Da Ali G Show - Da Compleet Seereez

The movie Ali G wasn't very funny but this HBO box set of the Da Ali G show is easily as funny as either movie "Borat" or "Bruno", which were true tear-jerkers. Da Ali G Show, less than a half hour per episode, divides into one part Ali G, one part Borat, and one part Bruno. So actually if you're just getting into Sacha Baron Cohen this is a good place to start. Special features include some unreleased stuff, mostly hilarious, a Harvard guest speech at graduation, and a commentary over the first show of the first season with one of the crew and Cohen himself. I would've liked to have heard how they finally got license to put this stuff on the show - I suppose it's a journalistic right to publish anything if an interviewee grants you an interview? I wonder if the "guests" on his show receive any royalties from HBO or the DVD, etc...There are only 6 shows per season, so that's around 3 hours total per season. The box set is obviously a good deal for a total of 6 hours. Both seasons are rivitingly hilarious, though if I had to choose perhaps I'd choose the second as better than the first, though there were lots of good stuff in both and it's very easy to watch a whole season in one sitting. You don't want to stop. And it's amazing the guests he gets on his show - Sam Donaldson from ABC news, Andy Rooney from 60 minutes (he doesn't take too much of Ali G's crap), ministers, men of science, women in all walks of life, Darryl Gates LAPD police cheif, a guy from the DEA, former presidential advisors, Noam Chomsky, fashion gurus, club owners, all variety of everyday people - he's relentless. It's almost surreal to see these distinguished personages being interviewed by the likes of Ali G.I've just ordered a few sets of the British stuff which was made prior to this HBO production and is shot in England. I'm assuming I won't recognize many of the interviewees on that show. Yes, I have a 'region-free' DVD player which will make this viewing possible (UK = PAL region 2 discs that don't play on standard US players). Reading customer reviews on those discs (on Amazon.uk) I recall one reviewer comparing the UK stuff to the later HBO stuff shot in America, and she said something like 'perhaps we don't take ourselves quite as seriously as those in America.." I haven't seen the UK stuff yet, so I can't really compare yet, but it just seems to me it would be easier to victimize Americans more easily than British, because Ali G is British, so first of all, no one in England is going to be looking at him as a "foreigner" to begin with. He accent, while obviously tripped out to the rastafarian umpth degree is still British so it seems like it would still be a little harder to put over on your own people. Whereas in the States, Ali G's British accent alone makes him slightly exotic - add to that all the other stuff and these poor interviewees are really just trying to comprehend how "different" the world is beyond our borders. And this is not even bringing up Borat. Anyway, it's a good expirament and a fun one to watch. It's truly unique in the annals of comedy that someone could pull this off. If you haven't seen the Ali G Show yet and you liked "Borat" or "Bruno" the movies, don't hesitate. You'll hurt from laughing so much.

I discovered Sacha from watching Borat, but Ali G is freaking hilarious! I think I actually prefer his Ali G character more than Borat. It's amazing how he convinces professionals in highly respected fields (the police force, CIA, religious figures, congressmen, politicians, and so on) to go on interviews. He asks them the dumbest questions which is what makes it all so hilarious. If you have any hesitations of purchasing it, just go to the youtube website and watch a clip of the skit called "ice cream glove" in which he pitches an idea to Donald Trump and a plethora of other highly influential business leaders about the importance of gloves when eating ice cream. There is also a skit in which he is trying to publish a book, and he tells the publishers that he wrote a book on the film "The Lord of the Ring" without realizing that the film is based on a book.In all seriousness, the skits when Borat goes to America hold a deeper meaning for me. I believe that Borat is trying to bring to light the conservative views and values of the Southern United States, kind of telling and explaining to the rest of the world why Bush was reelected. He wants to demonstrate how conservative our country really is, and how the older generations are still pretty ignorant about their views on race, homosexuals and other minority groups or groups with opposing views. Even in his major US film release, he stopped at a church in Texas where there were judges and congressmen preaching in a church. I believe in the seperation of church and state.Anyway...the DVD is excellent, and in case you are wondering it does work in the US region. Also the packaging is pretty nifty.

This DVD was a gift for my dad.... then it was so funny I had to borrow it for myself :P His characters are each funny in their own way, but the funniest stuff comes from how people react to his characters. In one interview, Bruno is asking a fashion designer questions, but they are all conflicting!!! First he says "I thought your collection seemed heavy, do you agree?" and the guy he interviewing agrees and explains that he wanted that, then Bruno says "You know I thought you collection felt very light, and i felt like I was floating, do you agree?" and AGAIN the guy aghrees and explains it. Absolutely priceless!

Big ups for Sacha Baron Cohen's overwhelming success. Unfortunately, it bookends his brilliant series Da Ali G Show on HBO.The show is fantastic, and having Da Compleet Seereez in one set is phenomenal, and addictive.Buy this. Watch it one thousand times, then track down the original English series on vhs.Regardless of your politics or point of view, you'll find something redeeming and genuine in Ali G, Borat and Bruno.This is a must have in the comedy collection. Truly groundbreaking work.

Popped in Season 1 to find Season 2 on it…

Sacha Baron Cohen, who travels across America in the guise of one of three totally different characters. Cohen's primary alter-ego is Ali G., who calls himself a "hip-hop journalist", but who's really a white wannabe rapper. He interviews serious people asking stupid and ridiculous questions which leads to hilarity ensuing. I wish he would make another show like this again with new characters. I suppose it is hard now that he is so famous. I have watched this show at least five times that is how good it is. I highly recommend it for people that enjoy curb your enthusiasm, arrested development, and the office (the good seasons and UK).