'Naked Gun's' David Zucker has a laugh at Barbara Boxer's expense

In a Senate hearing long ago and far away -- actually last year -- California's Barbara Boxer made the mistake of admonishing Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh of the Army Corps of Engineers for calling her "ma'am" instead of "senator," saying, "I worked hard for that title." In years past, the senator's remark would be little more than a passing blooper. But not in today's macaca era, when every public misstep can come back to haunt you. Especially when you're locked in a tight reelection race.

Normally, Boxer's flub would be great material for "The Daily Show," but this time around, she's getting cuffed by David Zucker, a key part of the filmmaking team behind "Naked Gun" and "Airplane." Now an ardent conservative, Zucker has directed an ad that spoofs Boxer's snippy response, using a satirist's favorite weapon -- comic exagerration -- to hoist Boxer with her own petard. I'm a liberal, but hey, funny is funny. The two-minute spot plays like a great outtake from one of the "Naked Gun" movies, lampooning Boxer's initial response by having every character in the clip demand to be addressed by their proper title, including a Boy Scout who, when Boxer addresses him as scout, insists on being called "Eagle Scout."  

Like all good satire, the clip works because it feeds off of its victim's weak point. Boxer often comes off in public as a prickly Washington insider, making it easier for Zucker to caricature her cranky personality -- just as untold hundreds of alert satirist made fun of Bill Clinton for his oversized appetites and George W. Bush for his intellectual shortcomings. For showbiz insiders, it's fun to see Ed Ames in a hilarious cameo as an Indian chief, reprising his role as Mingo from the 1960s-era "Daniel Boone" TV series. Clint Howard also costars in the ad as one of Boxer's colleagues. Howard has become a prominent Hollywood conservative, which must make for interesting dinner-table conversation at Howard family get-togethers, since his brother, Ron, has been a liberal activist in recent years.   

You can watch the clip right here:   

Comments

[john doe]

This is lame. And how does it happen on a set with a City of Los Angeles seal on the wall?

[Jill]

Figures a guy would be behind this, no woman who watched this in our office laughed. Next time you try something funny - run it past the opposite sex first. And stick to comedy that doesn't insult women, sugar.

[Cristina]

LOVED this video. And YES I am a woman so the previous comment assuming all women would refuse to laugh is incorrect. Despite the work that she put in to becoming a Senator, her complete ignorance about the military and the deference that comes with Sir and Ma'am is worth laughing at. Not to mention her haughty attitude sadly repeated by many other public servants. While she may be a professional politician, the job should be one of service in representing people so they don't all have to be politicians...I love the spoof!!

[jfh]

ahh, pseudo-feminism rears up once more. No, Jill doesn't think its funny.

[Gaith]

"just as untold hundreds of alert satirist made fun of Bill Clinton for his oversized appetites and George W. Bush for his intellectual shortcomings."

The difference being, Bush's intellectual shortcomings directly related to his job performance.

[toots]

This is great! When MS Boxer made that remark to the General, his response should have been "please call me General". What an attitude MS Boxer has, and demonstrative of her fellow Dems...it's ALL about THEM, and how they feel they are above all of us because of their positions. Well, hopefully the sane people of CA will come out and show this woman the door, and give her a trip back to reality.

[toots]

Jill, get over yourself! And your friends too. All my girlfriends LOVED IT! I guess you too have a special title you like to wear?! Wonderful. I do too....it's MOM!

[BobCov]

It was about 1:30 seconds too long. Would have been more interesting to make a clip with actual footage from testimony at hearings where senators were addressed as sir or ma'am but didn't object. If none exist, then they've made her point. If a lot exist then they make Zucker's point.

[Jeff]

I agree with BobCov way too long. Funny idea though. Too bad it misses the mark. Oh, and I will never watch a Zucker film again. Even the re-runs.

[kravguy]

Hey Patrick,

Are there "ardent" liberals in your book? Probaby not I would guess. Also, George Bush's "intellectual shortcomings" are in your mind my friend. Not sure you can get an MBA from Yale with "intellectual shortcomings"!