Bush Bashing Brings Big Bucks

Never misunderestimate the gullibility of Bush bashers to part ways with their money just to revel in cheap shots against the former president. These are the same people who quake in their boots at the mere notion of an Obama joke.

WHILE most of Manhattan is being rattled by the recession, there's a little patch of West 48th Street that's still enjoying boom times.

The Cort Theatre has become a virtual gold mine, with Will Ferrell's "You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George Bush" playing to packed houses night after night.

Ferrell wraps up his six-week run Sunday, and backers of the show say they expect a profit of at least $1 million on their $2 million investment.

Had Ferrell extended for two weeks - something investors rubbed their knees raw on the floor praying for - the show would have raked in another $1 million, one backer says.

"Those last two weeks would have been pure gravy," the source says.

As star and co-creator, Ferrell is said to be pulling down more than $75,000 a week, making him the highest-paid actor on Broadway this season.

I don't know too many actors who'd pass up an easy $150,000 to $200,000 for a two-week extension, but as a person close to Ferrell says, "The money doesn't matter. He gets $20 million a movie. Besides, he's proved his point. He's a box-office star on Broadway, and he can come back whenever he wants."

Granted, we'll likely never see a play poking fun at Obama. Besides, it's a daily tragicomedy unfolding before our eyes.