Playing POTUS: The Power of America's 'Acting Presidents'

Peter Funt takes an entertaining and probing look at how comedic impressions of U.S. presidents evolved from Kennedy to Biden-and their impact on real-life politics. Beginning with Vaughn Meader's record album "The First Family" in 1962, the genre has grown during a dozen administrations. From Meader's portrayal of JFK as a debonair leader who cherished his rub-uh swan, to Alec Baldwin's depiction of Donald Trump as an orange-tinted buffoon, Americans at times seem more familiar with the screen versions of chief executives than the politicians themselves. With Joe Biden, impersonators have been challenged by a divided nation with a fragile sense of humor. Playing POTUS connects the dots between those in power and those speaking shtick to power, uncovering intriguing details about presidential mimics. Over 50 interviews include insights from Dana Carvey, Al Franken, Darrell Hammond, Jay Pharoah, Rich Little, Harry Shearer, along with comedy writers and producers. Upon the release of Meader's landmark album, the anthropologist Margaret Mead observed, "This making fun of people in authority is very healthy. It is the difference between democracy and tyranny."