Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised as an antiterrorism expert, coaxed Daniel Roberts, an ardent gun rights activist, into biting on a sex toy, and other embarrassing acts, while being filmed. Mr. Roberts thought he was part of a training video. Instead, he was being played for laughs, as part of an episode of Mr. Cohen’s Showtime series, “Who Is America?”

On Thursday, Mr. Roberts said in an interview that he is “exploring every avenue” to pursue legal action. He is far from alone.

Jason Spencer resigned his position as a state lawmaker in Georgia after Mr. Cohen convinced him to yell racial epithets in a similar situation. He has said he “sought legal counsel” too. Roy Moore, the former Alabama Senate candidate, suggested he’d go to court as well.

But would any of them have a good chance of winning if they sued?

After all, Mr. Cohen and his team were deceitful in how they lured them and others into participating with the show, which aired its most recent episode Sunday night. Former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh said he was told he was receiving an award for his support of Israel and was prompted to read scripted remarks that advocated arming small children. He might have a claim, no?

Not necessarily, according to legal experts, who say that in most of the cases, it seems that prospective prank victims signed releases designed to indemnify Mr. Cohen and his producers from legal claims.

“If I were a lawyer for a potential plaintiff who came into me and said this happened, my first question would be, ‘Did you sign a piece of paper?’” said John Rosenberg, a media and entertainment lawyer.

Mr. Roberts said that he didn’t remember whether he signed one for his segment, but that it was “highly likely.” Mr. Walsh said he had signed one.

Mr. Cohen has long been a magnet for lawsuits for his work. People who were pranked on the television show “Da Ali G Show,” (2000-2004) and in the films “Borat” (2006) and “Brüno,” (2009) have also sued, though seldom successfully.

(Excerpt) Read more in: The New York Times