SATIRE certainly isn’t dead on the evidence of a new show from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

I must admit when I first heard the British prankster was making a return to television, I had my doubts whether the man behind Ali G, Borat and Bruno could do another successful show. But I was surprised as Sacha, now heavily disguised while playing his newly created characters, has again managed to dupe some of the United States’ most notorious politicians in Who is America?

There has always been criticism of these style of shows, usually led by those who have had the wool pulled over their eyes arguing they were forced to say things believing the situation to be real.

Among the latest figures calling for a boycott of this new show has been Sarah Palin, who described herself as a victim of Sacha’s “evil”, “exploitative” and “truly sick” comedy.

What she actually says hasn’t been revealed, but when the show airs it will no doubt be unmissable television.

In the first episode, a Republican Congressman endorsed a proposed plan to arm children as young as three with firearms. Watching it I must admit it was difficult to find it comedic – if anything it was a disturbing watch.

All of this is nothing new of course, but it still felt refreshing to watch - and in this world of uncertain political times we need more of this comedy.

Many critics' first impressions were broadly positive towards Sacha’s new comedy vehicle, the Washington Post calling him an undisputed genius, but adding “our world has become as absurd as anything Cohen could conceive”. Trump’s America is an easy target, and particularly in the Republican Trump supporters among whom Sacha has found some gullible politicians.

I’d argue we need more of these controversial satire style shows on British television, even if the pranksters are likely to find targets less gullible. In previous Fair Point columns I have written that British television has become dull, with less risk taking from the traditional broadcasters.

When the autumn schedules are announced the usual names will be back such as Strictly, Doctor Who, X Factor, but will the broadcasters be announcing new comedy and satire shows, unearthing a new Sacha perhaps? And where's Chris Morris?