George Bush Debate - SNL

George Bush debates Governor Dukakis Aired 10/08/88
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[@cripplehawk]

The real Dukakis said to Lovitz "My kids said you do me better then me." when they met years later. The real Dukakis loved the SNL skits.

[@sean2015]

The real Dukakis probably got a huge kick out of 7:36

[@triciajohansen9295]

This is a time when they were ACTUALLY funny!!!!!!😎

[@StanSwan]

As a native of Massachusetts we all hated Duke.

[@DavidThomas-jc8ov]

Ray Pellerin I’m sure he hated you too, so that all works out.

[@StanSwan]

@@DavidThomas-jc8ov He was hated when he was Governor of Massachusetts. Every car had a bumper sticker that said, "Dukakis for what"? (With a cartoon guy on his backing laughing his ass off). He is just as big an idiot as Carter, Mondale, Gore, and Kerry. The Democrats always nominate morons.

[@imsirota1965]

To this day, when my kids ask me a question to which I do not know the answer, I still smile broadly at them and say "A thousand points of light, stay the course, we're on track!" They have no idea why I'm saying this, of course, but at least I crack myself up! 😀

[@justinkassinger8238]

Thousand points of light means the government shouldn't be solving everything. We need the public sector to help solve domestic issues. Stay the course, stay on track means keep going with the Reagan policies that brought us back from Liberal democrat destruction in the mid 70s. Bush and Reagan afforded Clinton the great economics of the 90s

[@angelinajoanie]

😂nice

[@hodun8]

​@@justinkassinger8238whoosh

[@hodun8]

​@@justinkassinger8238this skit implies he didn't know what he way saying, he was regurgitating phrases given to him

[@peterlyons8793]

​You're rewriting history. You forgot the death and destruction in the Mideast and Latin America caused by Reagan/Bush.

[@RonMotta1972]

My favorite era of SNL - that 86-90 run. Not only had an outstanding cast, but they had one of the greatest writer's room ever - Conan O'Brien, Robert Smigel, Bob Odenkirk, Bonnie & Terry Turner, Greg Daniels, Christine Zander, Jack Handey...amazing talent both on and off camera. I also want to say that Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks were the two greatest cast members ever. They could literally do anything that was thrown at them - they could do both broad and subtle. They were comedy's Fred and Ginger.

[@Posijax]

Brilliant cast/crew... Also a great era for SNL musical guests...

[@APOCALYPSE_X-MEN]

Definitely agree! I'd say that 1990-93 cast was pretty good as well. The 1975-79 era was golden as well.

[@georgep.burdell7237]

Chris Rock was at his peak then --filled Eddie Murphy's shoes perfectly

[@LL-fd7xn]

I stopped watching SNL after 2003. I am happy that most of the sketches are available to watch on YT. Also still have my Best of SNL and the first 5 seasons of SNL on DVD!!!

[@erichanhauser3190]

Jan was devastated over Phil. She made me cry. They were awesome on SNL.

[@jesseaguilar9315]

The way Carvey pats Lovitz on the head during their introduction 😂

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

Dianne Sawyer's (Jan Hooks) reaction to having popcorn thrown at her is precious!

[@cybersquire]

Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey at their finest. I remember watching this as a kid. What a great skit!

[@Bertiesghost]

I can’t believe this is 30yrs old.

[@aking3624]

DangerousDavies2008 :😳 I remember when it aired..

[@smellycrevice]

@@aking3624 I was 14 years old and remember it live as well. Somebody pass me the arsenic.

[@scott6504]

@@smellycrevice yup, same age. Here you go. One for you and one for me.

[@firgasz2920]

@@smellycrevice you are fucking old!

[@UberLummox]

@@firgasz2920 It COULD happen to you, if you're too careful. Don't ever get old kids. You'll live to regret it.

[@ChrisR-ne4kn]

Jan Hooks was the female Phil Hartman - she could make any character, no matter how small, absolutely hilarious.

[@caroline4540]

She was always my favorite 😍

[@marylynnneill1958]

She was/ is the very best!

[@nilsky95]

Both died before their time, RIP.

[@mitchellseiff6928]

I love just being able to go to Google and look up anything from Dana Carvey. He can do any impression and just make it unbelievable funny especially when he does Ross Perot. But the main man though is Phil Hartman I love him on The Simpsons when he plays Troy McClure.

[@tedmalekas5509]

She is one of the best.....that was the golden age gor SNL....so much talent in that group

[@Ericotheriault]

Jan Hooks as Diane Sawyer is amazing, Kevin Nealon is a hilarious Sam Donaldson, ever Jon Lovitz nails it ....such a great era

[@eclecticx]

Carvey's impression of GB was perhaps the best impression I've seen.

[@cchavezjr7]

The best part about it is that Bush loved it and they got together often :D

[@tommyt1971]

“I can’t believe I’m losin’ to this guy!”

[@motors5153]

I thought Kerry said that?

[@kevincorcoran6493]

If Dukakis had actually said that phrase in the debate he may very well have won the election.

[@motors5153]

@@kevincorcoran6493 He had a big problem with a drunk wife and that was only one of them.

[@kevincorcoran6493]

@@motors5153 I realize Barbara was a drinker as was George but Dukakis never would have sunk so low as to bring that up in the campaign.

[@motors5153]

@@kevincorcoran6493 Yes Dukakis was a stand up guy with a little class but had other worries when Kitty was in rehab over dosing on on shaving lotion.

[@behindthefern2846]

Rest in peace, Jan Hooks. She was very funny.

[@fdderek]

Stay the course On track A 1000 points of light Stay the course

[@beemrdon52]

Meanwhile, back at the CIA...

[@gardenvarietypenis]

You have eternity Mr. VP

[@RaidingJaguarX]

@Steven Lindsey Bullshit. It was the name of a volunteering organization started by President Bush.

[@SKa-tt9nm]

@Juan Betancourt pretty rich calling someone an imbecile while you needlessly capitalize every word like a cretin. Learn Basic Grammar, Dickcheese.

[@bxjibaro73]

😆 🤣 😂 meaningless mumbo-jumbo.

[@GeneBurnett]

The heavyweights dominate this skit and they're of course great, but man, Jan Hooks was so good too. One of my favorite SNL cast members.

[@RonMotta1972]

Jan Hooks is one of the most criminally underappreciated SNL cast members. She was Ginger Rogers to Phil Hartman's Fred Astaire. I'd put Phil and Jan as 1 and 1a of all-time greatest cast members. So brilliant and so funny.

[@GeneBurnett]

@@RonMotta1972 I love the one where Phil was playing Donahue and Jan was one of those "women who love too much".

[@esposexy2210]

In the early 80s she did porn too. That woman can ride a dick with the best of them.

[@eyeofbrown1387]

Tom Hanks, Dana Carvey, AND John Lovitz in the same skit?!? I’m dreaming!

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

This subdued appearance was before Carvey had really developed his Bush impersonation. It eventually became a caricature of Bush, but it was priceless.

[@emptyhand777]

Jan Hooks as Diane Sawyer was outstanding, but easily overlooked with all the great performances in this skit.

[@theBaron0530]

It's such a great touch when someone in the audience wings a tub of popcorn at her head. "Now, that was uncalled for!"

[@Archetype77]

She was absolutely horrible.

[@OptifIex]

Diane Sawyer was always half in the bag. Do people honestly forget that? Missed that?

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

She was never funny

[@judy-9999]

@@Archetype77 That’s your opinion. 🤔 My opinion is that you’re stupid. 😉 Thank you.

[@michaelcortez1531]

The 'Little Swarthy People' line gets me every time

[@rickwilliamson9248]

"I can't believe I'm losing to this guy!" Probably the highlight of John Lovitz' entire career.

[@timothyfloogle]

Yeah... that's the ticket

[@charlesvan13]

The problem is that you're Dukakis.

[@perrytownsend4151]

the line that sums up that entire election

[@rickwilliamson9248]

@@perrytownsend4151 And several current races.. like Oz v. Fetterman.

[@John_McDonnell]

@@rickwilliamson9248 Luckily the actual man of the people won against the huckster POS on that one...

[@GinaSigillito]

This was when SNL was so good. I campaigned for Dukakis and Jon's impersonation was spot on.

[@carolphillips1593]

So was "Sam Donaldson." He acted just like that.

[@tommyt1971]

Heard a story on NPR last night that talked about how Carvey & Elder Bush were great friends. Bush loved his impression of him.

[@mikeyiniko]

tommyt1971 Aww. Maybe that will help him out wherever he's burning in hell for his war crimes.

[@tommyt1971]

@@mikeyiniko Eh, I'm not a fan of the elder Bush, didn't think his term made a diff & that damn war in the Gulf is still a pisser IMO. His son was much worse. But they don't even remotely add up to the tragedy of The Donald. Carvey did a great job on SNL & earning the praise of those he mocked is quite an accomplishment!

[@mikeyiniko]

tommyt1971 the Bush dynasty helped hugely to create the political culture that made Donald Trump possible. It is the quest of both factions for untrammeled global power that normalized the political sickness that created a Trump. The trends do not exist separately.

[@coolwhip455]

@@mikeyiniko Gulf War 1 and Gulf War 2 were aren't even close to being comparable to each other. In the first Gulf War, Iraq blatantly violated international law and annexed the sovereign nation of Kuwait. Almost the entire world condemned Iraq's actions. We had the full support of the international community to oust Iraq from Kuwait.

[@amerocker]

@@mikeyiniko The Bush "dynasty" hates President Trump.

[@vanmoody]

It is still hard to believe Jan Hooks is no long with us. I loved her and Nora Dunn as the Sweeney Sisters.

[@sandrasharby8405]

Van PastorMan she’s not? What happen?

[@fireballplay2946]

All the impressions on SNL were the best ever..... Hartman was hysterical !

[@hiccurps]

Mason Kissel yes he was. His Sinatra impression was awesome.

[@sallygayken205]

@@hiccurps .

[@aking3624]

hiccurps : "I got chunks of guys like yous in my stool"!!! RIP Phil!! We love & miss u!!!😂

[@gregoryhelton2408]

God I miss Hartman!!!!!!

[@TheRomeerome]

I miss the old SNL😢

[@Sean-mclaughlin]

Hands down, the best era of Saturday Night Live 1985-1995.

[@John_McDonnell]

Oddly enough it was the one I was raised on... in syndication.

[@LL-fd7xn]

Anytime season after 2004.

[@jacobdehaan4114]

Yep!

[@ryansmurda1552]

Agreed

[@BrentWilkins7777]

Nope. The best era was Saturday Night Live's first five years: 1975 - 1980.

[@Kylefassbinderful]

Hanks was always hosting SNL, still does. His Peter Jennings was spot on with the head movements lol. I bet a lot of young people are going, "who tf is Peter Jennings?" lol.

[@lukevaughan7706]

" I can't believe I'm losing to this guy !" LOLOLOL

[@LastCommodore]

Still one of the best debate skits ever on SNL.

[@SAK1855]

Back in the day when a segment could be 14 minutes long.

[@Logan912]

This skit was on track and it stayed the course.

[@kristianhestas5508]

Lovitz was great as Dukakis

[@tomservo75]

Lovitz was great at anyone. I would have voted for him back then if he was the real candidate.

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@tomservo75 And a great wedding singer.

[@fireballplay2946]

Nobody did impressions better than Dana Carey...and Bush was his best ! Hysterical stuff.

[@hiccurps]

I would say that Rich little was a great impressionist

[@richd8610]

His Perot was awesome too

[@thrashpondopons2776]

@@hiccurps LOVE Rich Little's Reagan! 'Well... Lets say your mom bakes a BIG Blueberry pie!'

[@BrokenNeuron]

Dana Carvey

[@jarreauforney8107]

@Kevin Prima me to

[@fosterfuchs]

The industrial lift sound effect is the icing on the cake.

[@lannetteamourose7335]

Today Starbucks got my coffee order wrong. I ordered a mocha cappuccino and they gave me a latte. I was enraged. Enraged. I'm glad security was not called.

[@pts5217]

Phew. Hopefully your kids weren’t around to see it!

[@triciavenzke6250]

I say ‘wouldn’t be prudent’ quite often and the young people I work with look at me strangely and ask who’s voice I am trying to impersonate

[@raheelakhtar7]

The most hilarious bit is right at the end with Dan Quayle! 😆

[@Kay_Far]

I'm only 17 and still never fail to laugh at Kevin Nealon as Sam Donaldson. Such an underrated gem as far as SNL is concerned.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Lol pretty sure kevin nealon wasnt underrated tho

[@Kay_Far]

@@xshxr Well, I am about to become a legal adult where I'm going to college with a hefty scholarship to study cybercrime and homeland security. You, on the other hand, have a Phineas and Ferb profile pic of an outdated meme. So I really wouldn't be talking. Also, I haven't played Roblox in a good 5 years and my profile pic is an inside joke.

[@Kay_Far]

@shxrxr All I'm trying to say is I'm going to be an adult with a career. If I'm old enough to vote for the leader of my country and hold a full time career then I am old enough to watch whatever SNL sketch I please.

[@shawnhapney8784]

Classic stuff. Great cast in those days. 80's and '90's were very strong times for SNL. Level of talent was through the roof!

[@phuturephunk]

Kevin Nealon's Sam Donaldson is criminally underrated from this skit.

[@cgimovieman]

“I can’t believe I’m losing to this guy.” 🤣 One of the greatest cut back lines in SNL history. At times you really did have the same feelings about Bush. His son too later honestly, and maybe even more so.

[@antoniodragonheart8965]

„Food for maggots indeed”. Hanks is spectacular.

[@sharpenflat6002]

I thought the same thing. Yea, he nailed it.

[@treystephens4490]

@@sharpenflat6002 what happened?

[@gardenvarietypenis]

that was Hartman's line as Brinkley

[@Spankydoodle]

Jon Lovitz using the lift had me dying.

[@truthhurts3524]

Hanks as Jennings, great!

[@cooljazzr]

"Little swarthy people" 😂

[@charlescoryell4239]

To my knowledge Conan was the person who did the sound effect of Dukakis adjusting his height. Hilarious!

[@matthewfarmer6830]

I always love John his bobble head kind of look when he's in a sketch trying to be somebody else, it's funny and Dana Carvey so funny as well. This is 1988.

[@JJensen9]

@ 6:20 - Who knew Joe Biden would imitate this skit in this first 2020 Democratic Debate.

[@CovidVirgin]

And @ 9:24 who knew Beto O'Rourke would imitate this skit lol

[@sillygoose635]

So would Bernie.

[@fostersamels]

5:12 Someone actually threw something at her who was in the audience and that was all improv

[@thegorn68]

LOL! I had forgotten how pushy and rude Sam Donaldson was during debates and press conferences.

[@lynnwright8752]

Yea he was a definite Nixon hater. LOL

[@dougmphilly]

And yet he liked his favorite foil, Reagan

[@hiccurps]

Me too

[@hiccurps]

I wonder if Jim Accoster is related to Sam Donaldson lmao

[@jameswall3909]

haha sam daonaldson was the worst but kvin nealan always had an awesome impression of him.

[@NCS61]

Phil Hartman stole this sketch! RIP to a legend!

[@CocoOPNY]

I can't believe I'm losing to this guy. 😂😂😂 One of my favorite 'debates'....ever.

[@thrashpondopons2776]

I saw this bit 30 years ago & thought it was one of the funniest things I ever heard! (30 years later... still is!)

[@hiramrosajr8231]

Just like hillary

[@KnifePhD73]

I love how what David Brinkley says, could be said today with no change.

[@tommyt1971]

Damn, forgot that Lovitz played Dukakis.

[@baxtronx5972]

Jan Hooks for the win.

[@IImitateVince]

Kevin Nealon doesn't get any credit for his Sam Donaldson 😂

[@choney303]

This cast was more cartoony than others. My fav cast ever!

[@muffs55mercury61]

Great skit and a good time for SNL with Phil Hartman aboard. The one sad part at this time was that Gilda Radner was very ill at the time. The life of Jan Hooks ended sadly in 2014 (age 57)

[@georgecherucheril9947]

This skit was broadcast 25 plus years ago and is still hilariously funny! Each impression was performed 100% spot on. I lost it when Dana and Jon came out and Bush towered over the much shorter Dukakis. Then they worked hard to adjust the height behind the lectern. Tom Hanks was spot on Peter Jennings. I loved Phil Hartman's David Brinkley. When they brought out the kid Dan Quayle I almost died from laughter. This quality in the writing and acting shows.

[@kevinolivas8075]

Actually October 1988 was ... gulp ... 35 years ago. But you only missed it by 10 years. And you posted this 10 days ago.

[@VrgniaMailman]

I ACTUALLY REMEMBER SEEING THIS SKIT IN AUTUMN 1988!!!! IT WAS HYSTERICAL at times. Especially when at 7:35 the "Duke" whines ..... "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy." LOL LOL LOL

[@VrgniaMailman]

GHW Bush actually invited Carvey to the White House in early 1989 after he was inaugurated. Bush actually GREATLY ENJOYED watching Carvey mock George!!! At some point within a month after that, Carvey was a guest on one of the late night talk shows, possibly on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, ... Carvey spoke about how touched he was that Bush would do such a downright nice thing.

[@alexanderpanayi7212]

When that bubble cyclinder came down around Dana Carvey I lost it.

[@kyle47922]

This was an awesome Saturday Night Live skit. Especially Jan Hook's character gets hit in the head with a tub of popcorn.

[@ernestkinas5973]

The great Mort Sahl referred to Dukakis as Zorba the Clerk.

[@GretaZ-dd3lu]

Decades after seeing this, I still remember "little swarthy people."

[@viewfromthehighchair9391]

If it wasn't for the voice, I still wouldn't have believed that was Tom Hanks. In fact, I originally was trying to decide if it was Bill Murray at the start of the video. Ya, I'm getting old!!! What of it!?! LOL

[@RobJazzful]

Lovitz did an impression, Carrey did a caricature. Both hilarious.

[@kapeeshpoddar7976]

Phil Hartman was such an awesome actor, miss him so much. RIP legend.

[@michaelm.2129]

love Kevin Nealon's eyebrows

[@seminiferousbuttnoid]

Those Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer impressions are spot on.

[@TheToonMonkey]

Genuinely thought that Elizabeth Dowd was Michael McKean in drag for a second.

[@Yapostadodat]

Enraged. Enraged. So FUNNY! I remember this impersonation as one of the best from Lovitz and of course Carvey is so on point with his. Great stuff.

[@UGAmike34]

I worked in the Dukakis campaign. It is hard to believe it's been 32 years.

[@michaelsmulkowski746]

I miss the days when the reporters would actually report the news.

[@crystalgimber547]

The good ole days when Saturday Night Live was fun to watch.

[@radhikapamula4380]

Yes indeed, when they made fun of both parties, not just the Republicans.

[@thekidfromiowa]

If such a time machine were to exist.

[@thornv1777]

Amazing assembly of talent. This was absolute comedic perfection! I'm sure I shall, for the rest of my days, occasionally watch this magnificent snapshot of a time that, in retrospect, seems pretty darned good.

[@christopherthorkon3997]

Tom Hanks was so hilarious as Peter Jennings -- all the head movements.

[@violethazexx2551]

Dan Quayle at the end LOL 😂 perfect

[@theodorehorner9462]

Who else is watching Dana carvey impersonating GHWB videos right after hearing about his death?

[@ianbauer4703]

Me

[@thrashpondopons2776]

RIP Mr. President!

[@TheFilipinaWifeLife]

Im on a binge lol

[@theodorehorner9462]

He’s NOT! The 41st president is George H W Bush!

[@theodorehorner9462]

Eh, whaddya gunna do?

[@thechrisandmikeshow]

One of the best political sketches ever done on SNL...I used Carvey's line, "Stay the course...a thousand points of light" for years. Lol - Chris

[@rlundquest]

Stay the course, a thousand points of light

[@reneekad]

Remember my writing sample from 2020? I call it “a thousand points of light.”

[@steve3439]

Back when SNL had cast members who didn’t crack up laughing during the skits

[@D45VR]

professionals

[@BeamieUpScot]

The skit just isn’t that funny

[@sillygoose635]

They always had, you fucking moron

[@SKa-tt9nm]

“Why must young, funny people exhibit so much joy while getting paid for doing what they love?” Isn’t it about time you try to steal Christmas too? There’s a reason your grandkids won’t talk to you.

[@steve3439]

@@SKa-tt9nm lol I’m 44 years old and I don’t have kids or grandkids

[@jenx3657]

Ah, a parody of the debate for president in the first election for which I was eligible to vote!! I remember watching this live! (And the VP debate they mock). Little Dan Quayle!!!! Hahahahaha!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@sukisuki8855]

OMG I lost it when they threw the popcorn 🍿 at her 🤣

[@tierracosta4444]

These were the years man

[@habyss]

A few days after this aired I had my wisdom teeth out. The dentist was telling me about this and how funny it was to get me to relax. I never saw it until now.

[@whoami7721]

"Stay the course. A thousand points of light. Stay the course". Awesome line. RIP 41. Would've voted Dukakis if I'd been old enough in '88, but I would never demonize you when you won. I remember 1988 America well and I want it like that again!

[@mdc4runner]

whoami7721 well that’s the problem isn’t it? It’s ok to learn from the past (and not demonize!) but too many vote based on nostalgia instead of how best to compromise, adapt and progress into the future.

[@whoami7721]

@@mdc4runner very true. What's that saying? You can never go home again? Things always change. The country is very different the way it was in the late 80s. Their are now many ways people can publicly make their voices heard: KZbin, Twitter, etc.

[@johnfarr2738]

To many baby boomers want things to go back to the “Good Old Days” then adapt to change

[@johnfarr2738]

whoami7721 this was the first presidential election that I can remember (I was only 2 1/2 in November of ‘84)

[@theseageek]

The Dukakis and Bush impersonations are spot on.

[@Montfortracing]

Compared to the other SNL debate skits, this one is very underrated.

[@axnyslie]

Jan Hooks was great back then.

[@swami1]

Jan Hooks was hot.

[@bridgetryder5352]

Jan Hooks was an attractive woman. She dated Kevin Nealon.

[@thrashpondopons2776]

RIP Miss Hooks!

[@edbrown8254]

It was a great era of SNL. Phil Hartman was great; Jon Lovitz was very funny and Dana Carvey was in a class by himself.

[@scott6504]

I would eat that.

[@jerramaurice7836]

Was she in this season after her run on Designing Women?

[@martymcdonough1111]

7:35 - the comedian's version of "You're no Jack Kennedy." Classic!

[@09rja]

Nice touch having Carl Rowan doing the shooting. :)

[@antenna_prolly]

"Or would you rather vote for a guy who thinks and talks in complete sentences?" oh no it's been going on longer than I've been alive

[@longlakeshore]

I still can't believe he lost to that guy.

[@bltvd]

Holy shit this went on for 14 minutes exclamation?

[@FlanaFugue]

I totally remember seeing this on the date of broadcast like it was yesterday...

[@kshinokevin]

Jon Lovitz (towards his opponent, George H.W. Bush, as Michael Dukakis): "I can't believe that I lost to This/That Guy."; that was one line that I remembered hearing Lovitz say.

[@IImitateVince]

I love David Brinkley's impression of Howard Cosell @ 11:23

[@tomwallen7271]

Dan Quayle's impression was on point.

[@dorianflowers1184]

Hands down, the best SNL (PRESIDENTIAL) DEBATE up to date!!!

[@capttrips1523]

I like the ones with Norm McDonald playing Bob Dole too

[@demibell5123]

One of the funniest skits ever!!! Absolute favorite is Al Gore & George W Bush. Funny shit! Lockbox/Strategery 🤣🤣😂😂😭😭💀💀

[@coolwhip455]

RIP President George Herbert Walker Bush. I love how he had an awesome sense of humor about himself. Him and Dana Carvey actually become close friends over the years and participated numerous charities over the years.

[@moncorp1]

@Kevin Prima ~ Keep dreaming. MAGA

[@sharpwildone]

@@moncorp1 Brainwashed, silly slogan-citing Cult45, much like the perpetually angry, egotistical demagogue you worship, has no sense of humor.