Who Is America? start time, date, channel: everything we know about the Sacha Baron Cohen series
The seven-part series features interviews with some high-profile guests
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Your support makes all the difference.Sacha Baron Cohen has a long history of fooling people into making themselves look ridiculous.
However, since becoming internationally famous as the alter-egos Ali G, Borat, and Brüno, the actor has seemingly been unable to go undercover quite as well. Recent Cohen projects, such as Grimsby, have instead been heavily scripted comedies.
Somehow, despite the reputation, the actor has found a way to fool people once more, his project – Who Is America? – featuring an undercover Cohen investigating the US once again.
So, what do we know about the mysterious project ? Look no further, as we have the lowdown on the series.
When does Who Is America? start?
Cohen’s show begins Monday, 16 July at 9pm on Channel 4 for UK viewers. Those in the US have already seen the episode, which aired on Showtime. The series will run for seven episodes.
What’s the show about?
According to the synopsis, the show “will explore the diverse individuals, from the infamous to the unknown across the political and cultural spectrum, who populate our unique nation”. Cohen has also teased: “Imagine if Sacha Baron Cohen had been undercover secretly filming a new show for a year...”
The first episode has already aired in America, The Independent live-blogging along with the episode. You can read everything that happened here. We have also rounded up some reviews, which you can read here. Plus, you can watch 10 minutes of the show here!
Who will be interviewed?
A couple of big names have been confirmed. First, there was Dick Cheney, who appears in the show’s teaser trailer, initially shared by Cohen on Twitter. During the clip, the former Vice President signs a waterboard kit (Cheney supports the use of waterboarding as an “enhanced interrogation method”).
Then there’s Sarah Palin who, responding to a rumour she was going to appear on the show, confirmed she had been “duped” by Cohen. Writing on Facebook, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate called Cohen “evil, exploitive” and ”sick” after posing as a “disabled US Veteran” in a ”fake wheelchair” to get the interview.
Joe Walsh, a former congressman-turned-conservative radio talk-show host, has also admitted to being "duped" by Cohen, saying he was invited to a "pro-Israel dinner that honoured defenders of Israel". However, the event was a ruse.
Other rumours include, according to Matt Drudge or The Drudge Report, “Howard Dean, Alberto Gonzales, Bernie, Trent Lott, Patraeus, Ted Koppel.” There have also been previous reports of OJ Simpson being interviewed by Cohen.
Who will be interviewing?
This remains unknown. Palin said that Cohen dressed as a “disabled US Veteran,” though we imagine the comic taking on different disguises for different interviews.
Anything else?
Along with the Cheney clip, Cohen has also posted a video featuring Donald Trump. Watch at the top of this article. How exactly the President will fit into the show remains a mystery, although you can read about Trump and Cohen’s history together here.
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