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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1) Here's an idea: When you fall into the safety net, climb out of it. It is not a hammock for you and the next five generations of your progeny to laze about in.
2) Look! Another multi-millionaire one-percenter excused from scrutiny because he is involved in sports or entertainment.
there's an excellent reason why folks that used to be out in the streets campaigning 4 yrs ago are on the sidelines now. They did wake the F___ – up and realize Obama is ruining our country FAST!!!
Maybe Samuel should shut the F^&* up. No one cares what he thinks.
He sounds just like those Obama supporters which were interviewed by Howard Stern.
No clue about anything but vote for Obama anyway.
What does it take for people to realize that this President is an empty suit , 4 more years with him and your country is going over the cliff.
If a multi-millionaire actor with a drug and alcohol problem takes issue with another millionaire running for office does anyone truly believe that the actors motives are sincere? Also, we would have to ask why isn't President Obama a millionaire?
Thank you Samuel for telling like it is!
Where does he mention that Obama lied to us about the assassination of Stevens? Did Samuel happen to mention that he was dragged through the streets and the administration swept that under the rug because it may hurt him politically? No freaking respect.... Obama doesn't deserve another shot at this job.... he's absolutely terrible at it. If Romney is bad, then I'll fire him in 4 years too....
Somewhere in heaven, or hell, William Shakespeare is turning over in his grave. Romanticizing ghetto talk does not do this country any good!
And why do you assume people in safety nets don't climb out? Note, you can't be on food stamps forever, un empliyment forever, and welfare was abolished essentially in 95, note what has taken its place you can't be on forever. Again are there lazy people in America, yup, but it's not like its this huge section of society more over the government does little to take care of them, almost all social aid goes to seniors, children, vets , etc... Seniors are the largest recipients by a huge margin.
Samual jackson only wants Obama because he's black. The wrong reason to pick a president.
Jackson is on record as saying the only reason he voted for OWE bama in 2008 was that he was black. Case closed.
Desperate and embarassing. I wonder how much he was paid....
Apparently Samuel has not viewed Rev. C. L. Bryant's documentary "Runaway Slave".
The question one should ask who were working forty of fifty maybe a hundred or more years ago or more and who were sitting down watching other people work. Said enough.
jack 3, there are many, many people who will vote for Obama who are NOT black. How does that affect your argument? There are also many, many people who will not vote for Obama BECAUSE he is black. You one of those?
"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."
Right. Like the NFL refs? You do realize that the MSM is doing you a favor by failing to highlight just how much the NFL ref situation made your ani-union ranting look stupid, don't you? Here we have a situation in which the Commissioner, turd that he is, decided he could threaten the integrity of the game he's supposed to be promoting and protecting, all because he thought he could pay a bunch of scrubs to do what the unionized referees do and get away with it and "break" the union. His failure to recognize the value and contribution of his employees EXEMPLIFIES a pervasive trend in America. He took them all for granted, just like employers across the country do every day and ahve been doing for decades since America started leaning on the middle-class with the GOP's trickle-down nonsense. But, it turned out that he was insanely wrong: the REAL refs actually do have highly specialized knowledge and skills that justify them being paid a premium for their services, not hung out to dry so the almighty employer can pocket more profit. So again, you need to thank CNN for sweeping yet another thing under teh rug so that discussion of it won't hurt your positions.
Clearly, Samuel L. Jackson is so passionate about Obama because he's black. And yet, if someone white votes for a candidate because he's white, that person is racist. Double standards big time. By putting Obama in power, white folks have shown that they are waaaay less racist then black folks.
Sam is telling the truth...ya'll really think Romey going to help ...let him in and see what will happen...not only blks will be on the side walk
Wow, the wisdom of TWO great political scholars of our time – first it was Madonna, now Samuel Jackson!! I'm so glad I have folks like this telling me who to vote for, I would be lost w/out their intellectual prowess and unending knowledge of world history, events, and international socio-political complexities!!!
(rolls eyes).
For all of you Sam Jackson haters here is a little trivia for you.....last year it was reported that Sam Jackson has been in more movies than any other actor in history. I guess he's not that irrelevant.
And this is for Willard, it's a line from one of Sam's many movies....... Willard, you done slid down a razor blade and landed in an alcohol river!
~Samuel L.Jackson talking to Omar Epps character in Juice!
OBAMA 2012!
kalibhakta
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.
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There you go... free healthcare... free college. Want some free clothes, free food, free housing, free smokes, and free retirement to go with that?
Good Lord!! What are you saying?? If people would actually wake up to anemic economic growth, high unemployment, taxmegeddon, and failed foreign policy they would NEVER vote for Obama! Fortunately most Obama supporters are still sound asleep....until the mail arrives to deliver their government check....as long as the Post Office doesn't finally go belly up......
If Sam Jackson and the rest of us blacks are only voting for President Obama because he is black, just whom did we vote for before 2008?? If you think blacks are only voting because he is black, do you think we would vote for Allen West, Condi, Artur Jackson or Herman Cain?? No we wouldn't. And apparently you idiots have your head in the sand regarding the 60% of white males that refuse to vote for a black man. Oh yes, there is plenty of racism showing this year from the right. From the birther bs to the pictures of our President with a spear and a bone through his nose. Exactly how many presidents have been pressed to publicly display their birth certificates????
OBAMA 2012!
@cazma250
Is that why the President is beginning to widen his lead in the polls? Haven't you notice how Independents and Republicans are starting to abandon the empty-chair party to join the progressive party? Game over!
Obama/Biden 2012!
For those of you that are still taking up or supporting Mitt Romney I cant believe that you dont get it. I would vote for Sarah Palin instead of him. He does not care about your grandmother or father. He doesnt care about your childrens health care or future. You are the 47%. What is it you dont understand Obama has gotten things better than they were when Bush was in....The Republicans didnt pass one jobs bill because they were so busy trying to hate Obama. They only reason why you could still be in the clouds about this is becasue of race. Dont let them get a hold of this country and either send us back into war. Or stop women basic rights. PLEASE