a 2-disc DVD set (3 episodes on each). Here is a brief breakdown on all the segments of each episode:
Disc One:
Episode 1: "Law"
Ali G at the Police Academy, Borat´s Guide to Dating, Bruno on the Catwalk, Ali G Interviews Richard Thornburgh
Episode 2: "War"
Ali G at the U.N., Ali G: Religion Roundtable, Borat´s Guide to Etiquette, Ali G with General Brent Scowcroft
Episode 3: "Politics"
Ali G with Newt Gingrich, Bruno at New York Fashion Week, Borat´s Guide to Hobbies, Ali G on Drugs
Disc Two:
Episode 4: "Art"
Ali G on Art, Borat´s Guide to Acting, Ali G: Media Roundtable, Bruno in L.A., Ali G with Buzz Aldrin
Episode 5: "Science"
Ali G: Science Roundtable, Borat´s Guide to Baseball, Ali G with Ralph Nader, Ali G with C. Everett Koop
Episode 6: "Belief"
Ali G Goes to Hollywood, Borat´s Guide to the South, Ali G: Sex Roundtable, Bruno in Alabama, Ali G with James Baker and Marlon Fitzwater
Video:
Like most HBO programs, "Da Ali G Show" is presented in 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio with English subtitles. Overall, the video images are clear and very clean with colors that are well saturated, vivid and striking (especially Ali G´s attire!) in both indoor and outdoor shots.
Audio:
Audio-wise, the Dolby Digital 2.0 English language track is probably as good a quality as it will get. Featuring music with a heavy bass and beat, the subwoofer gets a more-than-expected workout. Other times, the center channel is the main workhorse, delivering crisp and clear dialogue.
Extras:
A reasonable number of special features are included in this release. On Disc 1, there is an enjoyable audio commentary of Episode 1 by Sacha Baron Cohen and producer Dan Mazer. Both men interact well together and deliver lots of juicy tidbits about making the various segments of that episode. Next are two never-before-seen footages of Borat: "Borat´s Guide to Animals" and "Borat´s Guide to Patriotism". They are mostly similar in format to the other Borat segments and are mildly entertaining.
Disc 2 contains an Ali G short film titled "Spyz". This is the extremely bad (on purpose) amateur homemade movie that Ali G pitches to Hollywood executives in Episode 6. It runs for over 8 agonizing minutes with some scenes that are not suitable for younger children. Finally, there is a large glossary of Ali G words and catch phrases, which may finally put to rest all the doubts about what exactly is our man saying!
Entertainment Value:
Alo, dis iz Ali G! First a big up to main man Hock ere for giving me this opportunity to partake a few words on dis wicked review. Hey Hock, u ever come to Staines, u should come check me turf wiv my Julie. Anyway, me be happy dat u lot buy me DVD and shit so me can git meself some mula and take me Julie out on a brand new auto. Aight?
So don´t be dissing, innit?
Keep it real.
Respek!
There are people out there who simply hate Baron Cohen for his unorthodox interview style that ambushes his subjects and making them the ultimate punch line. Then there are others like me who simply enjoy the awkward and almost-farcical interviews that reveal so much of the personality of famous people that many in our society look up to. So what is it that ultimately stops all of them from reacting angrily to Baron Cohen´s interview style after they realize what is actually taking place? Many of them could simply get up and leave but surprisingly they do not. Instead, they sit through it even though it makes them very uncomfortable.
Well, the simple answer is: it is the camera, stupid! For many famous people, their careers heavily rely on the image and perception of the public. So, for them to react angrily in front of a camera that is constantly rolling would be a disaster. Many times, I really feel bad for the interviewees as I watch them squirm in their seats after realizing that they had been had. But at the same time, many of Baron Cohen´s questions border on such utter stupidity that I can´t help but laugh until my belly ached watching his subjects try to explain things in terms that are more suited for a 5-year old.
Bottom line, although "Da Ali G Show" is very entertaining and extremely funny, I must caution some of you out there that some of the episodes contain excruciatingly embarrassing situations that can be hard to watch. Either way, you have to see it to believe it!
HBO presents all six episodes from the first season of the show on a 2-disc DVD set (3 episodes on each). Here is a brief breakdown on all the segments of each episode:
Disc One:
Episode 1: "Law"
Ali G at the Police Academy, Borat´s Guide to Dating, Bruno on the Catwalk, Ali G Interviews Richard Thornburgh
Episode 2: "War"
Ali G at the U.N., Ali G: Religion Roundtable, Borat´s Guide to Etiquette, Ali G with General Brent Scowcroft
Episode 3: "Politics"
Ali G with Newt Gingrich, Bruno at New York Fashion Week, Borat´s Guide to Hobbies, Ali G on Drugs
Disc Two:
Episode 4: "Art"
Ali G on Art, Borat´s Guide to Acting, Ali G: Media Roundtable, Bruno in L.A., Ali G with Buzz Aldrin
Episode 5: "Science"
Ali G: Science Roundtable, Borat´s Guide to Baseball, Ali G with Ralph Nader, Ali G with C. Everett Koop
Episode 6: "Belief"
Ali G Goes to Hollywood, Borat´s Guide to the South, Ali G: Sex Roundtable, Bruno in Alabama, Ali G with James Baker and Marlon Fitzwater
Video:
Like most HBO programs, "Da Ali G Show" is presented in 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio with English subtitles. Overall, the video images are clear and very clean with colors that are well saturated, vivid and striking (especially Ali G´s attire!) in both indoor and outdoor shots.
Audio:
Audio-wise, the Dolby Digital 2.0 English language track is probably as good a quality as it will get. Featuring music with a heavy bass and beat, the subwoofer gets a more-than-expected workout. Other times, the center channel is the main workhorse, delivering crisp and clear dialogue.
Extras:
A reasonable number of special features are included in this release. On Disc 1, there is an enjoyable audio commentary of Episode 1 by Sacha Baron Cohen and producer Dan Mazer. Both men interact well together and deliver lots of juicy tidbits about making the various segments of that episode. Next are two never-before-seen footages of Borat: "Borat´s Guide to Animals" and "Borat´s Guide to Patriotism". They are mostly similar in format to the other Borat segments and are mildly entertaining.
Disc 2 contains an Ali G short film titled "Spyz". This is the extremely bad (on purpose) amateur homemade movie that Ali G pitches to Hollywood executives in Episode 6. It runs for over 8 agonizing minutes with some scenes that are not suitable for younger children. Finally, there is a large glossary of Ali G words and catch phrases, which may finally put to rest all the doubts about what exactly is our man saying!
Entertainment Value:
Alo, dis iz Ali G! First a big up to main man Hock ere for giving me this opportunity to partake a few words on dis wicked review. Hey Hock, u ever come to Staines, u should come check me turf wiv my Julie. Anyway, me be happy dat u lot buy me DVD and shit so me can git meself some mula and take me Julie out on a brand new auto. Aight?
So don´t be dissing, innit?
Keep it real.
Respek!
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]12826[/release]