Sarah Palin on SNL: The Reaction

Sarah Palin will be making an appearance on SNL tonight — a campaign staple as predictable as, say, appearing on "Meet The Press"...oh, never mind — and plenty of people are NOT happy about it. With its entree into the election cycle as an influential player, SNL has become a lightning rod for criticism from one side or another who accuse it of being "in the tank," first for Barack Obama (in Nov//07) then Hillary Clinton (with Tina Fey's infamous "bitch is the new black!"), then variously for John McCain (guest star at th end of last season), Obama again (they're not hard-hitting enough!), et cetera depending which political candidate or ex-candidate is making an appearance (count Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee in there, too). After Fey's evisceration of Palin simply by combining a great impression with the raw material Palin herself provided (Bush Doctrine, Couric interview verbatim), complaints of unfairness and bias rose from the right. Now, with Palin finally slotted to cameo on SNL tonight (not host - that is Josh Brolin, aka "W"), people on the left are up in ams, claiming that allowing her to appear in such a favorable situation (i.e. SNL protects their political guests and makes sure they are given good material) is unconscionable and unfair and un-many other things that people are tussling over in the heated last few weeks until the election. Our friends at someecards.com tapped into this, expressing the wishes of people who write things like this and this (and presumably in the comments section below!), with a simple yet effective e-card:

Comments

[BJD44]

Does this woman not yet realize that people only tune in because they're laughing AT her and not WITH her? As a single, full-time working Mom of a 17-year-old son with Down syndrome, I find this woman nauseating. John McCain may have had a chance of getting my vote (I classify myself as an Independent), but he absolutely RUINED that when he chose her. Uck!!!

[bpress]

I don't watch SNL and haven't for many years. I have seen the Palin impression, because it has been shown on the internet. It was funny only because there didn't have to be much change in dialog or timing. SNL was much better when they began and many comedians got their start there, now they are usually banal. Politicians need to be seen and they flock to this program and the other late night programs for the exposure. John Sydney McCain finally made it back on the Late Show and Joe Biden was on the Tonight Show on Thursday night. Just par for the candidates.

[MzTexas]

Wonder if she will understand that most of the viewers will be laughing AT her, not with her. McCain and his handlers should be ashamed of themselves for presenting this woman as a responsible pick for a VP nominee.

[JodyMcg]

A lot of hype. Backfired. Not that funny and definately a negative for Palin. Wonder if she'll dare to do a press conference now? Go on Meet the Press?

[MoeSart]

What it exhibits, again, is the hypocrisy of the Obama crowd.

It also exhibits, again, how they hate like no other group of people do. They are vicious.

One fun thing about Obama being POTUS would be watching these people have fits as Obama gets the same treatment from the world that any POTUS gets.

I know the Obama crowd have themselves convinced everyone in the world loves Obama, but that's just one of their delusions.

[Skippy3000]

People are actually outraged because Governor Palin is appearing on SNL just like every other prominent politician?

Are liberals really this pathetic?

[ericdondero]

Haven't watched SNL for 20 years, since I was a teenager. But I'll watch tonight.

Sarah Palin will be the first libertarian ever to appear on SNL. Tons of liberals, a few conservatives, but no libertarians I'm aware of. And no Dennis Miller doesn't count. Yes, he's a libertarian today, but when he was on SNL he was a flaming liberal.

Having Palin - a libertarian - on will be a first for the libertarian movement. Worth it from that historical standpoint.

[notamarin]

A libertarian? Palin?

That's hilarious. You poor, deluded fella.

[ikamoj]

Very creative post...

[RocketmanBob]

Y'all are just worried that she'll kill, like McCain did at the charity dinner last week...

For such a tolerant, ethical, honest, loving, peaceful, bunch dedicated to equal rights, social justice, and free speech, you sure don't seem to be able to stand it when someone you disagree with gets a few minutes of air-time...

Here's a suggestion for all of you that won't be able to "stand" watching SNL tonight...

Pull yourself out of the depths of ohnoes, and get the latest Time or Rolloing stone magazine...

The cover of either has a picture of your messiah, which you can adore while you meditate on the intrinsic hopey-changeyness of the whole scene, man...

What a bunch of bitter losers, clinging to their gun-banning, non-religion, and apathy for those that don't parrot back to them their own pathetic politically indoctrinated messiah's talking points!

Obama would be ashamed of you, in his own post-partisan, uniting way...

[JimmyTee]

At least if it's live TV, they can't chop up and manipulate her words like ABC did. And she won't be distracted by the glare from Katie Couric's disturbing Chiclet teeth.

[gloriaCT]

This HuffPost is ridiculous. Why attack this woman? If Sarah Palin had a (D) after her name she would be the poster child for the Democrat party. If she were a liberal she would be loved by the left, revered by the HuffPoat and Obama's running mate. She is a perfect example of a working American mother and a woman who has persevered and made it in the man's world. A poster child for Democrats.­..except..­..she's a Republican. Good Grief. You are acting like children. Give it up!

[paragrafH]

She's a) unqualified to be president and b) unconscionably inflammatory and c) friends with an entire anti-American organization which makes her d) a hypocrite. She's therefore e) fair game. Don't do the crime if you can't stand the time.

[RocketmanBob]

She's as qualified as Obama

As unconsciously inflammatory as Obama, and doesn't give the finger to, nor brush off his opponents like O! did to Hillary

Anti-American, puh-leeze; all I have to say is Ayers and Wright to that one...

Hypocrite, How about Mr. Post-racial playin' the race card every time he gets in trouble-or has his accomplices in the media to it!

All you hubris filled Obamites are pretty jazzed, I let you feel good about it.

But what you gonna do when he loses, so to the rectifying of ACORN's fraudulent activities???

[RocketmanBob]

Oh, I forgot...

She doesn't tell people to get in others faces, like Obama has...

And would never countenance the "politics of personal destruction" smear job that has been perpetrated on the plumber guy that simply asked "the one" a question...

She stands by the things she says, and doesn't have to attempt to destroy anyones life to cover up for "letting the mask slip" while simply answering a question...

For a bunch that is soooooo concerned about "free speech", you all don't seem to worry about Obama and his campaign's attempt to muzzle people. Not just that plumber guy, but anyone who criticizes him or tries to speak about his past record or history...

This should be very disturbing and disconcerting to all Americans, and you all are behaving like the archetypal "useful idiots" for turning your heads and facilitating this kind of behavior...

[BJD44]

"Poster Child"???? Oh, puleeze.....what a joke!

[watchdog911]

Only on a site like HuffPo could fools be up in arms about someone having the opportunity to appear on a show that's made millions spoofing them.

Grow up whiners!

(Full disclosure: Now that I have criticized the left, please feel free to expose my tax lien, and my shocking $50 contribution to John McCain, and my handgun)

[doonuts]

Nicely said sir, I too am sick of the whining.

[weekilter]

They already pegged Palin on a future show. The questio was not if but when she'd be on. You really have to keep up with the news!

[jnkekoa]

A lot of vitriol for a show that, apart from Darrel Hammond, is essentially talent-free. I mean, I heard someone refer to Chevy Chase as "iconic" in portraying Ford. I was young, but it wasn't funny, much like the following decades of SNL. Hammond as virtually anybody--from Tweetie to Clinton to McCain--can be funny.
So Palin will be in her element--for goodness sakes, SNL didn't even write a script for the first Palin/Couric spoof. Does Palin get a commission for her unscripted attempt(s) at English?
(and for the record, I'm with Fay--if Palin wins, I'm leaving earth)

[PLT23]

Yeh, I don't like it at all :(

Lorne Michaels is a republican so it's no huge surprise, but I do not like it at all and will not watch it either!!

[CraniaHellbent]

But if you don't watch how will you be able to accurately describe the nauseating pap that it's sure to be?

[JulieSA]

No offense, why so huffy? I've watched SNL for decades. I thought Al Gore, McCain, Hillary and Huckabee were all hilarious in their appearances. Obama--not so much, but he was only on for about 30 secs, iirc. I stayed a Dem for years because I thought the GOP were such stuffed shirts. I found i was wrong about that.

[Scarbarian]

Actually, Lorne Michaels is a Canadian...

[nj2pa2va]

Come ON! Get over yourselves. It's gonna be hilarious. Permit yourselves to laugh. Or if that offends ur sensibilities then chuckle to urself. Because u know it's gonna b funny.

[LindyK]

I sent SNL an email that if she were on (which promotes McCain's campaign), I would never watch SNL again. I will view anything in the future from SNL on YouTube only.

Total SELL-OUT for ratings! Shame on Lorne Michaels. And frankly, Tina Fey should not show up, either.

[RocketmanBob]

More hate from the group that is shocked!, Outraged!, and appalled! by the "hate" displayed during this election cycle...

A bunch of intellectually dishonest hypocrites...

[JulieSA]

Oh don't be silly! All the politicians tend to do well on the show. It's a tradition to have the different candidates on, from both parties. I thought Al Gore was hilarious when he hosted twice, and so was McCain when he hosted.

Did you see the Al Smith dinner? Obama and McCain were very funny.

Loosen up. Have some fun!