Sacha Baron Cohen is at it again, and this time the off-the-wall movie and TV personality is taking on the U.S. system and using several clever disguises to dupe various political “victims” to appear on his new comedy series “Who Is America?”
Even before its July 15 debut on Showtime, the seven-episode (so far) series was met with strong pro and con reactions because portions were taped and widely seen in trailers.
On one side are the disgruntled celebrity politicians who have fallen prey to Cohen’s pranks, with some calling for retribution, and on the other side is Cohen’s legion of fans praising him for another job well done.
Three of Cohen's seven known "victims" have had the most fallout.
1. Sarah Palin: The Republican veep candidate was fuming after Cohen reportedly lured her to travel “across the country” with her daughter to participate in what she thought was a “legit” Showtime historical documentary, The Washington Post reported.
Upon arriving for the interview, Palin said in a Facebook post, she was met by Cohen who had “heavily disguised himself as a disabled US Veteran, fake wheelchair and all.”
Afterwards, Palin challenged Cohen, CBS and Showtime to donate all proceeds "to a charitable group that actually respects and supports American Vets.”
Viewers were more forgiving of Cohen’s prank, for example:
2. Joe Walsh: Disguised as an Israeli anti-terrorist, Cohen managed to convince Walsh, a radio host with a show on Newsmax TV and a former Republican congressman from Illinois, along with several gun rights activists, to film a PSA that encourages people to support a program to arm toddlers, called "Kinderguardians," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The clip drew some scathing remarks on social media, with viewers heavily criticizing Walsh. However, he played it cool on Twitter.
“I believe kindergarteners should be armed? Hell no. But, it's on me,” he admitted in a post.
3. Dick Cheney: The former Republican vice president was one of Cohen’s first known victims after obliging the comedian’s request to autograph his waterboarding kit, Vanity Fair reported.
“That’s a first; it’s the first time I’ve ever signed a waterboard,” Cheney said cheerfully, unaware that Cohen was pulling his leg.
Cheney hasn’t publicly responded to the encounter.
A clip of the incident has drawn mixed reaction, with some calling it “tasteless” while others found it hilarious.
According to Vulture, other known public figures succcessfully duped by Cohen are:
4. Former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore
5. Talk-radio host Austin Rhodes
6. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz
7. Former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio
There may be others who have kept their heads down and hope their segments on 'Who Is America?" end up on the cutting room floor.
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