12/15/2008
NY Governor Paterson Not Amused by SNL Portrayal
Since state governors and vacant Senate seats are under the spotlight at the moment thanks to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, SNL turned its focus to New York, where Governor David Paterson is set to appoint someone to fill Hillary Clinton's empty seat. Paterson's office was not laughing:
"Gov. David Paterson's office lashed out at an impersonation of him on the final 2008 episode of 'Saturday Night Live' that made him into a blind, bumbling, whack job with a drug problem that may (or may not) be classified as 'a former one.' Paterson's spokesman, Errol Cockfield, released this statement late Sunday: 'The governor engages in humor all the time, and he can certainly take a joke. However, this particular Saturday' Night Live' skit unfortunately chose to ridicule people with physical disabilities and imply that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities. The governor is sure that Saturday' Night Live,' with all of its talent, can find a way to be funny without being offensive. Knowing the governor, he might even have some suggestions himself.'"
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 9:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in David Paterson, Hillary Clinton, New York, News, SNL | Permalink
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It was embarrassing and offensive.
But I'm sure the frat boys and 13 year olds love it because that's who SNL aims most of the jokes at.
No Tina, No Amy, No Maya, NO reason to watch.
Posted by: qjersey | Dec 15, 2008 9:22:40 AM
My husband and I saw this Saturday night and also found it unfunny and offensive. Having heard the Governor speak in person twice, I can tell you that he is smart, a straight shooter, and also has a great sense of humor.
Posted by: alex | Dec 15, 2008 9:45:58 AM
I actually shut off the show when this came on. I wish I had stuck around for the Jersey/Southern Border line. That and a few other lines were funny, but the actual portrayal of Paterson was pretty offensive.
Posted by: JH | Dec 15, 2008 9:57:01 AM
So when a Republican is portrayed in an embarrassing way, it's funny. But when a Democrat is portrayed that way, it's offensive? Shocked. I'm shocked.
Posted by: Cyd Zeigler | Dec 15, 2008 10:18:46 AM
Personally, I find it all in bad taste. Which is why I have steered clear of SNL for years now.
Posted by: Cyd Zeigler | Dec 15, 2008 10:19:52 AM
SNL is no longer funny, been going down hill for years!
Posted by: Ty | Dec 15, 2008 10:22:02 AM
Wow... what a piece of mare'd! Glad I missed it.
The skit is about on par with the usual round of unfunny crap. And, as always, you can follow their eyes as they read, quite badly, from the queue cards.
I concur, there just has been NO reason to watch the show in years (and I don't).
Posted by: Rad | Dec 15, 2008 10:34:52 AM
Cyd, it has nothing to do with the political party. SNL ridicules Pelosi, Clinton, and other Democrats ALL the time. They also ridicule Barney Frank's speech impediment, which steers into similar territory as this distasteful take on Paterson's disability.
Posted by: tom | Dec 15, 2008 10:39:50 AM
The real David Paterson is actually quite funny. This is Mr. Magoo redux.
Posted by: Keith | Dec 15, 2008 10:51:34 AM
No, its not about politics. I laugh when they make fun of Clinton....but this skit made fun of his blindness and made him out to be stupid, which he most definitely is not.
Posted by: Alex | Dec 15, 2008 11:26:36 AM
I didnt even watch this SNL bullshit before the election.In my eyes this year's election was very important,and was NOTHING to be made fun of.The gov.Paterson skit was irresponsible and inexcusable.Exactly why I dont watch television AT ALL anymore.
Posted by: DJ | Dec 15, 2008 12:01:09 PM
I really did think it was funny. I thought it was an accurate impersonation.
Their political stuff is always the best.
Posted by: Ev | Dec 15, 2008 12:57:58 PM
Cyd,
What's up with the insincere and disingenuous outrage? Making fun of someone's disability is NOT funny. Sorry, but don't most people learn when they're in first-grade not to make fun of the disabled? I didn't find it funny when SNL had the Lawrence Welk skit where they made fun of the deformed, mentally challenged "hands lady" because of the same reasons.
Why is it hard to believe that people might find making fun of a blind person's disability disgusting for ethical and moral reasons? You are injecting political motivations where there should be none.
If you are the Cyd Z of Outsports.com, do you not have a blog devoted to gay athletes. Isn't part of your mission to dismiss stereotypes? Can't you see the inconsistency in your stance? You think it's okay to make fun of the perceived stereotype of the blind while you fight against stereotypes of gays!
Saturday Night Live has made fun of Barack, Bill, and Hillary. Right? Those were comedic riffs on their personalities and political stands, which is the same as making fun of Sarah Palin. Right?
Posted by: noah | Dec 15, 2008 1:17:39 PM
Ha Ha! Blind people can't see! It's funny because it's true. Next up Marli Matlin sings the songs of Steven Sondhiem.
Seth Meyer used to work out at my gym - the David Paterson sketch makes me want to grease his treadmill - and that ain't a euphemism.
Posted by: Giovanni | Dec 15, 2008 1:27:17 PM
Errol Cockfield? Really?
I thought I'd heard it all. What a name, what a name...lol.
Let's hope Kennedy doesn't get the seat. We don't need the Senate becoming the American version of the House of Lords. Her last name shouldn't give her an unelected position in public office.
Posted by: B.J. | Dec 15, 2008 2:27:58 PM
Cyd Cyd Cyd. We've SO missed mocking a Republican cocksucking tool like you!
How's that project to put the face of your hero Ronald Let The Queers With AIDS Die For Christ Reagan on Mount Rushmore?
How many And Coulter books have you sold today through your Dooryard blowhard blog?
Do you still cry yourself to sleep every night because McShame lost?
Will all your Repug ways EVER get Massa to love you?
Posted by: Leland Frances | Dec 15, 2008 2:38:57 PM
@CYD,
are you being "cyd the jock", or cyd charisse now? as joe-the-plumber said about obama, "he was tap dancing (around the issue) like sammy davis." really? you want to show your log-cabinette ass here? repugs have earned the derision. do not try to soft-shoe your way around this.
you, like joe-the-plumber, need to fade into oblivion. jus' go aboutcha bidness, suge.
Posted by: nic | Dec 15, 2008 5:06:04 PM
Just an observation, but I have noticed through my many years of reading the commentary on this site that obviously straight homophobes who somehow stumble on here to rant against us are treated with more civility and respect than a gay man who dares question the gay party line.
Think about it.
Posted by: jmg | Dec 15, 2008 6:50:21 PM
JMG,
i thought about it. so?
Posted by: nic | Dec 15, 2008 8:54:40 PM
I guess I'm a 5 year old or a frat boy cause I was laughing my ass off. The best part wasn't the easy dig at blindness, but at the weirdness of upstate New York ("the tiny gums with the tiny teeth"). Perfect!
Posted by: wetcnt | Dec 16, 2008 12:54:11 AM