a note from the editor:
Reel One of today’s special Triple Play

“Those who can make you believe absurdities
can make you commit atrocities.” – Voltaire

THE PRESIDENT SHOW
FROM A FUNNY IMPERSONATION,
TO A POWERFUL INTERPRETATION
by Kendall F. Person

a review

The President Show is Comedy Central’s satirical view of  the current occupant of the Oval Office, and the people that surround him. On the surface, it may appear like just another late night comedy bashing of Trump, but appearances can be deceiving.

Unlike Saturday Night Live’s highly acclaimed sketches, featuring a genius impersonation by Alec Baldwin, which is mostly played for laughs, Anthony Atamanuik – also the show’s creator – delivers more of an interpretation, although his impersonation is on the mark, as well. And inside that interpretation is where the show forges its own unique path. An episode can divulge from laugh-out-loud funny to the darkside in the blink of an eye. When that happens, not even the cartoonish portrayal of the President and his puppet-like cast of loyalists, can stop the knots from forming in our stomachs, for not only does it mimic reality in real time, but it blurs the fine line between life and an imitation by art, nearly to the point of it being different sides of the same coin.

The President Show’s original song It’s Not Going to Stop affects its audience in spastically different ways. At first, we feel broken and helpless, and that the forces that swept Comus (anarchy and chaos) into power are too strong. But that sinking feeling is replaced in the farewell address. It may indeed exceed pop culture relavance over previous speeches and quotes and signs and memes, given on behalf of the Resistance, and other portrayals of the President — because it stays inside our head.  It is powerful in simplicity; hypnotizing by melody, maddening truth in dialogue and lyrics, shocking by way of Junior, and entertaining with an unexpected musical ensemble performance.

Atamanuik may as well have broke character and announced his intent to run for public office, for he delivers a sane and empowering game plan of how to stop it. But nothing will work if we do not wise up. 

 ∞∞∞

The President Show
w/ The Farewell Address
(It’s Not Going to Change 1:30 – 4:40)

Reels Two & Three: One World & The Unfortunate True conclude a Triple Play

Theologist, Black, working class, Mexican, Muslim, trans, scientist, woman, resistor, poor, science fiction writer and all else (do not take offense if your demographic is not included in above list), that would like to contribute to An Anthology and have their thoughts included in a time capsule of sorts – leave comment or send email contact@thepublciblogger.com.