The Da Ali G Show is a satirical television series created by Sacha Baron Cohen that aired for three 6–episode seasons. In the series, Baron Cohen plays three unorthodox journalists: Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Brüno Gehard. The first season took place in the UK and aired on Channel 4 from 30 March 2000, to 5 May 2000, while the second and third seasons took place in the US and aired on HBO from 21 February 2003, to 22 August 2004, and are known as Ali G in da USAiii in countries the original season aired in. All three seasons are available on DVD. Four spin-off films: Ali G Indahouse, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Brüno and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan have also been released. The show was a critical success and received a number of awards and nominations.
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | Network | |||
| 1 | 6 | 30 March 2000 (2000-03-30) | 5 May 2000 (2000-05-05) | Channel 4 | |
| 2 | 6 | 21 February 2003 (2003-02-21) | 28 March 2003 (2003-03-28) | HBO | |
| 3 | 6 | 18 July 2004 (2004-07-18) | 22 August 2004 (2004-08-22) | ||
Episodes
Season 1 (2000)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Neil Hamilton" | 30 March 2000 (2000-03-30) | |
|
Skit: Ali pitches his new movie Booka in Cannes Interviewee: Neil Hamilton The Message: Ali leads a roundtable discussion on Animal Rights Ali G hosts the game show Who Wants to Win an Ounce? Borat learns about British etiquette Music Guest: Gaz Coombes of Supergrass Ali's Final Thought | ||||
| 2 | 2 | "John Humphrys" | 7 April 2000 (2000-04-07) | |
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Skit: Ali rescues a "fit bitch" from prison and speaks about respect The Message: Politics DJ Tha4orce: "You touch my decks you die!" Interviewee: John Humphrys Ali G presents his new home shopping channel, QVG Borat learns about British comedy Music Guest: Fran Healy from Travis | ||||
| 3 | 3 | "Roy Hattersley" | 14 April 2000 (2000-04-14) | |
|
Skit: Ali is picked out of a police lineup Ali G visits Hollywood to learn about US TV, including Sally Jessy Raphael DJ Tha4orce reminisces about Ali's Julie Interviewee: Roy Hattersley The Message: Family Ali G "Turns the tables in the Third World with Turntables" Music Guest: Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders | ||||
| 4 | 4 | "Mohamed Al Fayed" | 21 April 2000 (2000-04-21) | |
|
Skit: Ali is sentenced to death by electricity Ali G learns about the FB, Aiiii. DJ Tha4orce speaks to Ali's DJing skills Interviewee: Mohamed Al Fayed Ali G learns about dangerous Drugs Borat learns about hunting in Britain Music: Ali jams with Mohamed Al Fayed | ||||
| 5 | 5 | "Gail Porter" | 28 April 2000 (2000-04-28) | |
|
Skit: Ali's musical tribute to his childhood The Message: The Environment Borat visits Cambridge University Ali G warns the St. Lawrence Crew Interviewee: Gail Porter Ali G visits the National Rifle Association of America and learns about gun rights Music: Ali sings "Amazing Staines" | ||||
| 6 | 6 | "Anita Roddick" | 5 May 2000 (2000-05-05) | |
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Skit: Ali dies defending an "Increase da Peace" meeting and meets Jah Ali G learns about illegal weapons DJ Tha4orce: Ali learns to speak Jamaican Interviewee: Anita Roddick The Message: Medical ethics Borat visits the Henley Regatta Music guest: Jarvis Cocker Ali's Final Thought | ||||
Season 2 (2003)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "Law" | 21 February 2003 (2003-02-21) | |
|
Ali G takes the job of a police officer for a day at the Philadelphia Police Department. Borat visits a dating agency; gets advice on American dating. Brüno interviews "PR guru" Paul Wilmot and visits New York for fashion week. Interviewee: Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh | ||||
| 8 | 2 | "War" | 28 February 2003 (2003-02-28) | |
|
Ali G visits the United Nations where he interviews Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Ali G leads a roundtable discussion on religion. Borat provides a guide to etiquette. Interviewee: Former U.S. National Security Advisor General Brent Scowcroft. | ||||
| 9 | 3 | "Politics" | 7 March 2003 (2003-03-07) | |
|
Interviewee: Newt Gingrich. Brüno visits New York for fashion week. Ali G attempts to interest investors (including Donald Trump) in his ice cream glove. Borat provides a guide to American hobbies. Ali G interviews a special agent of the DEA about drugs. | ||||
| 10 | 4 | "Art" | 14 March 2003 (2003-03-14) | |
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Ali G learns about art (from, among others, James Lipton). Borat learns about acting. Ali G leads a roundtable discussion on the media. Brüno visits Los Angeles. Interviewee: Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin. | ||||
| 11 | 5 | "Science" | 21 March 2003 (2003-03-21) | |
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Ali G leads a roundtable discussion on science and technology, featuring creationist Kent Hovind. Borat visits a spiritual healer and an exercise instructor. Ali G interviews Ralph Nader, and attends an anti-nuclear protest. Interviewee: Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. | ||||
| 12 | 6 | "Belief" | 28 March 2003 (2003-03-28) | |
|
Ali G attempts to interest Hollywood producers in his James Bond television show concept. Borat visits the South. Ali G leads a roundtable discussion on sex. Brüno visits Alabama. Interviewees: Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and former White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater. | ||||
Season 3 (2004)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | "Respek" | 18 July 2004 (2004-07-18) | |
|
Interviewee: Sam Donaldson Borat goes wine tasting. Ali G learns about the US criminal justice system. Brüno interviews Pastor Quinn the "Gay Converter". | ||||
| 14 | 2 | "Rekognize" | 25 July 2004 (2004-07-25) | |
|
Interviewee: Pat Buchanan Borat learns about American politics with James Broadwater. Ali G leads a roundtable "diskushen" about the family. Ali G learns about animals on a farm. | ||||
| 15 | 3 | "Peace" | 1 August 2004 (2004-08-01) | |
|
Ali G pitches his book ideas to literary agents and publishers. Brüno leads the "fashion polizei". Interviewee: President of the US Olympians Association John Naber Ali G leads a roundtable "diskushen" about politics. Borat learns "how to be country music star" from Porter Wagoner and then sings "In My Country There Is Problem" from the Country West's stage. | ||||
| 16 | 4 | "Realize" | 8 August 2004 (2004-08-08) | |
|
Interviewee: Former head of the Immigration and Naturalization Service James Ziglar Borat learns about American hobbies by visiting a self-defense expert, a yoga teacher, and a New Age dance class. Ali G learns about the environment from Christine Todd Whitman and advocates of Earth First!. Brüno visits Miami. Ali G leads a roundtable "diskushen" about animal rights. | ||||
| 17 | 5 | "Jah" | 15 August 2004 (2004-08-15) | |
|
Ali G interviews Gore Vidal about history and visits Mount Vernon. Borat learns about buying a house in a gated community. Ali G learns from sex educator Sally Epstein. Brüno attends a barn dance in Georgia. Ali G leads a roundtable "diskushen" about medical ethics. | ||||
| 18 | 6 | "Realness" | 22 August 2004 (2004-08-22) | |
|
Ali G learns about gender issues by getting relationship advice from author Dr. John Gray, and attending a pro-choice rally in Washington D.C. Borat goes job-hunting, learning about American work ethics from various employment agencies. Interviewee: Former presidential economics adviser Dr. Charles Schultze. Brüno gets wrestling lessons from a college team on Spring Break in Daytona Beach. Ali G gets some grammar tips from 60 Minutes pundit Andy Rooney. | ||||
See also
- List of Da Ali G Show DVD releases
- Ali G Indahouse (2002)
- Borat (2006)
- Brüno (2009)
References
- Raekha Prasad (31 March 2000). "Wandering Ali G may not hit the spot". Guardian Unlimited. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 21 November 2007.
External links
- List of Da Ali G Show (US) episodes at HBO's official site
- List of Da Ali G Show (UK) episodes at IMDb
- List of Da Ali G Show (US) episodes at IMDb
- Da Ali G Show (UK) at epguides.com
- Da Ali G Show (US) at epguides.com
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