If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Dec 1, 2010 at 6:52am
I present this on the heels of my revelation (deep in a comment thread) that I really enjoyed Dutch, whether or not it was true.
You're laughing, Peter, I know you are.
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Jul '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Funny that you post that, Claire, as yesterday when reading that thread I was thinking of the SNL skit, and of something Steven Hayward has written: " I've mentioned a few times that the famous Saturday Night Live skit of Reagan as mastermind is closer to the truth that anyone knew, proving that comedy once again trumps the conventional view". (Hayward's two-volume history The Age of Reagan is now out in paperback, and it's a step closer to the definitive study of Reagan.)
(That quote from Hayward is taken from a post on No Left Turns, which should really be on the Ricochet blogroll.)
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Am Iaughing, Claire? Howling.
The idea that the President had anything to do with the diversion of funds to the Contras is ridiculous, of course--special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh spent many years and many tens of millions of dollars investigating that one, coming up with bupkus. (Walsh's own words, as I recall: "There is no credible evidence" that Reagan had any knowledge of the diversion whatsoever.)
But the notion that the Gipper was--how shall we say? In charge? The man who set the agenda? Quite capable of overriding his top advisors?
That, Claire, is merely the simple truth. As we speechwriters all said to each other the Monday after that skit aired, there was a lot more truth to it than the SNL writers could have imagined.
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 7:42amNov '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
R.I.P. Phil Hartman.
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
My favorite SNL skit of all time.
Though a close second is the skit where John Lovitz plays Dukakis on the night of his defeat, wearing a Hugh Hefner smoking jacket. In the corner, Phil Hartman playing an inebriated Teddy Kennedy pawing over Kitty Dukakis in the corner. Lloyd Bensten comes up to Dukakis and asks, "Mike! Now that it's all over, you can tell me. You were gonna raise taxes, weren't you?"
Lovitz/Dukakis answers: "Well, you bet I was! Through the roof!"
At another point he explains the reason for his defeat:
"You know, I think the one thing that really hurt us is the fact that Reaganomics works. It really does. I mean, aren't you better off than you were eight years ago? I know I am. How about the rest of you? I wish you weren't, but you are. You are better off. And there's no denying it.
Jul '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
This skit also reminds one that Hartman was good. He also did a great Bill Clinton.
May '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Phil Hartman was one of the most amazing actors at improv and characterization. I miss him and his incredible gift.
May '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Much like Bill McGurn, my favorite SNL skit ever.
I would like to point out that I posted this video (by link) to Ricochet almost 6 months ago. Perhaps that ought to be a Ricochet by-law...this skit MUST be posted for Ricochet enjoyment every six months!
"Back to work!"
May '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
I remember that skit well. The real target of the humor was not Reagan, but his more off-the-wall critics who ascribed nefarious powers to him. Oddly, reminded me of another one by Eddie Murphy: "White Like Me" http://bit.ly/hC0iJp
Sep '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
I remember that skit from when it first aired. And, contra Peter, what made it so funny was that no one, critic or friend, thought he was a Machiavellian Jekkyl Hyde Richard Nixon behind closed doors and Mister Rogers in person. That's what utterly baffled Morris in his quest for the real Reagan.
Sep '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Peter,
Speaking of Gipper do you remember the Chris Matthews story (pre lunacy days) about Reagan's breaking of a wildcat air traffic controller's strike being the incident that convinced the Soviets that this President was different and wouldn't back down?
Sep '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Hysterical. I remember White Like Me. Brilliant piece of work.
Oct '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
My mother-in-law is a professional stand-up comedian; my wife is an actress. My wife, especially, was devastated by Phil Hartman's death. As crazy as this sounds, I still choke up when I watch "Small Soldiers," which I think was underappreciated to begin with.
Poor Phil. He made a mistake: telling his wife "I'm leaving you tomorrow because you're mentally unstable."
May '10
Re: If You Love Reagan Too Much to Laugh at This, You're Probably Humorless
Paul Snively
I still choke up when I watch "Small Soldiers," which I think was underappreciated to begin with.
I remember really looking forward to that movie because Phil Hartman was in it. He's the main reason I watched "News Radio." When I watched the show right after his death, I was sobbing right along with the actors. My heart breaks for his children. I hope and pray they are well.
Edited on Dec 2, 2010 at 11:05pm