No drama Obama: A comedy-killing president?

For months, comedy writers and comedians have been brooding about the horrifying prospect of an Obama presidency, fearing the worst--the man isn't funny. Or more to the point: It isn't fun to make fun of him. Apparently having had a series of fat targets like George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin around has made comedians lazy. With no easy hook for laughs, they're worried that with the nation in a kumbaya mood--at least for the near future--that Obama jokes will fall flat. That's certainly what happened this summer with the New Yorker's Obama cover parody, which prompted a firestorm of criticism by casting the presidential aspirant as a fist-bumping terrorist. (The flap prompted conservatives to charge--quite rightly, if you ask me--that the liberal media had a bizarre double standard about the limits of satire.)

I think their fears are vastly overstated. Bill Maher and Jon Stewart may be Obama admirers, but they're also professionals--they'll soon find something worthy of mocking, especially since Obama, being a churchgoer, would be a great target for a religionophobe like Maher. Remember, it took a couple of years of JFK residence in the White House before Vaughn Meader hit the jackpot with "The First Family" album. But what do I know? I asked the veteran political satirist Paul Slansky, who has skewered Bush in recent years everywhere including the New Yorker, 23-6 and Time.com (where he does a weekly news satire) to offer his theory on the matter. He says:

"Obama certainly won't be funny in the same way Bush was funny. The humor will probably be more like the 'First Family' humor aimed at Kennedy, which was a great opportunity for satirists, since it was the first recognizable family in the White House in decades. But it's true--how to make fun of Obama will be a major challenge. Until now, it was easy for me to keep track of the sins of the president. But I'm not an equal opportunity satirist. When Bush isn't there anymore, I'm going back to my personal life. When Clinton was president, I managed to get married and have a daughter."

Still, I'm betting someone else will step up to the plate. It's certainly clear that the Onion isn't having problems getting their comedy motor running. They already hit paydirt today with this gem. Here's their mock news lead: "WASHINGTON--African-American man Barack Obama, 47, was given the least desirable job in the entire country Tuesday when he was elected president of the United States of America." 

Anyone who thinks political satire is dead sorely underestimates the fundamentally neurotic desire of comedians to get a big laugh. If I were Obama, I wouldn't get complacent. When you're president, there's always a comedy bull's-eye on your back.

The New Yorker cover illustration by Barry Blitt

Comments

[oliver]

It's the court jester's job to make fun of those in authority. Let's see how brave Mahr is when it comes to cracking wise on Obama. My take---not so much.
Sad day to be a cowardly comedian.

[andy]

And for another great Onion bit, try this video:

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/obama_win_causes_obsessive

[meeshhead]

Reply to oliver:

I think that Bill Maher is the wrong person to call a "cowardly comedian". In fact he's probably the most outspoken, go for the throat, political comedian around. Most Repugnicans won't dare come on his show because he'll rip them apart. Don't forget the fact that his show (Politicaaly Incorrect) was thrown off the air by ABC because of his daring comments right after 9/11. And his new film "Religulous" is anything but "cowardly".

I agree with the author about Obama not being funny, but there are still many people in politics that are good comedy material!

[Jim Treacher]

"Don't forget the fact that his show (Politicaaly Incorrect) was thrown off the air by ABC because of his daring comments right after 9/11."

Yeah, they immediately yanked it off the schedule 9 months later.

[Jake]

Bill Maher was on Larry King and said (to the effect) that you can't make jokes about Obama because he's "too cool". Then he went on the slam past president's flaws, including attacks on their personal appearance. So here's my advice to Maher - a jerk who enjoys cracking on other people's appearance.

He can mock Obama's giant ears, and Mrs. Obama's giant behind. He can also mock Mrs. Obama's ungraceful way of walking - in case you Obamabots haven't noticed, her walk looks similar to an overweight elephant stomping.

Aside from personal appearance, he can also mock Obama's way of speaking, for instance: uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, I mean, uh, uh, uh, uh.........

[MISA]

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[Jessy]

NO DRAMA OBAMA!
http://www.nodramaobamasticker.com