Sasha Baron Cohen | Harmless Fun or Criminally Offensive

[Magic Man]

Yes - you're too old.

I'm 29, and I can't stand Borat or any of SBC's similar work.

The primary purpose of Cohen's "stunts" is to make social commentary. It's brilliant actually.

I don't think that's true. Sure, he likes to make social commentary, but a lot of his stuff is just about pushing the envelope. For instance, what was the social commentary from the scene in Borat where he fights his friend naked?

 

[Watchmen]

I'm 29, and I can't stand Borat or any of SBC's similar work.

He asked if he was too old and I answered. Has nothing to do with your age.

I don't think that's true. Sure, he likes to make social commentary, but a lot of his stuff is just about pushing the envelope. For instance, what was the social commentary from the scene in Borat where he fights his friend naked?

The movie is to be taken as a whole. If you want to pick out bits and pieces you can argue whatever you like.

I don't really care whether or not we agree.

 

[Magic Man]

He asked if he was too old and I answered. Has nothing to do with your age.

How does it have nothing to do with my age? He doesn't dislike it because he's old. Age doesn't matter. It's taste that makes the difference. I'm not old, and I don't like him. There are some older people who do like him.

The movie is to be taken as a whole. If you want to pick out bits and pieces you can argue whatever you like.

In other words, you don't really have a response?

I don't really care whether or not we agree.

I don't care whether or not we agree about whether he's funny. However, that's not what this is about. This is about his methods and goals.

 

[Watchmen]

And I don't really care whether we agree about his methods and goals.

 

[Magic Man]

And I don't really care whether we agree about his methods and goals.

OK, well, I was just pointing out what his real methods and goals are, just to make sure you understood them.

 

[Watchmen]

Actually, I pointed out his real methods and goals. That's what we disagree on and I don't care that we disagree.

 

[Magic Man]

Actually, I pointed out his real methods and goals.

I know that's what you think, that's why I corrected you.

 

[Watchmen]

OK - I'll take the high road and let you have the last word.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Maybe I'm getting a bit long in the tooth but I just despise Sasha Baron Cohen. And it isn't recent either, back before America had heard of him, in his early Ali-G days I thought he was terrible. Then, when Borat came out I thought he was insulting and disrespectful, especially to the Kazakh people who I had spent 3 years with and didn't feel deserved such disrespect. Now we have Bruno whos latest stunt at the MTV awards was to stick his bare *** in Eminem's face. I can't say I'm a big fan of Eminem but I certainly don't think he deserved such disrespect and I can't see how forcing a gay character on a homophobe on national TV can be productive.

So, am I just too damned old or is this guy a real loser?

You're too old

but comedy is by taste

I cant stand the three stooges, or ben stiller....

 

[Mr Cheese]

My problem with Cohen is his humor is disrepectful of others. I don't think its funny to make fun of people, I was always taught that was what bullys do. Cohen sets people up to look like fools so that he can make money at their expense. I don't care who they are, it isn't funny. Public humiliation used to be what was done to criminals, now its done to the innocents for a quick buck and often there is nothing they can do about it. How are we supposed to teach children that it's wrong to make fun of people and be a bully when Cohen is a hero to the masses?

You dont know much about comedy....

The comedian has always made fun of people... ever since comedy began... for centuries....

the court jester is a great example. Comedy has always been and meant to be offensive.

Perhaps you actually need to learn some history

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Perhaps you actually need to learn some history

Ha that's funny since I'm an amateur historian.

Anyway, I don't really care what comedy is or has been through history, I know what I like and I don't like Cohen. While I wouldn't approve of laws limiting his ability to serve up his sadistic version of humor, I also reserve the right to point out that what he is doing is morally wrong, at least by my morals. Enjoy him all you want, but don't tell me I have to.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Ha that's funny since I'm an amateur historian.

Anyway, I don't really care what comedy is or has been through history, I know what I like and I don't like Cohen. While I wouldn't approve of laws limiting his ability to serve up his sadistic version of humor, I also reserve the right to point out that what he is doing is morally wrong, at least by my morals. Enjoy him all you want, but don't tell me I have to.

comedy is taste.....

like I said, I cant stand ben stiller, or frankly much that is american comedy, it is frankly too dumb.... but thats me. :thud:

If you think Cohen is offensive..well he aint nothign compared to comedians like roy chubby brown

"Unfaithful"
Arriving home early from work one day.
I heard the wife moaning upstairs.
She must be on the toilet I thought to myself!
Getting up the stairs myself, it turned out, she was only in bed with my best friend, my Next door neighbour?
I was shocked, stunned flabberghasted, choking and stuttering.
I cried out to him How could you
I can′t comprehend, don′t understand
I mean I have to, you don′t?

Grabbing him by the bollocks and holding real tight with an iron grip, I dragged him all the way down the stairway.
He was whimpering - you can′t thrown me out naked man.
I never answered, instead dragged him through the kitchen.
Grabbing the largest bread knife I could find on route. He screamed for mercy you can′t cut it off man, please!
I remained silent, dragged him into the back garden into the shed Jammed his manhood in to my work bench vice, and then smashed the handle off that vice!

Don′t cut it off man, please, he screamed!
Oh, I′m not going to do that I said
Picking up a can of Lawn Mower Pertol and handing him the Knife I said you are
I′m setting the shed on fire!
Joke from Roy Chubby Brown UK Comedian

 

[Watchmen]

comedy is taste.....

like I said, I cant stand ben stiller, or frankly much that is american comedy, it is frankly too dumb.... but thats me. :thud:

If you think Cohen is offensive..well he aint nothign compared to comedians like roy chubby brown

"Unfaithful"
Arriving home early from work one day.
I heard the wife moaning upstairs.
She must be on the toilet I thought to myself!
Getting up the stairs myself, it turned out, she was only in bed with my best friend, my Next door neighbour?
I was shocked, stunned flabberghasted, choking and stuttering.
I cried out to him How could you
I can′t comprehend, don′t understand
I mean I have to, you don′t?

Grabbing him by the bollocks and holding real tight with an iron grip, I dragged him all the way down the stairway.
He was whimpering - you can′t thrown me out naked man.
I never answered, instead dragged him through the kitchen.
Grabbing the largest bread knife I could find on route. He screamed for mercy you can′t cut it off man, please!
I remained silent, dragged him into the back garden into the shed Jammed his manhood in to my work bench vice, and then smashed the handle off that vice!

Don′t cut it off man, please, he screamed!
Oh, I′m not going to do that I said
Picking up a can of Lawn Mower Pertol and handing him the Knife I said you are
I′m setting the shed on fire!
Joke from Roy Chubby Brown UK Comedian

Ah, yes...the "I am Euro-pe-an! Look at me. I am so so-fi-sta-ca-ted."

 

[Mr Cheese]

Ah, yes...the "I am Euro-pe-an! Look at me. I am so so-fi-sta-ca-ted."

Not what I meant....

I mean compare the comedy of "friends" to red dwarf or the comedy of the fast show or little britain. Americans tend to think Monty Python is great. I'd argue monty python is largely just a rip off of the goons. But , what monty python did was change the base... it is the things FROM monty python that are great, not so much python itself, although it certainly has some classic moments.

Sadly the comedy of "friends" is the same comedy from sitcoms that has existed since the 50's really.....

...

Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of american comics, Chris rock, for one quick example is just great, that southern guy, tater is ok too....

But again its taste, I cant stand ben stiller, to me he basically makes chick flicks...

I dont like the guy that did the water boy much either.... although that Zohan film is ok, but still it is a chick flick....

No offense, shrug, I'd prefer to watcha good cop movie, mafia, suspense or horror or many others, over a ben stiller movie.

Again, Personal choice.

I saw Borat on 42nd street in New York City....
I have to say, there was only about 2 minutes where I was NOT laughing.

 

[Nepenthe]

Not what I meant....

I mean compare the comedy of "friends" to red dwarf or the comedy of the fast show or little britain. Americans tend to think Monty Python is great. I'd argue monty python is largely just a rip off of the goons. But , what monty python did was change the base... it is the things FROM monty python that are great, not so much python itself, although it certainly has some classic moments.

Sadly the comedy of "friends" is the same comedy from sitcoms that has existed since the 50's really.....

...

Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of american comics, Chris rock, for one quick example is just great, that southern guy, tater is ok too....

But again its taste, I cant stand ben stiller, to me he basically makes chick flicks...

I dont like the guy that did the water boy much either.... although that Zohan film is ok, but still it is a chick flick....

No offense, shrug, I'd prefer to watcha good cop movie, mafia, suspense or horror or many others, over a ben stiller movie.

Again, Personal choice.

I saw Borat on 42nd street in New York City....
I have to say, there was only about 2 minutes where I was NOT laughing.

I've already put in my tuppence about Cohen earlier in this thread but I have to pause and wonder how anyone could possibly think Little Britain is even comparable to the worst of American sitcoms. I mean Little Britain makes Night at the Museum and Friends look like works of art.

While the U.K. has given us Father Ted, Spaced, Monty Python, etc., they've also given us Little Britain, Big Brother, Keeping Up Appearances, Days Like These, Mind Your Language and on and on....
The U.S. has given us The Simpsons, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Futurama, and on and on...

I find that every country that produces tv shows and films has created plenty of **** and a small sample of good stuff to offer.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Saying that you don't like American comedy because of Friends and Ben Stiller is like saying I don't like British music because of the Spice Girls and Robbie Williams. None of which are the best examples of, or even representative of, the best either country has to offer. Such statements merely show an extremely shallow knowledge of the breadth of comedy and music from each respective nation.

 

[Magic Man]

I have a friend who doesn't like Ben Stiller to the point that he refuses to see any movie with him in it. I don't get it. He may not be the funniest guy alive, but he's ok, and he has some great movies. The saddest part is that that means he's never seen Dodgeball, which is one of the greatest comedies in recent times.

I also don't understand the condescension towards dumb comedy. It has its place just like action movies do. I don't watch an Arnold Schwarzennegger movie for the substance, just like I don't watch Dumb and Dumber for the substance. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy them along with smarter funny movies, though.

 

[Azakel]

Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of american comics, Chris rock, for one quick example is just great, that southern guy, tater is ok too....

Ok look here....

Saying that you don't like American comedy because of Friends and Ben Stiller is like saying I don't like British music because of the Spice Girls and Robbie Williams. None of which are the best examples of, or even representative of, the best either country has to offer. Such statements merely show an extremely shallow knowledge of the breadth of comedy and music from each respective nation.

It's seem to me that some people don't feel like looking at what people say.

 

[Yerda]

I also don't understand the condescension towards dumb comedy. It has its place just like action movies do. I don't watch an Arnold Schwarzennegger movie for the substance, just like I don't watch Dumb and Dumber for the substance. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy them along with smarter funny movies, though.

Some of my group of friends are verging on purism regarding comedy. So it surprised me when they joined me and we wet ourselves laughing at Naked Gun last week. Cheap, cheesy, daft slapstick. Magic.

 

[Neo-Logic]

C mon, the guy is funny as hell! Sasha Baron Cohen is like the George Carlin of our times. His outrageous characters and the ridiculous things he say and does is what makes him hilarious. I mean, who else would put their bare *** in front of Eminem's face and live to tell about it? Who else rides around in an ice cream truck with a bear in it to scare children? LOL