Mahir Çağrı

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Mahir Çağrı
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Mahir Çağrı

Mahir Çağrı (IPA pron.: /mɑhir ʧɑːrɯ/ or [ma-heer chah-rih]), a resident of İzmir, Turkey, became an Internet celebrity in 1999. His picture-laden personal homepage, which exclaimed in broken English his love of the accordion and travel, was visited by millions and spawned numerous fansites and parodies, one featured on Fox's MadTV (season 4, episode 20). He was also repeatedly parodied in 1999 episodes of the Late Show with David Letterman wearing red Speedos and playing Ping Pong. Mahir was ranked #2 in CNET's Top 10 Web fads (July 15, 2005). [1] The site was also included in PC Magazine's "The 25 Worst Web Sites" list (September 15, 2006). [2] Mahir claimed in various interviews that his personal webpage was hacked, with additions such as "I like sex" embedded into his webpage. The site was originally hosted on the now defunct XOOM web hosting service which advertised Mahir on their front page during the mania. Some believe that the 2006 film and character Borat was partly inspired by Mahir.

Mahir Çağrı's website was quickly spread through word of mouth on the internet. The website came at a time when "Internet phenomenon" was a new concept for Internet users, media, and the curious public. Novelty pages such as Dancing baby and The Hampster Dance created a precedent of mass viewing for Mahir's page.

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[edit] Reactions

"Proficient" Internet users created new content inspired by Mahir's page, to capitalise on the millions of visitors. Flash based games, parody MP3s, and countless mirrors added to the phenomenon.

End-users also participated, taking group photos holding signs with some of the webpage's various catchphrases. These were sent to Mahir or placed on other websites.

In the year 2000, the now-defunct etour.com paid Mahir a rumored-sum of $1m to tour the United States, appearing at promotional events. At the San Francisco appearance, Mahir was led through a meta-web of scenes from his webpage, posing for photos with an accordion, playing a very brief game of ping-pong, and so on.

Mahir starred in his own music single titled "I Kiss You".

[edit] Links with Borat

Similarities with the UK television character Kristo (who evolved into Borat) were noted as soon as Mahir's website became famous in 1999, particularly his facial hair, formal wear and his use of the catchphrase "I like sex", which featured in Sacha Baron Cohen's TV shows in 1997 [3].

However, Mahir says that he was the main inspiration for British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen [4] , when, in 1994 Cohen created his foreign-reporter character for Channel 4 television (called variously, Kristo, Borat Karabzhanov, Borat Dutbayev and Borat Sagdiyev). In 1997 Baron Cohen's TV reporter also appeared on the BBC's Comedy Nation [1].

In the feature film of the same name, Borat not only uses Mahir's "You can stay my home" catchphrase in the introductory scenes, but poses during a game of ping-pong in revealing red shorts, referencing two of Mahir's famous shots. However, Borat had regularly invited viewers to stay with him in broken English before Mahir's website became famous.

Baron Cohen has said that the Borat character was based on a Russian doctor. Mahir is a doctor of psychology, as he claims "I make psycolojy doctora"[sic] according to his webpage.[2]

Mahir has announced that he is travelling to London to receive an apology from Baron Cohen, and to receive money for the use of his likeness in the film. He said, "the world knows he is copying Mahir. I am not saying this — the world is. I have received so many e-mails from people in the United States who tell me he is imitating me." He added, "the bombshell is going to fall. (Cohen) is making money by using me."[5]

Also, according to Mahir himself, he intends to sue Sacha "first for honour and money after" but he would accept apologies "for what is my right" and also Sacha's friendship if "he want to make friends."

Despite Mahir's accusations, in Borat's 1997 Guide to Britain (Two years before Mahir's website existed), the Kazakh reporter speaks with broken English, wears his famous grey suit, has his trademark mustache, invites his audience to stay with him in Kazakhstan and proudly announces his catchphrase, "I like sex." The Borat character has been in development since 1994 and has evolved from an Albanian reporter named Kristo. [6] [7]

[edit] Quotes

  • "I KISS YOU!!!!!!!"
  • "Who is want to come TURKEY I can invitate ..... She can stay my home ........"
  • "I like sex"
  • "I like music , I have many many music enstrumans my home I can play"

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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