Play of the Day: Bush is Back, Let’s Party Like It’s 2006!
Late-night hosts go green by recycling jokes from the previous decade for their monologues.
George W. Bush’s presidency was full of controversy, with fluctuating approval ratings, natural disasters and two wars. But, because of Bush’s frequent verbal gaffes, late-night comedians found him to be fertile ground for jokes. With the Thursday dedication of his presidential library , hosts were able to recycle jokes from the previous decade.
Proving the point, Jon Stewart started The Daily Show nearly hyperventilating with giddiness and eventually had to breath comically into a paper bag. He later eviscerated Bush for his presidency and his inactivity compared to other presidents after they left office. On CBS, Craig Ferguson played on Bush’s last name and Bill Clinton’s connection, while David Letterman highlighted an interview with Bush’s mother, Barbara. On NBC, Jimmy Fallon made fun of Bush’s statue and The Tonight Show’s Jay Leno hit Bush, former vice president Dick Cheney and even Barack Obama.
Fast forward to 4:35 to see how Bush could rehabilitate his image even more.