President Reagan, Mastermind - SNL

President Reagan (Phil Hartman) acts hopeless and clueless in public, but in private he's an evil mastermind who knows every detail about everything happening in his administration. [Season 12, 1986]

#SNL

[LastCommodore]

"This is the part of the job I hate!"

I still laugh about this skit 30 years later.

[MrDrmillgram]

The talent in this sketch. Stayed in character, knew their lines, and hit their marks. Phil Hartman was the best.

[Zeroknight]

1:40 can't stop laughing at this, "The red countries are the countries we sell arms to, the green countries are the countries where we wash our money."

[bklynbam]

I think this is the best SNL sketch ever. I watched this an 8 or 9 year old kid and it had a big impact on me. I think it might have been the first time I understood irony. Never forgot this. Seeing it again as an adult, I can appreciate how perfect the writing and Phil’s delivery are.

[BassByTheBay]

Hartman was arguably the most versatile cast member in SNL history. The Anal-Retentive Chef, The Caveman Lawyer, Frankenstein... to say nothing of his hilarious impersonations. Enormously talented -- he never failed to make me laugh.

[pam]

This is an amazing amount of dialogue for a comedy skit. Phil Hartman is incredible in this and never missed a beat. RIP.

[Kcg]

That is THE BEST Jimmy Stewart impression we will ever see

[rdj]

Ron Reagan, Jr. says this sketch absolutely captured the essence of his father. The genius of Phil Hartman once again on display. A true master of sketch comedy.

[ernestkinas]

Little known fact.
President Reagan loved this sketch.

[mike]

"You're the only one that understands all this"
"And that's just the way its gonna stay!"
Brilliant.

[sammosaurusrex]

The Jimmy - Reagan interaction is just so believable, just hilarious impressions, this skit kills me everytime

[patgalvez]

So Reagan was Mister Rogers in public and Tony Soprano in private....sounds legit

[giro]

I love when he was on the phone speaking "arabic" he started talking like when he was Jambi in the old Pee Wee Herman stage show. "Mecha lecha high, mecha a hiney ho." Hell yeah.

[wolfpackproductions]

Phil Hartman was great. He never broke character and remembered his stuff. And the fact that this sketch is great really helps

[hockley]

I remember watching this live in '86. That 86-87 season was the best. They added an incredibly talented cast and I was hooked. I was 13 years old.

[jyjjyc]

I remember the best history teacher I ever had showing us this skit in high school and realizing my love of sketch, history, and satire all in one clip. Thank you, Mr. Jasper.

[falstaffswims]

3:26 "Mecca-lecca ho, mecca chani hey!" Ha. I always suspected Phil Hartman wrote Jambi's lines on Pee-Wee's Playhouse. That character has his sense of humor all over it.

[Fred.pSonic]

Quite possibly Phil Hartman's most insane sketch ever, masterful riffing playing both Good Reagan and Evil Reagan. "Back to work!!"

[woodson]

3:53 Love what he does with his hands when he’s delivering his “knowledge without power is power lost” line.

[JohnNiemsMusic]

One could easily make the argument that Phil Hartman was the most talented SNL player that ever was on the show! This sketch here is one of the many examples of his genius!