'Da Ali G show' Like it or loathe it?

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Rebecca White 11NH

Comedy phenomenon Sacha Baron Cohen brings a unique style of interviewing through the character Ali G. The Ali G show is completely different from other chat shows in this genre. His shows generate much discussion and reaction. Talking to the great and the good about the issues that really matter Ali is the only interviewer prepared to ask the really difficult questions like "what was it like to walk on the sun?" to Buzz Aldrin or asking the ex head of the FBI to cast his mind back to the grassy knoll and ask "who really shot JR?".

Sacha Boron Cohen (Ali G's creator) was brought up in a Jewish family, I think he plays on the idea that he is from an ethnic group himself. The name Ali G sounds like a name that a black rapper would use so it is ironic but funny that he uses this name. He also talks and dresses like some black men do but at the same time he is quite racist but Sacha Boron Cohen projects the character of Ali G to be harmless and uses the correct humour. However some people despise the Ali G show and think its offensive and promote the wrong influences for the youth of today such as crime, sex and drugs.

So just who is Ali G, and how did he get on TV?

In his own words: "Me woz born in da heart off da Staines ghetto. I has lived wiv me Nan in Staines at 37 Cherry Blossom Close from da day me woz born, coz wiv both me parents havin been smoked, dere werent no one else around to look afta her. Me has been carin for her ever since. Me woz failed by da skool system and hated every minute me spent in da classroom. In fact added together, dat time woz probly da most borin 3 hours of me life - altho me do still go to a skool re-union every second Monday at Staines Job Centre... As well as bein unemployed - i iz also got a lot off well important careers. As head of Da West Staines Massive, me control da most peace lovin and violent gang in da hole of Barkshire. Afta happearin on some crap programme dat woz on at 11 a clock or somefin, it werent long before me ad me own show. Dis meant me was able to take a in depf look at a lot off serious issues.... I iz now easily da most respekted face on Brittish telly and it iz probably only a matter off time before me get offered me own slot on Channel 5 - or hopefully even cable..."

In this essay I will analyse and explore a traditional chat show in the style of 'Parkinson' and a 'new-age' style chat show in the form of 'Da Ali G Show'.

There is a wide range of chat show styles but most conform to the same basic conventions. The conventions are that the host is famous and often comes from a journalistic background and their show is named after them. The guests are famous people and come on to the shows to promote themselves etc. This is easily different on the Ali G show. The set of a traditional chat show is basic with just a few chairs and sometimes a table and also there is an audience who are in the studio watching the show live. In the traditional style chat show 'Parkinson' these conventions are followed as if they were law. In the newer forms of chat shows, such as Ali G these rules aren't followed as closely. Although they have a host, guest and audience there set is not basic and is full of brightly coloured props and lighting.

Michael Parkinson is assuredly the finest example of a traditional British television chat show host. His show 'Parkinson' is well respected, highly respective and conservative and is produced by the B.B.C. his reputation exceeds him and this is echoed by the shows status. The way that Parkinson dresses also reflects the style and status of the show. As well as the dress code of the show, the title sequence is also very sophisticated. The title sequence is an integral part of the show because it is the first thing that is seen by the viewers, so it will have to display the style and reputation of the show as well as appeal to the more mature viewers which is the shows intended audience. The title sequence for 'Parkinson' consists of numerous still shots of previous guests such as Billy connel1y and Heather Mills-McCartney smiling and looking relaxed and comfortable. Some of the shots are posed but the majority look as if they were taken during the show, this gives the audience the idea the guests are normal people and that the show is in a very relaxing environment. As the title sequence comes to an end we are presented with a montage of celebrities faces which them form a real still shot of Parkinson's face and this then goes in to a dissolve and into the show. The music used to accompany the opening title sequence is classy, cheerful and has a big band feeling, which I think would appeal to the viewers of the show because generally the people who watch the B.B.C are from the older generation and are therefore more conservative than the viewers of channel 4 which the show of Ali G is broadcasted.

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Parkinson's entrance is stylish and grand. He enters at the top of a staircase to the theme music from the show and walks slowly to his seat; this grand entrance is a convention of a typical television chat show. It is at this point that it becomes clear who is in charge of the show.

For example when Elton john appears on 'Parkinson' Elton's entrance is from the side of the stage probably because he had just been performing his latest song. When Parkinson introduces Elton john he is full of compliments and the language he uses is full of ...

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