Obama endorsed by Gilbert & Sullivan: “He is the very model of a modern U.S. President”

This musical video comes from L.A. actor/writer/producer Ronnie Butler (with inspiration by Gilbert & Sullivan’s “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from Pirates of Penzance.)

“Obama! A Modern U.S. President” is pretty funny stuff. And Butler does a great job of capturing Obama’s “my crap don’t stink” attitude. But we don’t know if this video is a one-off or if there’s an entire musical to go with it.

Anyone know?

H/T: Chris in France

editor:

View Comments (19)

  • Excellent. Best thing I've seen (of this nature) since the Hayak v. Keynes (Fear the Boom and the Bust) rap. Good stuff!

  • Loved it! THis is the most accurate depiction of Obamarama I have ever seen! Still wiping tears from my eyes after laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants!

  • They were quite inaccurate in their representation of Michelle, though. Compared to the woman who portrayed her in this video, the real Michelle looks like the south end of a bear facing north.

  • EXCELLENT production !! I'm impressed - and that's not easy to do anymore. The writer/producer has caught the spirit of the original remarkably well.

    To better understand the sarcastic spirit of this work one should see G & S's Pirates of Penzance, available at many video rental stores or, for those with a pirate bent, free download at IsoHunt or any other bit-torrent site.

    The G & S operettas are famous for lampooning the High Society, politics and social mores of the day. The patter song ( lots of words sung quickly) “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” is an explaination by one of the characters ( full of himself) as to why and how he has risen to such a high position in the Navy, although he's somewhat of a clueless twit. Seems to remind me of someone of a Half-Cracker™ origin.

  • while the production value and lyrics are great-they tell a story of a successful president, save for his addiction to smoking.
    For me to like it, it would have to be truthful-and that it wasn't....furthermore, I think the glass dick and a bong are something he smokes far more often that squares-just my opinion.

    • I'm surprised, Matthew. I would have expected you to know the historical background on this piece.

      Kimmy Queen is exactly right. Here's the Wikipedia description of Gilbert & Sullivan's work and "I Am the Very Picture of a Modern Major General."

      "The Major-General's Song is a patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan's 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. It is perhaps the most famous song in Gilbert and Sullivan's operas. It is sung by Major-General Stanley at his first entrance, towards the end of Act I. The song satirises the idea of the "modern" educated British Army officer of the latter 19th century. It is one of the most difficult patter songs to perform, due to the fast pace and tongue-twisting nature of the lyrics.

      "The song is replete with historical and cultural references, satirically demonstrating the Major-General's impressive and well-rounded education that seems to come at the complete expense of any useful military knowledge. Some performing companies write their own lyrics satirizing current events."

      So even if this was intended as a puff piece for Obama, the very nature of and history of Gilbert & Sullivan's work would turn that intent upside down and make this a satire of Obama's high opinion of himself.

      No?

    • I also took it as a very pro-Obama video, and looking at the links on his website it would confirm my thoughts.

    • well i think that was the point. this is how Obama would view himself in the eyes of himself. This guy is making fun of that arrogance and self love which is based on nothing but fluff.

  • One would have to ask who Ronnie Butler is. It does not speak at all well of us, if he is a model of our leadership.

    Vote Often, Democcras do!