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Tag: zach galifianakis
#EndorseThis: Hillary Clinton, Between Two Ferns

#EndorseThis: Hillary Clinton, Between Two Ferns

Zach Galifianakis hosted Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on his online parody talk show, “Between Two Ferns” — and the former Secretary of State stayed deadpan as she parried the comedian’s characteristically obnoxious questions.

“As secretary, how many words per minute could you type? And how does President Obama like his coffee? Like himself – weak?” Galifianakis said.

“You know Zach, those are really out-of-date questions. You need to get out more,” she retorted — and there was much more about Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump and yes, her damned emails.

Clinton Vs. Galifianakis On ‘Between Two Ferns’: Clinton’s Deadpan Wins The Day

Clinton Vs. Galifianakis On ‘Between Two Ferns’: Clinton’s Deadpan Wins The Day

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton played it strictly deadpan while parrying decidedly off-the-wall questions from comedian Zach Galifianakis on his online parody talk show, “Between Two Ferns,” released on Thursday.

Galifianakis, star of “The Hangover” films, is known for his cringe-inducing banter on the web program, asking subjects awkward questions. Past interview subjects include Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Bradley Cooper and President Barack Obama.

Sitting between two fern plants on a sparse set, Galifianakis did not dial back his trademark style of appearing uninterested and unprepared as he interviewed Clinton, riffing on her previous role as U.S. secretary of state in Obama’s first term.

“As secretary, how many words per minute could you type? And how does President Obama like his coffee? Like himself – weak?” Galifianakis said.

“You know Zach, those are really out-of-date questions. You need to get out more,” Clinton responded.

Other topics brought up included the comedian’s interest in the designer of Clinton’s signature pantsuits and whether her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, discussed romantic crushes with Ivanka Trump, daughter of Clinton’s Republican opponent, Donald Trump, in the Nov. 8 election.

In closing, Galifianakis made a wry reference to Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as America’s top diplomat, which was investigated by the FBI.

“This has been a lot of fun, Mrs. Clinton. We should stay in touch. What’s the best way to reach you? E-mail?”

As a poker-faced Clinton looked on, Galifianakis hit a button to play AOL’s famous email alert: “You’ve got mail.”

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Photo via Funny or Die/Screengrab

Obama Plugs Healthcare.gov On Comedy Website

Obama Plugs Healthcare.gov On Comedy Website

By Christi Parsons, Tribune Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — News out of President Barack Obama’s interview with comedian Zach Galifianakis: The president will go to pretty much any length these days to plug HealthCare.gov.

In the latest installment of “Between Two Ferns” — Galifianakis’ irreverent interview show — posted Tuesday morning at funnyordie.com, Obama entertains questions about “Ambassador” Dennis Rodman, the trouble with “North Ikea” and “What’s it like to be the last black president.” (Answer: “Seriously, what’s it like for this to be the last time you ever talk to a president?”)

Halfway through, Galifianakis rolls his eyes and invites Obama to “get this out of the way. What did you come here to plug?”

Obama’s pitch is all straight-man: Consumers — especially the “young invincibles” Obama presumably was hoping to reach with his online appearance — have until the end of March to sign up for coverage this year.

“Have you heard of the Affordable Care Act?” Obama asks Galifianakis.

“Oh yeah, I heard about that. That’s the thing that doesn’t work?”

“HealthCare.gov works great now,” Obama says.

Galifianakis looks at his watch.

“What we want is for people to know that you can get affordable health care,” Obama continues. “Most young Americans right now, they’re not covered. And the truth is that they can get coverage, all for what it costs you to pay your cellphone bill.”

“Is this what they mean by ‘drones?'” Galifianakis finally asks as Obama holds forth.

Obama also advises Galifianakis to see a doctor about a rash on his left forearm — the comedian said he had been attacked by spiders. The rash is “one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen,” the president says.

In the end, they reach across the coffee table for a handshake, and Obama quickly pulls back when Galifianakis reveals that the spider rash is on that hand too.

AFP Photo/Karen Bleier

WATCH: President Obama Visits Zach Galifianakis On ‘Between Two Ferns’

WATCH: President Obama Visits Zach Galifianakis On ‘Between Two Ferns’

President Obama made his most humorous pitch for the Affordable Care Act yet on Tuesday, appearing with actor Zach Galifianakis on Between Two Ferns, the satirical internet comedy series from Funny or Die. In between jokes — “How does it feel to be the last black president?” the actor asked, before Obama suggested that a third term would be “sort of like doing a third Hangover movie” — the president used the opportunity to pitch Obamacare to young Americans (23 percent of whom remain uninsured today).

Watch the interview here: