The President

In 1997, four former U.S. Presidents—Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush—gain superpowers after being struck by lightning during a celebrity golf tournament. This unexpected event marks the beginning of their adventures as a superhero team known as the X-Presidents.

The X-Presidents make their official television debut on January 11, 1997. This sketch introduces audiences to the humorous premise of Presidents turned superheroes, contrasting their former roles with their new identities.

Despite not having superpowers, former President Bill Clinton frequently joins the X-Presidents on their missions. His role adds a dynamic element to the group, showcasing teamwork among different political figures.

The wives of the X-Presidents form their own group called The X-First Ladies. This team showcases their unique powers and flair, providing comedic balance to the superhero exploits of their husbands.

In the episode titled 'Nixon', Richard Nixon is brought back to life along with his dog Checkers to assist the X-Presidents. This resurrection plays into the comedic absurdity of the series and adds an iconic figure to the superhero roster.

In 'The Hunt for Osama', former Republican candidate Bob Dole is portrayed as the butler at the group's headquarters. He expresses his eagerness to join the hunt for terrorist Osama bin Laden, prompting Reagan's humorous response.

In the 'Propaganda' episode, the X-Presidents recruit Tom Kenny, who voices SpongeBob SquarePants, to create a pro-Iraq War cartoon. However, the disturbing content leads Kenny's character to abandon the project, highlighting the absurdity of wartime propaganda.

Throughout the series, various political figures such as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney make cameo appearances. These cameos serve to poke fun at real-life political scenarios and add layers to the comedy.

Each episode concludes with the X-Presidents singing a comical song that encapsulates the episode's message. This playful ending reinforces the show's lighthearted tone and engages the audience musically.

The Ambiguously Gay Duo, another famous animated series, makes a special guest appearance in the episode 'The Hunt for Osama'. This crossover adds a meta-humor layer and ties together different comedic universes.

The series broadly parodies classic Hanna-Barbera and Filmation cartoons from the 1970s. This nostalgic approach appeals to older audiences while providing relatable humor through geopolitical satire.

In 2006, creator Robert Smigel announced that he had written a script for a potential X-Presidents film directed by Adam McKay. This proposed adaptation shows the continued popularity and potential of the series beyond its original run.