Dennie Quill, Contributor

I have been watching hilarious, sometimes outrageous episodes, of Da Ali G show on HBO. And this is the loudest I have laughed in months. The U.K.'s number one comedy phenomenon Sacha Baron Cohen, after reaping enormous success in his country, has crossed the Atlantic and has taken his brand of humour with him.

Irreverent Cohen plays three different characters - Ali G, Borat and Bruno. They are all bumbling journalists with unique interview styles. He is able to lure some pretty important figures such as Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, and Pat Buchanan in front of the camera and ask the weirdest questions. In one episode he asked a high-level military man about exceptional American military officials when he mentioned General Motors. Needless to say, the subjects are made to look really stupid because they seem unaware that they are part of a comic act, thereby themselves becoming the butt of jokes before their peers.

Fictional Journalist

In his role as Borat Sagdiyev, Cohen is a fictional Kazakhstan journalist who goes on a cultural mission to America. He has raised the ire of the people of Kazakstan by presenting their country in a very poor light. The film described as a mockumentary is titled Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazahastan. It recently opened as number one in the U.S. and raked in some US$26 million. Yes, there is some controversy surrounding racist slurs and anti-Semitic references, but most people admit that they laughed heartily when they saw it.

Many of us in Jamaica need to laugh too, so do go out and watch the film which is opening here soon. It will also offer much food for thought.

Cohen combines reality with the absurd. In Da Ali G show, he stars as hip hop journalist Alistair Graham, thus Ali G, and presents himself as a West London gangster. His crude humour is a kind of social commentary about politics and culture and although it is not your everyday family show due to risqué behaviour, strong sexual content and explicit language, it is certainly very entertaining.

What I find very fascinating about Cohen's character Ali G is the liberal use of the Jamaican language and island mannerisms. I recall that in one episode he was even flying the Jamaican flag. My research tells me he has made a record with dancehall icon Shaggy, but I could not find any other Jamaican connection. So I have concluded that this man has been hanging out with lots of Yardies. For example, Cohen's glossary includes definitions for terms like "Hear me now" "Big up to you" and parts of the anatomy which we have branded. He portrays the stereotypical Jamaican who drops his aitches and adds them where they ought not to be. So he talks about 'Hafta" and "Happering". He also describes himself as head of the West Staines Massive. Added to that, he is adorned with plenty bling-bling on his fingers and around his neck.

Jealous

I am particularly jealous of other people claiming our culture so when I see reviews of Borat's performance being described in terms of exaggerated British Afro-Caribbean hip hop culture I wonder what is meant by that. Is there really an Afro-Caribbean culture? Or is it that all these nations of the Caribbean display their own unique culture?

I can see why some people are zealously guarding these cultural assets such as the Jamaican patois. That is a discussion for another time.

Footnote: I apologise to readers for inaccuracies in my column addressing the chaos at the recent UWI graduation. Needless to say, the information came from persons who were participants in the graduation ceremonies - a strong reminder to me that one has to be very cautious in repeating information even if it comes from a 'reliable' source.

Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.