POLITICS APRIL 6, 2012
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When Jackie Kennedy led a television crew through the White House in February 1962, millions of Americans were riveted to the screen. This Wednesday, when Michelle Obama appears on The Colbert Report, it will be a much less exciting, and more commonplace event. It’s starting to seem like the First Lady has been everywhere on our televisions lately, celebrating her “Joining Forces” initiative to help military families or promoting her “Let’s Move!” campaign to combat childhood obesity. While it’s customary for the spouse of the president to spearhead a feel-good campaign like literacy promotion or urban beautification, few have used their fame as Michelle has, or brought as much pizzazz to their projects. (It’s tough to imagine Nancy Reagan teaching Americans how to Dougie.) In an era when celebrity can be the best way to bring attention to a cause, Michelle appears more determined than any previous First Lady to pursue her public advocacy via TV stardom.
In addition to Colbert’s show, this week will feature Michelle Obama on “The Biggest Loser.” Promos show her congratulating the contestants on their weight-loss—and giving kudos to one in particular for his “hot wife.”
On January 16, the First Lady had a cameo role on the popular Nickelodeon sitcom“iCarly.” In it, she praises the military brat Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) and friends for reaching out via webcam to wish Carly’s father a happy birthday—a gesture in the spirit of the Joining Forces initiative.
In late January, Obama made an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” during her press tour. The highlight came when the First Lady jokingly chided the hefty host about his lack of fruit and vegetable intake.
Michelle put those famously toned arms to work on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” when she participated in a good old fashioned push-up contest. And it turns out those arms aren’t just for show: The First Lady didn’t even break a sweat as she decisively beat Ellen in the on-air competition.
Continuing on the late night circuit, the First Lady appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and challenged the host to a pentathalon.
Promoting both literacy and muppets, the First Lady shared a stage with Kermit the Frog to read “The Night Before Christmas” last December.
4 comments
A charismatic, classy, stunningly beautiful, inspirational, powerful figure on the world stage - historic. She's a hero to millions, thank you Michelle for all you do and especially for who you are.
- WandreyCer
April 6, 2012 at 7:49am
I've liked all the First Ladies, including the Republican ones, since I first became aware of them in the Fifties. Lady Bird was my all-time favorite--until Michelle. Like WandreyCer says, she has it all. And she's hit her stride in the last couple of years. She'll be considered one of the great ones. I hope she can continue to help America and Americans as First Lady for four more years. As Oprah would say, you go, girl!
- magboy47.
April 6, 2012 at 3:55pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE MObama! Can NOT believe you didn't show this one :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPEryRNbMGo (Some sort of crazy dance that's sweeping ... well, middle America -- she nails it!)
- Wonderland
April 6, 2012 at 4:41pm
I am impressed, though the Fallon video was so phony I just about lost my dinner. The current issue of the day is who should Romney choose as his running mate? Obviously, it would not be appropriate for Barak to choose Michelle as his 2nd term campaign partner (unfair to Joe, if nothing else), but I wonder just how "open" and "modern" the Obama's marriage is. Could it stand her running as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican party? Well, there's a precedent. Anyone remember James Carville and Mary Matalin? As far as I know, there marriage is still going strong.
- skahn
April 7, 2012 at 12:04am