When Lorne Michaels and George W. Bush Talked That ‘Saturday Night Live’ Impression

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By Thea Glassman March 3, 2017

If you’ve never seen Will Ferrell doing George W. Bush on “Saturday Night Live,” you missed out on some pure comic gold.

Ferrell squinted and drawled his way through impressions of the former president, invoking classic “Bushisms” as he went.

Turns out, Bush had a few issues with that.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night, Bush recounted a playful argument he once had with “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels.

“I had dinner with Lorne Michaels, the head of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and he said, ‘I put a great speechwriter on you, and he came up with “strategery,”’ Bush recalled. “And I said, ‘Wait a minute, I said “strategery.”’ And he said, ‘No, you didn’t say “strategery.”’ I said, ‘I damn sure said “strategery.”’ He said, ‘We invented it.’ I said, ‘Well, let me ask you this: Did he come up with ‘misunderestimate?’”

That aside, Bush said imitations never really bother him — adding that he used to get a kick out of the White House Correspondents’ dinner comedy bits.

“I love humor,” he said. “The best humor is when you make fun of yourself.”

Kimmel then quipped: “Well, tell that to the president.”

Watch Bush’s full interview below:

Thea Glassman was an associate editor for the Forward. Follow her on twitter @theakglassman.

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