Marci Klein, SNL Producer, On Sarah Palin's Handshake, Writing Hillary Clinton Sketches, Discovering Will Ferrell & More (VIDEO)

Marci Klein, senior producer of "Saturday Night Live" and executive producer of "30 Rock," recently sat down with host Julie Menin for her NBC New York show "Give and Take." Klein spoke about everything from Sarah Palin's firm handshake to Hillary Clinton's anger over sketches about Chelsea to how she discovered Will Ferrell.

In the wide-ranging interview, which airs on NBC New York as well as streams on JulieMenin.com, Klein — who recently booked her father Calvin for a guest spot on "30 Rock" — also discusses infamous moments in "SNL" history, like Sinead O'Connor ripping up the pope photo and Ashlee Simpson storming off-stage in the middle of her set.

"Give and Take," a new show about current events and women's issues, launched this week and "will provide a unique place for leading women from different disciplines to talk about their lives and the issues important to them and other women," says the host (who is also a Huffington Post blogger). In addition to Klein, upcoming guests include CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo, Mayor Bloomberg's longtime girlfriend Diana Taylor, Tru TV anchor Jami Floyd, and Caroline Hirsch, owner and founder of the legendary Caroline's comedy club.

The interview with Klein was cut into five clips, rolled out individually this week on JulieMenin.com. Parts III and IV are below. For Part I, in which Klein talks about meeting Lorne Michaels, and Part II, in which she discusses how she knew Will Ferrell would be a star as soon as she saw him, visit JulieMenin.com.

Part III: Klein talks all about the politicians that "SNL" has hosted over the years. She says John McCain has a "great sense of humor" and that Sarah Palin was one of the most confident people she's ever met. "I actually was the first person to meet her," Klein said of Palin. "I was standing there, and I thought, 'Oh my God, she looks just like Tina!'" Klein said Palin had an "incredibly strong handshake" and that she was overwhelmed by her resemblance to Tina Fey. "A lot of people come to our show — actors, musicians — and they're nervous...she was not nervous. I thought, this is the most confident person I've ever met."

Part IV: Klein discusses the influence of "SNL" on "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report," and talks about the way the media, and "SNL" specifically, treated Hillary Clinton during the campaign. "Personally, there were moments between dress and air where I'd say, 'Can we be nice to her? Why does everyone hate her so much?'" she said. Klein added that over the years Clinton has weighed in on the show's treatment of her, in particular its treatment of Chelsea.

Comments

[sandy21]

Glad to see a show that actually promotes interviewing women for once! I liked the interviewer. Even though Klein hemmed and hawed, the interview was much more in depth than the fluff that is on these days on other shows.

There is such bias in the media. And I am not surprised Klein said Palin is confident--for Palin to have put herself out there and her family, knowing her daughter was pregnant and would be scrutinized by the media tells what is important to her--and that is putting herself before her family.

[dubster]

I agree I thought that the interview did a good job, however, as for the "senior producer" she was simply embarrassing. In fact, I thought she was channeling Sarah Palin's awful interviews. Nevertheless, there is a media bias, not doubt. There is intelligent women that are interviews or any Latinos given that they are the largest minority in America. Actually, I'm a fan of SNL, but they've never had a single Latino cast member!! What does that imply that there isn't a single talented/funny Hispanic in America? Really?

[stopgeorge]

Two words.

Horatio Sanz. And I'm not even a fan of SNL.

[samuelberg]

What does it say that most of the television shows feature very few minorities? If there is a minority, chances are they are in the background, providing a shoulder for the white characters to cry upon. Segregation is alive and well, thanks to the liberal elite...bu­t there's hope indeed. If you want to watch some strong roles played by minorities, just head on over to the UPN network.

[outloudfll]

Sarah is so confident because she has been chosen by god for great things. You can't be anointed and not be sure of yourself. :)

[kellygrrrl]

it's true. it's borderline pathological, IMO

[Oonagh]

Poor Sarah, if she had any sense she would stay home with her family.

[factotem]

Ya gotta be confident to be a snake-handler. Praise Jebuz!

[gevan]

Stage presence from a beauty contest participant? Who would have thunk it?

[Imzadi]

Too bad she failed the 'talent' portion, i.e. common sense and fair administration.

[factotem]

She was asked incredibly partisan, unfair questions like "What magazines do you read?"

[jwilmon]

Before anyone or show can lay claim to fostering another, the history of satire is evolutionary and thankfully timely. Consider one of the original news satire shows from the 70's ........ That Was the Week That Was. The Smothers Brothers, Nancy Ames and company were doing this long ago.
Bless them, SNL, Jon Stewart, Colbert and all the rest. Truth through humor.
Sadly, nothing is ever more humorous than the absurdity of the truth.

[impatient]

Whoever this local interviewer is, she's TERRIBLE. This is unbelievably boring.

[ScarletLetter]

it was boring because the person being interviewed could barely string two words together..­.that was so painful to watch, on the edge of my seat waiting for information to come out and it just couldn't get out past all the "um" "ah" "I thiiiiink"

[Donald Zanoff]

Exactly how I felt. I found it excruciating.

You know... and he really.... we just kind of... sometimes, you have to... you know... just sort of... really... you know...

Made me want to scream.

[LemonMeringue]

Sometimes being confident just means you are completely ignorant of your own shortcomings. It is not always an asset, and it's not necessarily a virtue.

[bassinapple]

For those of us that supported Gov. Palin we already knew exactly what Ms. Klein found out. It is sad the media wolfes devoured Gov. Palin. Seek and destroy was their mission. Round #1 goes to them.

[MzTexas]

My opinion of Sarah Palin was based on HER words and HER actions. I don't watch the opinion networks as a general rule. The only person to blame for her problems are Sarah Palin.

Being confidant doesn't mean someone is capable, competent or intelligent, just means one is full of himself/herself. That would describe Sarah Palin to a tee. My suggestion is that you do a bit more research into this woman you supported . . . she's not what you think she is.

[jem286]

Confidence does not a VP make. I, for one, would like intelligence as well.

[AZterritory]

Yep, ol' W was pretty gosh durn confident.

[SammyD]

Well, I hate to disappoint you but you have an arrogant,cheap, idiotic VP now instead.

[nana4g]

Palin was the most confident person she has met. When you are pretty ignorant, and do not know what you do not know, it is easy to be so super confident. It's almost a blessing, isn't it?

Not so much for the rest of the people if you are asking us to let you govern us.

[donasanya]

C'mon now, don't attack the woman. She never said she thought Palin was competent, just confident.

[Ratfink1]

When did she find time to dicsover sliced bread during all of her fantabulousness?

[Glenn1441]

And for heaven's sake, Ms. Klein -- Comb your hair.

[donasanya]

LOL, she had a bad hair day.

[impatient]

For one thing she is in her late 40's I am guessing and the long blond co-ed look is out of place. Secondly, she has seriously bad roots going on. And thirdly, her whole look was bedraggled just rolled out of bed chic, which once again only works for the very very young.

[Glenn1441]

Klein is a horrible interview-ee. Can't articulate a thought to save her life.

[LemonMeringue]

I thought so too. She's babbly.

[TardisJockey]

You are so right! I just had to shut it off. All the false starts and hemming and hawing....­and she never once answered the question that was asked. Very frustrating - and annoying! - to listen to.

[Diogenis]

I actually found it painful waiting for her to respond.

[AngieMom57]

Comedy Rocks!

[jamjim]

If SNL is a 'writers' show,' they need some better writers.