Live from New York, it's "Sarah Palin"! (Oh, and "Hillary Clinton," too)

“Saturday Night Live” kicked off its 34th season last night with a “nonpartisan message” from Sen. Hillary Clinton (SNL regular Amy Poehler) and Gov. Sarah Palin (guest Tina Fey).

As the two stood behind a lectern, flanked by American flags, "Palin" said they were “crossing party lines” for this unexpected joint appearance “to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign ...”

“... an issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about," interjected "Clinton."

And it got better from there.

“PALIN”:  "You know, Hillary and I don't agree on everything ..."

“CLINTON” (OVERLAPPING): "Anything. I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy."

“PALIN”: "And I can see Russia from my house."

“CLINTON”: "I believe global warming is caused by man."

“PALIN”: "And I believe it's just God hugging us closer."

“CLINTON”: "I don't agree with the Bush Doctrine."

“PALIN”: "I don't know what that is."

Poehler portrayed Clinton in a number of sketches last season, including one that satirized what was seen as the media’s love affair with her opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Barack Obama. Fey’s strong resemblance to Palin was noted as soon as Sen. John McCain picked the virtually unknown Alaska governor as his running mate two weeks ago. Fey played that resemblance up last night, arranging her hair in a striking updo and perfectly mimicking Palin’s flat prairie accent. 

[UPDATE: Palin was flying from Nevada to Colorado when the show was broadcast but was able to see it, thanks to the satellite TV system on her JetBlue charter. According to ABC News, there were guffaws from the sizable press pack aboard the plane -- but only silence from the front cabin, where Palin and her advisors were seated, even though flight attendants told reporters that it was on there too.]

Speaking of Obama, he had been scheduled to appear on "SNL" last night but canceled, citing the devastation in Texas resulting from Hurricane Ike.

-- Leslie Hoffecker

Comments

[Jefferson]

Very funny. Tina Fey did a great job. Actually they could have skewered her worse if they had wanted to. It seems that only satirical shows now are able to point out the ridiculousness of someone like Stepford Palin. If anyone in the mainstream media or anywhere else did it you would have a pack of Whiners the likes of which has never been seen before .... whining sexism for tying to get to the facts regarding the issues this nation will be voting on in November.

The funny thing (or scary) about Stepford Palin is that her lack of knowledge and ignorance runs deep when it comes to filling the job of VP. Yes, the other candidates make mistakes at time .... but this is balanced with the amount of knowledge and understanding they have regarding issuses such as foreign police, the economy, education, and health care. Every one stumbles at times ... then there are those who need to go learn how to walk in the first place.

I can see that some particularly dense people still think that Sarah Palin is running against Obama. Careful .... we'll have to put you in the dummy group too.

[h rosan]

Oh yeah, now everybody out there including the dumbest electorate wants to poke fun at Palin by pretending to know what the Bush Doctrine is all about. What the hell is the Bush Doctrine?? What difference Knowing what it means will it make in the day to day governance of America? . Most people and including those smart alec pro Obama liberal reporters and journalists did not talk about it because they probably did not know what the Bush Doctrine is. I am a thousand percent sure that Bush himself does not know till NOW that he has a DOCTORINE? go ahead ask him and he will say : What Doctor are you talking about??? I feel fine ! ! Enough satire and derision aimed at Palin who is a smart woman with great courage and conscience far exceeding most other politicians and that includes Obama alias : the Liberal Media's pet . America is the victim of its own liberal and biased media. The media deserves to be chastised by every conscientious citizen for the shoddy work it has done reporting on Palin.

[j. maddux]

As a 100% unbiased adult, former military officer and former resident of Alaska, when the 'war hero' (don't think so) selects the Govenor of Alaska as a 'political ploy', he lost my vote. Can we all focus on how serious this election really is???

[Katy]

I feel safe with Bush in office, I would feel safe with McCain in office, but I would not feel safe with Obama in office since he has a Michael Jackson we are the world attitude. He would give the country away in a heart beat before he would fight for it and if you don't have a country everything else is pointless. he seems to think he is running to become President of the world and not the United States.
A very dangerous man!

[Ted]

Nonpartisan Observation: Either party has its own position of issues: it's fine, but ONLY IF the party ACCOMPLISHES such position. By observing both parties' movements, it can be said that Dem. has much more FLIP-FLOP character. The very good example is: The party 's (Dem.) sudden FLIP-FLOP to pro-offshore oil drilling position from the previous strong anti-offshore oil drilling position. This recent fact evidently shows the party's FLIP-FLOP character: They are now afraid of losing the upcoming election if they keep their "anti-offshore" as the majority of Americans are "pro-offshore." This fact indicates the Party may change their position anytime calculating advantage/disadvantage, instead of keeping their policy and integity.

[Monty]

Tina Faye for President!!

[DDAY]

none of you republican idiots are commenting about the bias FOXNEWS .

[peabody3000]

why is it that i knew what the so-called bu$h doctrine refers to, and yet every so-called conservative in this country has forgotten or grown confused??

folks, with chillingly coordinated movements, the neocons are all lined up with the same scrapbook of lies to feed to us. much like the crowd of tobacco executives all swearing to congress that cigarrettes werent addictive

neoconservatism is a death sentence for democratic freedom!!!

[woodstock1969]

Here is a skit for you SNL. Have Michelle and Barack in a pew (like they were) and have a Rev. Wright at the podium, which he was, and have him saying....

"And if I could just add one more thing…
A full day of silence
for the tens of thousands of Palestinians
who have died at the hands of
U.S.-backed Israeli forces
over decades of occupation."
In case anyone doesn't know where Obama is really coming from concerning Israel, this direct quote from Rev. Wright with Michelle and Baract sitting in the pews listening, 2 years before he was forced to leave the church and separate from his mentor Rev. Wright says it all. And Obamaites, do not lie, he said himself that Rev. Wright was his mentor.
Anybody in their right mind who selects this pastor on their platform committee after that statement, is someone who should not be president of the United States of America.

[CharlieB]

The amount of hatred in the responses of so many, especially the right is an astounding testimony to what has become of all of us. Culture wars? They are eternal in diverse societies. Media bias? Watch FOX, "Fair, Balanced and Unafraid. "Humor? Eternally subjective. Making fun of politicians?? An American tradition--- Remember Mark Twain and Will Rogers? But the sheer level of paranoia and manipulation in contemporary politics, its exaggerated impact in a mass market, private, electronic media society and the rage and demand for endless outrage by the Rove, Hannity, Limbaugh, Coulter wing of the Republican Party, alll combine to create a society where reason and debate over policies has no place in public discussion. Let us base our votes on serious issues: lipstick, misrepresentation-al Ads, slips of the tongue (O's 57 states, McC's geographical and Shia-Shiite misstatements in the Middlle East; guilt by association; the sexism of attacking Palin and the righteous and clearly non-sexist attacks on Michelle Obama; Racism and whatever else might piss us off. We are a society increasingly driven by hate, intolerance and the the manipulative use of hot button issues to maximize rage and outrage. One need but go to any site where readers respond to articles and we see what we have become.

[bill taylor]

Great show last night SNL, not only did I bust a gut listening to great political satire but also today getting a kick out of seeing another round of endless whining about how badly everyone is treating poor ole Palin.

Here an idea SNL, show a conversation between Palin and Ted Stevens where Sarah is telling Uncle Ted not to worry she really suppots him despite what she is telling the rest of America. Or they could argue who is really more corrupt

[TY]

There will be no working together no matter who wins this election. Truth is, we live in two very divergent countries, with polarized ways of looking at the world. We have been herded into separate camps by those who would weaken and destroy our country. I suspect that this insurgency is entrenched / based in both the media and government, from where they have nearly succeeded in destroying the most powerful nation in the world. Open your eyes and see how you have been led away from your countrymen into a separate, hate filled camps living to do battle with your fellow American.

Unless we realize this and choose to rout this insidious cancer, we are doomed. You have been warned, the next steps are up to you. Unite or fall.

Know this; The media is shaping your world into what they want you to see. Pull back the curtain and you will see this is not reality.

[Samuel]

Why dont conservatives have any funny skit comedy shows? Oh yeah because conservatives arent funny, nor do they serve any role inside of popular culture, other than blowhards like hannity and o'reilly. Where are all the conservative artists? Where are all the conservative comedians? It's just not in their nature, sorry republicans but all you guys have a monopoly on is country music.

[andy]

well i thought the clintons were pretty upset about obama but after the meeting held with obama in harlem and obama heeding help when his advisors said they didnt care about clintons women voters i wonder how much and what has obama offerd the clintons ??? I am a democrat and never voted republican but am this time because i am very disgusted with the clintons who were called all kinds of names by obama and now are willing to help out at WHAT PRICE??????????

[JoshK]

The Dem party was fooling to nominate the least qualified candidate they had for President. It's absurd that McCain could pick a light-weight like Palin knowing that she would outshine the Dem presidential candidate.

Bill Richardson was a governor and much closer to the center than Obama. He also is a governor, who usually beat senators in Presidential elections. The Dem party is going to pay for this fooling swing to the left.

[Paul]

Palin IS uneducated. It is so blindingly obvious.

She had a liberal arts university curriculum and completed a degree in journalism, but actually failed to learn that you simply CANNOT be a proper feminist in this country unless you understand that supporting abortion is good, hunting animals is evil, and NEVER push a family values agenda.

She actually knew her latest child would be born with Down's Syndrome, and unlike over 90% of the other women in this country when presented this choice, she kept the baby.

Her teenage daughter got pregnant, and Palin allowed her to decide to not abort the child, marry the father and, as Barack Obama said, "punished her with a baby".

Forget any other resume item Palin may have (and by all accounts, there seem to be many more). The above points are what make for the vitriol aimed at this woman.

If SNL wants its satire to be relevant, it should address points more authentic. That's when satire is worth something.

Go Sarah!! She is TR for the 21st Century.

[basementfrog]

128mojo

The reason is the press is controled here in the USA by interest on the right. A few mega corporations control the media and manipulate elections by votin machines made by friends of the republican party.

Come out and expose her for the obvious idiot she is, would only bring the wrath of people you don't dare piss off (do some reseach on a journalist name Gary Webb, who worked for the San Jose Mercury News).

Palin will get a free ride all the way..and the press will make sure she does.

ABC brought in their most softball looser, the Gibber, to interview Ms. Palin, thinking she would have some basic knowledge. Surprising to even the republican establishment, she is coy but dumber than anyone thought or could have imagined. For the love of God, she doesn't even know what government entitlements are!

And she may have the button at her finger tips one fine day. Shoot em like a moose because their just bad, and that's all we need to know. They are just bad.

[David]

My god, Ms. Fey is brilliant as Palin. Hillary needs some work though. Very funny. The skit shows that both parties are out of touch with most americans. Is it time for the two party system to go?

[Rodney]

The Palin/Clinton bit was great, but it is a shame that it was based on the "official media spin" given to the heavily and apparently purposively edited ABC interview. See the full version of the interview here:

boldhttp://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=41758

or Google:

palin interview edited full

for lots of informative links.

[clara vergari]

I'm insulted. Did Sarah call hockey moms female dogs i.e.,
b......, dictionary definition? As a Mom, I've tried to teach my children to not be vicious pitbulls or baracudas. Instead I hope they will be intent on fairness and kindness in life and in sports. Sarah's comments should not be mistaken for acceptable humor. It's our responsiblity to not laugh at or accept such distorted thinking as humorous. I was under ihe impression that a primary goal of sports is to promote fair play and respect for the rules and one's opponent. Silly me?

[McGreen]

I loved it, biting satire that is too close to the truth.

I think enough people will take the office of the president and vp seriously enough to vote for Obama and Biden.

[Rodney]

Also, I am a bit incredulous that one of the commenters above said that Palin got an easy ride in her interview. If you compare her interview with that given by the same person to Obama, it is apparent that Obama got a much easier ride and that the interviewer considerably biased in favor of him:

Obama interview:
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=5000184

How does it feel to break a glass ceiling?
How does it feel to "win"?
How does your family feel about your “winning” breaking a glass ceiling?
Who will be your VP?
Should you choose Hillary Clinton as VP?
Will you accept public finance?
What issues is your campaign about?
Will you visit Iraq?
Will you debate McCain at a town hall?
What did you think of your competitor’s [Clinton] speech?

Palin interview:
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09...with-abc-news/

Do you have enough qualifications for the job you’re seeking? Specifically have you visited foreign countries and met foreign leaders?
Aren’t you conceited to be seeking this high level job?
Questions about foreign policy
-territorial integrity of Georgia
-allowing Georgia and Ukraine to be members of NATO
-NATO treaty
-Iranian nuclear threat
-what to do if Israel attacks Iran
-Al Qaeda motivations
-the Bush Doctrine
-attacking terrorists harbored by Pakistan
Is America fighting a holy war? [misquoted Palin]

By the way, Tina Fey was better as Palin than Amy Poehler was as Clinton. Tenet got the accent down perfectly!

[gerald bryant]

Sexism in the election campaign for President and Vice President of the United States of America ? That is what happens when women are introduced into the equation. What do people expect? Live with it.

[sven]

Someone out there still watches SNL?

I thought they canceled it after Will Farrell left.

[Mark]

Haha that was brilliant

[gerald bryant]

When Sarin Palin was told that the Russians were in Georgia, she said that she hoped that they had not also invaded Alabama, and South Carolina.

[Michael Wright]

It is very obvious on who side our "By-Partisan-Unbiased" Media stands once again. Some how you people are so stupid that you some how believe that sensible Americans cannot see the obvious. It Sarah Palin and John McCain loses in November its only because that's what God's Will would have been and not simply because you have succeeded in making them look like people they are not;

And if Bacack Obama wins it will still be glorious, because it will mean that the wickedness that will persist under his Un-Godly leadership will bring God's wrath on us, forcing us to repent and seek God, or be destroyed. Seeking to be wise you have become Fools.

May God bless and protect those who are His.

Wake Up America, and Repent.

[JP]

Kinda funny at times, but Palin is a lot smarter than portrayed. I'm also a chemical engineer who rejects slime to human evolution like Palin. A secular conference just finished in WA entitled The Crisis in Cosmology discussed endless problems with Big Bang cosmology.

The seriousness of the race and our future subdues all comedy in the nation, although lefties will try to ignore our grave situation made up of an energy and financial crisis, two wars on terror, the Iran problem, the Russia and China problem, political correctness, increasing child abuse, etc. with crude or Christian bashing humor similar to how people laugh and jeer at Christian martyrdoms or persecutions, past and present mostly in other areas of the world.

Worst of all, Obama is connected to many new age occult channelers: A channeling spirit inside a medium named Carolyn Evers channels support for Obama. Evers also channels a spirit named Kuthumi, the same spirit that Madame Blavatsky channeled in theosophy in the 1800's which was key in starting the Nazi third reich movement under Hitler. New Age Oprah talks to the channeler Mrs. Hicks and the spirits inside her, which invaded her after using a ouji board, yet Orprah won't talk to Palin. Marianne Williamson, an Obama supporter, got her fame supporting channeled Course in Miracles mishmash. She wants to create a deceptive department of peace under Obama with help from pro-channeler Dennis Kucinich. Pro Obama Arriana Huffington has a new age cult guru, John-Roger, supporting occult channeling. Obama's long time Black Liberation Theology church is connected to racist Nation of Islam leader Farrakhan who had UFO or multi dimensional contactee experiences with spirits who may have influenced the million man march. The list goes on and on.

[VJ Machiavelli]

Just as I have said SNL was going to have a field day spoofing Sarah the "New Republican Terminator".But the more they do it the better it is for Sarah. The amount of free media she is great, Yes it makes fun of her. But those who laugh last laugh the loudest. Come Jan 20th, 2009 Sarah the "New Republican Terminator" will be laughing all the way down Pennsylvania Ave, along with VJ Machiavelli who will be watching from a cocktail party with friends saying, I told you McCain would be President not "RUDY"

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Chuck]

Lighten up people! Its only comedy. We make fun of everything and everybody here in the good ol' USA. Its what makes us fun to be around. Enjoy it and move on to the serious issues, like why did the gas prices spike when the oil refineries were in danger but they don't drop when OPEC keeps sending the same amount of oil or even increases output, funny, huh?

[Michael Wright]

One of your Blogger called Fox News Biased is he stupid, or is he Stupid?

Democratic Gov. of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell admit on national TV that Fox was the most Unbiased Network. There is a difference between reporting the truth and being biased.

[Rolanda]

What a shame that McCain use such a trick to put next in the line someone who's there only because she's young and feminin. Does he really care if this person can take the responsibility if anything happens to him in presidency? No, he doesn't care, he just want this "Palin Phenomenon", hopefully, last a bit longer than two months. People are easy to be manipulated. They like the ideas: "She's as normal as we are." "She does not need experience in anything because we want changes." "She will be the model of all the American women."...

Do you really want a leader to govern the country? Or you give hope to the VP being trained during the presidency (if she's competent) at the cost of the whole country???

American, where are you heading to???

People accuse that Obama should be wiser to choose Clinton. I will say that's the most responsible thing about him: His vision is not about just an election to win the power. He focuses in the effectivity of presidency. Clinton could help him win the WH, but she will also after bring all kinds of clash inside the House!!! Obama is responsible for his decision, and he will win the place with his far-sighted vision.

Wake up, American!

[Cindy]

Replying to:

"

The biggest danger to this country is to let the republican party remain a party. They are committed to the total destruction of the middle class and to have only two classes, master and serf. Along with the values and morals of the Christian right trying to move us back to the middle ages, this is the point in time that historians will point to as the the time America lost its way and followed the wrong path away from greatness.

Help America, vote Democratic in Nov. and put America back on the path to greatness."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Let me tell you about who's killing the middle class. I live in NJ, we're practically Socialists here apparently. The state debt is ridiculous. Democrats tax the middle class beyond belief to pay for all their "social programs", i.e. handouts to the lowlife filth of the state. The same filth that keeps them in office each year, and according to some rumors, the same filth Gov. Corzine "donated" money to in exchange for their vote. The man has approval ratings comparable to Bush, but I will bet you the "property tax rebate" (that NJ homeowners barely get a fraction of anymore) that he will be reelected so the gravy train can keep running, courtesy of the working people of NJ.

I'm not saying either party is worth a damn, but get your facts straight.

[jojo]

NOW I REMEMBER WHY I QUIT WATCHING THIS SHOW ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO

[John]

What a devious plot by McCain to again distract from the issues by selecting the ignorant, out-of-mainstream Governor from Alaska. She will be America's and the World's Trojan horse as the Republicans will attempt to portray her as something else than her true self. The words out of her mouth are not hers, and the media is again failing to find out the truth about her in the short time left in the presidential campaign. McCain's final attempt to reach the President' seat has obscured his judgment by gambling on Palin at the risk of damaging America and the world.

[Julie]

Oh how sad that the jokes are so true. As an American I'm so embarrassed by Palin, that she really thinks she can be VP or even the big P should something happen to McCain. She has no idea what she's getting into. That was eveidenced by her first interview the other night. She just does not have the experience to do it no matter what anyone says. A mother of 5 does not make a VP of a waring Superpower. Get Real !!! She does not represent everyone, only the extreme right. All she is, is an arrogant bible thumping cheerleader with a rifle who supports big oil. An inmature and selfish existence. She is not a real candidate. She is just a pawn being used by the McCain camp. If Obama had picked Hillary, McCain would not have picked Palin. Get over it everyone. It's time to view her for what she really is; a sexy body with out dated values and not much world knowledge to help keep happy the graying old republican men in power.
McCain has made a mockery of our election process let alone a created a circus by selecting her. She is the most devisive and inexperienced candidate in history. Should she (God help me) get into office she will truly represent the loss of individual freedom and help fracture even further the people of this great country through her radical values backed by a military industrial complex. She is just a pawn and this election has become a travesty because of her presence. Nothing more, nothing less. Please note that 2 years ago Haliburton was awarded a contract to build concentration camps in Wyoming. My goodness, who do you think they will keep in there? Remember your either with us or against us! Bush signed off on the new concentration camps. Best of luck in the coming age.

[Prime Customer]

I thought SNL went off the air years ago. Then it's top news in the media, announcing the actress who is going to spoof Sarah Palin.

I suppose it's those sorts of people who have been watching the show all this time. Vacuous minds indeed.

[Aji]

“CLINTON”: "I don't agree with the Bush Doctrine."
“PALIN”: "I don't know what that is." ..

interesting......even thou she dont know what Bush's doctrine is, she was agreeing with him for every thing.

and is she the one who is going to be the VP of US?
does she know what she is doing?

[Marie]

Great !!! I hope the Democrats really "sic" Hillary on Palin.

[Rob]

sounds like the neocons are pretty wound up about this.

:)

[Tim Moss]

I'm an Arizona Republican and neighbor of John McCain. For all of you who think he's the right guy to be President.....you are sadly, sadly deceived. The man is a power-hungry liar. Although not perfect, Obama is clearly the better choice.

[Just maybe opening eyes and minds]

What we don't need in office is someone that believes a God controls every aspect of their life.
Believing in something that actually exist makes much more sense don't you think?
Einstein quote:
"If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

[ozzi]

how desperate are the liberals... they can't get hillary in real life so they have to get a clone. This skit tells it all about the newsworthiness of Obama..in the toilet.

[frankramon]

Whoever is actually in charge, if any one, surely has paid attention to what Lincoln said regarding a divided house.
We are being pitted against each other, and we have been for quite some time. Who will gain here? I can hear the laughter in the board rooms, I can feel the contempt wafting from the leather covered seats in the Corporate Jets, and I can feel the evil power emanating from the corrupt regimes all over this planet. As the Bob said " The masters make the rules for the wise men and the fools". Which to you perceive to be you? do you think you have a choice? How many of you on both sides, feel that the game is rigged? I do!! scares the hell out of me. Any one who reads the bible can see that Jesus was clearly against all that is being cast as a Christian Point of view, murder in the name of god, what mass insanity has invaded our world. I wish Jesus would come back,
we need a good house cleaning, and unity against all this devised division. Killing wolves from a helicopter!! oh my god, we could be next!! I think we are in the cross hairs already!!! ya better jump down a manhole.
light your self a candle................

[John Quimby]

Funny.

SNL gets credit, but John McCain delivered the joke.

[Richard From Seattle]

It was a very funny skit - but the real joke is that the majority of Americans vote for a candidate when they can't give you 10 major stances of the candidate they're voting for.

Thank goodness for the road signs emblazoned with the candidate's name - without which, we wouldn't know who to vote for!

[EdwinG]

Actually Ozzi, it is the Republicans who are desperate, they took a lady in a prairie to give life to McShame. Now this is a perfect cover up to entertain the American people and forget the Bush woes from economy to war to corruption in high places. Nobody is mentioning Enron on what they did to Southern California, to Halliburton, to defense contractors and the Republicans profited big time. Here is a link about the heroic McCain months after he arrived in USA and saw her wife mangled from an accident. Six months later, he was marrying the pretty rich girl named Cindy..

http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain/carol.asp

[Shawn]

I hope this is a HUGE boost to both Tina Fey's and Amy Poehler's careers. I just saw Baby Mama! Talk about women making history!

It is the first thinking woman's buddy movie EVER!!! Usually, movies pit women against each other - or they are totally co-dependent.

Both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler rock! Tina and Amy 2012!!!

[Sashland]

The final laugh will be when Obama is asked that "trick question". Bush (per Perino) has now clarified the three parts of the Bush Doctrine. Obama's problem will be that they all are perfectly reasonable and necessary for the protection of the US.

Obama will look silly f he agrees with Bush; Obama will look silly if he disagrees with the Bush Doctrine.

[ezpz]

Tina Fey needs to take this show on the road...shadowing Palin...hahahahaha! Tina's Palin character, so pitch perfect, should start giving press conferences, speeches, etc. The Gullible Dummies would never even catch on...