Showtime defends Baron Cohen series

Sacha Baron Cohen in one of his Who Is America? disguises

US cablenet Showtime has defended its Sacha Baron Cohen-fronted satirical comedy series Who Is America? following criticism from figures such as former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Palin, who was among several politicians interviewed by a disguised Baron Cohen for the series, accused the comedian of impersonating “a disabled US Veteran, fake wheelchair and all.”

Showtime yesterday denied Palin’s claims, which were made in a Facebook post that also branded Baron Cohen “evil, exploitative” and “sick.”

“Baron Cohen never presented himself as a veteran of the US military to former Alaska governor Sarah Palin during the booking process or during the filming of her interview, and contrary to her claims he did not appear in a wheelchair. In both the interview with Governor Palin and the interview with Senator Sanders, he did not wear military apparel of any kind,” Showtime said, also referring to another interview with Vermont senator Bernie Sanders.

Who Is America? (7×30′) began airing on Showtime on Sunday, having only been announced last week after the production was kept under wraps.

It features Baron Cohen’s first new characters in 15 years and has been sold to broadcasters including Channel 4 in the UK and Canal+ in France, where it began airing last night.

Baron Cohen burst onto the comedy scene with Da Ali G Show on Channel 4 in 2000, later releasing hit movies such as Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.