Baron Cohen rapped for mocking disabled

Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen has been rapped by TV watchdogs for mocking the disabled.

The Broadcasting Standards Commission ruled that a show in which his Austrian fashion journalist character Bruno "exceeded acceptable boundaries".

Two viewers complained about the show, in which Baron Cohen asked fashion industry figures if they would use disabled models if they wore "normal" clothes.

Channel 4 said Ali G In Da USAiii, was intended to highlight the industry's obsession with perfection.

But the BSC watchdogs ruled: "The language used to refer to people with disabilities, in addition to the mimicking of their physical symptoms, had exceeded acceptable boundaries."

Ali G has landed a second series of In Da USAiii, it was revealed yesterday.

Published: 30 Oct 2003