You're right on point.

The world (or maybe just Americans) seem to latch on to the dumbest shit year after year.

Remember that dancing baby that strolled across the screen of whatever sitcom that was in the early 90's? People though that crap was hilarious.

Napoleon Dynamite, Harry Potter, reality television and Borat are the four newest ones I can recall.

All of which, retarded.

I agree about the oversaturation.

George Saunders, however, is a humorless prig -- a self-righteous killjoy whose favorite hobby seems to be invoking homelessness or AIDS whenever he suspects that someone, somewhere might be having a good time.

Are we talking about the same George Saunders? Because aside from that Borat essay (in which he highlights some of the film's least fair/cruelest moments, very astutely, I believe), I can't think of one example of what you're talking about. In fact, in a literary landscape where "fun" is an endangered sensation, Saunders is perhaps the silliest and rule-breaking of all the "heavyweights."

Looks like Grandma's getting the Borat book...

Oh, what? Beaton, are you trying to hurt us? Spend ten minutes reading this and then tell me George Saunders is a humorless prig:

http://journals.aol.com/thefeedblog/AOLNewsTheFeed/entries/2006/04/25/120-questions-for...-george-saunders/1557

If you can't see the artistic value in a fat man's sweaty and extremely hairy ass, then there's probably no hope for you.

Borat is the greatest commentator on the state of current American culture living today. He is able to put a mirror up to the absurdity, vileness, and stupidity that is America, and somehow manages to make (many) people laugh about it. The man is a messiah.

Dude -- Snakes on a Plane: the novelization was on bookstore shelves ages ago.

We're sorry, this video is no longer available.

I don't know what you're talking about, that's freakin' hilarious. A real FU to all the internets.

Give me the book.

Oh, what? Beaton, are you trying to hurt us? Spend ten minutes reading this and then tell me George Saunders is a humorless prig:

I hereby withdraw my hilarious comment.

give it to grandma.

i gave my great grandmother a whoopie cushion last year.

Jsgshemash, Chases!

This be a Jonny the Monkey, number one most famous celebrity in all Kazakhstan. Good friend Borat still only number four most famous, even after great success of movie film...

Me writings to say very happy you think Borat book and movie not funny. After all, he is serious televiski journalist!

And have not made readings of Mr Saunders blag post you mention, but DO know he sell very tasty Kentuckied fry chicken... and greasy fingers not only 'fingers licking good' but also useful for when make sexy times that night.

Since you have book, can make readings pleasures by turn to page 49 and see movie poster for mine film "King Khram". But be warn because it show Jonnys monkey phenis in all of its glory whole.

Why not? It is nice!

Chenquieh.

NOTE: This comment was 'hand signed' by Jonny the Monkey to his gypsy assistant Batyr, who then translated and posted those words here.

Hmm. I'd like to say the negative backlash against Borat is due to his success with mainstream audiences. Like Dave Chappelle, the mildly subversive satire of Borat became countersubverted (not a word!) by the mainstream. Audience members embraced the tongue-in-cheek xenophobia for its surface elements rather than its insights.

One example is the film's portrayal of Borat's homophobia. Although the character Borat vilifies gays, he unwittingly associates with gays, who tend to be normal friendly people that Borat bonds with readily, throughout the film. And, because of Borat's embrace of activity that would be considered homosexual in Western culture, Borat often ends up engaging in homosexual activity by pure accident. Rather than laughing at "Borat's hatred is misguided HA HA HA," some audience members interpret the joke as "Borat had gross sexual activity with gay people HA HA HA." This misinterpretation of humorous stimuli leads audience members to embrace xenophobic ideas rather than reconsider them. As a result, Borat goes from "mildly insightful satire" to "crass Blackface minstrel show" in no time at all. We perceive the cultural value of Borat as nil and consequently marginalize its successes.

Personally, I still think Borat has value. I appreciate Sasha Baron Cohen's efforts as a sort of deep performance artist in the vein of Andy Kaufman. Cohen manages to remain in character through a variety of situations despite lengthy performance periods and potential legal ramifications. The deleted scenes where Cohen and company run afoul of local law enforcement are the best examples of this dedication to his character. Not only does Cohen decide to maintain his Borat persona despite the possibility of serious legal action, but he also decides to continue agitating the officers with bizarre and irritating behavior. Cohen is dedicated to guerilla comedy in a way that few people have ever attempted, which is why I think Borat still possesses some admirable elements.