Last week I learned by means of Total Request Live that HBO has produced an American version of the Ali G Show, the interview platform that brought British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen the kind of fame that Adam Carrola dreams of.
If you missed Carson’s lackluster interview, the only other place you’ve possibly seen Ali G is as the limo driver in Madonna’s “Music” video. But judging him on that merit would be a mistake.
As Ali G pranced around the MTV studio in his fire-engine yellow jumpsuit, my excitement was dulled by concern for what America would do to my European homie.
Let me back up. I was introduced to the hilarity that is Ali G in London last spring in the flood of promotion for his movie “Ali G Indahouse.” The character became film-worthy after a successful interview show that worked off the same premise as Comedy Central’s Primetime Glick. Both host characters are grossly underqualified and potentially volatile, yet they interview celebrities and important figures.
However, in more Tom Green fashion, much of Ali G’s humor came from his subjects not knowing what they were getting into. According to an itv.com article from earlier this year, once people knew how to deal with Ali G, the show got stale. “Indahouse” marked the end of Ali G’s pudding train.
But, as the innocent American tourist, Ali G was new and intelligent and Hee-larious. His satirical ridicule of white suburbanite “gangstas” rang as true in the States as it did in the United Kingdom. Though much of his England-specific humor was lost on me, it was charming — like Mini Coopers (thank you, Peter Hockaday).
The best way to understand this is by hearing what I call “G Speak.” But a close substitute is reading the phonic nightmare that is G Speak.
“Me woz born in da heart off da Staines ghetto. I has lived wiv me Nan in Staines … from da day me woz born, coz wiv both me parents havin’ been smoked, dere weren’t no one else around to look afta her.”
This quote was taken off the HBO show site, but it reads like an instruction manual compared to his book, “The Gospel According to Ali G.” Check out an excerpt at www.alig.com/dagospel, but expect to be offended.
The G Speak has such kitsch factor, both glossaries and translators are easily found online (check out www.whoisalig.com). And if you peep the Emerald site, you will find this entire column so translated. Respeck.
But Ali seemed uneasy in the MTV studio, and his mannerisms seemed toned down and trimmed of their English charm. I fear this will be the case with his show. HBO is stepping cautiously, giving him only a six-episode run at success. But they didn’t hold back on the guest list, letting him sit down with Newt Gingrich, Buzz Aldrin and Eugene favorite Ralph Nader.
A Newsweek article about the show eased my fears by quoting some of the program’s material. Because I am not some manner of royalty, I am not afforded luxuries such as HBO and I am left with the picked over remains of other publications.
But just knowing Ali is staying true to himself doesn’t mean the thick Yanks will get it. So if you find yourself sitting on your throne at 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning give me main man a chance, aiight?
Contact the Pulse columnist at [email protected].
His views do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald.