“entire repertoire consists of using people’s better nature against them. Asking for the help of strangers and then, when help is given, make them look stupid and laugh at their humiliation.” It’s occasionally quite funny because of the sheer farce. Mostly, though, it’s rather sad.

I have not seen Bruno yet. But as for Borat I think you're wrong.

Borat didn't make good people look like fools, Cohen made good people look like good people. In particular the driving instructor and the black guys and the old Jewish couple all looked like good people. They weren't abused or ridiculed, Cohen has the sense to know when to turn the joke on himself.

The famous scene where Borat has dinner with the dining club is beautiful for the sweetness and tolerance shown by the other diners.

The only people who looked bad were the bad people: the racist frat boys, the anti-semite gun dealer.

In fact the effectiveness of Borat was that it wasn't just hit pieces, it found a heart, and it expressed deep affection for Americans. It was flattering to Americans. We come off looking decent, polite and tolerant for the most part, with some very definite exceptions.

I imagine Bruno will be similar.