The shows all share the same basic structure of a faux campaign ad for Ronald Reagan, satirizing his social policies, particularly those regarding drugs and minorities.
[4] The play is presented as sixteen interlinking musical numbers, each attacking some political position of Reagan's or examining the effects Reaganomics had on the American economy and culture of the 1980s.
The New York Times praised the more overtly satirical numbers, particularly those related to Reagan's job policies and views on women's rights, but criticized Trudeau's efforts to be more serious, calling them "more sincere than compelling".
"[1] Conversely, the television movie was negatively reviewed, with the Los Angeles Times calling it "incessantly unfunny" and criticizing the show for reusing the same jokes that several other comedians had been using about Reagan for years, without enough original material or insights.
The show is referenced again in the episode "Lisa on Ice", with Kent Brockman delivering a sensationalized news headline: "President Reagan dyes... his hair, says Garry Trudeau in his new musical comedy revue!"