This animated series brings together four former American Presidents alive in 1997 — Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush — all voiced by Jim Morris. They unite as a superhero team, a concept that first premiered on January 11, 1997, and spanned nine episodes from 1997 to 2004. The extraordinary metamorphosis of these leaders into superheroes occurs during a thunderous lightning strike at a celebrity golf tournament. The title cleverly plays on their status as ex-Presidents while also nodding to the renowned Marvel Comics series, X-Men. Even though Bill Clinton lacks superpowers, he occasionally provides support to the group.
In the memorable episode titled "Nixon," the notorious Richard Nixon along with his faithful dog Checkers, makes a surprising comeback to assist the team. Another engaging storyline appears in "The Hunt for Osama," featuring Bob Dole, notable for his roles as the Republican presidential candidate in 1996 and as the vice-presidential candidate in 1976. In this episode, he serves as the butler at the team's headquarters and expresses his desire to join the mission to track down Osama bin Laden. Ronald Reagan humorously responds, "Dole, just be glad we let you be butler."
Another noteworthy episode, "Propaganda," showcases Tom Kenny reprising his iconic role as SpongeBob SquarePants, who is recruited by the group to create a pro-Iraq War cartoon. However, he soon becomes disillusioned due to the offensive and inappropriate content. This episode also features George W. Bush at the beginning and end, alongside a cameo by Dick Cheney.
Each episode concludes with the X-Presidents performing a song that encapsulates the message of the episode, bringing a melodic resolution to their humorous escapades. A special guest appearance by The Ambiguously Gay Duo, another segment crafted by Robert Smigel and J. J. Sedelmaier, occurs in "The Hunt for Osama." The series effectively parodies the beloved cartoons of Hanna-Barbera and Filmation from the 1970s, serving both as a tribute and a comedy piece.
In a 2006 interview, Smigel revealed plans for a feature film based on X-Presidents, written with Adam McKay, hinting at the enduring appeal and potential expansion of this whimsical satire.
