On Tuesday, NBC’s Today devoted two full reports to President Obama appearing on Jerry Seinfeld’s web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The first report came late in the 7 a.m. ET hour, with co-host Carson Daly proclaiming: “President Obama and Jerry Seinfeld take a little spin on the South Lawn in a 1963 Corvette before they sit down for a candid conversation about life in the White House....[which] focuses more on the ‘lighter side of the presidency’...an opportunity to ‘pull back the curtain.’”
Daly declared that Obama “is no stranger to pop culture, often using non-traditional media to promote his message,” and touted the President’s other softball forums: “Last year he sat down with Zak Galifianakis on Between Two Ferns to talk about the Affordable Care Act....In June, he joined [comedian] Marc Maron’s podcast, speaking candidly about race relations in America....And just last week, he trekked through the Alaskan wilderness Bear Grylls on NBC's Running Wild, voicing his concerns about climate change.”
During the nearly three-minute long segment, Daly only briefly mentioned criticism of the latest entertainment appearance for the commander-in-chief: “The Washington Post points out the taping took place on the afternoon of December 7th, less than a day after the President delivered a primetime address on terrorism, leading to some criticism over the optics.”
He noted: “President Obama's upcoming episode on Seinfeld’s web series doesn’t appear to have any political agenda, but as many Americans’ concerns over recent terror attacks grow, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the President did take some time to address it.”
Brushing such concerns aside, Daly wrapped up the report by cheering a new viral video of the President’s golf game: “Playing a little golf yesterday in Hawaii. 40-yard chip shot right here. Lines up, lefty does, boom and right in the hole. Watch the club. Drop the club, that’s like dropping the mic.”
In a two-minute long segment at the top of the morning show’s 9 a.m. ET hour, co-host Willie Geist again promoted Obama’s sit-down with Seinfeld: “...the President of the United States is going to be on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld. We’re told they’ll drive a '63 Corvette Stingray split-window coupe. The White House says the conversation focuses more on the lighter side of the presidency – I would think so – and they say it’s an opportunity to pull back the curtain.”
Weatherperson Dylan Dreyer, filling in for Al Roker, remarked: “I wonder if the President will loosen up a little. You know, I know he has his little jabs, you know, and he has these funny moments, but very deadpan. I wonder how the whole conversation will go.”
Moments later, Geist enthused: “There is a great picture in the promo of that Corvette, that light blue Corvette, parked in front of the White House. He just pulls up and picks up the President for a cup of coffee, it’s pretty cool.”
Here is a full transcript of Daly’s December 22 report:
7:48 AM ET
MATT LAUER: So in the past, comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s gotten some pretty big-name guest stars for his web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, but his latest guest might be the biggest get yet.
CARSON DALY: That’s right, guys. Good morning. President Obama and Jerry Seinfeld take a little spin on the South Lawn in a 1963 Corvette before they sit down for a candid conversation about life in the White House. The episode isn't out yet, but it’s one of the many pop culture appearances for the commander-in-chief.
BARACK OBAMA: White House.
JERRY SEINFELD: Yes, may I speak with the President, please?
OBAMA: Speaking.
DALY: The President doesn't take just anyone's calls. That voice on the other end of the line belongs to Jerry Seinfeld, the President agreeing to take part in the legendary comics's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, a popular web series that features Seinfeld sitting down for a cup of Joe with some Hollywood heavyweights. And now, President Obama has come along for the ride. The White House says the conversation focuses more on the “lighter side of the presidency,” calling it an opportunity to “pull back the curtain.”
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Comedian in Chief; Obama Set to Appear on Seinfeld Show]
The Washington Post points out the taping took place on the afternoon of December 7th, less than a day after the President delivered a primetime address on terrorism, leading to some criticism over the optics.
The President, however, is no stranger to pop culture, often using non-traditional media to promote his message. Last year he sat down with Zak Galifianakis on Between Two Ferns to talk about the Affordable Care Act.
ZAK GALIFIANAKIS: So, do you go to any websites that are .coms or .nets, or do you mainly just stick with .govs?
OBAMA: No, actually we go to .govs. Have you heard of HealthCare.gov?
DALY: In June, he joined Marc Maron’s podcast, speaking candidly about race relations in America following the attack on a historically black church in Charleston. His use of the N-word during the interview sparking some controversy. And just last week, he trekked through the Alaskan wilderness Bear Grylls on NBC's Running Wild, voicing his concerns about climate change.
OBAMA: It's so important for us to pay attention to climate change and understand that there's something that we can actually do about it.
DALY: President Obama's upcoming episode on Seinfeld’s web series doesn’t appear to have any political agenda, but as many Americans’ concerns over recent terror attacks grow, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the President did take some time to address it. There is an air date, it’s December 30th on the website.
You've seen his video recently, the President’s, going viral? Playing a little golf yesterday in Hawaii. 40-yard chip shot right here. Lines up, lefty does, boom and right in the hole. Watch the club. Drop the club, that’s like dropping the mic.
DYLAN DREYER: It’s nice when it’s caught on camera.
DALY: Yeah, there you go.
HODA KOTB: Exactly.
MATT LAUER: Top ten plays, there you go.
DALY: Alright, guys.
LAUER: Carson, thank you.
