Sacha Baron Cohen says Ali G’s return reflects a more prejudiced world

Sacha Baron Cohen says he has brought back Ali G because the character’s targets — prejudice and stupidity — have become more pronounced, despite criticism that the character is now seen as outdated and problematic.

In an essay for Time, the British comedian argues that the world Ali G has returned to is “in many ways worse” than it was 20 years ago. He points to social media and artificial intelligence as factors, and says the character is intended to expose prejudice. “The joke is at his expense,” he writes. [1]

Ali G has faced criticism over sexism, racism and cultural appropriation. Baron Cohen is again playing the tracksuit-wearing character in *Ali G: Who Iz I?*, which is due to open in US cinemas on 23 October. The film premiered in Los Angeles earlier this month. [1]