Dispatch #413: Tasteless but Timely

 

President Carter's State of the Union Address—Jan. 23rd, 1979

This Thursday, President Biden will deliver his fourth State of the Union speech to the nation, which made me wonder: when was the first time I watched one of those nationally televised addresses?

I didn't really pay much attention to politics until my teen years, so the first State of the Union speech I ever saw on TV was probably one given by our 39th President, Jimmy Carter.

I don't remember if I watched Jimmy's SOTU address on January 23rd,1979, but I did see Saturday Night Live's version of it four nights later on January 27th (with host Michael Palin and musical guests The Doobie Brothers). 

As usual, Dan Ackroyd impersonated the President, this time giving the SOTU address while suffering from an attack of hemorrhoids—just as Carter was in real life at the time.

TV Guide's SOTU Close-Up with Preparation H ad beneath.

Judging by the strategically placed ad in that week's edition of TV Guide (see above photo) American Home Products—manufacturers of Preparation H—also decided to cash in on the President's painful affliction. 

Much like the SNL sketch, the ad placement was pretty tasteless—but timely, nevertheless. 

There's more to come in the next dispatch.

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