SNL's Campaign Trail: Fauxbama, Huckabee, And Tina Fey Endorsing Clinton

Is Bitch the New Black? If you believe Tina Fey on "Saturday Night Live" last night, then damn straight; if you don't, you may well be burning up the NBC message boards right now. Last night politics was center stage on SNL, with an epic cold open spoofing the latest CNN debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (over 8 minutes), a supersized "Weekend Update" (11 minutes), and about as close as SNL could come to a live, on-air endorsement of Hillary Clinton by host and returning alumna Tina Fey. In a segment on Update called "Women's News" ("It's a great time to be a lady in America!") Fey celebrated the news of a woman running for president — and then (after a bitty swipe at Oprah), proceeded to take aim at a number of Hillary-hating arguments: That if elected she wouldn't be able to "control" hubby Bill Clinton and there'd be "co-presidents" in the White House ("'Cause that would be terrible, having two intelligent, qualified people working together to solve problems — why would you let Starsky talk to Hutch?"); reassuring the audience that, even though they were married, they were having "about as much sex as George Bush and Jeb Bush are" and smacking down Rush Limbaugh for his comments that "America's not ready to watch their president turn into an old lady. "Really?" asked Fey. "'Cause they didn't seem to mind when Ronald Reagan did that." But what bugged her most, said Fey, was when people said that Clinton was a bitch. "Yeah, she is," said Fey. "And so am I — and so is this one over here," gesturing at Amy Poehler. "Yeah, deal with it," said Poehler. Fey's point: Bitches got things done, yo, and that's why Hillary would be a good president. "So I'm sayin, it's not too late, Texas and Ohio, get on board! Bitch is the new black!" An exhortation of voters to the polls to vote their bitch in? Bill Clinton probably couldn't have done it more effectively. Watch it here:







Commenters are already incensed (both on the NBC chat boards and in our comments sections, so far) but to be fair, it's about equal to the Lorne Michaels endorsement of Obama, who said Obama would be hard to mock because he was a "truly heroic figure." Also, it's worth noting that many Hillary supporters are chiming in with gratitude to Fey for articulating a sentiment that had made them feel marginalized in the face of Obamania.

Speaking of which, SNL also tapped Fred Armisen to play its Obama (details here), which he did with his brow furrowed the whole time, doing a nice rendering of Obama's from-30,000 feet speechifying and penchant for scribbling during debates. The CNN debate spoof greedily hit on it all around the central conceit that the media was "totally in the tank" with Obama. Kristen Wiig was a smitten Campbell Brown, Jason Sudeikis a drooling John King, and Will Forte a dashingly handsome Jorge Ramos, whose question to Obama was "Are you comfortable? Can we get you anything?" while all three panelists ignored and insulted Amy Poehler's Clinton (by far the best example of that was when Wiig's Brown smacked down Clinton for interrupting the "randomly selected" audience questioner, Obama Girl. "I think you owe Obama Girl and all the people of this nation an Obam-apology," she deadpanned. Classic). Props to Amber Lee Ettinger, aka Obama Girl, for hitting the big time — hearing Fey thank Mike Huckabee, Steve Martin, Carrie Underwood and Obama Girl at the end of the show was really a testament to how much the advent of viral vid has changed thing. Watch the whole great segment here:

Finally, there was the aforementioned Governor Huckabee, completing the late-night talk show circuit and spoofing himself in a segment that mirrored his campaign rather well — he was charming, funny and refused to leave. Watch it below:







As long as we're rocking the full SNL YouTube thing, here's Fey's opening monologue with a guest turn by Steve Martin, who always seems to monologue about how great, wonderful and what a big star he is. I'm just sayin'. Cogent writer's strike commentary in that, too. Chekkit here:







And finally: Tina Fey wished announcer Don Pardo a very happy birthday — his 90th! — during the goodnights last night — he doesn't look it by a long shot, nor sound it. Wow. Many more, Don Pardo!

Comments

[seejake]

that was an incredible let down. the only funny part about the entire show was - as always - the fauxmmercial for the once a year period.

I used to respect Tina Fey, and while I do respect her right to have her own opinion, I lost respect for her because of that particular opinion. I really thought she was smarter than to be led around by her ovaries. I guess mom-hood can do that to you. maybe Steve Martin didn't slap her hard enough.

[OregonSu]

Wow, a woman needing to be slapped for being funny?

[WAdem]

SNL got it just right. The MSM, not to mention Chris Matthews, Tim Russert, and most of the other right-wing-nuts are totally mesmerized by Obama. That should be a warning flag. Wake up Dems! Hillary is our best chance to beat McCain or Huckabee in November. Put Obama in the Veep position and, maybe, we can control the bully pulpit for another 16 years. That won't happen if Rove gets a chance to smear Obama. He is already taking polls to determine how far he can slime either of them, but remember that he has already taken his best shots at Hillary. She is far less vulnerable to the GOP attacks that are sure to come.

[falgiano]

sorry but all the polling to date says its obama who cleans up mccain or mccain who cleans up Clinton. Obama is the best hope of a Dem win which is badly needed.

HRC is the equivalent of damaged goods. No thanks

[AnninCA]

Cleans up? Today on Real Clear politics, he's 1% difference with Hillary.

What WORLD do you live in?

[AnninCA]

Dang, I missed this.

[BigBen]

Maybe Hillary should seek the endorsement of the Minutemen or is that Obama's territory? She should seek the endorsement of all who are ashamed to be American? Really proud to be ashamed.Ma­ybe she should endorse Joe Lieberman as Obama has.
"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf." Barack Obama, March 30, 2006,
http://boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/03/31/obama_rallies_state_democrats_throws_support_behind_lieberman//
>

[nachtengel]

Hell, You would stay close to Senator Palpatine, I mean Darth Lieberman too if you know whats good for you.

[Madampotential]

SNL sucks! They couldn't find one black guy to play Obama? or at least an attractive guy? Or at least afunny guy?

If Obama is elected PRESIDENT, they are gonna have to find a better Obama! I wonder what their ratings are these days?? Thank god for Stewart and Colbert.

[Tyrione]

They called Chris Rock but his head was buried so deep up his own ego he couldn't mock even himself, let alone Obama.

[presto]

SNL rocks!

[Merin]

I really like Tina Fey (though I've never really been a fan of SNL) and since I didn't see the show I can't comment on whether it was funny or not.

It is a satire show, and any mocking of politicians is to be expected. This will include your candidate, whomever that may be. Accept this.

All that said - I would have to say a written-in segment (or, as Sklar's article seems to indicate, the WHOLE episode) that is a not-so-thi­nly-veiled plug for a candidate seems a bit, well, crash.

Tina Fey can support Hillary Clinton all she likes. She can go around shouting it to the hill-tops. But I, personally, would rather see the parody mocking ALL the participants, not picking one and demonizing the others.

Like the SNL endorsement means squat, though. Most celebrity endorsements have zero net effect.

[Merin]

Ok, no, found it somewhere. And watched it.

It felt less like parody and more like blatant pro-Hillary. But whatever, it was amusing (the audience seemed unsure of whether to laugh, but that's always been my general impression of most SNL skits) and didn't really like or distort anything, so I'm cool with it.

I still like Tina Fey. :)

[Mollye]

Thank you, Tina and Amy!

[carolinwoodstock]

I am an Obama supporter and I thought the debate stuff was funny. Loved Huckabee and think he could have a regular role on SNL.

Yet, I was bothered by Tina Fey electioneering for Clinton on a show whose history in political satire would seem to require that endorsements would be kept outside of the content of the show. I can't imagine her "Bitch is the new black" being of much use in convincing anyone new to vote for Hillary, but I think the harm is to the integrity of SNL.

[carolinwoodstock]

I am an Obama supporter and I thought the debate stuff was funny. Loved Huckabee and think he could have a regular role on SNL.

Yet, I was bothered by Tina Fey electioneering for Clinton on a show whose history in political satire would seem to require that endorsements would be kept outside of the content of the show. I can't imagine her "Bitch is the new black" being of much use in convincing anyone new to vote for Hillary, but I think the harm is to the integrity of SNL.

[nachtengel]

Whoa.. in a wonderful show of censorship and damage control, NBC just pulled down the "Tina Uses SNL to Endorse Hillary" post on the NBC forums.

[SteveCox]

NBC are a bunch of bitches!

[musicstreet]

Don't be so juvenile Steve. Are you going to use "bitch" all the time now, like you just learned a new word?
I don't know . Maybe you are and maybe you did.

[nachtengel]

That is what the first link in this article used to link to.

They also changed the title, and restarted the post, From Tina uses SNL to endorse Hillary, to.. "Fey's use of airtime to voice political views"

NBC are lame... and it's pretty clear now who they support...

[Covenant]

I'm suprised anyone has an issue with Tina's bit. I thought it was well articulated and to the point. I've never seen 30 rock or whatever her show is, but I really liked her in that bit and I think it was a fair pushback against the unfair 'bitch' comments. I don't think the Obama sketch was very good--they should get on his speech patterns better.

Prod the crackly stutter, make fun of the nose-blow moment, and his dancing. Those would be better gags. I'm astounded at so much vitrol over these sketches, both from other pro-Obama folks who seem to take offense to Tina's speech (it's just one person advocating, nothing wrong with that) and from the Hillary supporters, who think this kind of angry put-down campaigning is good.

I'm eager to see their new Obama guy in action though. If he's going to be president, we're going to need a really good impersonator to do him. All presidents need to get spoofed. I also want to hear John Stewart's new Obama voice. ;D

[dblamps]

Thank you Tina!!
It is about time. Thank you,Thank you,Thank you!
I was beginning to think in the last few months we have been in a time warp.
with no one willing and brave enough to stand up for
not just Hillary but all that we have worked hard for
as women. And the amount of fair weather people
out there is shocking to me.
You have made our day!!!!

[NC4Obama]

First time i watched SNL in a while and prolly will be quite some time before i watch it again.

[accountability]

Hi Rachel Sklar.
Thanks for doing this post so evenhandedly.

Judging from the comments below many people supporting Obama do NOT have a sense of humor.
I thought it was hilarious. The Obama wasn't that good but it does take time to inhabit a character.

I'd also like to thank you for your even handed commentary when on TV with the boys.
Its not fair but I have to say I was very surprised when I realized you were from HuffPo. I'm not usually paying attention to names but one day I caught yours. I was surprised because I think there is a lot of anti Hillary sentiment here so your fairness is refreshing.
I've been enjoying your work ever since.
Thanks.

BTW, does Chris Matthews drink?

[SteveCox]

He says he used to drink too much and does not drink any longer. But it is hard to tell.

I bet he drinks when he goes to Bohemian Grove every year. If you notice, he does his show in late July, from SF every year.

[Tyrione]

Drink too much? He himself has admitted more than once how he used to drink so much he'd wake up the next day and not remember what he had said. He credited his wife with immense patience and loyalty during those times.

This is a polite way of saying I was a drunk and I had to get sober.

[pc51]

huffingtonpost is obviously very pro-Oboma, the front page is just sooo transparent, it reminds me of the MSM very much, when they try to influence readers rather than provide information. I mean this site definitely goes by the "Clinton Rules."