SBC's Borat character is pure genius. Why? His 'foreign' guise lets his guests/interviewees feel that they are superior to him. Which in turn allows them to speak more freely. act more natural and true to their thoughts.
Also the fact that the people believe this show will be aired in Kazakhstan also helps achieve the outrageous level of humanity that could not happen if people knew 'their friends' or 'hollywood' might happen to catch this.
Borat exposes people's racist, prejudice, anti-female, anti-gay and anti-Semitic thoughts.
Most guests go along with what he does because they don't want to embarrass him or his 'customs'. Ali G will lose a guest much quicker than Borat simply because if you insult Borat - You insult a nation.
You have to watch this show realizes that SBC is Jewish himself, and all the 'jew jokes' are used as entrapment to reveal the opinions of others.
The show works because of SBC's transformation into Borat, and the people he chooses to interview.
Anyone who knows a foreigner loves this show so much more because they can relate to some of the questions Borat might ask about America.
Dzienkuje