President Obama is so serious about showing a spirit of friendship with the Cuban people during his groundbreaking trip this week, he submitted to a rare cameo on a popular comedy show there, reports the New York Times.
On Friday, Mr. Obama, sitting at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, appeared to take a call from Luis Silva, a Cuban comedian known as Pánfilo, whose popular routine includes frequent attempts to get the president on the telephone.
During the video, Pánfilo, seen in a house with turquoise walls adorned with black-and-white photographs in ornate frames, is seen dialing the White House to get a weather report for Tuesday, when Mr. Obama is scheduled to attend an exhibition baseball game in Havana between Americans and Cubans.
Pánfilo is stunned to have reached “the real Obama,” as the president puts it when he answers, and Mr. Obama acts as if he is in disbelief, as well.
“The real Pánfilo?“ Mr. Obama says. “From the TV show?” Using Cuban slang, he adds in Spanish: “You don’t say. What’s up?”
The two banter about life in Cuba and Mr. Obama’s visit. Pánfilo warns the president not to bring too much luggage, to avoid getting waylaid at the airport, and offers him and Michelle Obama, the first lady, his bed in case they need a place to stay.
“I am so glad that you will come to visit so that you can know Cuba, its people,” Pánfilo tells Mr. Obama, who answers: “I’m looking forward to it. The American people and the Cuban people are friends.”
The skit is expected to air on Pánfilo’s show, which airs weekly on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. and is watched by about two-thirds of Cubans.
