Long before Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton vied for the Oval Office, “Saturday Night Live” always found a way to laugh at those who had presidential dreams of their own.
Sarah Palin
Tina Fey won an Emmy for her portrayal of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin after Palin’s 2008 run as the GOP vice presidential nominee. Fey’s version of Palin is equal parts amateur beat poet and conservative talk show host, and Fey brought back her version of the Alaska governor earlier this year in a foul-mouthed endorsement of Donald Trump (here played by Darrell Hammond).
“We’re mad, we’ve been had, and we’re not so glad, quoth the Lorax,” said Fey, in one of the sketch’s G-rated moments.
Advertisement
Mike Dukakis
Jon Lovitz’s portrayal of former Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis during the 1988 presidential election included this gag involving a podium and a lift. Ouch.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama had a tough time with Congressional Republicans, and in this sketch, Fred Armisen plays Obama with “Stockholm Syndrome” as his Obama began to agree with conservative views and realized he is a fan of trickle-down economics.
“It’s like Rush said on his show the other day. I’ve never got hired by a poor person,” said Armisen, followed by a painful laugh.
Mitt Romney
Jason Sudeikis’s stiff, awkward version of Mitt Romney who tried to be a regular guy who isn’t “ill at ease” as he talked about the Patriots and manages expectations about his performance during the 2012 presidential primary. Sudeikis’s Romney wanted to be elected president, but wasn’t even liked by his dog. Awkward.
Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton (sort of)
Hillary Clinton played a bartender named “Val” while Kate McKinnon played Hillary Clinton as she commisserated over a drink.
Clinton (the real one) tries to play “an ordinary citizen,” albeit one who believed the Keystone pipeline will destroy our environment, and McKinnon slipped in a few digs at the Democratic nominee.
Advertisement
“It really is great how long you’ve supported gay marriage,” said Clinton.
“I could’ve supported it sooner,” replied McKinnon, as Clinton.
After more back and forth, Clinton (the real one) yielded.
“Fair point,” she said.
Bill Clinton
Darrell Hammond played former President Bill Clinton at the end of his second term as he let off some steam in this 2000 sketch.
“I can speak as freely as I want. I mean, what are you going to do, impeach me again?” said Hammond.
President George W. Bush
Ferrell became a movie star after his turn on “SNL” based in no small part on his years-long run of playing the second President Bush.
Ferrell can basically get a room to laugh with a furrowed brow and a faux-Texas drawl, but what made Ferrell’s President Bush work was Ferrell’s take: a regular guy, probably likable, who was way, way out of his depth as president.
Ferrell’s return as Bush had him review the slate of GOP candidates vying for the 2016 election, including former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.
“She’s not qualified in any way to be president. In many ways, she reminds me of me,” said Ferrell.
John Hilliard can be reached at john.hilliard@globe.com or @draillih.