Oscars 2016: Ali G's Race-Relations Speech Has Crowd In Stitches

Ali G’s bid for more racial diversity at the Oscars was typically close to the bone at last night’s ceremony.

In his trademark do-rag, Sasha Baron Cohen took to the stage reviving the dim-witted leader of the Staines Massive to preach his own message of inclusion.

“It ain’t just me bredren who is been overlooked, it is all people of all colours,” he explained, flanked by an awkward-looking, largely silent Olivia Wilde.

“How come there’s no Oscra for dem very hard-working little yellow people with tiny dongs?

“You know, the Minions.”

“But I is here, representing all dem who has been overlooked. Will Smith, Idris Elbow, and of course, the amazing black bloke from Star Wars, Darth Vader.

Putting up his fist in a black power salute, he added: “This is for you.”

There was some wincing, but mostly chuckles from the star-studded crowd.

Host Chris Rock also mercilessly skewered the Academy for its lack of diversity in his brilliant, frequently scathing opening monologue, dubbing the event ‘the White People’s Choice Awards’.

He noted that there were not protests in 1962 or 1963, when there were also no black nominees in the acting categories.

“Why? Because we had real things to protest at the time, you know? We had real things to protest; you know, we’re too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer,” he said.

Sniping at Jada Pinkett and Will Smith’s very public decision to boycott the event, he said: “Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited.”

“It’s not fair that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated. Yeah, you’re right. It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for 'Wild Wild West’. O.K.?”

Check out some highlights below…

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