Brian Cowen is back for St. Patrick's Day. Check the teleprompter!

Oh, it's going to be our favorite day. And not just because it's St. Patrick's Day. It's because Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen returns to the White House.

Why are we so excited?

If last year's meeting was any indication, it might be pretty memorable. The visit sparked "Obama teleprompter mania."

Last year, around this time, the president was getting ribbed for his use of a teleprompter. And it can be argued rightly so. He even used one at a rodeo.

But it was on St. Patrick's Day that the teleprompter really took center stage. The stuff of legends. And it created a legend.

Obama teleprompter implosion

When Cowen got up to deliver remarks (like he'll do today), he just started reading the lines on the teleprompter. He wasn't pay attention to what he was saying. He was just reading. Like a zombie.

Problem was, Cowen's remarks weren't loaded into the machine. Obama's speech was still in there.

"We begin by welcoming today a strong friend of the United States," Cowen began welcoming himself. And he continued.

Some time later, it hit him.

"That's your speech," a startled Cowen said to the president.

"Why don't these things work for me? Who said these things were idiot-proof?" he muttered (we don't think that was on the teleprompter).

The president, showing he had a sense of humor, played along when Cowen was done.

"First, I'd like to say thank you to President Obama," Obama mocked. Everyone laughed. End of deal.

Obama thanked himself!

Except, many in the media -- around the world -- took Obama's joke as a real mishap.

Blared a headline on Australia's SkyNews website: "Barack Obama thanks himself In teleprompt blunder during address with Irish PM on St. Patrick's Day."

"A laughing Mr Obama returned to the podium to take over but it seems the script had finally been switched and the US president ended up thanking himself for inviting everyone to the party," they wrote.

Obama teleprompter lives

Shortly thereafter, Obama teleprompter websites were launched. Obama teleprompter Twitter accounts took off. All claiming to be the living voice of the teleprompter itself.

On Cowen's mishap with the machine, "Barack Obama's Teleprompter Blog" said, "Well, last night didn't go well. What can I say? I was tired. By the time Barack and the Irish PM stood up, the President and I had already done two major policy speeches, three nomination announcements, and light dinner banter for a table of twelve."

Of course, who had the most fun? FOX News of course (see video below).

Will we see a repeat performance today? Hope springs eternal...

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