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October 20th, 2008
10:57 AM ET
Behind the scenes at 'SNL' with PalinIn a word, it was electric. I have been to "Saturday Night Live" many times over the years, but I’ve never seen people so excited about a guest appearance - in this case, Sarah Palin. And the ratings proved everyone was excited, with "SNL" scoring its highest viewership in 14 years. Let me take you through the process. First off, you’re told to arrive no later than 10 p.m. That’s 90 minutes before showtime. Once I got my tickets, a member of the crew came down to get me and take me to the 8th floor. That’s where you go if you’re seated on the floor versus in the balcony, and I was lucky enough to be sitting second row. What a vantage point! Before the show started, Jason Sudeikis (the actor who plays Joe Biden) came out to warm up the crowd with some jokes. Then, Fred Armisen (aka Barack Obama) and Kristin Wiig entertained the crowd with a song - Kristin on vocals, Fred on guitar. The show itself is really something to see, especially if you’re on the floor. Sets are going up and down, all in a matter of minutes. Josh Brolin - the guest host - literally ran off stage between sketches holding the hand of a crew member. But the best part was the political sketches. To have Tina Fey and Sarah Palin together on the same show was a gift from the humor gods. Truly. The "Weekend Update" segment featuring Palin and Amy Poehler rapping about her was arguably one of the funniest moments in "SNL" history. The crowd went wild. After the show, Tina Fey - who recently told TV Guide she’d "leave earth" if McCain and Palin were elected - actually hugged Palin. And the governor - ever the politician - shook hands with members of the audience on her way out. It was definitely a night to remember. I’d tell you about the after party with the cast, but that’s classified. - Alina Cho, CNN |
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Palin went on SNL because she had to. It's called politics.
What a night it must have been!! Years and years from now, we will still remember those 2 sketches and even if Palin ends up fading away like past VP candidates on a losing ticket, I think her name will still be remembered because of the great SNL interpretation of her and connection with her. You were very lucky to get to witness it in person!!
I think we have forgotten that politicians can still have a sense of humor. Alaskans know that Govenor Palin (Alaska's First Lady) is the real deal and to see her "jammin" while Amy Poehler and the Alaskan Natives did their version of "hip hop" it doesn't get much better than that. Props go out to Tina Fey – if needed she could be Vice President Palin's double – you know how that works.
Palin tryed to ride in on Fey's coat-tails. Palin wanted to win more people over, which may be all well and good, but the move was false. Palin cannot pull comedy - at least, not on purpose!
The rap was one of the funniest moments in SNL history??
SNL is a TV Comedy Show. They ask people to come on the show, you do not have to go. You could say NO!! I don't think it was smart for Sarah to do the show, but she did and people have to get pass that. Look at McCain on Letterman, he made an ass out of himself and nobody is saying anything about that. If people decide to vote based on what they see on TV and on Comedy Shows then we are going to be in for another long four years. People need to get the facts.
LBW – How many times can you be wrong in one post?
1. SP is not cute.
2. It's SNL, not SLN.
3. You knew the end was near when Molly Shannon was on? She's been off the show for seven years. I hope you don't think the end of the Iraq war is near!
4. She is going to do fine? Really? Then why can't she answer any questions from the press?
Frank Blocker,
If you think that you can judge a persons character based on an appearance on a sketch-comedy show then you are missing a few screws in the head. Its nut-jobs like you that scare the hell out of me due to the fact you are allowed to vote and decide who should run our country. Sickening!
I loved it. You have got to admit that she is cute. As for SLN, when that Molly woman came aboard and was always sniffing her pits, I knew that the end has to be near. Palin is a breath of fresh air. She is going to do fine.
Anyone who made their decision on who to vote for based on an appearance on SNL doesn't deserve the right to vote!
It's entertainment, not reality! Do your research, get the facts on both sides, and decide based on the facts, not whether or not you liked the candidate on a TV show.
Sheesh, people, no wonder our government is going to hell in a handbasket.
I thought everyone won that one. SNL got killer ratings and Palin carried her part off just fine (well, it's not her first time behind a news desk). The whole "Baldwin and Fey melting away at the sight of the Real Thing" shtick was the right gag for the right time.
I'm no fan of Palin politically, but at least she can take a joke.
All of you are just democractic fools that cant get humor...Thats why you all vote for "change"....and even that wont help you
Palin was great
A few things ...
1. Palin was not 'nice' or 'brave' to go on SNL. It is a political move. Same as Obama, Hilary, Guilanni and Huckabee not to mention countless others over the years. It's not noble. It's a calculated move to attemp to tamp down Fey's hysterical mocking of her by pretending she's in on the joke. Given the popularity of Fey's impersonation, Palin pretty much HAD to go on to stop the bleeding. The aftermath is everybody that liked her still likes her and everybody that didn't still doesn't.
2. She did nothing on the show to make her more endearing. She didn't poke fun at herself. She just sat there while others did. Hilary, at least, made fun of her own laugh.
3. A few of these posts refer to "she should have done the rap herself."
Hi people, this is the real world calling. There was NEVER any intention that she would do the rap. That was just the 'set-up' to the joke.
4. I've watch SNL since the beginning. I really enjoy the show. Not every skit is hilarious but I really like what they do there. It's a LIVE show written on Wednesday and performed on Saturday. Every season's cast has some real bright spots and this year is no exception. Good stuff.
5. In the interest of full disclosure – Obama/Biden 08!
SNL is very very lucky that this an election season because the rest of the show sucks!! Other than the Palin skits, the entire season up to this point has been terrible. The cast is not talented enough to carry the less than mediocre writing. Every skit fell flat and only got awkward sympathy laughs from the audience. I actually felt bad for Josh Brolin!! This has been happening every week since the season started. SNL better savor these ratings because once the election is over and Tina fey goes back to her day job, the show will be exposed for what it really is!! This show should be attracting some the best and brightest young comics and writers, yet everyone on the show is terrible with the exception of Amy Poeller and Darrell Hammond. I feel bad for them as well. Note to Lorne Michaels: Clean house and overhaul the cast as well as the writers. Their attempt at smart witty skits are only coming off as awkward and anything but funny. Get some fresh talent in there to try and restore SNL to its former glory, please!!
no one
neither
democratic or republic
nor
liberal or conservative
have any clue
- any clue -
as to what is really going on
in the show...
in politics...
in reality...
not to mention their lives
show me real DISCOURSE here
or disappear
Frank Blocker – why are you so hateful? You have some serious personal issues. The attacks on Palin are so personal - Who Died and Made You God??? That goes to everyone else who Personally Hates Palin. It's nothing but jealousy, or Whatever, but it is Personal and it's you who have the serious issues!! I guess you hate mongers must all be PERRRRFECT!
Its COMEDY and it seems most don't get that or have watched the show for long periods of time.
All this analysis is enough to explode my brain. It’s a COMEDY bit. If you didn't like it, don't laugh and move on.
Who can forget the time Steve Forbes went on and did a bit where he was in ty dye and smoked a bong. Al Gore and the lockbox. Ross Perot and the general driving down the highway after the VP debate. Classics, and this one will be too.
Hey Frank,
Who "aint" got no class ?
Your words condemn only you.
Blogs really show how bitter people are. Are your lives that miserable? It's a 30 year old plus COMEDY SHOW! GET A LIFE.
Tina Fey is going to "leave planet earth" if McCain/Palin wins the election because then she will have to play Palin for 4 more years. Even though she's likely to vote for the opposition, Fey's comments were an explanation of her own busy schedule. She's not slamming Palin. She's saying she doesn't want to be stuck being an impersonator for 4 years while there are other projects that already keep her very busy. So Fey's comment should NOT be interpreted as political. Quit taking things out of context and pay attention.
Gathering from the anit-Palen posts, it's quite clear that some are threatened by her. C'MON, people, SNL is a comedy show, nothing more! Palen's appearance was good for the show (look at the ratings) and for her (if you can't laugh at yourself, you are one sorry pup). What, are the die-hard Democratic posters afraid that Sarah's appearance will take some of Obama's momentum away? GET A LIFE! The show was VERY funny, and Sarah is one of the most physically attractive politicians to come along in a LONG time (sorry , Hillary, you might have an Ivy League school law education but you don't have Sarah's good looks!). Too bad Sarah is not running for President – then both tickets would have a headliner with plenty of fluff and no stuff – O'man and Sarah have are equally prepared/unprepared to be President. But as history has shown time and time again, the President is only as good/bad as the Presidential Cabinet surrounding him/her. ENOUGH WITH POLITICS – Sarah Palen hit a home run with her appearance on SNL! I agree with some other posters – too bad SNL didn't have her parody Tina Fey on Weekend Update, or have Tina & Sarah do a joint news conference. But they can always bring them back.
When T Fey said that she would leave earth, I think it was more because she doesn't want to have to play her for 4 years.
Boooring! Palin hardly did anything, and it was a boring episode. There have been plenty of good skits in recent years (Chris Parnell rapping, anyone? Lazy Sunday?) and Palin should have done the rap herself. Since she didn't, and just sat there, it was incredibly boring. Why bother?
SNL hasn't "brought the funny" on a consistant basis for a long time. I didn't think this particular skit was particularly humerous, but it wasn't a dud either. I'm not sure if the laughs camefrom the situational aspect of the skit (the Real McCoy arrives during the send up) or the undeniable discomfort of Sarah Palin being surrounded by a group that is politically opposite of her.
The most annoying aspect of these sort of guest appearance are the lame, next-day (and next week) news stories that they generate. I have never seen a group of professionals with worse sense of timing or humor than news anchors. It kills the joy when you hear their fake laughs (at something they've clearly seen a dozen times before), and then their own lame attempts at a follow-up joke.
Stewart, Colbert, Maher...those guys get it. In 1/2 an hour I get more laughs from any of those gentlemen than I do from a hour and a half of SNL.
I don't care for Sarah Palin or her politics, but I'll give her points for going on SNL. Comedy doesn't come easy for everybody, and even the good ones rehearse, rehash and review before they do it before a live audience. I'm betting she didn't spend a whole lot of time with the cast before her appearance like a normal week's guest star does. I agree with the other posters who already commented about politicians needing to be able to laugh at themselves a little.
Don't know why Fey would hug Palin but at the end of every show they get huggy on SNL so who knows. Palin was soundly dissed and should never have appeared on the show. But being the nitwit she is she mistook "being a good sport" for "save face and stay as far away from them as you can get."
I cannot agree with the rap being "one of the funniest moments" in SNL history, as I couldn't understand 90% of what Amy was screeching.....though you didn't have to know what was being said when the Moose danced out and was shot dead. Hilarious!
Um, the rap was among the funnier moments of the evening, and maybe in the upper 50% of funny bits from this season, but as for the gushing "best . . . sketch . . . ever," I would have to laugh AT your comment, not with it, Alina.
ONE WORD:
TOOPID
Lighten up people!!
I loved the skit it was hilarious! I am an Obama supported but kudos to Palin for going on there and making fun of herself. And some people are right, why is everyone analyzing this, it was supposed to be funny and it's OK if people didn't think it was. BUT to go as far as calling Palin names, come on! I'm not even voting for her but there's no reason for hatred here.
The beginning part was really DUMB and too long.
The rap was a lot funnier. Honestly, they disrespected her pretty badly. I am not at all a Palin fan and enjoyed the parody. I imagine those who like her and/or McCain backers found it objectionable.
Palin did an ok job on SNL, but if making a mockery of yourself is a presidential job skill, George Bush would be the greatest president ever.
Even funnier then SNL, is the Family Guy tv show. I loved the episode last night with the Mccain/Palin campaign button on the Nazi uniform.
Good job Seth!
Shouldn't you people on here stop complaining and wasting time about the way Sarah Palin looks and acts and turn your country around. It doesn't matter if Dems or Reps get into the White House. Only you can change the way you're life is heading, not some politician. So get off your butts, put the computer mouse and the cell phone down, and get out and improve your life. By the way, she is very hot and welcome in Canada anytime.
Okay, you need to lighten up. Most of you are liberal hippie's following the "messiah". I'm glad we got to see Gov. Palin on SNL AND did you ever think that Amy Poehler is dancing and singing on there because she wants to? I mean she has been on there for the past 8 months pregnant and doing the same stuff and no one is complaing about that.
Governor Palin was hilarious on SNL. I loved the rap skit. It was great. Alec Baldwin was good also with Palin. This was one of their better shows. Palin was a good sport to go on the show. She's a very smart woman, and McCain used good judgement in picking her for his running mate!!
I don't mind Mrs. Palin doing SNL but I do continue to wonder why she doesn't do other shows – Meet the Press, etc. Actually, I think I know why...she needs a script to rely upon. She's not good when she's being herself (see Couric interview), but is when she's delivering someone else's words. I think it is funny that some people believe the scripted Palin more than they believe the unscripted.
And I mean "funny" in the saddest, most pathetic way possible.
The real humor in all of this is the response politicians, or anyone, give when asked how they feel about going on SNL. "Oh, what an honor to be a part of a great show with such tradition". From someone that saw Andy Kaufman and Not Ready for Prime Time Players when the show first went on air in mid 70's , this show has been in a cryogenic freeze since the brief Myers blip in the early 90's. Notice I didn't say "on life support" because it died along time ago. Next, politicians will be eager for a spot on another dead zone show – MTV. Yes I am the older guy, and proud to be a part of "real" history (SNL, Woodstock, pong, Beatles)...sorry for the younger gen with Britney!
Some of you like your opinions way too much. Please grow up.
I am not a big Palin fan but she was a good sport putitng up with the juvenile SNL "crew." Would Barrack sit there and bop out if they did a song about his drinking, getting a little "blow"? No, he would probably give them his professorial stern look that he has perfected so well.
Before the wrap, Palin said she decided not to do it. Does anyone know if that was true or part of the act. Did she really turn down the chance to do the wrap, was she unable to learn it (or read the teleprompter) or is not a good dancer or what. I think it would have been funny if she did it.
As for the people who see SNL as propaganda, it is a comedy show. They make their money by being funny. Thus the go after all sides. remember the weekly skewering of Bill Clinton? Before people get all emotional about favoring one group or another, remember it is the job of political humorists to go after those in power and, for the 33 years of SNL, the Democrats have only been in office for 12 so when people have the impression that they are picking on only one party, remember the Carter jokes (killer rabbit comes to mind) and Clinton ones which hit much harder about much more private matters. People only see what they want to see. It is a shame, In the spirit of Will Rogers, humor is humor and it hits both sides. My guess is the right thought it funny when they did the media favoring Obama during the campaign with people playing Obama and H R Clinton. No matter who they are satirizing, I give them credit for being able to come up with skits about things that may have only happened a day or two before. These are a group of talented and funny people. They do 90 min. a week live. It is not perfect. Many skits are week. BUT when they hit a home run, they are like nothing else since That Was the Week that Was. It is well worth watching through the luke warm skits just to be able to see the great ones. Tina Fey's Palin has to rank right up there with their classics.
As for sense of humor, I am glad the candidates have a better sense of humor than some of the folks who post here. Remember Pres. Bush the Elder even invited Dana Carvey to the White House on the basis of his impression of the former president.
If anyone needs a sense of humor, it must be those we elect for high office. I am glad most of them in either party do.
If Palin on SNL was the best SNL episode you have ever seen then you obviously never watched SNL. I wonder if she went into hiding for the weekend getting prepped for her apperence like she did for the debate. At least we know she can learn her lines quickly.
I guess gone are the days of leades maintaining a sense of dignity.
Yeager
K at 12:58 had the best post yet.
I'm not a McCain/Palin supporter but I think it was great that she went on the show, made fun of herself and displayed a great sense of humor.
To all the people that think Palin "didn't get it".. get over it! Palin is not dumb..she knew exactly what was going on and she went along with it.
If you don't think the McCain campaign knew exactly what was coming, you're wrong.
Sarah is smart..just not prepared to be VP in my opinion.
Wow. That was an impressive political move by Sarah Palin. She was on the same show as Donnie Wahlberg pretending to talk to a donkey promoting his new movie...and of course the (insert facetious tone) hilarious "fart face" skit. I'm sure the 13 year-olds will be out in droves voting for her now!
"but do we really want a person who could possibly be elected, and COULD possibly become the President if anything happened to McCain, bopping her head up and down and “raising the roof”? Imagine that image juxtaposed with her sitting down with the Vladimir Putin cronies (yes, he still is in charge) and trying to talk about arms negotiations. What she going to say to them? "
Constantine-
Is Barack going to dance with them (like he did on Ellen). Or maybe we'll call Bill back and have him play some saxaphone for the KGB. This was SNL... it is a comedy show for goodnes sake?
What is wrong with you dems/libs? You are so blinded by your vehement hatred for anything non-liberal that all you can do is spit venom.
you say no class? Kettle...meet pot
Alina, you're very lucky you've been to the show "many times over the years." I've tried for years to get tickets and never get them. If you have a secret (other than waiting the morning of outside) please let me know. Thanks.
Listen, I'm no fan of Palin or McCain but she really did all she can do. The rap – hilarious and Tina Fey was great. But you can't get on her about the dancing eskimos in the background – she didn't write but she did play along nicely. I think people would complain no matter what she did. What was with the animal's butt right behind her the entire time in the opening sketch though?
The anti-McCain anti-Palin crowd is full of first-class haters and narrow-minded know-it-alls. Their common sense and points of view are as hypenated as this first sentence. Actually, both Obama and McCain have excellent qualifications to be president and either realistically could be very good leaders if given the opportunity. But the haters usually can only offer support that includes simultaneous vitriol against those they hate. So, here's an interesting probability; voters who don't want to join, support, or enable this hater crowd may in exasperation actually backlash and vote against its candidate in order stop this constituency from having much influence over the next four years. A vote against the crowd rather than aganist its candidate could actually be a major factor in electing McCain.
Hey Frank,
Get a life. Perhaps she was just showing a sense of humor. Maybe get your head out of your a ** and calm down a bit?
....this country has forgotten how to laugh at itself. The point of satire or "goofing" on someone is the absurdity of it. The very fact that what you are making fun of, whether it be someone or something, is so off base and untrue that it is ABSURD!!! Stereotypes exist because they are typically not real!!! If nothing else, they make us hold ourselves up to a mirro and have a good laugh.
Why do dancing Eskimo's have to constitute a repressed race of people? Why is it that ever body has an issue with what someone else has said????
Why can we not laugh together and realize we are just human, prone to foibles and peculiarities and revel in the absurdity of it all?
No wonder half the population is dropping dead of heart attacks. We have forgotten how to laugh!!
I thought this whole Idea Sarah Palin on SNL was very stupid.
I didn't watch it . She's a woman with no class and lots of people seem to be taken with her.
Hmm ... could it be they can associate?
People, the part when she said I am not going to do this was part of the sketch. She did not just come out and decide that, it was a play off her not answering any questions. And Amy is prego, very prego. As an Obama supporter i liked seeing her out there. I thought it was funny, maybe after she losses she can be a member of the cast.
I thought Sarah Palin was used by SNL just as she is being used by McCain......sad....
SNL Saturday's show was funny and entertaining. Laughter is God's free medical advice for us all.
"Comments are moderated by CNN, in accordance with the CNN Comment Policy, and may not appear on this blog until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. "
CNN..... I guess it is ok for Frank to deride a woman and call her a "Ho" because she is a conservative right?
I thought Imus got fired for using the term "Ho"?
Now that she's made time for SNL, why not make time for Meet The Press?
Very funny...Obvious Strategery for the Republicans to laugh at themselves so the Democratics can't do it to 'em first.
I thoroughly enjoyed this for exactly what it was – entertainment on a comedy show. Palin was great.
Isn't this stupid election over yet?
Sigh.
Palin read her cue cards and let the cast carry the weight. Tina Fey may have presented the closest we will ever see of a Sarah Palin news conference. The campaign is terrified of her answering unscripted questions. SNL continues its terrific history panning both parties that is its comedic legacy.
Someone wrote, "If you don't like Sarah Palin, you should not have tuned into the show" or something like that. What? I only watch SNL's spoof of her because I do NOT like her (rather do not like her politics as I know little about her as a person).
Did anyone notice that she seemed to be trying to "control" her weird accent? She sounded funnier with the fake "no accent" than when she speaks in her normal accent.
Her appearance showed that she could smile and mug for a camera despite what was going on around her. Much like the role she plays in the McCain campaign - she gets to say things about Obama that are untrue, despite the factual evidence around her. This takes a real talent.
The show was ok, the funniest part being the rap and the moose getting shot. But Palin didn't really do anything but show up and say a couple of sentences. That is just boring.
To Frank Blocker: It's a comedy show. Think about it. What were you expecting Sarah to do? I thought it was genius. All the skits with Sarah Palin in them were pure comic genius.
To Nikki: Sarah Palin is not the first politician to appear on SNL. It's almost a right of passage for politicians to appear on SNL. It gives them a more approachable persona.
To Rick in LA: SNL has been around 33 years. It's not going anywhere.
To Bubba: You sound like a fool, too.
i am an Obama/Biden supporter, however i thought it took guts to come on SNL and poke fun of yourself given the tension of the country and economy right now, she knows how her prior interviews went, she can see in the media the perception of her from both the red and blue states, she needed to go on to be more human, prove she is just like the rest of us and can laugh with the best of us, kudos to the govenor and her campaign for letting her on the show. the funniest monent? maybe not, but pretty high up there for SNL.
Hey Constantine... you have obviously missed the SNL episodes with Hillary and Barrack then.
Just about every major political player has made at least one appearance on SNL. Get a clue.
Frank... where to begin... it's a called a joke you moron. It's supposed to be absurd.
As for Sarah, I thought she did great.
Amy Poehler was absolutely awesome.
Very true to the person that said she needs to go on Meet The Press and not SNL!!!!!! Too bad Tim Russert is not here to challenge her. If you think she sounded ridiculous with Katie Couric.......put her on a show that would challenge her and her abilities.
Both sides of this forum are so biased that it degrades the commentary. Name calling? PLEASE! Palin showed some bravery going on that show and it could have gone very bad for her with that audience. She definitely has a bright future.....just hopefully not in the White House.
Palin did herself no favors by being on a show that featured a guy shooting a ping pong ball out of his rectum and many skits about the economic mess that this country is in and the ineffectual leadership of Bush. She had to appear on SNL, however, lest Tina Fey's impression eclipse her own image. However, it was a disaster and won her no votes.
I laughed though, glad I saw it. But then again I don't like her.
I think she proved she won't be intimidated by anyone.
As for SNL, it hasn't been funny in years.
Most of the euphoric recall is from the fact it has been on so long.
If they do 5 funny skits a year, that's a portfolio of 50 in 10 years.
It seems like a lot of material looking back but come on, the show sucks.
Whether you liked the skit or not, mad props to what seemed like a 10 month pregnant Poehler, still working, and rapping on live TV, despite being so close to due.
Kudos.
I agree with you Rick. Everyone needs to relax.
Take a little time to NOT hate those who dont agree with you so much.
You may be happier without all the anger. Oh, that and its JUST A TV SHOW. Seriously. Maybe she doesnt deserve to be VP but my god people, calling her a whore? Come on.
Um...I didn't think Palin was impressive...rather she did what she does...let everyone else do the work, then have everyone else give her credit? Duh. I'm gonna miss Amy when she leaves, and I got to give her props for being so physical during her pregnancy. Her baby bumb is hugh!
The Palin skit was merely cute. As somebody who watched SNL from the Not Ready For Prime Time cast and a portion of the 80s, and only watched on occasion ever since, I watched the next 40 minutes after the Palin skit. Not was the writing weak, but the late Gilda Radner had more genuine talent than all of the current cast *combined*! Tina Fey notwithstanding (since she technically isn't a cast member anymore). While Fey and Jimmy Fallon made Weekend Update great again, the less said about today's SNL the better. Back to Comedy Central...
Bubba??!!! somebody named their child Bubba? Mcain/Palin may not win next month .... but watch the numbers for the support they get. The nation is divided. The SNL show was alright for late night comedy ... and nothing more .... just entertainment.
"First, for Palin to be be-bopping while faux-Eskimos danced behind her…well, it’s always okay to degrade native people, so we’ll just let that, go, right? Second, AGAIN she’s got a pregnant woman doing all the work while she sits there (just like having her daughter hiding her pregnancy during the convention by holding her squirming little brother for HOURS). Finally, going back to first scene, she’s really okay with Alec Baldwin saying to her, “you look much hotter in person?” This skanky Ho ain’t got no class, people. Noooooooooo class."
Oh Frank get a grip. Her hubby is part Eskimo. As far as the pregnant woman you really are stretching things to make her look bad. lol It`s a comedy show Frank.....get it.....comedy. Laugh a little and lighten up.
Pailn was good on the show and is very likable but if you guys vote her in your crazy. Canada is waiting to see what happens in November.
What is realllly funny is the amount of energy you all are putting into to debating whether or not she was good on....get this SNL. People she is a VP candidate. Let's talk about that sad fact.
Talk about a waste of time here.
Thought the opening was great, but not as funny as the rap. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey could not be hotter right now and are dead on.
Also, for the record. Alec Baldwin addressed the whole "I'll leave the country if Bush is elected" issue on an episode of "Dinner for Five" with Jon Favreau. He said that he never said that phrase, but the it has been attributed to him. I have never seen a quote nor a videotape of this remark, nor have I seen the context where this may have been used.
I find it funny, and pathetic, that people seem to think Palin was unaware that the Poehler rap was poking fun at her....as if she was bopping along without any idea of what was coming! If you think this whole thing was not scripted and approved in advance, then I've got some shares in Lehman Brothers to sell you, real cheap.
Probably the same people who think she really changed her mind at the last minute about doing the rap herself....
And for what it's worth, Todd Palin is part Yupik Eskimo.
I did not watch, as I didn't want to give Palin any rating what so ever!
Dear JeffC,
Amy Poehler IS pregnant. And visibly so since the start of this season.
Lame.
I have no idea what Sarah Palin did on that show.. it was dumb. The rap skit was ok. I watched the rest of the show and it is truly just NOT funny. That group is so dull and the skits, other than the political staples, just not funny. It is rather sad. It's time to take it off the air and save what is left of its heritage
Sarah Palin was a good sport to go on the show knowing that they were going to make fun of her. She needs all the positive press that she can get. I am sure it was something that she will never forget. The rap was funny and Amy was even better. I hope that SNL can keep up all of the funny skits because it will be a sad day when SNL goes off the air.
Honestly, I'm not even voting. Both campaigns have been turned in wrong directions; the whole election is just a big circus. Its always he said, she said, I'm right, you're wrong. When are Americans going to realize that they are as ignorant as anyone else on this comment list? Basing your comments on what you read in the media is just about as dumb as doing your thesis research at wikippedia.com. Both are unreliable.
"It’s supposed to be funny. [SNL]"
That's funny. Because it's not. SNL hasn't been funny for more than 20 years.
Haw haw haw! She looked like a fool.
I don't know what show you all watched but I thought this SNL episode was one of the funniest ones ever! I grew up watching SNL and granted they have their ups and downs but overall they never disappoint. What other show in history has developed and put out stars to the caliber of the current and former cast members... John Belushi... Dan Ackroid... Chevy Chase... Eddie Murphy... Mike Myers... Adam Sandler... and the list goes ON and ON and ON!!!
As far as Gov. Palin's role on the show... excuse me we have seen all the democrates show up... Obama, Hillary... and no one gets all worked up over that! I think it shows she can take a joke, laugh at herself, and be a good sport.
And though I will miss Tina Fey for her amazing talent, but I hope she enjoys life on Mars. But we all know that Democrats don't mean it when they promise us things like that... wasn't there another star that said he would move out of the U.S if Bush won in '04??? Yet another lie...hummm
Once again, this blog shows that the left wing of the country doesn't have a sense of humor; unless it's fits their view of the universe.
I watched the show for the 1st time in about 10 years...I remembered why I quit, it's not funny...SNL has been so one sided against Sarah Palin I believe it shows she has a lot of class doing their show and raising their ratings the highest in 14 years...I don't believe most of us would have given them the satisfaction...
Palin as VP nominee is already so surreal, it's hard to believe SNL could out-surreal it. But they did!
I thought Amy Poehler's rap was hilarious and the fact that she's pregnant made it even funnier (the joke was on Palin who clearly didn't get it). Saracuda just sat there and looked ridiculous while SNL had a field day with her. I think it was totally appropriate given how inappropriate Paline is as a VP pick.
Kinda sad but seeing her on the show and having a good time and showing america that she can be light hearted actually earned my vote. I was undecided until saturday night.
I agree that Tina Fey is a better Sarah Palin than Sarah Palin.
McCain/Fey would have gotten him more votes...
yeah, like she'll really leave if McCain/Palin win. I'm STILL waiting for Baldwin, Streisand, and all those other Hollywood idiots to leave the country...they said they would if Bush was elected. Wassup?
"Am I the only one who thinks Fey does a better Palin, than Palin?"
No, not the only one. But the scariest part is that Fey, an actress, is way smarter than the vice-president wannabe. Palin just looked like a dumb deer in a headlights.
C'mon people – lighten up!
While I am not voting for her, Palin was an extremely good sport to come on the show. It was probably somewhat of a way to show no fear about doing it. If Hilary and Janet Reno, etc can do it – so can she....She KNEW they were poking fun at her – and with her. Self-deprecating humor can be the best. An SNL spot is not going to change the course of the election...and if you really stop and think about it, she had mroe to gain by being on SNL than by not doing it....
I'm no fan of Sarah Palin, but hey, she was a good sport to show up and take part in a show that has gotten a lot of mileage out of lampooning her. Maybe her decision to do so was just politics, but it softened my opinion of her, even if it won't change my vote.
Frank calls Sarah a "skanky ho" then he says SHE has no class? Better look in the mirror, my friend!
Tina Fey wishes she had the looks and class that Palin has!!
To JeffC who doesn't think Amy Poehler is pregnant – I guess she's been wearing that same large belly for a couple of months now. I think Amy is doing a great job and was obviously trying to enduce labor with all the dancing and rapping. I think Sarah did great and she did a whole lot more than the other candidates. Sarah rocks!
Sarah Palin on SNL was good fun! With the state of the world today we need humor. To have her appear on SNL and be the butt of MANY MANY jokes and take it in stride was GREAT. So WHAT! They rapped about her and had people dress like Eskimos! Get over it!!! It was a good release of humor. Whether McCain / Palin win the election or not, at least we have someone out there in a possible position of immense power who is ABLE to see life through the eyes of an average person. And as far as the 1st comment about Sarah Palin having no class......you do? With a comment and grammar like that?!?
it's COMEDY folks, COMEDY.
It was a shot in the arm for a show that frankily , needs it.
We have gotten so bitter and divided that we can't look at something for what it is?
The rap skit was hilarious. Amy Poeler did it to perfection, and it was her decision to do it, or not.
Some people need to chill, big time.
It's called hyperbole...she's not *really* going to leave the planet if McCain is elected.
And it's pretty funny that Baldwin did that bit with her, because he tore her to shreds on Bill Maher. Really bad. I imagine somebody clued her in to that and you could sense the frigidness in that moment.
Frank Blocker, thanks for the reminder that the "left" is humorless. Seriously man life is too short for you to be that tense.
As a regular SNL watcher the show was ok, I have seen better episodes. But, Pailn did the right thing for being on the show, I just wish they would have used her more. Its a comedy show, laugh at yourself. I did not think it was degrading. I am not voting for Mcain/Palin, but I give her props for being on the show, it was a good thing.
People that are making disparaging remarks about Palin need to get a life. I think it was nice of her to go on SNL and show the Left wing nuts she has a sense of humor and can be the down to earth person she is. She could have easily given the finger to Baldwin and all the other haters but she didn't. She is not afraid to let people know where she comes from and what she thinks. At least she has been more upfront about that, than your Messiah Obama has.
Two sinking ships going down together; SNL and Ms. Palin's bid to be V.P. Credit to Palin, however for standing around to be the butt of some very poor jokes. Also credit to Baldwin. See America, don't we all get along better if we just throw some humor around? We'd be a better country for it if we just weren't cutting each other's throats constantly.
Jeff..Amy is pregnant...she has been pregnant. And I agree–what's being pregnant got to do with it? I thought it was a great bit!!
Seriously, people need to lighten up. Saturday's show was funny and honestly, if they had toned the rap down, Palin should have gotten up and did a little rap herself. You can't forget that McCain did a sketch doing Streisand songs when he hosted and it was hilarious. Honestly, I would have liked to see Palin do a sketch with Josh Brolin as Bushy and Laura, that would have been classic.
If you think that SNL is outdated then the only thing outdated is you. The past couple years have been the funniest since Will Ferrel left the show.
I thought it showed she has a sense of humor and could take the high road. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves from time to time. I remember years ago Bill Clinton popping in for a little saxophone playing and nobody had a problem with that. Just because someone is in politics doesn't mean they don't have a real life, that they aren't real people and I think she is much more in tune with the average American than most of the politicians in washington right now.
I don't know if the rest of America concurs, but do we really want a person who could possibly be elected, and COULD possibly become the President if anything happened to McCain, bopping her head up and down and "raising the roof"? Imagine that image juxtaposed with her sitting down with the Vladimir Putin cronies (yes, he still is in charge) and trying to talk about arms negotiations. What she going to say to them? "Yo G! You need to give props to peace". Who can take her seriously after that Weekend Update sketch. I agree with Frank Blocker. As Rudy used to say on the Cosby Kids – "She's like school in the summer time – No CLASS". even though she is hotter than Tina Fey.
Good grief. The inability to see the show and the event for what it is by the posters on here is sooo sad. It's a comedy folks. Politicians and film stars have been promoting their causes on here since its inception. Relax. Breath! The show is different now, so quit comparing it to its past. I have watched since the very first show. The style of humor has changed just like the times. That is how it works. And the rap skit WAS FUNNY. VERY FUNNY. Congrats to the writers on that. Quit worrying about the Eskimos, they have a sense of humor also. Along with every other group that was poked fun of on the show. Palin may not win, but she was a great sport being there. Oh, and Amy IS pregnant.
The show was definitely funny, c'mon ppl I "could" take offense to the gun shots (referring to blacks and violence) in the rap but it was all in jest. I did find it halarious that Sarah Palin was bopping along to the beat, hands in the air and had NO CLUE she was being made an A- off.
Amy Poehler is pregnant!! She's leaving the show once she gives birth...
And wow! Way to not over react ppl. I'm not for McCain-Palin, but I thought SNL was better than usual with her on. Alec comin in and calling her Tina... He bopping her head and raising the roof to Amy's rap...
C'mon ppl.. one day out of the whole campaign Palin tries to relax and enjoy her time while it lasts and people are ripping her. Let her be!! She's going back to Alaska come December anyways. Let her enjoy her spotlight.
The only thing funny about the show was Alec Baldwin and Mark Whalberg. Alina Cho isn't quite nearly as cool as she thinks she is.
I think that Sarah Palin was right to go on SNL showing she has a sense of humor. For those who call her a skank, etc. it is a lie, the woman has captured men and women with her sexy hometown appeal. She is no doubt a beautiful woman. I think that any attack on women in politics in America is that Americans don't want women in high places. They will vote for any man but when it's a woman forget it, just look a Hilary Clinton, she took the fall over Obama, a clear reminder America is not in tune with women in high positions.
I enjoyed the show. Sarah showed the ability to laugh at herself and not lose her cool.
To the liberals in the crowd, she showed humility. Something that her opponent does not have.
Wow. Some of you need another hobby. I'm by no means a fan of Sarah Palin, but let's get a reality check here.
Nikki, tell me you DIDN't just say that Tina Fey does a better job of impersonating Sarah Palin than Sarah Palin. Please.
And Frank...where to begin?
1. Putting someone in a parka isn't quite "degrading native people", but I see where you're going. The problem is, you're grasping at straws to slam Palin. You really don't need to go to the extra effort. She provides enough ammo.
2. You're going to knock Palin for letting a pregnant woman "do all the work" during a scripted SNL skit? Good grief! That might just be the most ridiculous statement on the web today, and that's saying something.
3. Her daughter was hiding her pregnancy during the convention by holding her baby brother, even though every media outlet on the planet had already reported the pregnancy ad nauseum? What's to hide?
Please, if you want to support Obama, do so, but not by making McCain supporters look like geniuses in comparison.
Mark is right, enjoy it for what it was, comedy. I think everyone needs a laugh once in awhile, really, having Fey and Palin pass each other on stage, they really do look alike!! We still have a couple weeks to go and breaks like SNL are good to have.
To JeffC Amy Poehler is very pregnant for real .......just like Palin's daughter is...............do your homework
I taped it and watched it on Sunday. I thought Palin was great as was the skit. I think she has class even if the ole RNC pushed her off a cliff with a parachute. I am voting for Obama and that won't change but I think she made a good showing and the cast was hilarious. I do agree with Gov. Palin's decision not to do the rap herself...there is a line three weeks before the election and she is not seasoned enough to cross it.
(I do not think the rap would have been nearly as funny if Amy wasn't pregnant.)
Jeff C – Um yeah, she is pregnant. . . very pregnant in fact.
the show she needs to go on is meet the press not snl. she is a joke and not what we need for the job she is after. country first my________
I thought Palin was stiff and unsure of herself and she would have redeemed herself had she delivered the rap.........She was just sitting there..............She clearly did not want to be there but she takes orders like she doesn't have a brain............She can't do self deprecating humor at all...........And letting Baldwin call her hot........That is her role in the campaign. pagent finalist...........She cannot say anyone is treating her sexist when she contributes..........
I'd rather see her on SNL then in the White House although I like
Tina Fey's Palin better!!!!
It was funny but in NO WAY "one of the funniest momemts ever on SNL. Palin is a movie of the week, in a few months from now no one will remember her. Most people hardly remember Dan Quale and he actually was a vice president.
The ratings were high because most people tuned in to see if she would fall flat on her face like in the Gibson and Couric interviews, but that didnt happen. Not because Palin isnt capable of this, but because she didnt put herself in that position. She only had a couple of lines.
The first sketch began with Fey doing her great impression, and then it cut to Lorne and Palin just as Baldwin walks in. Palin for the most part stands there and the real laughs come from Baldwin, and Fey before him. Palin's only line there was "My favorite Baldin is Stephen". Zing!! I think not, most people dont even remember Stephen Baldwin. And as I said nobody really laughed at her joke or delivery in that sketch, she was just there.
Same thing goes with the Update bit, all she did was sit there and bop her head awkwardly (not quite as awkward as when McCain digs in his pocket to look for his pen when cued to do so to drive a point home but cant find it) but again she really added nothing to the bit, she just sat there.
So I dont think this was some big success for Palin on SNL, she contributed nothing, she was just a glorified audience member with a great seat.
To JeffC:
FYI, Amy Poehler is really pregnant. She's expecting her first child with husband Will Arnett (of the late but great Arrested Development). She's due this fall, so I think it's impressive that she's still kickin' it on SNL. Way to go Amy!
Oh, and was it just me, or did we all get an insight into Palin's future career after the Republicans lose this election? Won't be surprised if FoxNews comes a-calling. Watch out for Bill O'Reilly Sarah!
Baldwin's right, she is hotter in person...I do think that the Hollywood or entertainment elite should shut up on politics, they usually eat their words or look so hypocritical they lose any shred of credibility.
I will say that SNL did their best to quasi-humiliate Sarah...I mean really, they should have had Sarah do the entire Weekend Update parodying Tina Fey.
SNL makes fun of *everyone* (politicians, celebrities... no one is off-limits). All it takes is a good sense or humor and a bit of tough skin to appear on the show. Luckily, Palin's got both.
If Sarah Palin was the Democratic VP nominee with a liberal record with the same amount of education and experience you would be singing her praises. Anyone who dared to say anything against her would be sexist and you clowns would be marching the streets.
She has more class than all of you put together.
I don't see anything wrong with Paling showing up on SNL. It was strategic in that she got to show that she is not offended by people making fun of her. Plenty of other political figures have done the same thing, including Hillary appearing with Amy. It seems that show did not get the ratings this one did. If I were in her shoes, I would not be offended my someone doing an impression of me, even if it makes fun of me. Nor would I be offended if someone called me "hot." If we want to take about classless idiots, lets talk about Joe Biden telling a cripple to get out of his wheelchair or Jon Stewart actually using the F-Bomb to describe Palin. When they do get elected, perhaps we should invest more money in NASA to get idiots like Fey and Stewart off Earth so they can stop taking up space.
I thought the rap scene ranked in the top 5 SNL clips of all time. The reference to Obama / Ayers and the moose had me in tears. Kudos to Palin for going on the show and for having a sense of humor. The country could use a good laugh right now.
The opening Sarah Palin bit was funny, obvious but funny. The Josh Brolin monologue joke about just doing a movie about John McCain called No Country For Old Men was spot on. The Weekend Update Sarah Palin rap was well performed by Amy Poheler but it seems like SNL uses the "Joke Rap" gag as an easy out way too often. Compared to the originality and production of the D#ck in a box or the past political sketches about any of the candidates in any of the elections the Sarah Palin Rap was ok at best. What would've made the Sarah Palin rap better is if at the end she said "I'm Sarah Palin and I approve this message" but such was not the case.
There is a saying in show biz. Pub is pub. Until Colin announced his intentions, the McCain / Palin ticket got a nice little shot in an otherwise dismal campaign.
How could you not notice all the SNL staff gritting their teeth not liking this person they were entertaining (Palin). It was obvious that they didn't like her and she didn't want to do anything on the show other than look like her normal beauty queen self (not political in the least). We all lose if this person gets anywhere near the White House.
Am I the only one around who didn't think that skit was funny? It has nothing to do with who I'm voting for (not McCain/Palin), because it wouldn't have mattered. It just wasn't at all funny to me; surely not even in the top 50 of the all-time funniest skits. I miss the old SNL days anyway...much better than the past 5 years.
Lighten up....I think Sarah was great. I only wished she would have performed the rap herself. IT'S OK THE LAUGH AT OURSELVES!
What's wrong with us? We have the extreme liberals willing to share a laugh with the Republican VP nominee, and we want to analyze the props. Good grief people, enjoy it for what it was.
I thought it was funny, not the best ever, but funny.
I agree with you about the Eskimos, not SNL's best idea. As far as Amy Poehler being pregnant. I don't think she is. She had just been in a sketch portraying a pregnant gal at a sleazy bar. She probably didn't have time to change costumes before Weekend Review (it looked like she still had the same white shirt on under the black jacket). So about this objection: next. As far as the Baldwin comment: it's a play on his real life personality, get a grip.
I liked it. And if you didn't, you are a Kansas City Flamer.
Yeah, so I guess Palin should have said, "you're pregnant so you should sit down and let somebody more capable do the work." That would have gone over real well with the feminists. Good thinking Frank. Any more moron thoughts you want to share without thinking through them?
SNL is still on the air? Must be that anyone can be on TV nowadays.
Do they do anything funny?
Frank & Nikki,
Get a life...and a sense of humor.
I think this was hilarious. Tina Fey is a genius political commentarian and we are blessed to have her as a writer! Love love!
Kind of funny to read Frank Blocker's comment about a "skanky whore" and then say she's the one with no class. Ignorance must be bliss!
Frank...you are the one with absolutely no class. Clean up your language, then maybe someone will listen to you. You have no room to criticize...obviously. And, no, I am not endorsing McCain. I would just love people to use common sense when making a reply–a reply that sounds educated, not classless (like your comment...you have no class).
"Amy Poehler rapping about [Sarah Palin] was arguably one of the funniest moments in 'SNL' history." ... "I’d tell you about the after party with the cast, but that’s classified." Alina Cho is quite full of herself, and also need to buy all the SNL DVDs and watch the first few years again. She is horribly out of touch, except with herself.
The after party with the cast? pshaw She wasn't even there.
Not sure what she was thinkin' bein' on SNL.
Sarah, they're making fun of you. Then again, when you see a spotlight, it probably takes you back to your pageant days and you can't help but put on the fake smile and wave.
Oh, please, biased-ones. All Hillary did was say to Amy "Do I really laugh like that?" and "I want my earrings back." Not exactly Emmy-material (and definitely not Rudy in drag). Sarah did what Hillary did . . . made a showing and laughed at herself.
I seem to recall Alec Baldwin saying he was going to leave the country if Pres. Bush was re-elected. Bush was re-elected and Baldwin's still here, making lots of money on "30 Rock". Something tells me Tina Fey won't "leave earth", either, if McCain/Palin are elected.
Palin bopping her head while faux eskimos behind her degrading to native people? A pregnant woman doing all the work???? Having Alec Balwin say you are hotter in person makes her a skank ho??? SNL is a comedy show. This is not a national presidential debate. It's supposed to be funny.
Amazing how people can make something positive so negative.
The show was one of the funniest I've seen in years.
If you don't like Sarah Palin then you shouldn't have tuned in for the show.
Am I the only one who thinks Fey does a better Palin, than Palin?
Hey Frank Blocker, I guess that your opinion of Sarah Palin (which even you admit you watched) is because of the "failed bush economic policies of the last 8 years?" Talk about Bush Derangement Syndrome...
McCain / Palin '08
Meh. I guess you had to be there. Maybe it's funnier to see it live and in-person than on TV. We watched the first ten minutes of the program and didn't even crack a smile. SNL is nothing more than a medley of celebrity impersonations (some humorous, some not so much) and mildly coarse potty humor. I'm sure the ratings will drop down back to normal after the election.
Gov. Palin was very nice to go on that "has been show". After the treatment that she's received from them....I hope Tina Fey enjoys her move off the planet. I hardly think the loss of 30 Rock will be missed. Baldwins the funniest part of that show anyway.
Really couldn't believe Sarah Palin dancing along to the rap about her. It really did not cast her in a favorable light... It was hilarious though, compounded by the fact the Amy Poehler is pregnant. She can rap!
http://www.songspeak.com/mark-wahlberg-and-sarah-palin-make-cameos-on-snl/
I thought Sarah Palin on SNL was very stupid. Tina Fey does a better job of impersonating her. It was just OK. She did nothing out of the ordinary.
The rap was the funniest moment ever on SNL? I guess you've never seen any of the other shows.
First, for Palin to be be-bopping while faux-Eskimos danced behind her...well, it's always okay to degrade native people, so we'll just let that, go, right? Second, AGAIN she's got a pregnant woman doing all the work while she sits there (just like having her daughter hiding her pregnancy during the convention by holding her squirming little brother for HOURS). Finally, going back to first scene, she's really okay with Alec Baldwin saying to her, "you look much hotter in person?" This skanky Ho ain't got no class, people. Noooooooooo class.