Paul Shanklin
Encyclopedia
Paul Shanklin is an American conservative political satirist
, impressionist
, comedian
, and conservative speaker. Shanklin writes and voices the characters for, the songs and satirical comedy segments used by conservative
radio
host Rush Limbaugh
.
Shanklin first came to media attention after doing his vocal impersonation of then-President of the United States
Bill Clinton
for Memphis radio show host "The Big Kahuna", Bill Young
. Shanklin was brought to the attention of Limbaugh by announcer Johnny Donovan
, and was first featured on Limbaugh's show in 1993.
One of Shanklin's most controversial works was his 2007 parody "Barack the Magic Negro
", in which he impersonates Al Sharpton
lamenting that white voters will perceive Barack Obama
as a "magic negro
" and therefore favor Obama for president over him. This was based on a column titled "Obama The Magic Negro" by black columnist David Ehrenstein. The inclusion of this song on a CD by Republican National Committee
chairman candidate Chip Saltsman
in 2008 caused consternation among some, that resulted in him withdrawing his candidacy. Most recently Shanklin has been involved in a legal dispute regarding his alleged repeated theft of parody ideas from The Lars Larson Show. However when testifying in the US Supreme court about the allegations Shanklin reportedly said "Who is Lars Larson?"
Shanklin has released a total of 12 albums of political parody songs and skits. Shanklin has performed over 1500 parody songs and skits incorporating over 80 voice impressions.
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
, impressionist
Impressionist (entertainment)
An impressionist or a mimic is a performer whose act consists of imitating the voice and mannerisms of others. The word usually refers to a professional comedian/entertainer who specializes in such performances and has developed a wide repertoire of impressions, including adding to them, often to...
, comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, and conservative speaker. Shanklin writes and voices the characters for, the songs and satirical comedy segments used by conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
host Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
.
Shanklin first came to media attention after doing his vocal impersonation of then-President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
for Memphis radio show host "The Big Kahuna", Bill Young
Bill Young
Charles William "Bill" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1971. He is a member of the Republican Party, and is currently the longest-serving Republican member of Congress...
. Shanklin was brought to the attention of Limbaugh by announcer Johnny Donovan
Johnny Donovan
Johnny Donovan is an American radio announcer and producer at New York's WABC .He grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, nicknamed "Sarge," after his father's former rank in the United States Army...
, and was first featured on Limbaugh's show in 1993.
One of Shanklin's most controversial works was his 2007 parody "Barack the Magic Negro
Barack the Magic Negro
"Barack the Magic Negro" is a song by American political satirist Paul Shanklin who wrote and recorded it for the Rush Limbaugh Show as satire after it was first applied to presidential candidate Obama by movie and culture critic, David Ehrenstein, in a Los Angeles Times op ed column of March 19,...
", in which he impersonates Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton
Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton, Jr. is an American Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and television/radio talk show host. In 2004, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election...
lamenting that white voters will perceive Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
as a "magic negro
Magical negro
The Magical Negro, or magical African-American friend, is a supporting stock character in American cinema, who, by use of special insight or powers, helps the white protagonist....
" and therefore favor Obama for president over him. This was based on a column titled "Obama The Magic Negro" by black columnist David Ehrenstein. The inclusion of this song on a CD by Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
chairman candidate Chip Saltsman
Chip Saltsman
John "Chip" Saltsman, Jr. is an American politician who has served as chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party from 1999 to 2001, senior political advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and manager of Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign...
in 2008 caused consternation among some, that resulted in him withdrawing his candidacy. Most recently Shanklin has been involved in a legal dispute regarding his alleged repeated theft of parody ideas from The Lars Larson Show. However when testifying in the US Supreme court about the allegations Shanklin reportedly said "Who is Lars Larson?"
Shanklin has released a total of 12 albums of political parody songs and skits. Shanklin has performed over 1500 parody songs and skits incorporating over 80 voice impressions.
Albums
- Bill Clinton: The Early Years
- Bill Clinton: The Comeback Kid Tour
- This Land Was Your land
- Executive Privileges
- Simply Reprehensible
- Vice Vice Baby
- The Usual Suspects
- Mama Told Me Not To Run
- Talk Radio Classics Vol 1
- Holiday Classics (2006)
- American Spastic (2006)
- We Hate the USA (2008)
- Songs Of the Revolution (2010)
External links
- www.paulshanklin.com — Paul Shanklin's home page