James Bobin

If a television award were issued for most inventive comedic writer and series developer of the 2000s, James Bobin would almost certainly top the list. Best known as the man who helped devise the characterizations of Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Bruno (all played by the inimitable Sacha Baron Cohen), Bobin kick-started his career as scripter and helmer of The 11 O'Clock Show in the U.K., then moved into collaborations with Cohen. In that capacity, he co-scripted each of the 12 episodes of Da Ali G Show for HBO in 2003 and 2004. Bobin foresaw his next comic achievement in the form of a nutty pair of satirical musicians from New Zealand who called themselves Flight of the Conchords -- Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. As created and executive produced by Bobin and others, the group's eponymous program cut back and forth between absurdly stylized music videos in which the artists sang original compositions, and comedic sketches that depicted the boys trying to adjust to life in the Big Apple and achieve fame in America. It debuted on HBO in June 2007. - Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide