Sacha Baron Cohen has struck gold yet again! In its first episode, "Who Is America?" manages to be funny, bleak, insightful, unpredictable, and jaw dropping. Both Sacha Baron Cohen's shock humour and satire mesh into a brilliantly offensive, outrageous, and powerful punch against the ridiculousness of the modern state of our nation, and how politics, as it always has been, is corrupt, dangerous, and often goofy. When it comes to satire, he absurd and the insightful often go hand in hand, and no where is that better displayed than in something like this.
10 Reviews
Holy .....!
dimboD16 July 2018
Whenever I watch anything that Sacha puts out I am always like "Ah, he can't surprise me this time!" I am always wrong. As a European I am not really that interested in American politics but boy is it funny! I think there is something for both Left-s and Right-s but I GUARANTEE THE FINAL SEGMENT WILL LEAVE YOUR JAW DROPPED. Amazing!
Has to be seen to be believed
eatpajdittsvin-520-81115016 July 2018
You know this is a good watch when 1 star reviews are posted citing things that aren't even in the first episode...
This may well become Sacha Baron Cohen's best work yet. His new characters here are more nuanced and funny than the crude (I hesitate to even call them stereotypes) of Borat and Bruno. Meanwhile, this show is with today's political backdrop highly relevant to our times.
This may well become Sacha Baron Cohen's best work yet. His new characters here are more nuanced and funny than the crude (I hesitate to even call them stereotypes) of Borat and Bruno. Meanwhile, this show is with today's political backdrop highly relevant to our times.
A very short review of Episode 1 of "Who Is America?" (2018)
ericrnolan9 August 2018
So I just managed to catch the first episode of Sacha Baron Cohen's "Who Is America?" (2018), and it was predictably jaw-dropping. (I recently ran a couple of clips here at the blog that Showtime had released concurrently with the show's July 15th premiere.) I'd rate the first episode a perfect 10 for being both hilarious and an absolutely biting half hour of ... prank comedy? Subversive documentary? Performance art? I think any of those labels might apply in varying degrees, depending on how you view Cohen's work. It's wacky stuff.
I opine that Cohen is a creative genius. We can all debate the ethics of the imposter interviews that are his trademark (and there were a couple of moments during 2006's "Borat" that made even me squirm). But nobody can deny that the man is exceptionally good at what he does. And I don't think that his success derives from the false personas he adopts when sitting down with political figures. (There are several new ones that he's created for the show.) They are funny by themselves, but not hilarious, and countless comedians can perform a character. (One of Cohen's creations, the "Finnish Youtuber," even reminds me a little of Dana Carvey.)
Cohen has something more. If I had to guess, I'd say that it's a skill set that matches closely with that of any standard con-artist, allowing him to gain his interviewees' trust to an extreme degree. I'm willing to bet that he works hard at building rapport with his subjects long before the cameras start rolling, and that the feckless nature of his false identities further puts them at ease.
Anyway, Episode 1 features interviews with Bernie Sanders and Trent Lott. Sanders acquits himself far better than other participants, although I also think Cohen went far easier on him. (There isn't actually a joke at Sanders' expense; it's really just Cohen's character clowning.) The humiliating interview with disgraced Sheriff Joe Arpaio that is currently making the rounds online doesn't appear until Episode 4.
This is utterly bizarre, utterly funny stuff. I highly recommend it.
I opine that Cohen is a creative genius. We can all debate the ethics of the imposter interviews that are his trademark (and there were a couple of moments during 2006's "Borat" that made even me squirm). But nobody can deny that the man is exceptionally good at what he does. And I don't think that his success derives from the false personas he adopts when sitting down with political figures. (There are several new ones that he's created for the show.) They are funny by themselves, but not hilarious, and countless comedians can perform a character. (One of Cohen's creations, the "Finnish Youtuber," even reminds me a little of Dana Carvey.)
Cohen has something more. If I had to guess, I'd say that it's a skill set that matches closely with that of any standard con-artist, allowing him to gain his interviewees' trust to an extreme degree. I'm willing to bet that he works hard at building rapport with his subjects long before the cameras start rolling, and that the feckless nature of his false identities further puts them at ease.
Anyway, Episode 1 features interviews with Bernie Sanders and Trent Lott. Sanders acquits himself far better than other participants, although I also think Cohen went far easier on him. (There isn't actually a joke at Sanders' expense; it's really just Cohen's character clowning.) The humiliating interview with disgraced Sheriff Joe Arpaio that is currently making the rounds online doesn't appear until Episode 4.
This is utterly bizarre, utterly funny stuff. I highly recommend it.
Really funny don't heed the nay saying Vet-Defender!
mgoetschenberg16 July 2018
The show seems decent, has good timing on jokes and is funny as heck!
Unfortunately some people still do not understand that humour is allowed to do everything, especially under the light of sarcasm. As long as it does not physically harm anyone, there is no harm done in joking about Veterans!
Never a boring watch, but a very disconcerting one.
aarosedi18 July 2018
A biting satire that's sure not to disappoint SBC because his fans and non-fans are guaranteed to be talking about his commentary built up through several stunt interviews he has orchestrated. He definitely places himself in the crosshairs of non-fans with this work and endears himself more to his fans with his schtick.
The pilot episode sees SBC poking fun at the political correctness gone mad, alt-right media, and the Second Amendment issues that floods American media these days and does it using his various personas. The segment featuring an ex-con Rick Sherman visiting a gallery consultant seeking representation for his art work seems like the odd lot, more an excuse for him to shove some scat to the mix, but for me, that is the definitely the funniest of the four, given that the narrative in this episode really went in a dark place in dealing with such hot topical issues.
One could just be at awe at the immersion SBC puts onto himself in tackling the issues that affect Americans today, because whether they like it or not, issues that Americans face affects the whole planet. So for him to use his performance routine, I use the word "performance" because one cannot possibly regard those bits as comedic (sounds a bit redundant - performance-routine), to kind of light a flame up the viewer's bums, and he has succeeded in making people take notice, the rest of the series is gonna be a worthwhile a look, as a discussion piece. Definitely SBC delivered in making an effort that is never boring, because it's more along the lines of disconcerting, really.
(I'd rather keep my vote a secret for this one).
The pilot episode sees SBC poking fun at the political correctness gone mad, alt-right media, and the Second Amendment issues that floods American media these days and does it using his various personas. The segment featuring an ex-con Rick Sherman visiting a gallery consultant seeking representation for his art work seems like the odd lot, more an excuse for him to shove some scat to the mix, but for me, that is the definitely the funniest of the four, given that the narrative in this episode really went in a dark place in dealing with such hot topical issues.
One could just be at awe at the immersion SBC puts onto himself in tackling the issues that affect Americans today, because whether they like it or not, issues that Americans face affects the whole planet. So for him to use his performance routine, I use the word "performance" because one cannot possibly regard those bits as comedic (sounds a bit redundant - performance-routine), to kind of light a flame up the viewer's bums, and he has succeeded in making people take notice, the rest of the series is gonna be a worthwhile a look, as a discussion piece. Definitely SBC delivered in making an effort that is never boring, because it's more along the lines of disconcerting, really.
(I'd rather keep my vote a secret for this one).
Show of exposing true nature of people!
buntybc11 June 2021
I think this is great show if you looking for very edgy-docu style comic interviews!! Dont watch this if you think this is funny show, its more then that! But i can see leftis and progressive not liking this show, its not perfect but they tried and i liekd it, did not laughed many times but i was entertained for sure and disturbed as well how many crazy republicans are!! I dont mind conservative policy debates and debates regarding their ideas but some of them are straight up DUMB!
Hit and Miss
paulflanagan2417 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
While this episode does expose how many republican politicians are dim enough to support a spoof initiative training young children to use guns, this probably isn't news to most people. The first half of this episode is cringeworthy, and only really exposed that people are willing to be polite and tolerant of some ridiculous views and ideas. The Bernie Sanders interview is very odd and I'm not sure what prompted SBC to keep this in at all, let alone have it as the first scene of the series. Cohen is undoubtedly a master satirist, but here the characters are too numerous, not as real (in a visual or ideological sense) as his previous characters, and not as funny or clever. There's still some good material here, though one has to question whether such elaborate techniques are still required to expose these morons in 2018.
Episode 1
bobcobb30119 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Right now you can't turn on the TV without seeing a show about politics.
Amidst all the noise and cliched jokes, this is actually a fresh take on a post-Trump America. Sacha and his team have clearly researched the kinds of issues and opinions people have now and it made for an entertaining show.
Was it the funniest thing ever? No, but it's about as creative as anything else on summer TV.
Amidst all the noise and cliched jokes, this is actually a fresh take on a post-Trump America. Sacha and his team have clearly researched the kinds of issues and opinions people have now and it made for an entertaining show.
Was it the funniest thing ever? No, but it's about as creative as anything else on summer TV.
There must be a better use of your time, Sacha
allikaye30 July 2018
Honestly, I wanted to like this. There's so much stupidity and offensiveness in the country and the world right now, and this show seemed like the perfect antidote.
Instead, this first episode made me feel bad for Sacha Baron Cohen. What did this wannabe attempt at satire uncover? That a conservative couple was really trying to be kind and accepting while Sacha's character said outrageous things about having sex with dolphins. He also tried to troll Bernie Sanders who couldn't care less about Sacha's banal and overplayed health care jokes, and he asked a perfectly nice art gallery owner for a sample of her pubes while talking to her about feces. No laughs here, just a sad shaking of the head from everyone involved, including me. When the subjects pity the satirist, you know something went wrong.
The only remotely interesting and enlightening part was the segment about gun control. That's why I give it 4 stars. But even this bit didn't have even half the comic savvy or subtlety as the Daily Show/Colbert Report faux-interviews of the past. Meh.
Instead, this first episode made me feel bad for Sacha Baron Cohen. What did this wannabe attempt at satire uncover? That a conservative couple was really trying to be kind and accepting while Sacha's character said outrageous things about having sex with dolphins. He also tried to troll Bernie Sanders who couldn't care less about Sacha's banal and overplayed health care jokes, and he asked a perfectly nice art gallery owner for a sample of her pubes while talking to her about feces. No laughs here, just a sad shaking of the head from everyone involved, including me. When the subjects pity the satirist, you know something went wrong.
The only remotely interesting and enlightening part was the segment about gun control. That's why I give it 4 stars. But even this bit didn't have even half the comic savvy or subtlety as the Daily Show/Colbert Report faux-interviews of the past. Meh.
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