A fake comedy interview between US president Barack Obama and actor Zach Galifianakis has gone viral, demonstrating to politicians around the world how to get their message across to a younger generation.

Obama rolled with the jibes from the Hangover star, and replied in kind, in a sketch where the White House did not ruled anything off limits according to an interview with director Scott Aukerman in Vulture.

The collaborative nature of the production, and the president’s willingness to have his weaknesses poked at by a comedian, appears to have paid off in getting the word out about Healthcare.gov, with more than 12 million people watching the video in only a couple of days.

Politicians should take note, that actually embracing culture can earn the respect of millions, when you appear as a stark contrast to the majority in Washington and Westminster that never want to answer questions directed at them, and only superficially embrace pop culture, which ends up looking smarmy and over-managed by teams of spin doctors.