Orrin Hatch - United States senator, or stand-up comedian?

Utah's senior senator played both roles Tuesday, when he spoke at a luncheon sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America, Hollywood's lobbying arm in Washington, D.C.

According to this account in The Hollywood Reporter, Hatch talked seriously about politics to the assembled audience - which included the heads of most of the major movie studios - about pushing legislation to fight "the pervasive problem of piracy" of intellectual property. Hatch also opined that President Barack Obama's budget and tax policies will hurt industry, including the movie business.

Then Hatch put on his metaphorical clown nose.

Looking at Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook, Hatch said, "Disney, you meet our standards. The rest of you bums, I'll tell you..."

He also recalled filming a 15-minute scene for Steven Soderbergh's movie "Traffic," which was cut to 11 seconds in the movie. "I'm really resentful of you people," Hatch said.

Here, according to The Hollywood Reporter, was Hatch's capper:

Hatch also earned laughs with a list of things he has learned from the movies. It included: Fleeing heroes can always find cover in a St. Patrick's Day parade any day and soldiers survive wars unless making the mistake of showing someone a picture of their sweetheart back home.

Thank you. You've been a great audience. Tip your waiters.

Labels: Barack Obama, movies, Orrin Hatch, politics