The Time When Obama Referred to 'Interview' Star "James Flacco"
The president's remarks about 'The Interview' included a moment of unintentional humor
President Barack Obama flubbed on James Franco's name Friday, calling him "James Flacco," possibly confusing The Interview star with Joe Flacco, quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
During his last press conference of the year, Obama mentioned Seth Rogen and Franco in discussing the FBI's announcement that North Korea was behind the cyberattack on Sony.
"I think it says something interesting about North Korea that they decided to have the state mount an all-out assault on a movie studio because of a satirical movie starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco," Obama said.
Read more Obama Says Sony "Made a Mistake" Canceling 'The Interview' Release
The quarterback took the mistake in stride and tweeted a correction to Obama: "It's James Franco, not James Flacco."
Then he reached out to Franco with another tweet, welcoming him to the Flacco family. "Welcome to the family, brother," he wrote.
.@barackobama It's James Franco, not James Flacco đŸ˜‰
— Joe Flacco (@TeamFlacco) December 19, 2014
Welcome to the family, brother. @JamesFrancoTV
— Joe Flacco (@TeamFlacco) December 19, 2014
It didn't take long for others online to jump on the bandwagon, with a parody James Flacco account popping up — one combining the actor and the football player as one.
Thanks for the name drop, Mr. President. It's an honor.
— James Flacco (@JamesFlacco) December 19, 2014
I'd be more bummed about Sony yanking my movie, but I'm having the best season of my career.
— James Flacco (@JamesFlacco) December 19, 2014
Also, while I have you, I really want to apologize for Spider Man. It would've been a lot better if I got to show off my arm more.
— James Flacco (@JamesFlacco) December 19, 2014
Others also got in on the fun.
I found James Flacco... pic.twitter.com/l2WshlXum8
— Peyton's Head (@PeytonsHead) December 19, 2014
I thought James Flacco and Adele Dazeem were great in Philomania.
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) December 19, 2014
James Flacco and Seth Flogan in The Intervorp
— Eric Walkuski (@ericwalkuski) December 19, 2014
Maybe Obama confused James Franco and Joe Flacco because they're both misunderstood talents?
— Mark E. Ortega (@MarkEOrtega) December 19, 2014