Technology news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Sacha Baron Cohen Talks Tarantino, AI & Why Undercover Comedy ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Will Be His Last — Comedy Means Business Podcast
Sacha Baron Cohen says his new film, *Ali G: Who Iz I?*, may be his final undercover comedy, bringing the character back more than 20 years after his last film centred on Ali G. He describes it as his most ambitious and extreme project, using satire to expose assumptions and prejudices through characters placed in real-world situations.
In the film, Ali G learns his girlfriend Julie is pregnant and tries to support his family, while Dr Nira Cain-N’Degeocello seeks to get him cancelled. Its finale was filmed continuously over eight hours across 12 locations, with nearly 200 crew members and hundreds of choreographed beats. Cohen also discusses his preparation, the risks of undercover work and how audiences interpret his characters.
In short
- Cohen says this may be his last undercover comedy.
- *Ali G: Who Iz I?* brings the character back after more than 20 years.
- Its eight-hour finale spans 12 locations.
Explained simply
Sacha Baron Cohen is a British comedian and actor known for creating characters such as Ali G, a mock streetwise interviewer, and taking them into real-world settings. The humour often comes from people responding to the characters as if they were genuine, while the scenes reveal assumptions or prejudices.
Ali G first appeared on television before starring in a film in 2002. Cohen’s undercover comedy involves performing in character around people who may not know they are part of a comic encounter, which can raise questions about consent, risk and how the resulting scenes are understood.
The new film centres on Ali G trying to support a family after learning his girlfriend is pregnant, while a character seeks to have him cancelled. Cohen’s comments about whether this may be his last undercover comedy touch on how he sees the form’s demands and the place of satire in public life.