Samuel L. Jackson: 'Wake the F*** up' for Obama
(CNN) - Actor Samuel L. Jackson entered the political fray this week, starring in a new web video that parodies his own audio recording of the mock children's book, "Go the F*** to Sleep."
This time, however, Jackson is reaching out to voters–not frustrated parents–urging Americans to "Wake the F*** Up" and vote for President Barack Obama. (Obviously, not work safe without headphones, but there's also a bleeped version.)
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In the nearly four-minute video told like a children's book, Jackson narrates a metrical tale of disenchanted Obama fans who have since dialed down their support.
"In the silvery moonlight that bathes every town,
The people lye dreaming so safe and so sound.
They're warm in their beds, snuggled up in their sheets,
But four years before, they were out in the streets."
The story features a girl named "Little Susie," whose family once actively campaigned for Obama but now sits on the sidelines this election year.
"We canvassed and phone banked with passion and pluck.
It matters this time, but their eyes are shut."
Funding for the project came from the Jewish Council for Education and Research, a super PAC supporting President Barack Obama. The group has made other humor-based videos, including a video last week on Voter ID laws that featured a brash performance by comedian Sarah Silverman.
The new video also takes a comical spin. As Little Susie's parents brush her off during her childlike pleas for activism, Samuel L. Jackson appears in the family's dining room–with an in-your-face, though still rhythmic, approach.
"Sorry, my friend, but there's not time to snore.
An out of touch millionaire just declared war
On schools, the environment, unions, fair pay.
We're all on our way if Romney has his way.
He's against safety nets. If you fall, tough luck.
So I strongly suggest, that you wake the f*** up."
The video continues with a storybook pace interrupted by Jackson's rather blunt, yet lyrical, pep talks. Jackson, for example, took issue with the excuse made by Little Susie's teenage brother, who argued he's not involved because he thinks "all politicians are the same."
"They're all the same? Big brother, please!
Obama sent SEALS to Bin Laden's Place. Romney sent jobs overseas.
How about that student loan overhaul? It's going to save you thousands of bucks.
Mitt will cut that sh*t in a second. My dude, Wake the f*** up."
Last year, Jackson made headlines when he narrated the audiobook version of "Go the F*** to Sleep," a satirical children's book that strikes a chord with frustrated parents who try to tuck their kids in at night.
When Audible Inc. released the 6-minute recording as a free download, it received 160,000 downloads in 48 hours. Audible also saw a sharp spike–up to 160% increase–in downloads of their apps for smart phones during the same time window.
The original book, written by Adam Mansbach and illustrated by Ricardo Cortés, originally was slated for a fall 2011 release. The PDF version of the book, however, was leaked and went viral. It became so popular that Akashic moved the release dates for the print book and e-book up to June of that year.
- CNNMoney's Julianne Pepitone contributed to this report.
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Samuel Jaxson is exactly right.If you are a socialist loser,never had a job except selling crack and have no plans for a future you should wake up and vote for the Dear Leader.He may be your only hope.
All others get real and dump this illegal Manchurian that had driven us nearly into bankruptcy as a nation, cant create a budget and goes to vegas when our ambassador is being dragged through the street.
What a pathetic attempt by a movie star to stay relevant. Big time fail. Same goes for the Jews that sponsored this garbage. I'm thinking Obama wouldn't approve of his daughters watching this video.
This is no way to run a campaign for the POTUS. Really grasping at straws....
1. Everyone calm down for a second and realize: the ad IS funny, especially the little kid at the end.
2. Celebrities that support Obama/Democrats should impact the electorate more than celebrities that support Romney/Republicans. Why? Because celebrities who are clearly in the top 1-5% bracket but support a raise in their own taxes (by supporting democratic policies) shows they aren't just looking out for themselves but for the greater good of America. Just my opinion...
His point may be crudely stated in some people's view........but the message is right on the mark! There are some very rich and elite folks trying their darndest to buy this election and thereby "own" the government. They care very little about the common man and we will suffer the consequences if we sleep walk through this election. We'd better "wake up" like the man says, and do what we need to do at the ballot box.
At least they're helping the cause and are visible,not the Roves,Adelsons and Koch brothers that hide like roaches until night ,then scurry about again till sun rise...Jackson,Maher and other big names are yes voicing publicly the get out and vote because its you the hypocritical,racist and obstructive party of NO that are the voters worse enemy,remember your voter suppression scam and how in all republican governed states its an issue ending up in courts.Republicans saying voting problems are there when you were the ones that rigged elections for Bushs both elections,remember those its fact brought to light that you're in denile about and you don't want it happening to you,right!!All states saying less than 1% in total state run elections,national as well are being effected by voters fraud,its not an amount that effects anything .Republicans if its so much an issue where were your tactics during the primaries,or it didn't effect you hypocrites there did it!!
Hay Sam you can't use the words, " unions, fair pay." in the same sentance because most if not all union members are paid much more than there worth.
He is so right...wake up..Romney will destroy our country for the love of money!!
At what level do we allow this campaign to degrade to and have any credibility left..
Another Obama voter... how PATHETIC!!!
I guess it takes one to know one, nothing like one out of touch Millionaire complaing about another one, hey Sam want to borrow my mirror?
B.
At what level do we allow this campaign to degrade to and have any credibility left..
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Well, given Romney himself pretty much lies in EVERY ad – I think November 6th will be when we are finished with this.
To bad Sam is so disillusioned, Of coarse when your job has you playing the part of fictional caricatures all the time you can not understand the real one.
Someone ,anyone,give me three good things he has done.
And give me another three reasons why I should vote for a socialist.He hasnt proved anything to me.
More folks in the south have spoken up in recent weeks about the calamity that hasnt included his hope and change.
They are upset and feeling like he didnt keep a promise.And now after all this wreckless spending and deficit and no jobs ,bailouts for his buddies banks and bails out for his buddies in the union.And whats all this executive order,dictator crap about.I have never seen a president just simply undermine or leave out congress to hammer out solutions.
Hes a dam dictator,hes lied left an right.I would love to sit down with jackson and open his eyes.
Like who would listen to you and your crude mouth only the Repub haters and people who can't think for their self.
Seriously do something, unless you like having the Koch Brothers running your life through a Romney White House!
Jeff said "What a pathetic attempt by a movie star to stay relevant."
Ummm. let see.. in 6 movies in 2012, 5 om 2-11. in 7 more to be released in the next 2 years... I don't think Samuel L Jackson has to 'attempt' to stay relevant.
More like he took some time out of his busy schedule to do this.
As a political commentator and guide, Sam make a great actor.
Jeff wrote "What a pathetic attempt by a movie star to stay relevant". You're talking about Clint Eastwood, right? And Romney personally approved his selection and speech, right? So is Romney also a pathetic attempt to stay relevant?
Love Samuel L. The dude speaks his mind ... The rumor mill has it that Ann Romney saw the video on a charter flight and passed out from hyperventilation. Evidently she was yelling "Stop it" too much and they couldn't get a window open on the airplane to give her more air ...
Gotta love Samuel L Jackson. Props man! Go OBAMA!
Oh please, he's a friggin actor. Like he knows more than anyone else what is right for the country. I know that some people put these guys on a pedastal but my advice to Samual would be to stick to what you know. And leave the real world stuff to people who understand more about economics......so please, send all your money to the I.R.S. then you might have a argument someone would listen too. I don't mind paying more taxes....blah, blah.....that all sounds good if you make millions a year. but to us poor people you ask for more than you realize. Listening to an actor talk about what we should do makes me sick at my stomach. Like he knows anything about the real world..........sheeeesh
Mr. Jackson has his head up his behind. But then, I would expect this from a Hollywood Loser.
Sounds more like one Angry Black Man taking up for another. Jackson's also on record saying he voted for Obama only because he is black. Imagine someone, anyone, saying that about Romney. No outrage for Black racism, though.
@Enough is Enough – you can't use the words, " unions, fair pay." in the same sentance because most if not all union members are paid much more than there worth.
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By that logic the average CEO – who makes 300+ times MORE than the average "worker" is worth it? Besides, you're complaining about less than 12% of the working population.. which is a pretty small number given that the right seems to think that 47% of the country leech off the govt!
I wish Obama was the "evil socialist" that some people think he is. I would love free health care and the opportunity to go to college without finding myself permanently in debt. Anyone who thinks that Obama is black (he's bi-racial), Muslim, or a Communist probably needs to cut down on their intake of Faux News and conspiracy theory propaganda.