New York Gov Can’t See Humor In SNL Skit
Did any one catch the absolutely hilarious (so wrong, but absolutely hilarious!) skit on Saturday Night Live with Fred Armisen portraying New York State Governor David Paterson? Apparently, the faux governor doesn’t New Jersey.
But the real Gov. Paterson’s apparently not into this skit either. He believes his portrayal in last Saturday’s Weekend Update actually did harm to the cause of disabled people. Says the gov, “I can take a joke. But only 37% of disabled people are working and I’m afraid that that kind of third-grade humor certainly adds to this atmosphere.” (Personally, when I saw the broadcast news piece on this issue, I wondered aloud if maybe Paterson could dish it out, but not take it.)
The skit is below.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I agree that this skit was not in good humor or taste and satire should have its limits. Armisen and SNL were not making fun of Paterson and his policies… they were mocking his appearance and a disability that does not impede his functionality as a politician. So by extension, they were mocking all individuals who merely look funny, blind or not.
People in society have enough prejudices against individuals with what we call a handicap or other physical impairment as is; we don’t need to fan the flames in a medium so protected as satire and parody.
This is as much in equal poor taste as the inflammatory rhetoric of Michael Savage and Don Imus. The only differences is their words are more obvious in their offensiveness/the speakers knew they would spark controversy, while SNL’s skit more effectively hides behind the mask of “comedy” and “parody” and is protected by the First Amendment.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Usually I’m all for inappropriate humor, but this skit just wasn’t even funny…any kid could do a lame impression of a blind guy…I don’t watch SNL but you’d think they would put a little more thought and creativity into a skit rather than taking some cheap shots.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I couldn’t stop laughing when I watched this. SNL is about parody. Gov. Paterson is blind and it’s a part of parodying him. They weren’t making fun of blind people, they were making fun of Paterson. They make fun of EVERYONE ELSE. i like Paterson a lot, I think he’s a great governor, but as a public figure, he’s gonna have to get his too.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Indeed, Gov. Paterson is blind, but he’s not that blind that he can’t see things. Shame on SNL!