In a moment that many will recall, Bush’s aide, Marybeth, interrupted, “Sir, it’s almost 11:30, and President-elect Clinton is set to appear on CNN.” Bush, with a sigh, switched on the TV, the presidential seal shimmering on the screen. The announcer’s voice echoed, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President-elect of the United States,” as the camera shifted to a beaming Clinton. “Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” he exclaimed, eliciting cheers from the audience. Bush sank into his chair, lamenting, “I—I—I used to say that!”
Then came December 5, 1992. Up until that point, Phil’s most notable portrayal of Clinton had been during the pre-election phase, where he humorously highlighted Arkansas’ alarmingly low literacy rates. But this time was different.
The scene unfolded with President-elect Bill Clinton (played by Phil) and two Secret Service agents (Kevin Nealon and Tim Meadows) jogging into a McDonald’s in Washington, D.C. “Let’s take a break, I’m thirsty,” Clinton declared. One agent replied, “Sir, we’ve only jogged three blocks. Plus, Mrs. Clinton requested no more fast food.” Clinton, undeterred, insisted, “I just want to connect with the American people and grab a Diet Coke—or something.” The agent relented, “Fine, but don’t tell Mrs. Clinton.” Clinton smirked, “Jim, there will be plenty of things we won’t tell her. Fast food is the least of it.”
Thus began one of the most iconic sketches from Phil’s tenure on SNL—and perhaps in the show’s history. As Clinton, dressed in an Arkansas sweatshirt and a Georgetown cap, he voraciously consumed an Egg McMuffin, a McLean sandwich, a McDLT, Chicken McNuggets, fries, a Filet-O-Fish, an apple pie, a soda, a milkshake, and even some discarded pickles—all while discussing student loans and the misdeeds of Somali warlords. He even almost choked, only to be saved by a soda sip provided by Rob Schneider.
Rob Schneider later remarked, “Phil Hartman was one of those actors you could rely on. He was such a talented character actor, always immersing himself in his roles. Unlike some stars, he didn’t steal the spotlight; he was just incredibly dependable. And even in a near-choking situation, Phil never faltered.”
Thanks to Phil’s dedication, the sketch was a hit. For the first time in years, he emerged as a recognizable face and a household name, explaining, “I became a recognizable face and somewhat of a household name. The nature of show business shifted; I didn’t have to chase work anymore; opportunities came to me.”
Dana Carvey, reflecting on Phil’s talent, said, “You are Clinton. Why would I even try to impersonate him when Phil does it flawlessly?” Phil humorously noted their similarities: “We’re similar in age, weight, and we both have bulbous noses and large jaws.”
Initially, Phil found it challenging to capture Clinton’s essence, describing him as polished and calculated. To perfect his portrayal, Phil diligently studied tapes of Clinton’s debates, meticulously noting his hand gestures and speech patterns. “I don’t want to take credit for it,” he confessed, “but I have a knack for recognizing vocal nuances.” He exploited Clinton’s allergies that gave his voice a slight rasp.
Phil’s costume approach was simple, requiring just a suit, a striking silver wig, and basic makeup to emphasize his features. Phil highlighted Clinton’s signature hand gestures, explaining, “Clinton has beautiful hands and long fingers. His gestures are less aggressive than a fist or finger point; it’s almost like he’s handing you something.” His realism-focused portrayal allowed audiences to suspend disbelief, a technique he mastered.
Norman Bryn, who worked on Phil’s makeup, described him as the ideal Clinton. Phil sought to earn extra income, much like Carvey did with his Bush impersonation.
Despite the less-than-flattering representation of Clinton, Phil claimed he wasn’t out to vilify him. In fact, he found common ground with Clinton, stating, “He opposed the Vietnam War, and like me, he tried marijuana. I inhaled; he claimed he didn’t.” However, Phil noted Clinton’s mixed feelings about the portrayal, recalling a signed photo from Clinton that read, “To Phil Hartman—You’re not the president, but you play one on TV and you’re okay—mostly.” It hinted at Clinton’s wariness of Phil’s biting humor.
After an encounter at a New York fundraiser, Phil relayed to David Letterman, “I learned he really doesn’t appreciate my work.” Even internationally, Phil faced backlash; an invitation to perform for the British royal family was rescinded due to concerns from the prime minister’s office about his comedic style.
Interestingly, Phil once quoted Clinton as saying he enjoyed their SNL sketches. Yet, as the jokes became sharper post-election, Phil remarked, “It wasn’t my role to be the president’s best friend,” even if he felt a twinge of guilt over his impression.
While some celebrities he impersonated acknowledged his efforts, others remained silent. Phil expressed envy over gifts sent to Carvey by figures like Casey Kasem, highlighting the difference in acknowledgment. Yet, despite some backlash from viewers, Phil’s comedic take on Clinton resonated, focusing more on personal quirks than political stances.
In essence, Phil Hartman’s portrayal of Bill Clinton became a pivotal moment in SNL history, blending humor with a touch of realism that endeared him to audiences, while also exploring the thin line between admiration and critique.
Summary
Phil Hartman’s portrayal of Bill Clinton on SNL became iconic, blending humor with realism. His meticulous approach to impersonation highlighted Clinton’s quirks, leading to a memorable sketch that resonated with audiences. Despite some backlash from Clinton himself, Phil’s work shifted his career, making him a household name.
Keyphrase: Phil Hartman Clinton impersonation
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