The show emanated from the UK, but Baron Cohen brought it to America two years back to terrorize our politicians and celebrities. It's likely his outsider status makes it easier to land some of the ridiculously big interviews he is able to secure. Whatever the reason for his success, one must marvel at the kinds of people he was able to pull for the second season, including Sam Donaldson, Noam Chomsky and Pat Buchanan.
Da Compleet Second Seazon (and the last, according to recent reports) is now out on DVD, and although it is a slim six episodes like the first season, it is well worth a look. The two-disc set features all the episodes, including tons of never-before-seen footage. For fans of the show, this is an excellent set. For people new to the world of Ali G, it's a great introduction to one of the true joys of television.
The second season keeps the formula that made the first so successful. It introduces no new characters, and it doesn't need to. Each show consists of several vignettes incorporating these three characters, usually two with Ali G, one with Borat and one mit Bruno.
While Ali G's bumbling political discussions and constant "too-much-information" sexual tales are hilarious, Borat steals the show with his ungainly manner, outsider status and complete lack of candor. Bruno makes nearly everything about homosexuality, which either delights or horrifies his victims, much to the audience's delight.
The reason the show works on such a high level is that Baron Cohen is as skilled at improv as anyone working. Sure, some of the jokes have been written ahead of time, but Cohen is adept at squeezing comedy out of uncomfortable situations with a posture, look or gesture. His interviewees are never sure where he's coming from, but all of them are so quick to please that they do not question his complete ridiculousness.
HBO will not carry a third season of this hilarious show, so this may be your last opportunity to see Ali, Borat and Bruno in action. Do not miss it.
Score: 9 out of 10
The Video
The video is broadcast quality, or perhaps a little less. Since much of the show is shot on handheld digital cameras, the original image is not all that precious. While most of the shots look fine, some of the transitional shots (the handheld stuff) look rather grainy, loaded with artifacts.
Of course, this show isn't really about pristine video; it's about laughs. It's not a showcase piece by any means, but it is also not really meant to be. The video is presented fullscreen in a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Score: 5 out of 10
The Audio
Ali G is mostly about talking, and to that end, the audio does not really need to be too flashy. It is presented in English 2.0, and that is it. No frills, no excuses, no need. All of the voices come through clearly, the music is only between segments, and it's a straight-up mix.
Score: 6 out of 10
The Extras
Disc One of the set features Ali G's Harvard Commencement Speech in "Unseen Sh*t." When you get over the fact that Harvard would want Ali G to speak to their graduates, it's an interesting watch, if only to see how many inappropriate things he says with everyone's grandparents in attendance. Many standard Ali G themes come up—frank sexual discussion, mispronunciation and misuse of the language, drug banter and more. Somehow, it still manages to be uplifting while being funny.
The second disc busts its "Unseen Sh*t" into categories for each one of the characters. Ali G's segments break down like so:
- Ali G Educational Summit
- Ali G Interviews Noam Chomsky
- Ali G Visits Civil War Naval Ship
The "Ali G Educational Summit" is especially funny, primarily because he gets his guests so riled up with topics like student-teacher relationships. During the discussion about bullying, he routinely bullies one of the panelists, almost instigating a fight. The fact that he talks to Noam Chomsky about language is deliciously ironic, and it's awesome to see him manipulate one of the world's most influential thinkers.
Borat's segments are as follows:
- Borat Hunts in Texas
- Borat Learns Football
- Borat With Pima Republican Club
"Borat Learns Football" is virtually all physical comedy, as the ungainly character struggles to make sense of the mechanics of the game. At one point he boasts, "I am strong. I can throw a rock and hit a gypsy from 15 meter," all the while spastically trying to heave the pigskin. During the Pima Republican Club meeting, he asks for ten minutes silence for a made-up massacre, and the people dutifully obey, although their food grows cold on the table.
Bruno only has two segments. The first, "Bruno Visits a Psychic," he asks the psychic to get in touch with Gianni Versace. He asks Versace for tips on his appearance, and the psychic takes it very seriously. The second bit, titled "Bruno Speaks With a Hollywood Stylist" is pretty standard Bruno fare, and the only bit that is of lesser quality than what normally airs.
The set is really only missing commentary. There isn't a single track on any of the six episodes, and since Cohen doesn't do a lot of interviews, it would be nice to hear from him on the future of his characters. Still, with 50 minutes of extra features, it's tough to complain.
Score: 8 out of 10