Sacha Baron Cohen Returns with a Satirical, Politically-Themed Showtime Series
Irreverent comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is returning to the spotlight in a new Showtime series debuting this Sunday, entitled “Who is America?”
The show marks Cohen’s return to television after more than a decade away. The half-hour satirical series has been in the works for over the past year, Showtime said in a press release on Monday.
The seven-episode series will “explore the diverse individuals, from the infamous to the unknown across the political and cultural spectrum, who populate our unique nation,” Showtime said in its announcement.
“Sacha is a comedic genius who shocks you with his audacity, bravery and inventiveness,” David Nevins, Showtime’s CEO, said in a statement. “He is the premier provocateur of our time, but not for the sake of ‘gotcha’ moments. Behind the elaborate setup is a genuine quest for the truth about people, places and politics.”
Cohen has been teasing the show for the past week on social media.
The comedian tweeted out an old clip of Donald Trump calling Cohen a “third-rate character.” The clip also showed Trump telling Cohen to “go to school, learn about being funny.” The clip ended with the words, “Sacha graduates soon” before a logo for Trump University popped up on screen.
Cohen tweeted out another tease on Sunday in which he appeared to be interviewing former Vice President Dick Cheney. The brief video ended with Cohen having Cheney, a longtime advocate for interrogation torture, sign a “waterboard kit.”
Since bursting onto the comedy scene in 2000 with “Da Ali G Show,” Cohen has made a name for himself by creating outrageous characters in unusual situations, often with political undertones. His immersive comedy style is clearly satirical with irreverent commentary on societal norms and beliefs.
He won a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical for his 2006 mockumentary Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
“Who is America?” premieres on Showtime this Sunday, July 15 at 10 p.m. Pacific Time.
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