WASHINGTON — In case there was any doubt about the perspective behind the
"I think we were interested in the challenge of, how do you satire of someone who you're rooting for," said Molly Erdman, a Los Angeles-based actress who plays Warren announcing her candidacy.
The goal was to take Warren's "take-charge, let's-cut-the-crap mentality" and exaggerate it, Erdman said.
The character is just as fiery and populist as the real Elizabeth Warren, but also a lot more foul-mouthed.
In one of the few printable bits of dialogue in the two-and-a-half minute video, Erdman says, "You know, I grew up on the ragged edge of the middle class, and I know it's hard out there. Hell, I joined a gang when I was only 11. I've broken a man's arm just to see what it looked like. But you know what I did after that? I broke my own arm. It's called empathy."
The fake Warren also pledges a renewed focus on "retribution" against Wall Street, including giving Americans a "revenge" voucher that would enable people to kick a banker in a sensitive area. Later, she compliments her opponent, Sen. Scott Brown, for creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before commenting, "Oh, wait — that was me," and then proceeding to drink a giant can of Coors Light.
Erdman, a former member of the Second City improv comedy group in Chicago who spent hours watching video of Warren, absolutely nails the part. She does a great job of mimicking Warren's voice, and she also gets the hand gestures right.
The video was the brainchild of Eddie Geller, a comedian and political activist who is also a friend of Erdman.
"So we bought a wig and some glasses," said Erdman, "and we shot it in my apartment."
The video was an instant hit on Youtube, attracting more than 100,000 views in the first three days it was online.
This is hardly the only time Warren has gone viral. Last year, more than 70,000 people viewed a video featuring comic Ryan Anthony Lumas rapping about the CFPB creator to a song entitled "
