Showtime president of programming Gary Levin told reporters this week that the controversial “Who Is America?” hit piece on Sarah Palin may not air.
Sacha Baron Cohen faced claims of stolen valor in early July by the former Alaska governor and former vice presidential candidate as the premiere of his new project neared. Showtime released a statement at the time denying the comedian portrayed himself as a disabled veteran to lure her into an interview, but viewers may not get to judge for themselves.
Mr. Levin told reporters at the Television Critics Association on Monday that Mr. Cohen’s “very high bar” for quality segments may require him to abandon the interview.
“All I can say about that is that there are several people who have thrown themselves in front of buses that may not be heading their way,” he said, Deadline Hollywood reported.
He added that Mr. Cohen is still “refining” the final product.
“My daughter and I were asked to travel across the country where Cohen (I presume) had heavily disguised himself as a disabled U.S. Veteran, fake wheelchair and all,” Mrs. Palin told her Facebook followers on July 10. “HOW DARE YOU mock those who have fought and served our country.”
Showtime countered days later: “Baron Cohen never presented himself as a veteran of the U.S. military to former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin during the booking process or during the filming of her interview, and contrary to her claims he did not appear in a wheelchair. In both the interview with Governor Palin and the interview with Senator [Bernard] Sanders, he did not wear military apparel of any kind.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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