Back in late 2000/early 2001, Trey Parker and Matt Stone went to work crafting a sitcom based on president-elect George W. Bush. During the campaign they had two ideas based on the two candidates: Absolute Al, a sitcom about Al Gore in the White House, and That’s My Bush!
No matter your opinion on the election results, Bush was inaugurated in January of 2000, and production began on this short-lived live-action sitcom from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Their mission was two-fold: to spoof the Bush administration and to spoof clichéd and overused sitcom conventions. The result was eight episodes of over-the-top political and comic insanity as only Parker and Stone could deliver.
But what happened to it? Only eight episodes? With so many political snafus over the past eight years, you’d think this series would be in its eighth season nearing its finale. Two theories have been bandied about as to why the show ended: ratings were too low to justify the huge price-per-episode, and September 11, 2001.
The series was cancelled. Oh, what those crazy South Park guys would have done with eight years of material from the Bush White House. One can only imagine.
Thanks to The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Saturday Night Live, Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, Lil’ Bush, and South Park, the jabs and political satire have been alive and well, and presented much cheaper than a multi-million dollar sitcom.
In honor of these final days of Bush, and before Obama takes the oath of office, I thought it only fitting to pay tribute to That’s My Bush! with a Countdown to Inauguration Day marathon.
Ready? Set? Sing-a-long with the wacky theme!
FYI: NOT THE ACTUAL OPENING CREDITS OF THE SHOW
He’s the president in residence,
He’s kind of in charge.
He’s got the whole country sayin’:
That’s My Bush!
Life is hard, that’s the price of fame,
When your president everyone knows your name.
Hey what’s that thing?
It’s My Bush!
I can’t believe he’s actually in the White House!
That’s our man!
That’s My Bush!
*******
Monday, January 12, 2009
Episode #001: An Aborted Dinner Date (pilot)
When George accidentally schedules a romantic evening for him and Laura on the same night as his abortion dinner at the White House, he must try and do both without the other party knowing. Shenanigans ensue!
Fun Fact: The puppet of Felix, the anti-abortion activists, was so slow on-set, they had to bump up the frame rate so he would look as if he were moving at normal speed.
The pilot portrays George as more devious than buffoonish, which works on one level, but not in making him a truly endearing main character. B.
*******
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Episode #002: A Poorly Executed Plan
When George’s frat buddies come to stay at the White House, he tries to stage a “fake” execution to amaze them with his power as president, and show that he hasn’t gone soft.
Fun Fact: When George’s frat buddies arrive, they are dressed as gun-toting terrorists. This sequence is cut out of the TV version, but not on DVD.
A decent episode that explores avenues of black comedy. A-.
*******
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Episode #003: Eenie Meenie Miney Murder
Thanks to an addiction to telephone psychics, George believes that someone in the White House is trying to kill him.
Fun Fact #1: The days the real bear was on-set, no women were allowed due to their menstrual cycles being an attractant.
Fun Fact #2: The man who portrays Charlton Heston (Bob Legionaire) was Heston’s stand-in in real life. He asked permission to do the role from Heston.
A very funny episode that shows how absurd and goofy the show could be. Some great bad jokes by the Heston character related to his famous movie roles. A.
*******
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Episode #004: S.D.I. – Aye-Aye!
George tries to steal cable with the help of his neighbor, Larry, and accidentally activates the anti-missile SDI system. Meanwhile, Princess wants to become smarter, so she begin to take “memory” enhancers.
Fun Fact: It wasn’t until this episode that Parker and Stone realized who the character of George should really be on the series.
Another fun episode of the series, the highlight being the Princess storyline. A.
*******
Friday, January 16, 2009
Episode #005: The First Lady’s Persqeeter
George decides to put Lauras’s 24-year-old cat to sleep because it’s old and smelly. When George overhears him talking about how disgusting the pussy is, she thinks he’s talking about her feminine hygiene. And a Three’s Company-style misunderstanding is born.
Fun Fact: This is Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s favorite episode of the series.
And mine, too. It’s the episode where the series finally caught its stride and became both a political and sitcom satire. Classic stuff. A+. The last five minutes of the episode are hilarious!
*******
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Episode #006: Mom “E” D.E.A. Arrest
George’s mother, Barbara, visits as the one-millionth drug dealer is arrested. While Barbara makes Laura’s life hell, George accidentally takes Ecstasy instead of Aspirin! It’s gonna be a wild time in the White House for sure!
Fun Fact: Timothy Bottoms (Bush) had no idea how a person on Ecstasy acts. Parker and Stone had to clue him in on what happens (not sure if they meant from personal experience or what).
Another solid episode, and you get to hear Barbara Bush say “man jam” to Laura. Good stuff. A.
*******
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Episode #007: Trapped in a Small Environment
After Laura sets Karl up on a blind date, she discovers he’s actually married! Meanwhile environmentalists protest outside the White House as George considers drilling for oil in Alaska.
Fun Fact: Kurt Fuller who plays Karl Rove was the final person cast for the series.
Another spin on a classic sitcom premise, but it’s clear even as a spoof this concept is worn-out. B.
*******
Monday, January 19, 2008
Episode #008: Fare Thee Welfare
George gets laid-off, Cheney takes over. With no money, George becomes a masked wrestler and wins the hearts of the American people all over again.
Fun Fact #1: At this point, the concept of another season was still on the fence. If That’s My Bush! had done better in the ratings than South Park, Comedy Central may have kept it on the air. At the same time, a new season would have premiered post-9/11, and both Parker and Stone felt the series would not have been as successful right after the events of that day.
Fun Fact #2: The opening credits, shows’ title, and theme were re-written for this ep. The revised lyrics for That’s My Dick!:
He’s the president in residence,
He’s kind of in charge.
He’s got the whole country sayin’:
That’s My Dick!
Life is hard, that’s the price of fame,
When your president everyone knows your name.
Hey what’s that thing?
It’s My Dick!
I can’t believe he’s actually in the White House!
That’s our man!
That’s My Dick!
Funny in concept and execution, while throwing George into a number of spoofed sitcom formats. And the actor who plays Dick Cheney is a hoot! A.
Here’s the music over the closing credits!
*******
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
You’ve finished the series, not go and celebrate the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama!
That’s My Bush! – The Definitive Collection
Paramount Pictures/Comedy Central/Important Television
Starring Timothy Bottoms, Carrie Quinn Dolin, Kurt Fuller, Marcia Wallace, Kristen Miller, and John D’Aquino
Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Directed by Jeff Melman
Rated TV-MA for explicit content, adult language and situations
Running Time = 176 minutes (eight episodes on two DVDs)