Posted on 07/16/2018 8:41:44 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Showtime and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen rebuffed former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's claim that she was "duped" into a prank interview for the British actor's new series.
The network said in a statement on Monday that Baron Cohen conducted the interview for his new show "Who is America?" dressed as one of his new characters, Billy Wayne Ruddick Jr., Ph.D.
But contrary to Palin's claim that the character was intended to be a disabled vet, Showtime said that the show's premiere on Sunday proved that wasn't the case.
"There has been widespread misinformation over the past week about the character of Billy Wayne Ruddick Jr., Ph.D., performed by Sacha Baron Cohen on the Showtime comedy series 'Who Is America?'" the network said.
"Baron Cohen did not present himself as a disabled veteran, and viewers nationwide who watched the premiere on Sunday can now attest to that."
In the show's debut on Sunday, Baron Cohen conducted an interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), while in character as Ruddick. When Sanders asks whether Ruddick, who is sitting on a scooter, is disabled, Baron Cohen replies: "No, I don't, this here scooter is to conserve my body's finite energy."
In the statement, Showtime said that "Baron Cohen never presented himself as a veteran of the U.S. 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," the network said.
Baron Cohen previously responded in character to Palin's claims on Twitter last week, posting a letter explaining that, while Ruddick was in the "service," he meant "United Parcel." He also wrote that he "only fought for my country once when I shot a Mexican who came onto my property."
seated on a scooter he is shocked that anyone who assume he NEEDS that scooter.
what a lying faggot
GTH
SBC
stalinists lie. always
It sounds like he misrepresented himself just the same. Lies of omission are lies nonetheless.
No no no .. he knows that he’s up sh!t’s creek here.
Parcel. Not Postal.
He’s such a yellow bellied bottom feeder that he carefully wrote that in anticipation of any push back.
He’s a nothing anymore. This guy is a coward of the nth degree.
Ping.
Joe Arpaio got duped by Cohen too.
Even worse he got duped by the AZ GOP into the Senate race to block for McSallycain so AZ can maintain their TWO Amnesty Senators.
>> explaining that, while Ruddick was in the “service,” he meant “United Parcel.”
lying faggot didn’t work for UPS either.
Houston’s libtard rino DA sought prosecution against undercover reporters over less...
What kind of communication did Cohen have with Palin? What kind of contract did they sign? She flew all the way from Alaska to DC for this interview. That is the question. She should release this information immediately if she was lied to.
To Sarah's List.
Whatever you say Showtime.
Thanks for the ping.
Let’s say you went as a foreigner to Israel, posing as a disabled IDF trooper, say from the Golani Brigade:
How would the average Israeli feel about that..?
Would their feelings be better or worse if your aim was to lampoon a personality nationally recognized as having an outsized concern for the welfare of vets..?
I watched the season opener. The segment with Sanders really was pretty funny. The 2nd segment was humorous, but I couldn’t get through the third because it was disgustingly vulgar. It was outrageous, to be sure, but his make-up was really pretty amazing.
I won’t watch the show again.
Is saying “I was in the service.” against the law or is it fraud?
“”Baron Cohen did not present himself as a disabled veteran, and viewers nationwide who watched the premiere on Sunday can now attest to that.”
like they couldn’t have edited a part out or otherwise changed it?
I'm down with that.
seeking publicity. don’t give them any.
Every one of Sacha’s films is based on deceit, all for laughs.
I believe Sarah.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.