Reactions to US Premiere of Sacha Baron Cohen's Who is America?

Children with guns was the topic for a sizable part of the Who is America? pilot, the latest from comedian and provocateur Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno).

The show centres on the performer donning various personas to interview key figures in the US.

It's opener saw Cohen take on the disguise of Col. Erran Morad, an Israeli anti-terrorism expert who speaks with a handful of gun rights activists and politicians about arming three-year-olds through a fictional program called Kinderguardians.

President of the Virginia's Citizen Defence League Philip Van Cleefe endorsed the scheme stating: "I think it would be a good idea. We've been pushing something along this line for years but really haven't gotten any traction with it."

He also added: "They haven't quite developed a conscious where you feel guilty about doing something wrong. If they haven't developed that they could be very effective killers."

Other key moments from the program included Van Cleefe stating he killed a bill that would prevent four year old's having access to guns, Gun Owners of America director Larry Pratt laughing about marital rape and Cohen recruiting US politicians Trent Lott, Dana Rohrabacher, Joe Wilson and Joe Walsh to support his Kinderguardians scheme.

The segment can be seen below.

Many actors and comedians came out and supported Cohen and the issues he raised through Who is America.

I had the privilege of getting a sneak peek at Sacha Baron Cohen’s new show #WhoIsAmerica last night. Holy. Shit. It’s essential ?. @Showtime tonight. ??????

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) July 15, 2018

congratulations to @SachaBaronCohen for reminding us (hilariously) of how very very very stupid we are. That was just great. #WhoIsAmerica @Showtime

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 16, 2018

#whoisamerica reveals the soullessness of many of our representatives. They will literally say anything. This show through characters reveals more truth than any cable news outlet https://t.co/IXYDJolQAU

— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) July 15, 2018

I have seen #WhoIsAmerica and it is insane and hilarious and I can’t wait to watch it again tonight https://t.co/oxXFPE09SY

— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) July 15, 2018

You have to watch this show! It’s the best comedy of the year with incredible social commentary! @Showtime #whoisamerica pic.twitter.com/QweX4TtfB8

— Courteney Cox (@CourteneyCox) July 16, 2018

At the screening for @SachaBaronCohen’s new show #WhoIsAmerica. It’s so funny, you must watch. @bjnovak pic.twitter.com/dEPA0bQ4TR

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) July 15, 2018

Of course many interviewed by Cohen for the series (such as Sarah Palin, who did not appear in the pilot) have lashed out against the show. However, critic reviews have too been mixed with The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone criticising Who is America for not being that shocking in the current US political climate.

Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter said: "The disappointing reality of Who Is America? is that Cohen hasn't really gotten anybody to espouse any ideology that they wouldn't and haven't advocated proudly without the subterfuge."

The seven-part series premieres tonight in Ireland at 10pm on Channel 4.