Tina Fey "Likely" To Play Sarah Palin On "SNL"

NEW YORK (AP) _ Tina Fey was "likely" to play Gov. Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live," said a person close to NBC's sketch comedy show.

Fey is "likely" to return to her former show Saturday to play the Alaskan governor and Sen. John McCain's running mate, a person close to the show told The Associated Press on Friday night. The person requested anonymity because the decision has not been announced officially. No further details were available.

Since Palin's entry onto the national political stage, speculation had been rampant over who might play Palin on the program. Many have commented that Fey resembles her.

In an interview earlier this week with The AP, "SNL" executive producer and creator Lorne Michaels said, "The whole world cast her in that role."

The final decision went down to the last minute, apparently. "SNL" premieres Saturday evening with Michael Phelps as host. An appearance had been planned by Sen. Barack Obama, but his campaign said early Saturday that the Democratic nominee for president was canceling.

Fey was a cast member and writer _ including a stint as head writer _ for "SNL" for nine years before leaving in 2006 to star in "30 Rock," which is also produced by Michaels. On Tuesday, Michaels said that should Fey play Palin, she was unlikely to remain in the part in the long-term, which depending on the election results, could be for four years or longer.

Fey's publicist did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

Comments

[StanTheManic]

... and vice versa ...

[ebethgay]

I may have to stay up past my bedtime tonight to watch this.

[NoPalinista]

The only possible good to come from McCain/Palin in the white house would be four years of guaranteed quality comedy!
Get plenty of sleep Tina, you'll need your strength.

[lioness39]

Are you sure? I think with Sarah in the big house there will be only hunting and government sponsored shows. All the ads will be for camouflage clothing and guns.

[MeGeorge]

Tina Fay is one the most brilliant comic writers and performers of recent times. Now I realize part of the public infatuation with Sarah Palin could be due to her uncanny likeness to Tina.

I hope that Tina does a hard-driving impression, and doesn't soft-shoe the topic. The whole situation is ludicrous and absurd, and deserves skits that accentuate this fact.

Go Tina! And go Kristin Wigg and Amy Fuller! I'd vote for you guys any day!

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

Kristen Wiig (pronounced Weeg) and Amy Poehler.

[Irons]

This is all money in the bank for Palin. All she has to do is be humiliated in the press for two more months and she home free...cel­ebrity city.

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

I hear Gina Gershon isn't really doing anything.

[rwe]

ya know that Barack bailed because of this not becasue of Ike

[lioness39]

Proof please...

[athenasword]

I was SO hoping for this! Go Tina!!!!!!!

[Livvy]

I haven't looked forward to a tv show this much in quite some time. It ought to be good. So much material for comedy. (and sadly tragedy but we will stick to the comedy...)

[IndySC]

Tina Fey is awesome! I can't wait to watch tonight. :)

[Sev151]

Colored? Wow, you must be as old as McCain.

[panchovilla]

I hope Tina doesn't vote for McCain just to keep her career going. Hey, Baby Mama wasn't so bad!

[SENATORCALLENBOWE]

THIS IS HER BIGGEST ROLE SINCE.....­..SNL?

[Goliadkin]

Sarah Palin doesn't deserve to have a Döppelganger like Tina Fey. Tina Fey is a brilliant, talented, and beautiful woman. Sarah Palin is a nothing minus.

[marleysghost]

Palin is fair game. Tina should be devastating :-)