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Is Obama Mad at Saturday Night Live?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 13, 2008
Modified Mar 13, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 13, 2008
Modified Mar 13, 2008
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Ever since Saturday Night Live returned in February, it's been hard to tell which candidate they're favoring. Lorne Michaels is putting his money on McCain (saying he has a "real affection" for him), but the show's spotlight is on Clinton and Obama (the former having appeared herself).
Now the NY Times is taking a look at their Hillary favoritism, something they've been accused of having. Michaels isn't hearing it, though, saying:
"Why is it ok for Oprah to repeatedly endorse Obama on her show and at rallies, but it is an 'obamination' for Tina Fey to endorse Hillary in a short fake news brief?"
“I’m in show business and I never, ever forget that. We put on a comedy show.”
“I’m sensitive to the suggestion that we’re in the service of Hillary Clinton this year,” he said. “That obviously is not the case. We don’t lay down for anybody.”
Jim Downey, the writer responsible for the political sketches, says he's just trying to make them funny. However, the bland light Barack is portrayed doesn't feel accurate, especially to critics of the show who aren't buying the spin. Many think the bits have revived Hillary's campaign (the "SNL Effect") and generated more critical coverage of Barack.
As for those in the SNL writers' room, for the most part they're supporting Barack...and their laugh meter is telling them that there's truth in what they're writing. But is Obama laughing? He recently turned down a chance to appear on the show.
Tagged
barack obama
hillary clinton
lorne michaels
saturday night live
snl
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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