SNL Launches "SNL Politics"

Hooray, SNL finally understands the internet! First it was Fred Armisen's blog, then it was the "Laser Cats" video game, and then there was the huge, giant leap of embeddable video, finally bringing SNL into the post-YouTube clip-deleting era of multi-platform online dissemination. Now, they take it one step further with the launch of what is really a whole new site: "SNL Politics," NBC's equivalent of Comedy Central's "Indecision 2008" in its blatant capitalization on popular pre-existing TV material as a vehicle for an online entity. (That last sentence, by the way, is how a wonk takes something funny and makes it sound really, really boring.)

Anyway! SNL Politics picks up where ETP leaves off, namely in dutifully chronicling the political high points of the various shows (Amy Poehler's Hillary! Darrell Hammond's McCain! Fred Armisen's honeyfaced Barack!) plus fun perks, like e-cards, delegate math jokes, "Which Candidate Are You?" and ads for "30 Rock" and "My Name Is Earl." (Corporate synergies, yay!)

The upshot is, of course, brand extension, like "Weekend Update Thursdays" will be (and, presumably, like doing a private live performance of Update on the Thursday night of a show week in front of a room of hyper-influentials), and it's proof that — finally — SNL is getting the web. For political junkies online, that's as sweet a surprise as a lil' something gift-wrapped special in a box.

Comments

[CanuckforObama]

Too little too late to save Hillary's campaign I'm afraid. Hit the ground running for 2016?

[Wolf1739]

Just in time to try to save Hillary's campaign yet again. Now they can spew their pro-Clinton BS 24/7.

YIPPEEE!

[diogeron]

I've always been a big fan of SNL, since graduate school at Indiana University in the mid to late 70s. If anybody from SNL is reading these posts, I have an idea for a skit: Recreate the "Thing that Wouldn't Leave" skit only instead of the John Belushi character, you use Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton. Hell, I could write that one and bring the house down, not to mention a good bit of secondary publicity for the show.

[IQ]

Does this mean more BLACKFACE Mister Loren?? .I VOTE YES!!!!!!!(..that is of course if African Americans existed in SNL Country, which we know they don't..ie the need for BLACKFACE..Right?)

[grayforester]

He's a better choice to portray Obama than a black actor who doesn't resemble him.

It's sketch comedy, people, not Lanford Wilson.

[IQ]

First, Fred Armisen's Obama is weak. Second, Sen, Obama is a man who has chosen to embrace his entire heritage but when asked he never fails to explain that he identifies as African-American. The assertion that You could not get passed an African-American that is not Sen Obams's spittin image, regardless how brilliant the performance is, says more about you than it does about the actor. Besides it apparently doesn't bother you that THEY HAVE TO DARKEN ARMISEN"S SKIN..This is the very definition of BLACKFACE!

Is Lorne Michaels a rabid racist. I am sure he is not. But SNL for quite sometime now has chosen to write from a very narrow cultural and generational perspective.Jesus, they are in Manhattan not Wyoming. They can find diverse talent(writers and actors)if it were a priority. Clearly it is not. The lack of diversity on the show is shameful. Especially for a show that some consider an American Institution.

Lastly, My initial comment was meant to be pithy. But the responses require something more. The time has long passed when another group of people or any individual can stand on the sermon mount and decree what should or shouldn't be OFFENSIVE to another group of people. This is Highly offensive on many levels!!

[rgersmrk]

If I'm not mistaken but Obama is part white too. Sometimes I really think people need to take a step back and count to ten. It's comedy and it's not demeaning to Obama or his African American heritage.

[Rigagli]

If SNL can launch a political site, I can launch a knitting site.

[RHCNYC]

Unless it's Justin Timberlake singing D!¢K In A Box as an On Location Reporter.... I have low expectations for this poopfest.