Live From New York, It's....Barack Obama?

Well! Brian Williams hosted SNL this evening and journalism did not implode But — whatever will the other candidates say about tonight's surprise cameo: None other than Barack Obama, showing up in the cold open as a surprise guest in a Hallowe'en party thrown by Hillary Clinton (played with icy smugness by Amy Poehler). A presidential candidate on SNL? Guess BriWi's gravitas is safe. Here's the vid:

Other fun special guests were Bono, making a cameo as we predicted, plus old-timer Horatio Sanz as Bill Richardson — plus Canadian songstress Feist (seen below with Williams getting, er, Feisty). Here are some stills from the show, plus Williams' idea for a new Nightly News theme. Full report tomorrow!

Update: Here from the AP so far...

Comments

[muffie]

08:51 PM on 11/05/2007

Oh yeah, he was in Greenville, SC Saturday for the NAACP Freedom Fund banquet and he did a hell of a job! He got everyone pumped up and excited. I'm definitely voting for him. Go Barack!!

[muffie]

08:49 PM on 11/05/2007

Damn, a political candidate can't appear on a tv show and have a lil' fun? Now if he had declined to go on the show then some of you would be saying, "Man, Obama is a wussy". "He's too serious...he needs to get a sense of humor". Blah blah blah. Plus, he wasn't even negative in the LEAST BIT. Sheesh.

[Bulbul]

05:58 PM on 11/05/2007

Brian was very good ! Obama needs to be back as a Senetor, this second job try is also not gonna work.

[SeanGardner]

01:51 PM on 11/05/2007

Go OBAMA!!!

Truly a smart politician. He knows that while it is good that he is blessed with soaring oratory and pragmatic politics, people also look to late night shows lie SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE for both humor and insight.

He's a smart man who is going to make a great president!

[ResidentChimp]

01:06 PM on 11/05/2007

Obama belongs on Saturday night; he's such a joke.

[MissingAmerica]

11:05 AM on 11/05/2007

Loving it! I watched him on Ellen last week, as well. I like this guy. He is actually quite articulate and has a great sense of humor, as well as being bright. Time will tell! Haven't decided yet, but I'm getting there!

[JeffFisherandAlGore]

09:41 AM on 11/05/2007

Live from New York
AL Gore and Jeff Fisher and the Dream Team

I just got some people from China,Japan,Italy and France to spread the postings I am doing on Huffington Post.I love working from different hotels in Manhattan blogging away telling the absolute truth.

Accept the Absolute Truth.

Now the truth can be told

Absolute truth is BayPoint School

http://blog-omotive.blogspot.com/
http://janeewadeshalwendachrist.blogspot.com

[VictorLudorum]

02:26 AM on 11/05/2007

No health plan like Micheal Moore?

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

11:00 PM on 11/04/2007

Hey Allison....

I noticed youre father being in the news a lot lately....
It seems as if our mainstream media is trying to create another Cronkite or Reasoner with some sort of nerdy weird twist.
I do not think so, dear...
Until your father comes out and publicly apologizes for following the drumbeat to the Iraq war with no evidence and no journalism, he will forever be a loser, and not the MEDIA DARLING THEY ARE TRYING TO CREATE...
Tell your Dad to do his damn job, and stop worrying about his persona.
Very shallow, sweets!
Very shallow, indeed!

But as usually happens, this fake loser will go on to make 10-20 million a year, even though he has had his nose up the ass of this illegal, hideous regime and has done NOTHING to honor his children or our country, like his very important position mandates.
He has done NOTHING!

[phoenix1964]

09:44 PM on 11/04/2007

Obama dominated this week. Beginning with his NY Times interview which he said he would “forcefully” distinguished his differences with Hillary. Which impacted her performance severely because she hunkered down for three days to prepare and it the performance wasn’t pretty. Obama called her out on her secrecy, of being a Republican wet dream of a candidate, her doublespeak. And to prove his point, Hillary gave a distractions answer for illegal obtaining drivers licenses. Then Hillary played the gender card and Obama countered her with it being unseemly to use gender when infact he hasn’t used his race to object to opponents going soft on him. He dominated the news, with Morning Joe, Today Show, and ABC News. Obama then introduced his Iran bill. Hillary still reeling called in Big boy Bill to do some damage control. He did a 180, authorizing the release of Hillary’s First Lady’s records (not in time for the primaries and enough time to be sanitized). Obama gave two stirring speeches in SC which remind people that he is the best oratory in the democratic party and then he topped off his week with an on point sketch on SNL. All and all a great 7 days for Obama. I expected the primary polls to start moving next week after all this has been absorbed by the American people. Obama, your are on your way to reclaiming America for the people and by the people. Way to go! Obama 08!

[Marsangusidaho]

09:39 PM on 11/04/2007

So now you give space to children of celebrities to congratulate their parents for appearing on other TV shows? My, the aristocracy does rule, doesn't it?

Huffington Post flamed out pretty darned quickly.

[realitytrumpsbull]

08:51 PM on 11/04/2007

LIVE, FROM NEW YORK, IT'S SATURDAY NIIIIIIGHT!

I saw it, thought it was great. Especially
liked Brian Williams' bit, and Barack's
cameo talking about not trying to be somebody
else. Whether that's TRUE or not remains
to be seen, but heart's in the right place...

[loki]

07:40 PM on 11/04/2007

I really dont care how he projects himself now. I really dont care what he pretends he didnt do in his past, because if youve ever lived in Illinois you will know Obama is not as innocent and clean as he claims. Just for one check into the property his huge house is on. I do believe that had to do with a pay back for state contract favors to a property developer.
And now he cant even show up to vote in congress?
Anyone who thinks he will be an improvement over Bush, must have eaten a lot of lead as a child.

[RGMT]

07:33 PM on 11/04/2007

I thought the skit was charming, funny and unexpected! I think Obama has consistently shown who he is - and the more I see him the more I like him. He clarifies the difference with Hillary, but he doesn’t attack. This may get him grief from the media, but it is who he is and I appreciate the tone. I think Hillary can take it - she's strong but she's not as clear on who she is - she's more political. The skit was great!

[lentinelia]

07:14 PM on 11/04/2007

People are hungering for a candidate who will attack the present administration, articulate what they have done to us, and detail the crimes they have committed
against the Constitution and the people of the United States.

People want to hear from a candidate who will lead the effort to stop the current administration in its' tracks.

People want to hear from a candidate who will attack the democratic congress for abandoning the people who put them in power.

The posture of crusading against Hillary Clinton is ridiculous. It is the stuff of kindergarten schoolyards.