A Statement From Showtime Networks On WHO IS AMERICA?

LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- There has been widespread misinformation over the past week about the character of Billy Wayne Ruddick Jr., Ph.D., performed by Sacha Baron Cohen on the SHOWTIME comedy series WHO IS AMERICA? Baron Cohen did not present himself as a disabled veteran, and viewers nationwide who watched the premiere on Sunday can now attest to that. In Sunday's episode, during an interview with Senator Bernie Sanders, Baron Cohen in character as Dr. Ruddick was asked by the Senator if he is disabled, and he stated that he is not and uses a mobility scooter to conserve his energy. In addition, 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 Sanders, he did not wear military apparel of any kind.

WHO IS AMERICA? airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. To watch a clip from last night's episode featuring an interview with Senator Bernie Sanders, go to: https://youtu.be/hiGEh7UoMYg.

About the Series:
Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy series WHO IS AMERICA? features his first new characters in 15 years, which are so believably performed that they can exist in the real world. Famous for creating a roster of iconic moments and incendiary characters, Baron Cohen returns to series television in the genre he created first in Da Ali G Show, and then turned into worldwide hit movies with the Golden Globe^® winning and Academy Award^® nominated Borat, and Brüno. WHO IS AMERICA? explores the diverse individuals who populate our unique nation and features Baron Cohen experimenting in the playground of 2018 America. Baron Cohen wrote and directed the seven-episode half-hour series that has been in the works over the past year.

SOURCE Showtime Networks Inc.