Comedian Gilbert Gottfried would ask Obama how he could avoid taxes

At the young age of 15, Gilbert Gottfried began doing stand-up at open-mic nights in New York City and, after a few short years, became known around town as “the comedian’s comedian.” After Gottfried spent spending several years mastering the art of stand-up, producers of the legendary NBC late-night comedy show “Saturday Night Live” became aware of him and, in 1980, hired him as a cast member. His true notoriety began when MTV hired him for a series of improvised and hilarious promos for the newly formed channel. This led to several television appearances on “The Cosby Show” and “Late Night With David Letterman.”

Gottfried’s work in television soon led to roles in film. Most notable was his improvised scene as business manager Sidney Bernstein in the hit sequel “Beverly Hills Cop II.” Aside from his glowing reputation in comedy clubs, Gottfried began to gain a reputation as the king of quirky roles in both movies and television. He appeared in such movies as “Problem Child,” “Problem Child II,” “Look Who’s Talking II” and “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.” Gottfried appeared in the hit comedy documentary “The Aristocrats” and served as host of the late-night movie series “USA Up All Night.” After his award-winning performance as the wise-cracking parrot, Iago, in the Disney classic “Aladdin,” Gottfried became one of the most recognizable voiceover talents, with his signature voice heard in commercials, cartoons and movies. Gottfried also is the voice of Digit in the long-running PBS series “Cyberchase.” Gottfried is a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and “The Howard Stern Show,” and is the creator of the recent best-seller Rubber Balls and Liquor and the DVD and CD “Gilbert Gottfried Dirty Jokes.”

GILBERT GOTTFRIED: What I’d like to discuss with the president is that he should be fully aware of the fact that being president will definitely get you laid. The issue I’d like to discuss with the president would be the Us magazine issue with the revealing in-depth interview with Khloe Kardashian.

RB: If you could ask the president to make one issue a priority for his first 90 days in office, what would it be?

GG: That’s easy. How I could make 10 times as much money and not pay taxes. Trust me — I think if he did that, it would be good for all Americans.

RB: What piece of advice would you give President Obama as he settles into his second term in office?

GG: You’ve got people working for you. Let them do all of it. You just appear on TV with a nice suit.

RB: If you were going to send the president to one of your favorite places in the United States for one day, where would that be? Why?

GG: That would be a pole-dancing place about half a mile from Newark Airport. The girls are fairly disgusting-looking, but being president, I’m sure he’ll get a few free drinks.

RB: What CD/piece of music would you recommend that the president add to his collection? Why?

GG: I would give him the CD “Gilbert Gottfried Dirty Jokes” on www.GilbertGottfried.com. Trust me, it’s another thing that’s good for all Americans.

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

GG: I would be perfect in politics. I am as full of s--t as anybody.

Robin Bronk is CEO of The Creative Coalition — the leading national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Bronk is a frequent speaker on the role of the entertainment industry in public advocacy campaigns and represents The Creative Coalition and its legislative agenda before members of Congress and the White House. She produced the feature film “Poliwood,” airing on Showtime, and edited the recently published book Art & Soul. Bronk pens this weekly column with assistance from Risa Kotek.