Despite a million people tuning in to see the premiere on HBO of Da Ali G Show, the reviews after the event leave one with the impression that describing the show as being a "flop" would be something of an understatement.
Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle reckons that although Sacha Baron Cohen is "talented", the show "is hardly original to an American audience and, unfortunately, plays well under the acceptable level of greatness we've all come to expect from HBO."
Things didn't exactly get off to a good start when Cohen introduced his act by saying: "'Nuff sadness since the events of 7-11," referring both to the attacks of 11th September 2001 and the convenience store chain in the typically politically incorrect fashion British audiences are used to. That joke, however, was enough to draw outrage from the US press - Tom Shales of the Washington Post commented: "...nothing excuses joking about Sept. 11, 2001. The word "tasteless" doesn't begin to cover it."
The AP's Lynn Elber expressed "regret" that Britain's "glorious tradition of satire" - naming Eddie Izzard, Jonathan Swift, Gilbert and Sullivan and the hugely popular Monty Python and Ab Fab, both series that have attracted a cult following in the US - had ended up producing Da Ali G Show. In a one paragraph put-down worthy of Anne Robinson, Elber said: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Cohen. Now go home. Please."
So far, HBO has only commissioned six shows. There is no word yet on whether the channel will pick up more, although it is important to consider that although the critics slated the show, one million viewers tuned in. The key will be how many tune out - or indeed tune in, if one believes the adage referring to there being no such thing as poor publicity - for subsequent shows. Viewers in the UK will get to see the US shows when they air on Channel 4 later this year.
Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle reckons that although Sacha Baron Cohen is "talented", the show "is hardly original to an American audience and, unfortunately, plays well under the acceptable level of greatness we've all come to expect from HBO."
Things didn't exactly get off to a good start when Cohen introduced his act by saying: "'Nuff sadness since the events of 7-11," referring both to the attacks of 11th September 2001 and the convenience store chain in the typically politically incorrect fashion British audiences are used to. That joke, however, was enough to draw outrage from the US press - Tom Shales of the Washington Post commented: "...nothing excuses joking about Sept. 11, 2001. The word "tasteless" doesn't begin to cover it."
The AP's Lynn Elber expressed "regret" that Britain's "glorious tradition of satire" - naming Eddie Izzard, Jonathan Swift, Gilbert and Sullivan and the hugely popular Monty Python and Ab Fab, both series that have attracted a cult following in the US - had ended up producing Da Ali G Show. In a one paragraph put-down worthy of Anne Robinson, Elber said: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Cohen. Now go home. Please."
So far, HBO has only commissioned six shows. There is no word yet on whether the channel will pick up more, although it is important to consider that although the critics slated the show, one million viewers tuned in. The key will be how many tune out - or indeed tune in, if one believes the adage referring to there being no such thing as poor publicity - for subsequent shows. Viewers in the UK will get to see the US shows when they air on Channel 4 later this year.
