Prank show Ali G wouldn't get on TV now 'because the rules have changed' says Channel 4 boss
Sacha Baron Cohen aka Ali G and actress Rhona Mitra arriving at the Empire Cinema in London's Leicester Square
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Changes to broadcasting rules mean popular prank show Ali G would not air on television today, a Channel 4 executive has claimed.
Sacha Baron Cohen, who portrayed the West Staines Massiv ringleader, hosted the satirical series Da Ali G Show from 2000 to 2004.
The Bafta award-winning actor often fooled contributors to appear on the programme.
Ali G interviewed ex-US President Donald Trump, former Brexit Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg and Labour stalwart Tony Benn.
Channel 4's headquarters in Horseferry Road, central London
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However, Ofcom tightened its rules on contributor welfare in 2020 have diminished the opportunity for broadcasters to fool contributors.
Participants have to be informed of the nature of a programme in advance.
New rules added that participants must be “informed about potential risks arising from their participation in the programme which may affect their welfare”.
Alf Lawrie, who works as Channel 4’s head of factual entertainment, said: “You couldn’t make Ali G, Borat or Brass Eye now because the rules have changed.
Sacha Baron Cohen in the press room with the Editor's Special Award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2018
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“You can’t hoodwink people on the same grand scale.
“TV has become a slightly more regulated environment than it was 20 years ago.
“When you were making Borat 20 years ago, you could pretend quite seriously that he was from Kazakhstan and until it aired they had no idea otherwise.
“These days you can’t mislead people in the same way.”
Greg Wallace (left)
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He added: “We’re far more respectful of our contributors now than we used to be.
“But it means the nature of some satire has changed.”
Lawrie was speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s mockumentary Greg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat.
The show addresses the fictional story which suggests human flesh is being engineered for human consumption amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The British Miracle Meat will include members of the public taste-testing food.
They will be told it was harvested from other people but will eventually be informed of the truth and asked to sign a consent form to appear on the Channel 4 spoof show.