Sacha Baron Cohen reprised his role as wannabe gangster Ali G during the Oscars to bring a hint of diversity to the awards show Sunday.
The British comedian joined actress Olivia Wilde on stage, wearing the fictional character’s signature tinted sunglasses and red beanie hat. “I know what you was thinking when I walked on: ‘Here comes yet another token black presenter,’” he said. Baron Cohen is of European Jewish heritage but his character Ali G is a white Londoner who thinks he is black.
Cohen joked, saying there should be an Oscar for the “very hard-working little yellow people” before adding that he was talking about the beloved Minions. The revival of Ali G comes amid criticism of the all-white Oscar acting nominations.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com