Cohen angers white supremacists

Ali G's film crew has been forced to flee a mob of neo-Nazis while working in the States.

Sacha Baron Cohen was in the guise of camp interviewer Bruno when he angered the white supremacists at a rally in Georgia.

A cameraman was attacked after the comic wound up one of the mob by admiring the racists' look - and asking if they used moisturiser.

Producer Dan Mazer told the New York Times: "I can't remember what the trigger question was, but all of a sudden the guy we were interviewing exploded.

"He started physically attacking the cameraman and reaching for his gun. We legged it like no one's ever legged it.

"In the meantime, two guys dressed as Arab sheiks got wind of it and started yelling at us. As we're driving away, we see the main Nazi guy chasing us followed by his coterie of Arab sheik Nazis, all shaking their fists. It was like a scene at the end of Scooby-Doo.

"That was our last day in America. By that time we'd taken it to the brink, and I thought, 'enough. I'm going to write sitcoms now.'"

Ali G's new six-part show starts on US cable network HBO on February 21, and marks his first major assault on the difficult US market.

He is relatively anonymous there, known only for his cameo role in Madonna's video for Music, which means he could more easily dupe unsuspecting subjects.

Political figures like Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader and Michael Dukakis were all fooled into giving interviews for the new show.

Another was a crime-busting police chief, who explained to Ali G that Hondas are the easiest cars to break into. The spoof gangsta replied: "So for young kids out there, would you recommend them starting with a Honda?"

The American version of Da Ali G Show will also air on Channel 4 this spring.

Published: 3 Feb 2003