Comedian Zach Galifianakis revealed that Hillary Clinton's campaign team initially demanded he avoid discussing her email controversy during a 2016 interview for his show Between Two Ferns. The revelation came during a recent podcast with Conan O'Brien, where Galifianakis discussed the negotiation process.
Core Facts and Context
Galifianakis stated that Clinton's team initially insisted he not bring up the email scandal, a condition he refused, offering to cancel the interview instead. The team later relented, allowing the jokes to proceed. The comedian also criticized some comedians for not pushing back against political figures, including former President Donald Trump, during interviews.
Negotiation Details
Galifianakis recounted that Clinton's team contacted him before the interview, stating, 'You can't bring up those emails.' He responded by saying, 'Well, we don't have to do the interview. That's fine. We won't do it.' The team then agreed to proceed without the restriction, allowing Galifianakis to include the jokes in the interview.
Clinton's Reaction
During the interview, Clinton appeared uncomfortable, particularly when Galifianakis mocked her email scandal and compared her to Trump. The comedian noted that she seemed reluctant to participate in the segment, a sentiment he acknowledged, saying, 'I remember when I interviewed Hillary Clinton and I could tell she didn't want to be there. And I totally get that. I get it.'
Broader Implications
Galifianakis and O'Brien discussed the role of comedy in political interviews, emphasizing that humor should take precedence over political considerations. Galifianakis argued that comedians should challenge political figures, including Trump, rather than 'suck up to them.' He suggested that engaging in humor could humanize politicians, making them more relatable to the public.