NationStates Jolt Archive

Or, UK Comedian causes international flap....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=404852&in_page_id=1770

US President George Bush is to host White House talks on British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

Cohen, 35, creator of Ali G, has infuriated the Kazakhstan government with his portrayal of Borat, a bumbling Kazakh TV presenter.

And now a movie of Borat's adventures in the US has caused a diplomatic incident.

The opening scene, which shows Borat lustily kissing his sister goodbye and setting off for America in a car pulled by a horse, had audiences in stitches when it was first shown last week.

But the film, which has just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, has prompted a swift reaction from the Kazakhstan government, which is launching a PR blitz in the States.

Personally, it's really funny stuff - but I guess no one can take a joke anymore.

Are we now in an era where we're not allowed to make fun of each other, even in jest?

Or, UK Comedian causes international flap....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=404852&in_page_id=1770



Personally, it's really funny stuff - but I guess no one can take a joke anymore.

Are we now in an era where we're not allowed to make fun of each other, even in jest?

Comedy is it really the last bastion of free speach?

Ugh, personally I can't stand the guy.

Not because I find him offensive, just because I think he's a dick.

Ugh, personally I can't stand the guy.

Not because I find him offensive, just because I think he's a dick.

That very well may be, but he makes a good living at it.

Borat is by far Sasha Baron Cohens funniest character - just reading that article has made me laugh

That very well may be, but he makes a good living at it.
True. If I could make a living doing that, I wouldn't complain. Others might. :p

I must admit, I've known a few Americans who got all hot and bothered by portrayals of the US in parodies and jokes...but by and large, I find my fellow countrymen take such in good humour.

I might have to take a look at this. I find Ali G a pain, but if Cohen is willing to try something new, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

I must admit, I've known a few Americans who got all hot and bothered by portrayals of the US in parodies and jokes...but by and large, I find my fellow countrymen take such in good humour.

I might have to take a look at this. I find Ali G a pain, but if Cohen is willing to try something new, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

It's not that new, Borat hs been around since Ali G has.

BAh self confident people don't give a damn about such things. Humor can't be touched, unless comedian is talentless and just making dumb jokes. Thats public service requiring crime :p

Or, UK Comedian causes international flap....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=404852&in_page_id=1770



Personally, it's really funny stuff - but I guess no one can take a joke anymore.

Are we now in an era where we're not allowed to make fun of each other, even in jest?

No. Remember in many Muslim countries they will riot and kill each other and burn down their villages and towns for stuff like this.

Baron Cohen responded to Ashykbayev in character by posting a video on the Official Borat website.

In the video, Borat said, "In response to Mr. Ashykbayev's comments, I'd like to state I have no connection with Mr. Cohen and fully support my Government's decision to sue this Jew.

This has got to be the best part of the funniest article the Daily Mail ever published.

No. Remember in many Muslim countries they will riot and kill each other and burn down their villages and towns for stuff like this.

Oh, so someone else's 10th century habits are my responsibility?

Please elucidate. Does this mean that when I watch porn, or go to a swingers' club and have a lot of sex, that they'll be offended? And in return, I'll be responsible for them rioting, killing, and burning?

Throw the Bush down the well....


Now let's see who has humor.

This has got to be the best part of the funniest article the Daily Mail ever published.

And the funniest picture, too.

Throw the Bush down the well....


Now let's see who has humor.

Someone already made a film about his fictional assassination.

I don't see rioting, looting, and burning in America's streets...

Oh, so someone else's 10th century habits are my responsibility?

Please elucidate. Does this mean that when I watch porn, or go to a swingers' club and have a lot of sex, that they'll be offended? And in return, I'll be responsible for them rioting, killing, and burning?

That all depends on wether there is a cartoon of Muhamed involved, surly?

Someone already made a film about his fictional assassination.

I don't see rioting, looting, and burning in America's streets...

Only because we're lazy. We just send poorly spelled death threats instead.

That all depends on wether there is a cartoon of Muhamed involved, surly?

No, but I have one of these in my car, right alongside the Dashboard Jesus.

http://www.dashboardmohammed.com./

Someone already made a film about his fictional assassination.

I don't see rioting, looting, and burning in America's streets...

Move to Compton. :D

Oh, so someone else's 10th century habits are my responsibility?

Please elucidate. Does this mean that when I watch porn, or go to a swingers' club and have a lot of sex, that they'll be offended? And in return, I'll be responsible for them rioting, killing, and burning?

No. What it means is that you need to learn to read sarcasm. I wasn't making that statement because I thought the movie should be censored in any way. I love the character and will see the movie and expect to come out with my side aching. That was a sarcastic jab at the Muslim world, not only for demanding that we censor what we do and say, but in doing by killing each other. As far as I am concerned, any Muslim, or Jew or Christian for that matter, can go fuck themselves if they think we should not print a cartoon or make a movie. If thy want to start killing themselves because of it I'd just like to know beforehand so I can make a little money selling them gasoline and dynamite.

Or, UK Comedian causes international flap....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=404852&in_page_id=1770
Personally, it's really funny stuff - but I guess no one can take a joke anymore.
Are we now in an era where we're not allowed to make fun of each other, even in jest?

Well, hes not being censored, so theres no problem. And in fairness to the Kazkhs, he is portraying them as a complete bunch of bastards. Presumably they'll learn to put up with it in the long run.


However when you take a firm hand with the Chimp in chief in an interview, you get an official, diplomatic complaint. Not when you're from China, or Russia, or someplace with nukes but when you're country that doesnt't have the population of a major American city.

"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The White House has officially registered its concerns with the Irish embassy over a television interview conducted by RTE's Washington correspondent, Carole Coleman."
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=14792

Even funnier (and scarier) is the fact that his staff apparently complained about her treatment of the "leader of the free world". Unfortunately we don't have this on tape.

Borat is by far Sasha Baron Cohens funniest character - just reading that article has made me laugh
My thoughts exactly.

How can a country not have a sense of humour?

Foreign Ministry spokesman Yerzhan Ashykbayev told a news conference: "We view Mr. Cohen's behaviour at the MTV Europe Music Awards as utterly unacceptable, being a concoction of bad taste and ill manners which is completely incompatible with the ethics and civilized behaviour of Kazakhstan's people.

"We reserve the right to any legal action to prevent new pranks of the kind."

Baron Cohen responded to Ashykbayev in character by posting a video on the Official Borat website.

In the video, Borat said, "In response to Mr. Ashykbayev's comments, I'd like to state I have no connection with Mr. Cohen and fully support my Government's decision to sue this Jew.

"Since the 2003 Tuleyakiv reforms, Kazakhstan is as civilized as any other country in the world.

"Women can now travel on inside of bus, homosexuals no longer have to wear blue hats, and age of consent has been raised to eight years old." This just made my day. Yay!

Borat is by far Sasha Baron Cohens funniest character - just reading that article has made me laugh

His French driver character in Talladega Nights (drawing a blank on the name) was pretty good.

I make joke in Soviet Russia, KGB arrest me and send me to Siberia. I make joke in England, whole country comes after me! What a country, eh?