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Ali G To Address Seniors on Class Day

Ali G is comin’ to da U.S. to bang at ’arvard.

Or so he’d say.

He may even break out a crimson jumpsuit for the occasion.

British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, known commonly as Ali G, will address seniors at Class Day June 9.

Baron Cohen, who will enter his second year hosting an HBO late-night show this summer, usually appears as his alter-ego, “bad boy rapper” Ali G.

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“We are excited to welcome this most talented and hilarious performer, along with his yellow jumpsuit and copious amounts of ice, to Harvard’s Class Day,” said Class Marshal and speaker committee Chair John Paul M. Fox ’04 in a statement.

Fox and First Class Marshal Shaka J. Bahadu ’04 could not be reached for comment today.

“All I can say is Boyashaka,” wrote Dean of the College Benedict H. Gross ’71 of the choice in an e-mail.

On “Da Ali G Show,” Baron Cohen often surprises interviewees with disarming questions, sexually-suggestive double entendres and misnomers like “the events of 7-11.”

Baron Cohen, who is half-Israeli and half-Welsh, is used to spending time in Cambridge, albeit the British namesake of Harvard’s home—he majored in history at Cambridge University.

Class Marshal Zachary A. Corker ’04 said that Baron Cohen will almost definitely appear as Ali G when he speaks at Harvard.

“He’s always in character. I’ve never read any interview or write up of him where he’s been out of character,” Corker said.

Corker added that he hoped some students were unfamiliar with Ali G, so they could be “pleasantly surprised” by his antics.

The Senior Class Committee will host screenings of “Da Ali G Show,” which was nominated in its British form for an international Emmy Award, to introduce Baron Cohen to the class.

“We’ll probably have them correspond with Senior Toast Day, or some other slightly inebriated activity,” Corker said.

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