‘Between Two Ferns’ Satirizes Sexism Hillary Clinton Actually Faces During This Election

Zach Galifianakis’s show on FunnyorDie, Between Two Ferns, has hosted actors, musicians, directors and politicians, offering some witty takes on their lives. This week, a presidential nominee sat down with Galifianakis and the satire was a little too real: this episode of Between Two Ferns satirizes sexism Hillary Clinton has actually faced during this election cycle.

The skit opened with Galifianakis attempting to sneak onto the set in a Halloween mask, only to be tackled by the Secret Service. Clinton asks if he's OK and, though a bit shaken, Galifianakis continues, introducing himself and his guest.

He gets in an early poke at Clinton's recent highly publicized (and scrutinized) bout of pneumonia, before asking her if she's "excited to be the first girl president."

Clinton, playing the straight-man to Galifianakis throughout the sketch, allowing his jokes to take centerstage, offers a typical response about what an honor and responsibility it would be to be president, especially for the next generation of girls and boys. Galifianakis volleys back, by pointing out that for a "young, young generation," she'd be the first white president — alluding to kids born in the last eight years during Obama's presidency.

Without allowing her to respond, he presses on by asking her "how many words per minute she could type" when she was Secretary of State and asking "how President Obama likes his coffee."

"You know Zack," Clinton says, "Those are really out-of-date questions. You need to get out more." Without missing a beat, Galifianakis lobs her a truly ridiculous one, "What happens if you become pregnant? Would we be stuck with Tim Kaine for nine months?"

Clinton says, "I could send you some pamphlets. . .that might help you understand...," making a point without saying so directly that it's not exactly uncommon for middle-aged white guys to not understand how the female body works.

He then launches into the Trump-related questions, posing to Clinton that, seeing how well racism works for Trump, has she ever considered being more racist? The tongue-and-cheek question alludes to Trumps consistent statements, both online and off, throughout his campaign that have been, to many people, not just racist but also consistently sexist — something Clinton is usually getting the brunt of.

He also asks Clinton if she'll move to Canada if Trump gets elected. She said she won't, but rather, she'll stay so that she can "try to prevent Trump from destroying the United States."

Galifianakis then told Clinton he'd love to meet whoever makes her pantsuits — forever a favorite topic of the media — and asked if she had any idea what she'd be wearing to the debate — a question often posed to women by the media even though they'd never think to ask a man such a thing.

Clinton points out the double-standard and says that if he has suggestions, she's open to them. When Galifianakis wondered aloud what Trump might wear, Clinton suggested "that red power tie" — to which Galifianakis responded, "or maybe a white power tie."

This got a genuine smile out of Clinton who agreed, "That's even more appropriate," — a not-so-subtle nod to Trump's reluctance to disavow KKK members who endorse him.

Galifianakis asks what Clinton's number one priority would be as president (the first substantial question she's been asked the entire interview) and as soon as she begins to outline her plans for the economy, he interrupts saying they have to "take a break" — another not quite subtle nod, this time to the way Clinton was treated by Matt Laurer during the presidential forum a couple of weeks ago. The show then cut to a Trump campaign ad.

Of course, he couldn't get through an interview with Clinton without poking fun at her notorious email scandal. At the end of the interview, he closes by asking "What's the best way to stay in touch? Email?"

Clinton shot him some perfect side-eye, of course. But overall she was a good sport by being in the skit in the first place. Despite the constant scrutiny, Clinton's no stranger to having everything from her appearance to her voice made fun of. And what's the old adage? "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."