Will Ferrell became the subject of a playful “anti-social bit” story from Craig Robinson during his appearance on the “IMO” podcast—only for Ferrell to insist he was simply trying to figure things out, not performing for anyone at a White House party hosted du
Craig Robinson didn’t waste time testing Will Ferrell’s memory.
During Wednesday’s episode of Robinson’s “IMO” podcast, the comedian—also the brother of First Lady Michelle Obama—got right to a question that began the way a good backstage story often does: with an image Robinson clearly still had in his head.
Ferrell was at the White House during a President Barack Obama-hosted shindig. and Robinson remembered spotting him “walking around the White House with the straightest of faces not looking at anyone.” In Robinson’s telling. the silence wasn’t subtle. “You said not one word to anybody for the time that I saw you. ” he recalled. with “the music’s going on” and “everybody’s talking” around them.
“That’s what I meant,” Robinson said he thought at the time, insisting he believed Ferrell was there “doing some sort of gag, or bit.” He admitted the word “bit” wasn’t exactly what he would’ve said then, but the premise stayed the same.
Ferrell. who was promoting his upcoming Netflix golf series “The Hawk” and preparing for its debut on July 16. sounded genuinely thrown by the idea. “You haven’t met, but we were in the same place together,” Robinson began. “And I want to see if you remember this because I think that you were doing this on purpose.”.
“I’m trying to piece it together,” Ferrell replied.
Then Robinson doubled down—because, in his version, it wasn’t just a vibe. “I could never forget it,” he said, “because I know it was you, and I have a witness to go along with it.”
Robinson explained that he and his wife watched from nearby and concluded Ferrell’s behavior was somehow part of what made him funny. “I looked over at my wife and I said, ‘See, this is why this dude is the funniest dude in the world right here.’”
Ferrell didn’t follow that conclusion for long. “Right. But was it not a party?” he asked, apparently still working through what he’d been doing.
“There was like 300 people there,” Robinson said. “You’ve been to those parties. … And you had the straight face.”
Ferrell offered his own read on the moment, landing on a familiar brand of deadpan curiosity. “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. “I wouldn’t have — I think I was just literally being a nerd checking out sconces in the White [House], checking out wallpaper.”
To Robinson, the correction only made the story funnier. After Ferrell and Robinson went back and forth, Robinson laughed and decided, at least in his retelling, the mix-up made everything better.
Ferrell’s appearance on “IMO” goes further than this White House dispute. taking viewers through his path from growing up funny and devious in high school to “Saturday Night Live. ” then to falling in love with his wife and growing his family. The full episode is available below. including the video link to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG61-j7tAdo.
Will Ferrell Craig Robinson IMO podcast Michelle Obama Barack Obama White House party The Hawk Netflix golf series July 16 Saturday Night Live
Will Ferrell in the White House like that is kinda hilarious tbh.
So Craig Robinson says Will was “anti-social” but maybe Will was just like… nervous? Like come on lol. Also the article keeps saying “bit” like it’s a real crime.
Wait doesn’t Craig Robinson live in California?? How is he “brother of Michelle Obama” and also just casually hanging at the White House parties like it’s a family thing. Idk I’m confused. But if Will was quiet he probably thought he was in trouble or something.
I feel like this is just podcast content with everybody doing PR. Will Ferrell says he was “trying to piece it together” which is what everyone says when they don’t wanna admit they were messing around. Also “straightest of faces” sounds like the writer just wanted drama for clicks. And now there’s a golf show so of course it gets tied in.