Revised: December 18, 2015
Originally Published: March 7, 2015
Assistant to President Bush, Mary, exclaimed: “Sir, I almost forgot! It’s 11:30, and President-elect Clinton is set to appear on CNN.” Bush replied, “Thank you, Mary,” and grabbed the remote, switching on the TV. The U.S. presidential seal filled the screen. The announcer declared: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President-elect of the United States.” The camera transitioned to a smiling Clinton. “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” Clinton proclaimed, prompting cheers from the audience as Bush slouched in his seat, his expression one of dismay. “I—I—I used to say that!” Bush lamented.
Then came December 5, 1992. Up until that moment, Phil Hartman’s most notable impression of Clinton was pre-election, where he humorously depicted the governor boasting about Arkansas’ impressively low literacy rates. But this sketch was a different beast altogether.
Scene Description
Scene: President-elect Bill Clinton (played by Phil) jogs into a McDonald’s with two Secret Service agents (portrayed by Kevin and Tim). “Let’s take a break, boys. I’m feeling a bit thirsty after that jog,” Clinton stated. Agent #1 responded, “Sir, we’ve only gone three blocks, and Mrs. Clinton specifically requested we avoid fast food.” “I just want to connect with the American people, chat with some real folks, and grab a Diet Coke or something,” Clinton insisted. “Fine, but please don’t mention this to Mrs. Clinton.” “Jim, let me tell you something. There are many things we won’t be telling Mrs. Clinton, and fast food is the least of our concerns.”
Thus commenced one of the most iconic Clinton sketches in SNL history, featuring Phil’s exaggerated portrayal of the president-elect, clad in a University of Arkansas sweatshirt and a Georgetown baseball cap, eagerly devouring an impressive array of fast food. As he munched on everything from Egg McMuffins to Chicken McNuggets, he candidly discussed critical issues like small business loans and Somali warlords. At one point, he nearly choked, only to be saved by a soda sip from fellow sketch participant Rob Schneider.
“Phil Hartman was one of those dependable actors,” Schneider noted. “He could immerse himself in a role and didn’t always get the spotlight like Adam Sandler or Eddie Murphy. But he was reliable and never flubbed his lines. Even in a situation where he was nearly choking, Phil never broke character.”
Thanks to Phil’s unwavering dedication, the sketch was a resounding success. After years of being in the background, he finally became a standout star. “I became a recognizable face and somewhat of a household name,” he remarked, elaborating on the “Clinton Effect” and how it transformed his career.
In a conversation with Carvey in 1993, Carvey remarked, “You are Clinton. When people ask me if I’ll try to impersonate him, I tell them, ‘Why bother? Phil already does it perfectly!’” Phil responded, “We’re similar in age, weight, and physique. We both have bulbous noses and large jaws.” Carvey added, “He’s considered quite the catch.”
Phil acknowledged that capturing Clinton’s essence was initially challenging due to his polished persona. To master the impression, he meticulously studied tapes of Clinton’s performances, analyzing his gestures and speech patterns until they resonated. “I don’t want to take all the credit,” Phil admitted to a publication, highlighting his unique ability to tweak his vocal cords to mimic Clinton’s scratchy tone.
In terms of costume, Phil’s resemblance to Clinton allowed for a minimalist approach, requiring just a suit, a silvery wig, and subtle makeup to enhance his features. He also noted Clinton’s distinctive hand gestures, likening them to a casual yet engaging way of communicating, often referred to as the “ATM gesture.” Phil aimed for realism, striving to draw the audience into a believable representation of the character.
Norman, a makeup artist who transformed Phil into Clinton for several seasons, remarked that Phil was the ideal choice for the role. He had ambitions of earning extra income, inspired by Carvey’s lucrative portrayal of Bush.
Despite the often unflattering nature of his impression, Phil claimed he bore no ill will towards Clinton, feeling a connection to him. “We both opposed the Vietnam War,” Phil told another media outlet. “He experimented with marijuana; I did too.” However, this sentiment wasn’t entirely mutual. After appearing on a talk show, Phil received a signed photo from Clinton with a cheeky inscription, indicating that while he appreciated Phil’s portrayal, he was also wary of the implications.
Interestingly, Phil later claimed that his comedic jabs might have led to him being excluded from certain White House events. After a meeting with Clinton at a fundraiser, he discovered that the president wasn’t fond of his comedic take. He recounted being barred from performing at a prestigious event in London due to concerns over his relationship with the United States.
Nevertheless, Phil expressed that he felt some guilt about his impressions, jokingly stating that it’s part of the job to critique public figures. Unlike other celebrities, he often didn’t receive acknowledgment from those he impersonated, leading to mixed feelings about his craft.
Phil’s satirical take on Clinton resonated with audiences, reflecting a personal rather than purely political critique. Viewers appreciated the humor, and as Carvey predicted, Clinton’s election was not just a victory for him but also for Phil.
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In summary, Phil Hartman’s portrayal of Bill Clinton on SNL transformed him into a household name and reflected his unique ability to blend humor with reality. His commitment to capturing Clinton’s essence made for memorable sketches that resonated deeply with audiences.