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

[GreenT2]

Whatever. It's kind of... weird to be proselytized to by people who are supposed to be trying to make you laugh. Also, it's annoying when people suggest that folks are voting for Obama simply because they hate Hillary. I think folks are actually voting for Obama because they like Obama and they think he'd be the best president, period.

[Covenant]

I think what's worse is that it makes light of Hillary and turns her into, basically, some kind of injured sockpuppet. She's tougher and smarter than that--she's fallen on hard campaign times through a series of blunders, and not because she's too frail to do it. By simplifying things to "oh, he's smart and talks well and she's just a hard worker who is discriminated against" lowers this powerful female politican to a level where we're not even talking about the qualities that got her to the national stage in the first place.

[StephenJK]

Oh, I think you underestimate Hillary Clinton. Let's be honest; she's not quite as "likable" as Bill but, she's an intellectual scrapper who won't take shit sitting down. Her act of political mockery today is just a sign of things to come. Obamatron WILL NOT like the next week or two.

"All hands on deck!"

"Yes, sir, Cap'n Obama."

"Get me some more speeches. I'll need them."

"Yes, sir! Anything else?"

"Yes. Hope! Need more hope!!"

[accountability]

"Also, it's annoying when people suggest that folks are voting for Obama simply because they hate Hillary"

well what would you expect people to suggest given the level of hatred that is expressed toward Hillary by Obama supporters?


It isn't one or two now and then that vomit their smut it is almost everyone.
This is ironic given the nature of the platform they are supporting.
How can one take it seriously when the supporters who profess to be so committed to a high minded change in politics act so low minded.

It is most disturbing and frankly I was all pro Obama but since the supporters that I came in contact with and tried to interact with on the "Progressive" blogs were such hardline ideologues with nothing but meanness in them I decided to move to where people were kinder and had move to talk about than how much they hate Obama and how he is this, that, and the otherthing. It isn't that he doesn't have faults. Believe me I looked long and hard at both of them before I moved into Hillary's camp as I didn't want to just move through an emotional response to my distaste of the Obama followers. Yes, believe it or not Obama has flaws too. Those flaws are not worse than Hillary's, nor are they better. It is easy enough to find.
Obamna is not "the ONE" despite what Oprah says. Obama is a man, a candidate, one of many candidates and now one of two candidates. He is an astonishingly accomplished politician considering the amount of time he has been in politics.
He has a machine behind him, contributing to his Illinois Senator run, his US senator run, and now his Presidential run.
He is a member of the DNC who give him enormous support. His positions over the last four years have changed dramatically.
If you would like to investigate I certainly invite you too.
I have some links on my posts and the user - hinnis - has many links.
I doubt anyone will.

but if you doubt my claims about hate take any thread and count it up.

Best wishes.

[AnninCA]

I know that many Obama supporters don't hate Hillary. The exit polls prove that one.

It's the fanatic group that is, however, defining his election for him.

And they are bullies. They are ageists, sexists, and so completely like the skit portrays that it's almost not satire but more like reality.

I would absolutely have a hard time supporting him because I couldn't possibly associate with such a group.

But hey, the Republicans used and put up with the Religious Right. So this new Democratic Party will have a role model to follow as to how to incorporate and placate the obamamaniacs.

Good luck.

[musicstreet]

accountability, please be very careful.I think you may have really crossed the line by suggesting Obama is flawed. That surely could be the kiss of death for you. We can't afford to lose any of the remaining intelligent, thinking,
rational people that are left on this site. If this is the new kind of politics, I prefer the old kind. At least people were civil before. Now most sound like they would love to slit our throats. This is not the kind of "CHANGE" I can believe in.

[presto]

Do you understand what satire is?

[kcflood]

BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK!!!

I LOVE IT!!
IVE BEEN SAYING THAT ALL ALONG!! BEING A BITCH WILL GET THINGS DONE

[accountability]

I KBOW!

I stayed up to watch it because I knew they would be opening with something on the campaigns... It was brilliant.

I was so surprised because I thought for sure they would go after her and fawn over Obama, the best thing since sliced bread. I used to say that and mean it... how things change when you actually begin to investigate with an open mind.

Anyway, I have to say I was more than surprised as well as hooting with delight.

I think i have to use that line as my signature.

The with her and

[Eduardodelazul411]

It could be said that bitch is the female counterpart to asshole. We've had to deal with what could be considered an asshole administration for the past 8 years. Do the math.

[mwpeters]

I rather agree.

That kind of I rule and the hell with you all attitude is a big loser for larger society. It occasionally gets some stuff done, but stuff that's often unproductive or worse, it ignores the messes being created, and then stomps off indignantly.

Not too devastating if its a parochial grade school teacher, but not a model for leading a nation and world power. I've seen way too much of that already.

Please people, lets not just swap the actors.
The country needs a new plot line.

[accountability]

no.

it is a bitch thing, you wouldn't understand.

[GRobSecular]

I have just lost all respect for Tina Fey.

[nazirmo]

No need to hate Tina Fey. That is New York.
You did not expect a New Yorker to NOT SUPPORT
HILLARY.
Hillary Clinton was voted twice to represent as a Senator from NY. And she has worked very hard to represent her constituents.
No wonder she won NY and NJ. So for Tina to say nice things and put in a plug for Hillary was expected.

[Brownpower]

complete crap...Clintonistas rigged NY vote...we know the deals her husband made to get her elected in NYC...Im a NY'r...

[StephenJK]

Yes, so have the rest of Obamatron.

Speaking truths have never made anyone in the Obama camp happy. Especially, when it comes to Obama, himself.

[NotMyPrez]

another person who knows nothing of what they speak.

Ron Brown, Vince Foster, Whitewater,The Black Panthers, Health Care debacle, "Stand by your man","Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" , Voted for Kyl Lieberman amendment, the Iraq War, yep, 35 years experience. That's something to be proud of. yep.

When someone goes against the status quo, all the water cooler pundits nod and parrot memes without really any clue. So go ahead, live in your little corner of so called reality. Don't read the back ground, history , proposals and projects these of ay one but your personal favorite.

Hillary is the original Xerox politician.
I'm a NY'er and I hate Hillary's carpetbagging cronyism to the core.

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Tina was the first female head writer at SNL, yet her tenure produced some of the worst shows SNL ever did.

Hillary will be the same IF elected. She may be the first female president, but she'll be a terrible president.

Simply put, people like Fey are seeing this election through ideological glasses. It's about electing a woman for president to her, regardless of what woman, regardless of the woman's qualifications. I agree with the late Molly Irvins...a woman president would be wonderful, but not Hillary.

The mocking of Obama is very lame and childish, both by Hillary and the SNL writing staff.

[accountability]

ROFLMAO
The mocking of Obama is very lame and childish!

Its a comedy show... helloooo.
You people are pathetic.

What hypocrites.
If the situation were reversed you would be crowing and throwing out the crude insults that pass for wit.

Grow up.
You can enjoy humor even if it pokes fun at you or your ideals.
That is the actual sign of a sense of humor as well as being a grown up.

I find lots of stuff funny that tweaks Obama (when I supported him) and Hillary.

Anyway they were actually poking fun at the media and their insane adulation and everything short of an endorsement by them.

After all Matthews had a thrill running up his leg.

Lord Have Mercy.

BTW Hillary wasn't "mocking" She was mocking the campaign and hypocritical rhetoric.
As she should.
Good for her!

Bitch is the New Black!

[artsandminds]

The term "bitch" has nothing to do with "getting things done" its about being vindictive, and it can apply to men as well as women.

[Sandy972]

I also remember Molly Ivins saying that, but she hasn't been the only one. Many bright people have said the same, including me...because Hillary is just not the one. Almost every book ever written about her be it either by a Democrat or a Republican have said she has two definite personalities, and the one we saw today seems to be the real one.

We can't let another person with a ridiculous personality get elected, even if one is smart and the other is a real dumbass. Our country needs the calm and serenity of Obama. If Hillary or McCain get it we will all lose. Please, everyone, sit back and look at the big picture.

[nazirmo]

Hillary would make a good President. Just because the momentum is not in her direction does not make her any less qualified. There are many who just despise her just for the sake of hatred. That is their right. If they want Obama fine. But Hillary has all what it takes to be one tough President and I have no
doubt that if she were given a chance and if she were to become a President she would work just as hard as she has for New Yorkers.
I hope that when the fight to the finish is over and even if Obama gets the nomination that Obama would form a dream ticket with Hillary and crush the Republicans and put them in the dust bin for the next 100 years ( McCain's words )
Both Obama and Hillary have their share of fans. Even if Hillary has lesser number the very fact that she reached this far shows her popularity. Yes in the end Democrats were left with two strong candidates. And people have opted for Obama - the candidate who offers inspiration and hope but no far behind is the only other candidate - Hillary who has offered solutions as her platform. Surely such a dream ticket would only be beneficial to all Americans and the second highest position in the nation that of a V.P is quite important.
So many decisions of Bush came only after he consulted Cheney. So Hillary can still be proud to serve the nation and the people as a V.P
For those who read this message they should send my suggestion to both Obama and Hillary. In one of their earlier debates the issue of a dream ticket was raised and no one raised any objection.

[presto]

You said::

"The mocking of Obama is very lame and childish"

Are you serious? Have you read all these posts? They make lame and childish look like virtues to strive for on the way up the evolutionary scale.

It was satire. Good satire, at that.

[AnninCA]

I haven't followed SNL in years, but if she's not always funny, this show should redeem her reputation.

It was a keeper!

[gsikev]

Obama people can't laugh at this because the idea of not having Obama in office and giving them the welfare state these lazy people crave makes the cry.

[BrooklynLager]

Hillary Clinton STILL can't give anyone a reason to vote for her. All she and her supporters do is attack.

[accountability]

ROFLMAO>
OHMYGODINHEAVEN!!!

I am so glad I wasn't drinking coffee or I would have had a big mess here.

This is one of the weirdest, most divorced from reality statement by an Obama supporter yet.

Oh, wait, was that an attack?

Please, go through all of today's posts and count them up.

Any day's posts.

I imagine there are more lately as people are getting sick to death of the hateful ugliness of the Obama hypocrites on this and other Progressive sites.

[presto]

Look around! Do you know where you are? Have you read anything here?

[BrooklynLager]

Eh - these are the same clowns that were making "Al Gore invented the internet" jokes.

Still mailing it in after all these years.

[Opus007]

I expectd so much more from Tina Fey. If that was SNL's big comeback- it wasn't even funny. It was Tina preaching her politcal position.
Tina and Hillary are both overated.

Maybe when Alec Baldwin hosts he do something a lot more amusing.

[AnninCA]

Omigod......he's such a sexist asshole.

He's hosting?

*blech*

[snowcat]

excellent aritcle:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-vogel/the-clinton-meltdown_b_88211.html

[presto]

Finally!!!!

Thanks, SNL

[accountability]

EXACTLY!

I was beginning to think it was me divorced from reality. Even people I know who I know should know better would say they didn't see the unfairness in the coverage.They are supporting Obama, as I was until the fawning media and the hateful supporters started to sour me and I took a deeper look at both of them.

One deeper than the other obviously.

[dajay]

At least Saturday Night Live is in reality. The fact that they even brought out the blatant bias media toward OBama is hysterical.

Yes, I am glad they had the nerve to do it. Good. Wow, it was actually nice to see someone go out on a limb for Hillary. It was the first time in the entire primary season.

[BrooklynLager]

It's the first time SNL has endorsed a candidate since its inception.

[fallinforit]

Thank you!!!! Tina Fey. Yessss, Hillary should have embraced her inner bitch a long time ago. They've always called her one and I'd get upset but Ms. Fey just put it into perspective for me. Bitch is a woman who gets things done and usually pisses people off for doing it. Bitch IS the new black, but only much, much better. Thanks, Tina I've always liked you and now I know why.... you're such a great bitch!

And Hillary, mock away at the big o. Its funny because its true. And thanks to you Ralph... should Hillary call it quits, you'll be my second choice. Talk about CHANGE!!

[accountability]

YES!

I was shocked to tell you the truth.
I was almost not going to watch because I thought for sure they would be giving Hillary a major hit!

What a great surprise.

[StephenJK]

Historical accounts will tell you this: Comedians are usually very good telling the truth.

[AnninCA]

I don't really think it requires much nerve at this point.

Jeesh*......we've seen major network newscasters actually have to apologize for their obvious bias, stories galore on it, editorials out the yin-yang!

It has been so dang obvious that even people in rural Kansas are noticing!

[BrooklynLager]

I'm sure Tina Fey is being genuine, but SNL as a whole has a class interest in Hillary Clinton winning.

Barack Obama is not funny. Nobody seems to be able to imitate him in a way that gets laughs. The debate parody skit just had "Obama" saying "yes, I agree" and pointing.

[nazirmo]

Did you expect a New Yorker to support Obama ?
The answer is no and it has nothing to do
with race. Senator Clinton was twice voted by
New Yorkers as their Senator and she has done an admirable job representing them. So it does not come as a big surprise that Tina Fey came out supporting Hillary.

Hillary would make a good President. Just because the momentum is not in her direction does not make her any less qualified. There are many who just despise her just for the sake of hatred. That is their right. If they want Obama fine. But Hillary has all what it takes to be one tough President and I have no
doubt that if she were given a chance and if she were to become a President she would work just as hard as she has for New Yorkers.
I hope that when the fight to the finish is over and even if Obama gets the nomination that Obama would form a dream ticket with Hillary and crush the Republicans and put them in the dust bin for the next 100 years ( McCain's words )
Both Obama and Hillary have their share of fans. Even if Hillary has lesser number the very fact that she reached this far shows her popularity. Yes in the end Democrats were left with two strong candidates. And people have opted for Obama - the candidate who offers inspiration and hope but no far behind is the only other candidate - Hillary who has offered solutions as her platform. Surely such a dream ticket would only be beneficial to all Americans and the second highest position in the nation that of a V.P is quite important.
So many decisions of Bush came only after he consulted Cheney. So Hillary can still be proud to serve the nation and the people as a V.P
For those who read this message they should send my suggestion to both Obama and Hillary. In one of their earlier debates the issue of a dream ticket was raised and no one raised any objection.

[illinoisan]

Armisen was doing Barack Obama last night? I thought he was doing some sort of po-mo Al Jolsen.

[SAMMY7]

Its just like the Bush admistration, non-believers have to rely on satirists and comics to actually tell the truth.

[Covenant]

I think a good Obama impersonator would be awesome, because seeing some spoofing of a well-liked figure is fun. Having too thin a skin is not good, but I think that this guy's impersonation was way off. Will Farrel did a great Bush junior, Dana Carvey did a great... well everyone. They need someone more like an Eddie Murphey, who can really hit those voice cues well, and emphasize the character instead of just taking a whack at it. I didn't like the Hillary impersonator either, it just made her look confused and weak, which is rather un-Hillary.

[jeannekhan]

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler concluded the SNL news with "the bitch is the new black"
following their assertions that each of them is a Hillary supporter and of her cast
meaning each of them states she is a bitch as being presently defined by the sheeple
as I cheered from my bedstead. That Tina and Amy dared take a pro-Hillary stand
astounded me. Nothing lady-like about their call to arms, not just the smiles, but
their leaning forward, their words leading up to it (SNL had an early segment on
bitch sayings which took charge of that word...;>) and their courage to buck the tide
and speak up, beyond all the media sheeple led by Mathews and minions and the
Faux Noise machines, even on radio and in print, stunned me. SNL lives. Yeah, team!

The opening segment which parodied CNN hosting the last debate was spot on.
Amy's reaction as Hillary is gracious and surprised as she is ignored by pro-Obama hosts. When Steve Martin popped up to coach writer Tina Fey into being performer as he is, I simply smiled and applauded. Writers are critical to SNL. Those who do both, a treat.

SNL is often the harbinger of what's happening. Tina Fey as host last night was welcome. I can see other members of the crew growing with experience. Each works hard, is funny!

I sent the above to NBC and posted it to Abigail's Daughters List because Tina and Amy jolted me out of my doldrums last night. Their courage and cleverness still makes me smile. Have missed smiling with all the sexism of late. Yeah, team, one more time!

[wendytheretard]

Is it o.k. now to call women bitches? I attended catholic school and those nuns were bitches.

[accountability]

Yes, It is ok to call OUR SELVES bitches.

It means something entirely different when we say it.

get it?

[Snoman]

The opening was sort of funny because it was a satrie of the narrative. But really, how pro-Obama can John King be when he mistakenly claims during the debate that Obama's earmarks aren't public and then doesn't note that Clinton is one of the top ten earmarkers (and her's aren't public).

I liked the Ballon Ride Sketch, DVDs for old people, and "The Food Netword, Porn for Fat People"

[accountability]

how funny... well, I mean peculiar. I liked the news of course, the opening and the period once a year... that was a scream.

[kelly]

this was great! go hillary!

[Friday025]

Yes! Go Hillary!!! And way to go Tina!!!!!!

[StephenJK]

Hillary bashers be damned!