‘Blame it on the Economy’ Music Video Mixes Humor and Politics

Obama impersonators cash in

A new spoof music video, “Blame it on the Economy,” is becoming an internet sensation. In the video, which parodies “Blame It” by Jamie Foxx, an Obama impersonator sings about our country’s financial state.

No doubt the maker of the viral video “Blame it on the Economy” will make some instant cash off of it.

Economic commentary

“Blame it on the Economy” makes some humorous points about the economy by mixing political and pop culture references, including my favorite line: “Like Shamwow we just gotta absorb it.”

You can watch the “Blame it on the Economy” video, complete with people impersonating Sarah Palin, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, on YouTube.

Face the money

According to a story on Politico, there is a lot of money to be made in impersonating the president. Here’s a clip from the story:

Walking into the Old Ebbitt Grill, Larry Graves literally stops traffic. Drivers slow to gawk. Patrons stare. Members of the wait staff — long accustomed to serving Washington elites — do double takes.

At about 6-foot-1, with a long, lean frame, closely cropped hair and a gleaming smile, Graves is a dead ringer for President Barack — a one-in-a-million gift that the D.C.-area resident is determined to turn into a lucrative career.

Making big bucks

One particular President Bush impersonator made $25,000 per appearance, according to Politico. It’s surprising the reasons people call presidential impersonators:

Graves recently appeared at the birthday party of an 89-year-old Obama volunteer who had to be stopped by family members from calling the press to report that Obama had appeared at his party.

I guess the “Blame it on the Economy” video and “Saturday Night Live” skits aren’t the only way to make money by impersonating the president.

Mistaken for the first lady

Another person in the politico story, Sheena Harrell, gets mistaken for Michelle Obama on a regular basis.

The 26-year-old Maryland-based Michelle Obama impersonator says she’s purchased wigs to disguise herself in public. But even when her hair was dyed red, blond and orange, she was recognized.

Her boyfriend has had to get used to the attention, but she says that she’s lost friends because of it.

“Some people aren’t taking it as well as I am. Some are standoffish,” she says.

Early retirement

Of course, the main problem with making your money by impersonating famous political figures is that it’s not a long-term career.

The good news/bad news: It won’t last forever.

For impersonators — and the politicians they mimic — the shelf life can be short.

Gig Salad co-owner Mark Steiner says requests for his best Bush impersonators have dropped from five a week to five every three or four months.

And the economy has slowed business to a trickle.

“Bookings were strong up until a few months ago, and now they’re not. We’re not sure if it’s just the economy or something else, but requests have been slow,” Steiner says.

Graves knows that will happen to him someday, but he says he’s ready.

“When the ride is over — and it is fun — I’ll be prepared,” he says. “In the meantime, I want to enjoy my moment.”