Response to Will's Blog

Sacha Baron Cohen is a wildly known name and every time someone mentions this iconic comedian, one word comes to mind: controversy. Many of his pieces of comedy are often met with disapproving critiques as numerous people find his jokes and "faux"interviews to be exceedingly offensive, stretching into the violation sector of benign violation theory. However, this controversy is what took those who favor his humor and form of comedy by storm and enabled the establishment of his name within the comedic media realm. In addition to his political jokes, which often strike controversy, Cohen's form of comedy takes on superiority and incongruity theory. The interviews that Will discusses, in which Cohen asks ridiculous questions to professionals, are examples of superiority theory as interviewees are those who feel this sense of supremacy over Cohen. However, the audience experiences laughter due to the incongruity theory utilized through the lack of relevancy in Cohen's questions. Although I myself have not personally watched a lot of Cohen's work, I watched a clip from his series "Who Is America?" in which he interviews Philip Van Cleave on gun control. The character Cohen embodies within the episode indulges Cleave on his political views and goes as far to create a pro-gun commercial directed at children. Although its clear to the audience that Cohen does not agree with this political standpoint, Cleave is completely unaware that Cohen is playing a character and in reality is making a comedic piece about him. This interview and other forms use the application of incongruity and superiority as the audience watches unknowing interviewees participate in uncomfortable conversations with Cohen and attempt to answer his obscure questions. After watching this one episode from the comedian, I fully intend to watch more of Cohen's comedy and I have Will to thank for exposing me to this content.