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Obama plugs health signup on comedy website

 
President Barack Obama chats with actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis during an appearance on Between Two Ferns, Galifianakis’ irreverent online show that attracts a young demographic Obama hoped to reach.
President Barack Obama chats with actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis during an appearance on Between Two Ferns, Galifianakis’ irreverent online show that attracts a young demographic Obama hoped to reach.
Published March 12, 2014

WASHINGTON — News out of President Barack Obama's interview with comedian Zach Galifianakis: The president will go to pretty much any length these days to plug healthcare.gov.

The latest installment of Between Two Ferns — Galifianakis' irreverent online interview show — was posted Tuesday morning at Funnyordie.com. Obama entertains questions from the Hangover star about "Ambassador" Dennis Rodman, the trouble with "North Ikea" and "What's it like to be the last black president." (Answer: "Seriously, what's it like for this to be the last time you ever talk to a president?")

Halfway through, Galifianakis rolls his eyes and invites Obama to "get this out of the way. What did you come here to plug?"

Obama's pitch is all straight-man: Consumers — especially the "young invincibles" Obama presumably was hoping to reach with his online appearance — have until the end of March to sign up for coverage this year.

"Have you heard of the Affordable Care Act?" the president asks Galifianakis.

"Oh yeah, I heard about that. That's the thing that doesn't work?"

"Healthcare.gov works great now," Obama says.

Galifianakis looks at his watch.

"What we want is for people to know that you can get affordable health care," Obama continues.

As Obama goes on, Galifianakis asks: "Is this what they mean by drones?"

The video reached 1 million views within 31/2 hours of posting and was adding 1 million per hour in the middle of the day, according to funnyordie.com.