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Videos: SNL Comes Back With Poehler, Perry And Paterson
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 26, 2010
Modified Sep 26, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 26, 2010
Modified Sep 26, 2010
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Governor David Paterson was one of the many cameos on the 36th season premiere of Saturday Night Live. Former cast member Amy Poehler was the (terrific) host and her monologue included appearances from the four new cast members, Justin Timberlake, Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon. You can click through for more videos of segments, but, as we expected, the highlight for us was the meeting of the Governor Paterson played by Fred Armisen—who joked he felt "a little neglected" since he wasn't running for governor, "I haven't felt this left out since Avatar"—and the real Governor Paterson, who mocked SNL and Albany, "Working in Albany is just like watching Saturday Night Live. There are a lot of characters. It’s funny for ten minutes, and then you just want it to be over." Also, "You have poked so much fun at me for being governor, that I forgot that I was black."
The show had teased Paterson on Weekend Update since December 2008, and Paterson was upset that the show lampooned his blindness, saying that it was demeaning to people with disabilities (the show also satirized his "accidental governor" status and his administration's problems). So the real Paterson got to set the record straight, both on being disabled and being Governor of New York:
GOV. DAVID PATERSON: Stop, stop, stop! This has gone on long enough.
SETH MEYERS: Gov. Paterson.
PATERSON: That’s right, Seth, the real deal. Not some cheap imitation, just classic Paterson. Say, I see you’re still sporting the beard.
FRED ARMISEN (as Paterson): Yes, I am.
PATERSON: I shaved that off a year ago. Are you blind?
ARMISEN: Touché.
PATERSON: Ladies and gentlemen, I wanted to come here tonight before my time as governor of the great state of New York ends, and to tell you that working in Albany is just like watching Saturday Night Live. There are a lot of characters. It’s funny for ten minutes, and then you just want it to be over.
MEYERS: We apologize if we upset you.
PATERSON: It’s OK. It happens. I upset people all the time. It’s kinda my thing. But while I have a good sense of humor, jokes that degrade people solely for the fact that they have disabilities are sophomoric and stupid. I have a disability, but for the last two and a half years, I seem to be one of the few people in the country who can see what we need to do.
It’s as if you think it impedes someone from being governor. As governor, I’ve kept the budget in balance; cut $42 billion of deficit; we have not been passing out any IOUs; I’m blind; I’m governor; and I’m still alive. Now how much better do you want me to be?
AMY POEHLER: Well, Governor, we are really sorry.
PATERSON: Sorry? You should be sorry. You have poked so much fun at me for being governor, that I forgot that I was black.
MEYERS: Governor, I think I speak for everyone here that we’ll be more respectful of the blind.
PATERSON: Well, I certainly hope so, because blind Americans are incredibly capable and we also rely on our other senses as well.
MEYERS: So it’s true that your other senses are heightened.
PATERSON: Oh, absolutely. For instance, just by my sense of smell, I can tell that there are 15 people in this audience from New Jersey.
ARMISEN: That’s a good one, Governor.
PATERSON: Thank you, Governor.
MEYERS: The honorable David ‘Patersons,’ everybody!
Tagged
amy poehler
fred armisen
governor paterson
jimmy fallon
justin timberlake
katy perry
saturday night live
tina fey
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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