BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) AYKROYD’S NIXON
Dan Aykroyd is SO bad ass that he kept his mustache while playing Richard Nixon. He had the mannerisms, the voice, and the jokes down packed but he didn’t seem to care all that much about doing a full on impression. He played the character, sure… but he had a mustache! I don’t know why, but that has always stood out to me. I’m weird like that.
(THREE) FERRELL’S BUSH JR.
Did any of the other SNL presidents have their own Broadway show? Once Bush’s reign was over, Ferrell took a few months of his life to perform on stage as “Dubya” in a massive one man show. I’m 99% sure that most people I know appreciated, enjoyed, and sadly respected Will Ferrell’s “George W. Bush” more than the real man. He just made him so likable. Like if Homer Simpson was from the south and got to run the free world… Except not nearly as fun.
(TWO) CARVEY’S BUSH SR.
Dana Carvey’s George H. W. Bush was amazing. It crossed over to the pop culture and was a huge hit. With good reason too, he was amazing. He got to rock the whole “read my lips!” and the “not-gunna-do-it!” too. He really had A LOT of material to work with. Politics were really becoming part of the show’s main tent pole at this point. At least, it was the most successful at that point.
(ONE) HAMMOND’S CLINTON
Darrell Hammond is the man. I think it’s safe to say he is the king of SNL impression history. His Jesse Jackson, Trump, Leno, Regis, and Sean Connery are timeless. Still, I think it’s safe to say his best character was President Bill Clinton. His characterization of him as the food loving, womanizing, smooth party guy was great.
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