Thu Sep 26 13:00:00 UTC 2024: ## X-Presidents: SNL’s Superpowered Parody of American Politics
**NEW YORK** – From 1996 to 2008, Saturday Night Live’s “TV Funhouse” segment featured a recurring cartoon series called “X-Presidents,” created by writer Robert Smigel. This superhero parody starred former presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush, who gained superpowers after a radiation incident.
Smigel conceived the idea as a satirical commentary on the public’s limited understanding of politicians at the time. He utilized the presidents’ famous catchphrases, twisting them to fit their newfound superhero personas. For example, Jimmy Carter’s famous “I’ve lusted in my heart for other women” became “I’ve lusted in my heart to kick your ass.”
The X-Presidents’ adventures often reflected real-world political events, becoming more overtly political as the series progressed. Episodes addressed issues like the Clinton impeachment, the Iraq War, and even poked fun at the 2004 presidential election.
While the X-Presidents were never officially brought back to SNL, Smigel notes that he’d love to update the series, particularly considering the current political climate. He envisions a new team featuring Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Jimmy Carter. However, he admits the challenge of parodying the current political landscape, where figures like Trump and Obama are often seen as either “beyond parody” or “idealized.”
The X-Presidents remain a popular SNL memory, a testament to Smigel’s ability to inject humor and satire into American politics through a unique and irreverent lens. Whether we’ll see the return of these superpowered presidents remains to be seen, but their legacy as a sharp and entertaining commentary on the political landscape will likely endure.
First Piper 