People News
Borat whacked, New Yorkers live up to their rep
Nov 13, 2006, 13:40 GMT
Borat - aka Sacha Baron Cohen - has been attacked after a prank backfired.
The comedian - who created the fake sexist and racist Kazakhstan reporter Borat - approached a man in New York and said: "I like your clothes. Are nice! Please may I buying? I want have sex with it."
The man didn't find his comments funny and punched Cohen in the face.
Cohen cried out for help, but his pleas were ignored and he was repeatedly hit. Hello, he was in New York!
Fellow British actor Hugh Laurie finally rushed to Cohen's aid, managing to push the man away and drag the comedian to his feet.
A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Sacha couldn't resist playing the fool as Borat, but he picked the wrong person. I guess this guy thought he was being attacked by someone unstable and lashed out. Sacha is very lucky he didn't get a much worse beating."
The incident happened after Cohen and Laurie appeared on US TV show 'Saturday Night Live'.
Cohen was not seriously injured.
Film bosses are pleading with Cohen, 35, to stop posing as Borat on US streets to avoid further violent attacks.
Cohen's new movie, 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan', is tipped to become the highest grossing comedy of all time.
It was revealed last week that Cohen is being sued for "being a prankster".
Two anonymous US students, who appear in the 'Borat' movie, have filed a lawsuit against the comedian for allegedly getting them drunk before asking them to sign a legal agreement permitting footage of them to be used in the film.
They claim they have suffered humiliation and mental distress and are seeking financial damages in excess of $25,000.
(C) BANG Media International
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Older Talkback
page: 1
what an idiot
That's one of the risks of being a prankster, but it's makes it so worthwhile - genuine reactions from people. He is a true comic genius and getting hurt doing comedy isn't unusual. Just watch the Jackass cast. Johnny Knoxville has been close to death numerous times just to get a laugh.
Cohen deserved it, and the guys should get MORE than $25,000. They were tricked and thought the film was some cheapo Kazakhi government edu film, not a huge comedy film. That would be like James Cameron hiring the actors for Titanic but paying them nothing and telling them it was just a private independant film, but then releasing it as a huge Hollywood movie.
Sasha is being a jerk. He should be glad that his racist nonsense is getting him more money then he could ever made any other way like working as a stiff.
But if he continues to act stupid then this may be last movie her ever makes because he is playing with fire being funny in the streets.
Meh.
He got punched. So what's the big deal? Many people get punched. The funny thing is, the guy who punched him is the bad guy here. The Borat character is wierd and violates norms, but I've not seen him touch anyone without thier acceptance/inaction. Maybe there's something we are missing but hauling off and popping someone 'repeatedly' because they ask you a wierd question isn't moral behavior...and it sure as anything isn't civilized.
As for the kids. Yes, they were likely tricked. The real question is did Borat get them drunk or were they just drunk when they signed. If he acted to get them drunk then he's culpable, but if they were already drunk...I'm less certain. Just take it as a lesson, never sign any legal papers when drunk...ever. And always read any legal documents you must sign. I know alot of people who don't read the waivers, and liscensing agreements we all must sign as part of our lives, and they won't get to sue because they were too bored by the document to read it.
It's about personal responsibility. Sorcha/Borat doesn't seem to be sueing this guy because he's smart enough to know he was partially responsible. But that's a long way from deserving it (like the story seems to imply).
In the spirit of the great Andy Kaufman!! To compare Sasha to Jackass is an insult to him.
His humor is primitive and at the cost of setting up and humiliating others. Those who get their laughs out of it have developemental issues. There nothing genuine nor is there any humanity in his gross-out, humiliate others 'humor.'
The guy is a fraud.
Did he get them drunk? Hold on a second. You can't get someone drunk. They have to drink. It was their choice. They did it. They should take some responsibility for it.
Me like movie. It think funny times. Man bad hit Borat!! Me want touchy woman with him.
To this rhatss fool. How is he a fraud? Just because you don't have a sense of humour like he and all of his fans have, doesn't make him any less of a comic genious! This isn't the first time he's had a brilliant idea either. Sure, the Ali G show is silly...but its clever.
Any contract signed by a person that is drunk is void. Does not matter if they were already drunk or were got that way, especially by anyone wanting a contract signed.
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Sue that Jew!!!
Okay this idiot Borat didnt deserve to be punched, but he doesnt need to entise the sort of people who would punch him. I no a little town in West Virginia that thaings would have been worse. As far as the t boys signing, well like one writer said read before signing or hire someon else to read it for you. I think I'll pass on watching his movie at least until its on DVD then if there isnt anything else out I'll waste the 5.00 dollars.
To bad it wasn't worse, if you ask me. I saw this idiot on the Daily Show and his anti-semitic and racist humor fell far short of being funny or clever enough to make it worth while. It's a sad statement that this stupid character is getting so much hype.
Dan in California... You ought to be next.
i think people should get a life and not take things too seriously, hah thats why we have the likes of Sasha, Jackass, Triumph the dog
I saw a comment suggesting that if they were to drink, they deserved it. Let this commentator, and all other daterape-apologists like him, be well aware that offering someone alcohol for the purposes of later manipulation, legal or otherwise, is not tolerated by the law.
Translation: you can't get people drunbk before you get them to sign papers. Signatures on legal documents represent informed consent, which you cannot provide while intoxicated.
What kind of college student is going to be upset about being on a U.S. Blockbuster comedy?
welcome to new york a-hole.
Their lawsuit is totally without merit. You won't win if you sue for humiliation and 'mental anguish' because you said something stupid into a camera. You're the dumbass who said it, and you knew the camera was there. The most they can sue for is him taping them without permission (and they signed a waiver, so they will lose.)
If you've seen the movie you wouldn't give those kids the lawsuit win.
Clearly making fun of retards IS funny since it's on it's way to being the highest grossing comedy of all time. Just because you think it's wrong doesn't matter, you're the minority...which probably explains your views anyway.
I hope Kevin V was not trying to compare Sasha to Andy Kaufman. Like him or not, Andy was original. To me, Borat is somewhat of a knockoff of a Kaufman character. Flattery is a great compliment, but does not put one in the same league as that person you are hoping to imitate.
There is no way this Hugh Laurie/punched in the face story is true. Borat did press the very next day, and several times the next week. Had he been beaten as much as this article, and many others state, surely there would have been some signs, right?
Phooey.
'anonymous' students no more thanks to the power of the internets
http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:qTca9EkzOBMJ:profile.myspace.com/in dex.cfm%3Ffuseaction%3Duser.viewprofile%26friendid%3D3574017+justin+seay+si te:myspace.com&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
this guy needs a body guard and he has a death wish. getting punched in the face is nothing. you can guess which religion the killer will be.
The fact that he was able to display a cross section of the dark side of American culture and make people laugh while doing it says more about America than it does about this foolish character. Why are people getting upset at him for exposing the truth in our culture?
That guy is funny and another thing that is funny is all the idiots complaining as if the guy is serious. Why don`t all the whining, offended idiots go help Bob Geldof organize a feel-good,pat yourself on the back concert and then go bunk with bonehead Bono.
Cousin Dan;
Are you a comedian from NY? .
Obviously, this is a very aggressive form of entertainment/comedy which certainly takes a high level of energy to be produced from somewhere within Cohen's psyche. History will identify with the aggressor. Long after all the startled and upset people have passed away, Cohen will be remembered as one of the greatest comedians of all times. And that is what the American Dream is all about, right? Being the best in the world in your chosen gig, even if a few feathers get ruffled. Remember?
Life imitates art? Too bad the cameras weren't rolling for 'Borat Du'. I guess everyone's a critic and he just got a bad review...
Ditto, Steve from Colorado Nov 13th, 2006 - 18:54:38
The fact that he was able to display a cross section of the dark side of American culture and make people laugh while doing it says more about America than it does about this foolish character. Why are people getting upset at him for exposing the truth in our culture?
Not just America Steve, the whole bloody world mate. Borat is a scream, love him. Learn to laugh all you other drop kicks.
How stupid to argue the merits of the lawsuit, thats part of Sasha marketing campaign, they dont want to win the lawsuit, they dont care about the money, he probably paid them 50k each to sue him in the first place. It just makes the whole movie and situation that much more outageous, the guy punching him in NY was most likely paid or promtped into doing it just to make headlines about that stupid Borat guy.
That is the best advertising and promotion he could have received out of a punch to the face - the Jackass guys would have done that for a nickle.
Your all so smart to think its real news when its just more stupid stunts to promote the movie.
Isn't it hilarious when people called someone named Sacha Baron Cohen an anti-semite? Can you say 'I didn't get the joke'?
Good job dip-shit Borat. Welcome to New York! Its not funny, WE GET IT ALREADY YOU'RE A FAKE JOURNALIST WHO'S HOPELESSLY INEPT!! HAHA!!! WE GET IT! Go home! Or better yet, go insult a stoop gang in Harlem.
pete's right on the money here. If these guys are stupid enough to drink excessively and then sign a legal document, they deserve every bit of humiliation they got. Idiots.
I'd say you hit the nail right on the head. Chill out people and remember Hollywood is what Hollywood wants you to think it is.
To all of you whining about his racist and anti-semitic views, do some research. Borat is Sacha Baron Cohen, who is JEWISH.
' New Yorkers live up to their rep '
What 'rep' ? More racist lies based on nothing or twisted so called ' truths ' . This is the path to a better world ? The worst part is so many of us want to believe the worst , we love to hate .
It has nothing to do with America , if America did not exist 99 percent of all hate , war , sectarianism , racism , etc would still exist .
My experiences match these :
' New York City most polite in World Survey ' (various)
and
' We were constantly confronted with nothing but “good ol’ fashioned Southern hospitality ' (London Sunday Times)
I wonder if Borat is like , edited and they pick the worst out of endless hundreds of hours of boring polite human intercation ?
but he realllly pushes it - no question when you go too far you are asking for it.
this movie sucked!
I have seen the show many times in London.., and he is just another tool of the hollywood media producers. The truth is hollywood is consistenting churning out 'CRAP' these days because of the corrupt and idiots who are now collectively in control. Its just a matter of time that the TV and movie idustries suffer like the music industry.
In the end..., what do you have - producers who have nothing to give and industries that are looked at as a joke. Don't waste time watching comedy central, history or discovery channel - its propaganda.
free your mind.
As a fellow Kazakhstanian I am so glad this film was released. King King was getting very boring each weekend with my wife, 4 children and goat.
This act is nothing more than a modern day Andy Kaufman. He too failed to see the line between humor and reality. This tragic flaw will eventually bring down 'Borat'. Someone talk to this comic before he self destructs and is rejected and ridiculed the way Andy was. 'Borat', you stuffed up. If you cant see that then you are going to fall. And that is a shame as your characters, like Andy's, are genius.
It's pretty easy to see while Cohen chose this country for his satire
Comedy is something to laugh at. If people are laughing, then it's funny. If certain people aren't laughing, then they are prudes.
Those kids signed to do a movie and that's what they got. They can't turn and complain that the movie is going to be seen by too many people or that it makes them look badly. Remember the part were you got paid? Good, now shut up.
Too bad Borat got punched in the face. Not so much for Borat, but it goes to show you that you can just ask someone a question on the street in NYC and end up defending yourself!
The great Irani-American comedian 'Torab' plays an Israeli reporter. The skit where he pushes a Palestinian off a street corner shouting 'I'm occupying this corner, so it now belongs to me!' in New York is classic. His thick Yiddish accent is such a kick, running around, calling people 'anti-semites' for various perceived offenses.
Yep, Torab. Never coming soon to a theatre near you.
Just more make news.
Ah wheel crusher hair
Anyone who has a problem with what Cohen or his character Borat is doing, needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He is a genius! I've never seen stuff so funny, and the people get what they deserve most of the time. We all need to stop taking things so seriouly!
Can you say... Publicity Stunt?
I hope he *did* get punched. He stole money from both my spouse and myself. Movie was a waste of time and the money I paid for entrance. High expectations, waste of a movie. Couple funny parts, but few and not THAT funny.
'Cohen deserved it, and the guys should get MORE than $25,000. They were tricked and thought the film was some cheapo Kazakhi government edu film, not a huge comedy film. That would be like James Cameron hiring the actors for Titanic but paying them nothing and telling them it was just a private independant film, but then releasing it as a huge Hollywood movie.'
No. You're wrong. Way to take the side of some dumb frat boys who think that slavery should be legal and that 'You should never let a woman be better than you!' Good people to side with.
some big words to keep in mind for all you critics. MOCK-umentary!! SAH-tire!! CYNI-cysm. the inability to laugh at ourselves is a marker for well-founded insecurities. Achieving the ability is a step forward in growth, whether it be personal growth or collectively as a society.
Sasha Cohen getting his butt kicked -- Perfect! One, it's a risk he takes in his sort of comedy. Two, his humor is based on the humiliation of others and the fact that people love an ugly train wreck. Some of those he targets reveal horrid natures, but then there are the many others who are simply aghast bystanders. People who are politely stunned in the face of sexism, racism and generally hateful, bizarre behavior are treated as though they are guilty of complicity and/or stupidity in Cohen's comedy -- and it simply isn't funny to me to witness his belief that they are. It's excruciating and sad. He's saying the person who uses kid gloves with those who are disturbed are fools. He's saying the next time a troubled person approaches you on the streets, punch them hard and repeatedly in the chops -- otherwise, a hidden camera could be recording you as a dupe for 'Borat' or some 'Punk'd' show. Forget compassion, civility, and humanity in this brave new world.
So the kids want a few bucks from Cohen and they should and probably will receive them. Anybody who has seen the movie knows fullwell that they didn't need any inspiration to get drunk, but that's hardly the issue...
Just like the punsh, the kids are good business for Mr. Cohen. The hype and publicity stunts are great advertisment. He should give them credit for that.
Apparently, if they were making a Khazak edu film, it would have been acceptable to them to make fools of themselves uttering racist comments? But not for a mainstream film?
i got drunk and drove my car into a telephone pole and killed my girlfriend in the passenger seat! it's not my fault, they got me drunk!
last time i checked being drunk is not an excuse for being a racsist/anti semite, or for any OTHER actions you take. i drink, and i have done some stupid things afterwards, and i take responsibliity for them.
if you ask me, those students should be punished for portraying the typical american as a racist, biggoted anti-semite.
word
who cares whether these guys were drunk or not, they still said what they said, no one made them say those things... Who cares whether they thought if this movie will be shown somewhere else but US, their comments were still offensive. Give me a break, they should just accept that they are racists and idiots and go hide somewhere.
Whats funny about this guy is that he makes fun of how anal retentive most people are about not offending anyone. People are weird, their views, thoughts, reactions, why should they not be made fun of? Who here on this planet is so f-ing above it all that humorous observations are unspeakable? I think anyone that takes themselves that seriously should shove a hamster up their butt and give some serious thought to this silly world we live in. What difference does it make? It IS still a free country, right, they haven't concocted an amendment banning off color jokes? If you don't like it don't watch, if you didn't like like what you saw then walk away, its not for you, but for the rest of us who can take a friggin joke its amusing. So what if he made people look stupid, everyone looks stupid everyday, its only offensive to the ones who are afriad they look stupid. Get over it losers, get a job, quit sitting around worried about everyones feelings, cause its like germs, you bulid up immunity with exposure so when you finally DO grow up your not constantly afflicted.
I guess I would've punched him too. The guy that punched him might've been the only person reacting logicaly. You see a freak that looks mentaly deranged that starts talking too you ang saying he wanna fuck your cloths and shit, and is being insisting, man...
25k for student loans? I wish! That'd make my life so much easier. That's almost no money. I have almost 100k in loans!
I haven't seen Borat yet. I hope to see it next week. It better still be there. I've seen the interview of Borat in Maxim magazine though. that was good. i don't usually go see movies in the theatre, not with cheap DVDs, digital cable, and *ahem* the internet. It better be worth it.
I think this movie was madd funni ! =) i could watch it so many times c'mon u got to admit it was funni like c'mon have a joke in life instead of being all madd lyke you gott a stick up your ass !! =) anywayz this was a great movie and 1-10 i give it a 8 !! =)
page: 1
CoreyNov 13th, 2006 - 14:17:21
Yeah, $25k...just enough to pay back their student loans.
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