(Newser) – What's it like to direct the leader of the free world as he's hit with uncomfortable interview questions from a "short, fat" guy who smells "like Doritos"? Scott Aukerman, producer and director of Zach Galifianakis' awkward online interview show Between Two Ferns, says President Obama and the White House staff "were easier to work with than some people we’ve had on the show before who should have been easy to work with" while filming for yesterday's surprise sit-down. He and Galifianakis basically ran with whatever ideas they had, Aukerman tells Vulture.

Aukerman was, however, a little nervous about giving the president notes: "I remember asking someone, 'Am I allowed to speak to the president?' And they said, 'What do you mean?' And I said, 'Well, you know, I’m the director, am I allowed to direct the video?' They said, 'Of course!'" he recalls. His favorite part? Watching Obama rib Galifianakis over his Hangover co-star Bradley Cooper's superior looks. "I just loved how he was going for the jugular with Zach regarding Bradley Cooper. I could tell the president was really enjoying that, and that’s obviously a funny sore spot for Zach. I really enjoyed that exchange." The interview was a huge hit, and Funny or Die became the No. 1 traffic source to HealthCare.gov. (Read more Zach Galifianakis stories.)

