Will Ferrell has built much of his career on his alternate personas, from Ron Burgundy to Chazz Michael Michaels and a whole host of characters from his Saturday Night Live days. But of all the personalities in his repertoire, the most popular is arguably his impression of former President George W. Bush. Dubya may have left office, but Ferrell isn’t through with him yet.
You're Welcome America is More of a One-Man Play Than a Standup Act
You’re Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush is, as the title implies, a sort of comedic finale to the Bush years as well as a farewell nod to Ferrell’s version of Bush. Hilarious though his impression is, a show like this—almost more of a one-man play than a standup act—can be risky. In the world of TV comedy, few things are more excruciating to sit through than Saturday Night Live sketches stretched too thin; the litany of failed films based on once-popular SNL characters is a testament to this. Thankfully, Ferrell keeps his show fresh and entertaining throughout.
Much of the show’s success owes to Ferrell’s wise decision to break it into several acts, each one reflecting a specific era or detail relevant to Bush’s presidency. He talks about the controversial 2000 Presidential Election that began his first term; he discusses his ranch at Crawford and recounts a hilarious story of being trapped in an abandoned mineshaft with his brothers and father; and of course, he fantasizes about former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice who, in one of the special’s most memorable scenes, promptly makes an appearance to give him a lapdance. These acts are broken apart by very brief dance numbers by Bush’s no-nonsense Secret Service agent who, when he’s not getting down, spends the rest of the show stationed at the far edge of the stage.
Ferrell's Version of Bush Evolves - From a Funny Impression to a Real Character
Although Ferrell’s interpretation of Bush hasn’t changed drastically since he first portrayed him nearly a decade ago, there is no doubt that he is far more complex (after eight years as the head of one the most polarizing administrations in American history, how could he not be?). Since this is HBO, he is more openly crude in addition to his usual ignorance and arrogance, coming off like a hybrid between a middle-aged fratboy and a cowboy-wannabe. However, he is also a little deeper and more three-dimensional, actually having evolved past a funny impression and into a fully-formed character. In the show’s only (very brief) serious moment, Bush reflects on his decision to invade Iraq and pauses to consider the lives lost in the conflict, asking the audience for a moment of silence.
In a landscape of mediocre standup specials and terrible SNL film adaptations, You’re Welcome America is a breath of fresh air. It’s a crude, funny, and surprisingly smart retrospective on the Bush years, highly recommended to both political junkies and comedy fans alike.
 |
