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What makes Borat funny?

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What makes Borat funny?

Old 11-01-06, 04:53 PM
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What makes Borat funny?

I saw him on SNL and I understand that there is a movie soon to be released, but didn't Andy Kaufman do this schtick better? Is the political controversy making this more that what it really is?
Old 11-01-06, 05:01 PM
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What makes him funny?

He's Niiiiiiice!

Old 11-01-06, 05:02 PM
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Hate Borat, Hate Kazakhstan.
Old 11-01-06, 05:58 PM
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i love the ads trying to get people to visit the real kazakhstan and how great it is.
Old 11-01-06, 06:32 PM
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I tried watching some Borat stuff on YouTube and was severely underwhelmed.
Old 11-01-06, 06:43 PM
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watch the Ali G show Borat clips to see why it's so funny. His clips are all over youtube. check out "wine tasting" or "dating" for some good stuff
Old 11-01-06, 06:46 PM
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Ali G's humor doesn't do it for me, but I'll tell you, that opening skit on SNL was the funniest thing that's been on that show in years (a bit too many "schwings" though).
Old 11-01-06, 06:47 PM
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because he is a comic genius:
1. he's the next Peter Sellers
2. it's funny making people feel awkward and uncomfortable.
3. he does a perfect low-class Eastern European perfectly.
4. he shows the stupidities of American culture/people.

NICEEEE!!! I like...how much?
Old 11-01-06, 06:52 PM
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what toddly says. the viewer is in on the joke. it's a ride to see where Borat will take them. knowing it's a joke makes the character (and Sacha Baron Cohen) very likable.
Old 11-01-06, 06:57 PM
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Just off the wall crazy fun.
Old 11-01-06, 06:59 PM
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I'm guessing if you dislike who he's making fun of, you like him more.
Old 11-02-06, 07:46 AM
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I'm guessing if you dislike who he's making fun of, you like him more
Yes, as opposed to all those who like homophobes and bigots.
Old 11-02-06, 07:53 AM
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I heard in the last day or two that since Borat is not tracking well in much of the heartland, the number of theaters showing the movie is being cut back.

I laugh at some of the stuff, but there's nothing here (to me) that looks like it'll be "the funniest movie ever made" like some of the ads are claiming.
Old 11-02-06, 09:26 AM
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I saw the Borat trailer before Talladega Nights and personally found the trailer to be horrible. I didn't find anything remotely amusing about it. I also thought Cohen's character in TN to be the worst part of the film so I would say its got to be something with him that I just don't get that others find funny.
Old 11-02-06, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Chew
I laugh at some of the stuff, but there's nothing here (to me) that looks like it'll be "the funniest movie ever made" like some of the ads are claiming.
The stuff they are showing on TV and in the trailer isn't even the tip of the iceberg. The movie is outragously offensive and much of the A-material can't be aired in that kind of setting...it's rated R for a reason! If you don't seem to "get it", then maybe it's not for you, but BORAT is easily the funniest movie I HAVE EVER SEEN. Trust me, if you spend the $10, you won't regret it.

MATT
Old 11-02-06, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Holysmoker
I saw him on SNL and I understand that there is a movie soon to be released, but didn't Andy Kaufman do this schtick better? Is the political controversy making this more that what it really is?
Nobody will ever match Andy Kaufman's brilliance, but Sasha Baron Cohen is at least worthy of comparison(unlike say someone like Tom Green).
Old 11-02-06, 10:37 AM
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Great comedy is always polarizing. Either you love his material or find it very unfunny. Put me in the love him camp. He's nice, yes?
Old 11-02-06, 10:48 AM
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I don't find his anti-semitism funny.
Old 11-02-06, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Lunatikk
I don't find his anti-semitism funny.
are you aware that he is Jewish? (just curious)
Old 11-02-06, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Lunatikk
I don't find his anti-semitism funny.
Yeah, I think Mel does it better.
Old 11-02-06, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by dick_grayson
are you aware that he is Jewish? (just curious)
No. Does that make it ok?
Old 11-02-06, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Lunatikk
No. Does that make it ok?
Actually, yes! He's obviously not anti-semitic, he's making fun of those who are. Pointing out the anti-semitism in others (i.e. the country & western bar joining in with the singing of "Throw the Jew down the well") is what makes it even more funny. If you can't tell who he's really making fun of, then it's obvious you're not going to get the joke.
Old 11-02-06, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Holysmoker
... but didn't Andy Kaufman do this schtick better?
Not to mention Bill Dana, Pat Harrington Jr., and Chico Marx.
Old 11-02-06, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Lunatikk
No. Does that make it ok?
sat‧ire  /ˈsætaɪər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sat-ahyuhr] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.
Old 11-02-06, 12:32 PM
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I thought the trailer looked amusing the first time I saw it.

That said, and without having seen a second of Da Ali G Show or Borat in general, I am officially sick of him. The whole "only doing press in character" schtick is one of the stupidest, most self-involved things I've ever seen.

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