Sarah Palin To Appear On "SNL"

Move Over, Tina Fey: Live From New York, It's The Real Sarah Palin On Saturday Night Live

(AP)  Forget the debates, this is the political moment millions have been waiting for.

Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live"? You betcha.

Welcome to the intersection of politics and pop culture in the Lower 48

The skits and jokes, as always, are still unknown, but one gag setup seems sure: Sarah, meet W.

The Alaska governor will be appearing with host Josh Brolin, the star of the caustic new movie comedy about President Bush.

In fact, barely two weeks before the election, suddenly everybody's a comedian — from Republican vice presidential candidate Palin to the guys at the top of the bill: John McCain and Barack Obama, laughing it up this week at a big political dinner in New York.

Palin already has been the hit of the "SNL" season, though she wasn't on the scene. She was the subject of a parody featuring lookalike actress Tina Fey. Whether Palin and Fey will appear together Saturday has not been announced.

Palin suggests her fate is in the hands of the show's writers. "I haven't seen a script, not at all. They haven't even hinted about what that script is going to say," she told radio talk-show host Neal Boortz on Friday.

"But you know, I just want to be there to show Americans that we will rise above the political shots that we take because we're in this serious business for serious challenges that are facing the good American people right now."

Hmm. Presumably the show's writers have some slightly punchier lines in mind.

Fey's appearances as Palin have drawn huge audiences to the longtime skit show and sealed its reputation as TV's hottest vehicle for political satire. Obama has appeared briefly on the show since becoming a candidate, and McCain once hosted a show. One episode during the primaries suggested the media were favoring Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton — and a lot of people thought coverage for the next few weeks was affected.

As for the candidates, casual, funny settings help them appeal to with voters on a more personal level.

From daytime talk shows like ABC's "The View" to late-night entertainment programs like NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," they get a chance to appear as self-effacing, regular people, not so deadly serious.

There are perils, however. Three weeks ago McCain abruptly canceled an appearance on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," leading its star to target insults at the candidate for show after show. McCain had said he needed to return to Washington to deal with the financial crisis, but Letterman found him being interviewed by CBS News anchor Katie Couric.

"I screwed up," McCain said in an on-air mea culpa when he appeared on Letterman's show Thursday night.

Candidates with humor on their minds are finding other avenues to reach voters. Joke-filled speeches by McCain and Obama at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity event organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for the benefit of needy children, were shown live on cable TV Thursday night and excerpted on news channels Friday.

Obama made fun of the backdrop he'd had for his stadium acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

"Could somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested?" he asked.

[lbolle]

Isn''t it interesting how McCain/Palin supporters can''t spell worth beans or even construct a sentence? They don''t want a smart person running the country. They''d rather settle for some half-witted, moronic biggot who''s "just like them". That way, they can wreck the country and make us continue to look like a buhc of reckless, red neck pigs to the rest of the world, thereby putting our national security at risk. Nothing like putting your best foot forward. NO THANK YOU.

[yongamerica]

Who makes the public laugh more, Sarah Palin or Tina Fey? Move over Tina, Sarah will show you what a natural comedian does in front of a camera.

[dct1357]

If the Republican duo are lost in the GE, I bet comedians will lose a good material to laugh at. SNL''s rating will be back to normal. People may be less interested in the media because not many things can make you laugh.

[libratine]

While the thought of Sarah Palin getting skewered or imagining how this SNL venture may backfire on her might be satisfying, I am most perturbed because of the content of her written speeches by the campaign but moreover, that she does not even perceive herself to be leader enough to intervene over those who cry for violence at her rally''s. The campaign, Sarah Palin and her KKK followers pose a threat to Barack Obama. So, I''m not laughing.

[holdenlitgo]

Who knows, she may just rack up a few sympathy votes from this appearance the way McCain set out to do on Letterman. I''ve been voting since ''72 and never seen such a sorry campaign. Never seen a clearer indication of how a candidate would run the country in these two campaigns. McCain is out-classed in every regard.

[ohall36]

Sara Palin was a bad choice and a terrible role model. Her pregnant daughter is going to bring her double-wide and park it on the South Lawn. With his and her Trans Ams parked in front. Babies running around with pampers hanging half on and half off...


I can see into the future.

Sara Palin during a press briefing. Trix hanging from her right hip and her grandkid on the floor playing with the wires.

[daffy64]

Well she''s got a head start. People are already laughing at her.

[filmguy107]

So much vitriol....so little time!

Soon she will be back in Alaska, where she will possibly be censured by the legislature there and, hopefully, sent back to Wasila to be the mavericky wife and mother that she certainly is.

[shimano35]

good for Sarah and good for SNL, should be a great show with huge ratings!!!!!!

[grumpas]

No thanks!!! I can''t stomach the b.....!!! This is one woman who isn''t voting for her! I have more character than to vote Republican!

[carlylaine]

StopSocialis (m)
My Hero! or Heroine..

cl

[sleepyric]

yeah,,,good one posted below...Wasilla called, and they want their b-itch back!

[sleepyric]

Gotta see this B-itch''s face all week on the news, then when I get a chance to relax and laugh for once, what do I get??....this b-itch''s face on SNL...Come on Lorne Michaels...this is a bit much...and i won''t watch her if I don''t have to..

[longtree-2009]

Wondering if Sarah Palin represents the typical Republican female. Might be since so many women support her. Very interesting but not going to watch SNL as it stopped being a favorite long ago.

[stopsocialis]

Would someone please get this woman to stop to embarrassing everyone?

Not that America doesn''''t need a constant reminder of McSame''''s poor judgement in picking the Barbie for a running mate.
Posted by notfooled at 03:48 PM : Oct 17, 2008

Translated: Will someone please hurry up and transform America into a communist dictatorship so that we anti-Christian liberals can silence anyone who opposes our world view of Social Darwism?

[stopsocialis]

I''''m boyscotting SNL forever! for this stupid move to but this liar on TV..
Posted by kiwiw at 05:32 PM : Oct 17, 2008

You''d better boycott every major news network that shows your Messiah Obama on there every day then, because he is the King of Lies

[simonette2]

Her appearances, grammatical errors and "talking points" are funny enough.

[pirmin3]

Since she''s a joke she belongs on SNL - not in the white house.

[bigsk8fan]

wasila wants its idiot back.

[ffoulkes-2009]

I can''''t believe Alaska is running on its own with her gone. Who''''s watching'''' Russia?

Posted by airboatboy1

My question is Who''s sitting in the Senate voting ''Present''?