Borat's Inspiration?
A Turkish Internet celebrity is so convinced he was the inspiration for Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" character, he's traveling to London seeking an apology and a way to get paid from the film's surprise success. Mahir Cagri 44, became a cyber celebrity after posting a personal Web site in 1999, featuring unintentionally amusing photos of himself playing pingpong or the accordion and sunbathing in a skimpy bathing suit.
Fans were captivated by his broken English and hilarious invitation to women: "Who is want to come TURKEY I can invitate ... She can stay my home." "The world knows he is copying Mahir," Cagri told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from his hometown of Izmir on Monday, minutes before he was to board a plane for Istanbul to appear on a talk show. "I am not saying this — the world is. I have received so many e-mails from people in the United States who tell me he is imitating me," he said. Cagri, a freelance journalist, was scheduled to fly to London on Tuesday for meetings with his manager and lawyer there to discuss his options and hold interviews with British newspapers. He hopes to receive an "acknowledgment or an apology" from Baron Cohen. "The bombshell is going to fall," he said of his London trip. "(Cohen) is making money by using me." Yeah but you didn't make the movie, silly man. [source] Here's a video:
OMG NO! – two men in this world thought of an entertainment bit that includes a misogynistic comedy character who speak in broken English. Call in the copyright police immediately. I think the story is a tad bit funny because I always thought Borat seemed a little Turkish. I admit the two look a lil similar:
But Borat also looks, talks and jokes like the lead cashier at my grocery store. ...and the guy who parks my car in the morning ....and the guy who adjusts the temperature in my office when it gets too hot...or a 20th hijacker. 
Mahir should be able to sniff out jealously with that giant snout....but I guess he can only smell money.
2 comments:
HAHA. It looks like one of those 80 pound tumors they remove on the discovery channel.
FYI --
In 1994, Channel 4 was planning a replacement for its series The Word and put out an open call for new presenters. Baron Cohen sent in a tape of himself in the character of Kristo, a fictional television reporter from Albania (who later became Borat, from Kazakhstan), which caught the attention of a producer who kept him in mind. Baron Cohen marked time by working for a Swindon-based television company, and his first feature film appearance was around this time.
So essentially the seed for Borat was planted in 1994. Try again Mahir.
Although all is not lost with Mahir the wannabe. I’d like to see Mahir on an episode of Extreme Makeover. I’ve seen them work on some noses before but that thing takes the cake.
Post a Comment