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?

What makes him funny?

He's Niiiiiiice!

Hate Borat, Hate Kazakhstan.

i love the ads trying to get people to visit the real kazakhstan and how great it is.

I tried watching some Borat stuff on YouTube and was severely underwhelmed.

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

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).

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?

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.

Just off the wall crazy fun.

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.

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.

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.

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

Nobody will ever match Andy Kaufman's brilliance, but Sasha Baron Cohen is at least worthy of comparison(unlike say someone like Tom Green).

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?

I don't find his anti-semitism funny.

are you aware that he is Jewish? (just curious)

Yeah, I think Mel does it better.

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.

Not to mention Bill Dana, Pat Harrington Jr., and Chico Marx.

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.

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.