Tom Hanks couldn’t resist poking fun at MS NOW’s streaming platform during a live interview from the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, jokingly asking what he could do for the “800 people watching.” According to Mediaite, the Oscar-winning actor made the quip while speaking with MS NOW correspondent Jacob Soboroff, who was covering the star-studded Thursday event. Soboroff had been interviewing attendees and supporters of former President Barack Obama when he crossed paths with Hanks, who immediately leaned into a bit of playful jabs.
Hanks: What can I do for the 800 people watching MSNOW? pic.twitter.com/ae9NmMmYzY
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“What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?” Hanks asked.
Soboroff quickly pushed back, reminding him they were live. “Oh, come on. We’re live on MS NOW,” he said.
“Okay, add a zero to it if you need to,” Hanks replied, doubling down on the joke.
Soboroff countered by suggesting the audience had just grown. “I would say millions now that you’re on our air.”
“Alright, alright,” Hanks said, before shifting into a more serious tone as the interview got underway.
Despite the lighthearted start, Hanks spoke warmly about the event and the remarks delivered by Barack Obama. A longtime supporter of the former president, Hanks emphasized that Obama’s message focused not on nostalgia, but on continued civic responsibility.
He described the speech as a reminder that progress is ongoing, not something confined to a single historic moment. Hanks said he was particularly struck by the idea that each person has a role to play, adding that he hoped to revisit the speeches later and share them with his children.
The actor also noted the sweltering conditions at the outdoor ceremony, joking that the heat forced him to improvise his applause by tapping a fan against his hat because he couldn’t put it down.
Soboroff later circled back to Hanks’ earlier jab as the interview wrapped.
“Thanks for stopping by and for adding the zero to our ratings today,” he said.
Hanks leaned into the bit one last time: “I can hear the clicks happening before my very eyes.”
