Online Obama Comic in Talks With NBC

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2009 7:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's self-proclaimed "impersonator in chief" is gaining ground, hosting one of YouTube's 100-most-popular channels and talking to NBC about a pilot, the Washington Post reports. Iman Crosson grabbed national attention last year by parroting the prez online—imitating TI's "Whatever You Like" as Obama singing "I can do whatever I like"—and hopes his nearly 12 million page views will help win him a show.

Known online as Alphacat, Crosson insists his biggest dream is to meet Obama. But one online commentator sees him following in the shoes of Saturday Night Live greats—"who in the past might have tried to make a name for themselves through improv, Second City and all that, and now do it through YouTube." Having more YouTube channel subscribers than Beyoncé, the NBA, or Miley Cyrus certainly can't hurt.

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

Obama impersonator Iman Crosson, known on YouTube as Alphacat, is in talks for a deal with NBC. (YouTube)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Iman Crosson, known as Alphacat, impersonates President Obama online. (YouTube)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Meet the Radio Preacher Who Backs Bachmann

But she keeps him at arm's length

(NEWSER) - Drug-addled-rocker-cum-evangelical-radio-host Bradlee Dean has won many conservative fans, the New York Times reports. One is apparently Michele Bachmann. She has spoken on Dean's show, but keeps the connection low-profile—perhaps because Dean has commented on executing gays, and says President Obama has done more harm to America than Osama bin Laden. Still, Dean has proven his political allegiance by suing NBC, MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, and others for "willfully and maliciously" harming Bachmann's campaign. More»

David Vitter, NBC Pick Football Over Obama Speech

NBC affiliates in Milwaukee and Green Bay to skip address, senator has Saints party

(NEWSER) - David Vitter isn’t going to attend President Obama’s speech tonight, not because he’s sending a message to the president, but because he’s got better things to do. “I have a Saints party,” the Louisiana senator told Fox News yesterday, “and I am absolutely going to be there for the big game, kick-off of the Saints and the whole NFL.” Vitter said he expected Obama to deliver “more a political speech than a substantive speech.” And besides: “As a fanatic, I have my priorities.” More»

Debate Rages Over Obama Hip-Hop Parody

Epithet-hurling Baracka Flacka Flames gets down in the 'hood

(NEWSER) - An epithet-laced hip-hop parody of President Obama has triggered furious debate: Is the hit YouTube video an "antidote" for Obama's popularity troubles among youth or an "anti-valentine" from those voters whose support the president craves, asks the Christian Science Monitor. The slick "Head of the State" video is a spoof of "Hard in Da Paint" by Atlanta hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame, and it features "Baracka Flacka Flames" (aka James Davis) getting down and dirty in the 'hood—smoking pot, petting a pit bull, and denigrating everyone from Michelle to Oprah Winfrey. More»

The Best YouTube Questions Obama Didn't Answer

Which 'Rocky' movie is your favorite?

(NEWSER) - President Obama today answered questions Americans submitted on YouTube, tackling serious inquires on foreign policy, health care, and education. But some of the unanswered questions are too entertaining to be ignored, and New York has collected them. Check out the two little kids preoccupied with the destruction of the White House, the guy who wants to know why Obama hit Haiti with a "tectonic weapon," and another young man who just wants to know which Rocky movie the president likes best. More»

Obama Must Avenge Conan, Fire NBC's CEO

Treat Jeff Zucker like the head of GM, and do it now

(NEWSER) - If President Obama can fire GM’s CEO, why not Jeff Zucker, the bonehead who ousted Conan O’Brien? The Tonight Show fiasco was just the latest masterstroke of the “blindingly incompetent” NBC boss, but it looks as though he’s safe until Comcast finishes acquiring the floundering broadcaster, writes Simon Dumenco for Advertising Age . “My fellow Americans, I say: Screw that! We can’t wait that long! It’s time for an intervention of the very highest order.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website