Ali G is back? FILE PHOTO: Ali G performs during The 22nd BRIT Awards Show, Earls Court 2, London, UK, Wednesday 20 February 2002. Variety is reporting that Sacha Baron Cohen is bringing back the character in an upcoming tour. (JMEnternational/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Variety broke the news that Sacha Baron Cohen is resurrecting his controversial DJ character Ali G as part of a stand-up tour.
No details were given, including potential tour dates, Deadline reported.
Claims of a new movie featuring the character were denied, especially in light of the current Hollywood strikes.
“As a SAG and WGA member he is supporting the ongoing strike alongside his fellow writers and actors,” a source told Variety.
Baron Cohen introduced Ali G in 1998 during a spot on the British sketch comedy show “The 11 O’Clock Show,” Variety reported. He, as Ali G, would interview well-known people such as Buzz Aldrin, David Beckham and even Newt Gingrich, according to Deadline.
He was called the “voice of the youth” and eventually developed the “Da Ali G Show” that helped launch two reporter characters: Borat and Bruno.
“Da Ali G Show” was eventually picked up by HBO and all three characters had standalone hit films.
Ali G was officially retired in 2007.
If all goes as expected, this won’t be the first time Baron Cohen has brought back Ali G.
Baron Cohen did a surprise set in Sydney in 2021 and also performed in 2012 at the British Comedy Awards, Deadline reported.
Through the years LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 03: Awards host Borat poses in the Awards Room at the 12th annual MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 at the Atlantic Pavilion on November 3, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for MTV) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for MTV)
Through the years LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 03: Brittany Murphy talks to Borat on Stage on stage at the 12th annual MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 at the Atlantic Pavilion on November 3, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images for MTV) (Jo Hale/Getty Images for MTV)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Actor/director Sacha Baron Cohen (L) and actor Johnny Depp pose backstage during the People's Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for PCA) (Charley Gallay)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: Sacha Baron Cohen attends the "Hugo" premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on November 21, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as his character 'General Aladeen,' arrives at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 13: (L-R) Actors Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman of "Les Miserables" pose in the press room during the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen attends the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Mel Brooks at Dolby Theatre on June 6, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Special Broadcast will air Saturday, June 15 at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT on TNT and
Wednesday, July 24 on TCM as part of an All-Night Tribute to Brooks. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Actress Salma Hayek, actor Sacha Baron Cohen and actress Isla Fisher with Stylebop.com attend the 2013 BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards presented by BBC America at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 9, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for BAFTA LA) (Michael Kovac)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Actors Sacha Baron Cohen (L) and Olivia Wilde speak onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen attends the "The Brothers Grimsby" fan screening at Regal Union Square on March 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Through the years WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 06: (L-R) Actors Dev Patel, Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen attend a special screening and reception of "LION" hosted by David O'Russell and Lee Daniels celebrating director Garth Davis at Estrella on January 6, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for TWC) (Rachel Murray)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 05: (L-R) Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher attend "The Spy" screening and reception at Netflix Home Theater on September 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix) (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Through the years SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 26: Sacha Baron Cohen (L) and Isla Fisher attend a screening of the Oscars on Monday, April 26, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Rick Rycroft-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen attends a reception for the 2022 Kennedy Center honorees hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, at the White House on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. This year's honorees include actor and filmmaker George Clooney; singer-songwriter Amy Grant; singer Gladys Knight; composer Tania León; and Irish rock band U2, comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)