Opinion

Palin's SNL appearance a big hit, but why?

Friday, October 24, 2008

Last week's appearance by vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live" helped the show reach a dizzying height. (And, no, it wasn't Alec Baldwin repeatedly referring to Palin as "Tina.") "SNL" achieved an astonishing 14-year high in the Nielsen ratings; enough people watched the episode to make it the third most-watched program on all of television, including prime time series.

I'm sure that there was a curiosity factor involved, and that's what goosed the ratings. (That curiosity isn't limited to drawing viewers to late-night comedy series, either; don't forget, the vice-presidential debate between the Alaska governor and her opponent's running mate, Joe Biden, was watched by more people than any of the debates between the ticket heads.)

The sketches Palin played a part in were the highlight of the show, laughs-wise. Plus the crowd's enthusiasm for her pair of on-screen appearances was remarkable; the screams were more akin to those offered to a rock star than a standard politician.

But I was left a little confused by all of it, particularly the audience's reaction. Specifically, why was the live audience so effusively happy to see someone that -- at least according to most of the national polls -- they don't like?

Think back to the early years of "SNL," then ask yourself if walk-ons by Presidents Ford or Carter -- in sketches where they were being openly spoofed -- would have earned the same approval? Or would there have been more grumbling about it, before, during and after the show? (And not just from the cast or the audience, either.)

And what to think of Palin herself? She takes time during campaign stops to complain about her portrayal in the "liberal media," then makes an appearance on a show that wears its political heart on its sleeve; a heart, by the way, that plainly doesn't beat for her.

Ultimately, I just think that it's rather disingenuous of the audience to provide an outpouring of love to someone they have little affection for -- and that it's equally dishonest for a politician to repeatedly rail against the media circus, only to show up in the center ring as the starring act.

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  • IN MY OPINION...I have a problem with someone who wants to run our country try to be a stand up comic and criticize the media for being such a circus in another breathe. I feel it's a disgrace to have such an influential person act in such a childish manner and expect us to believe they are qualified to run our country. We're supposed to trust this person with our lives?

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 1:23 PM
  • In my opinion, people ultimately DO like her, possibly more then they like McCain, but they won't even tell some of their closest friends and family for fear of being ridiculed. I believe this election could amaze a lot of people, and it has definitely been exciting and entertaining.

    I believe presidential walk-ons back in the day probably would have been frowned upon, but we have to take a huge step back, almost everything has changed since then, we are living a different way of life. I highly doubt that back then those Presidents were carrying around their BlackBerry Phones and texting messaging, but then again I could be wrong.

    Wouldn't you too rail against the media circus if they had been as nasty to you as they have been to her???

    I am proud of what she did, it showed Saturday Night Live, although they have been making fun of her, along with all the other media involved in this campaign, that she can and is handling it, and if her way of handling it, is to go on Saturday Night Live and laugh with them, then so be it. I think that it's ridiculous for you to judge her, as now being less qualified for the job, because of her appearance on Saturday Night Live. This woman went back to work after just a couple of days after having a child, can you imagine how difficult that would be?? That just proves to me how dedicated she really is now, and was then for Alaska, I am sure that we will see that same dedication from her if the Republican Party wins this campaign.

    We have for decades raised our Presidents up on a pedestal, which needs to be done to an extent, but we forget that they are human just like us. They have laughed, loved, and had their fair share of hardships, and made mistakes, just like us. Sarah Palin has taken all of the media punches on her hardships rather well, and she doesn't even consider them hardships, what a strong and dedicated woman.

    I am registered as an independent voter, but I am proud to say that this election I will be voting for the Republican Party of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

    -- Posted by BKE504 on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 2:32 PM
  • For what it is worth, folks, Daniel seems to have made history, by spending a few hours with some really big cat's one night.

    Interesting, RC, you want someone brave enough to run the country, but now you feel you have to decide in what way the person has to prove (in this case) herself? Your rancor makes you a hard person to please.

    The only way to win the race is to out-race the other racer, in his/her own specialty. Sarah did it right, the way any true leader would do. She took it to the big cats, in their own den.

    I will be proud to vote for the team she is on, any day.

    Respectfully, and Sincerely voiced, Arley Steinhour

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 3:05 PM
  • We can agree to disagree. I'm an independent also and still haven't decided. It's going to come down to the lessor of two evils (hopefully someone with professionalism who won't make a mockery out of the presidency - any more than it already is), who will work for American's instead of big oil companies, and who will see that we have problems that need taken care of before overseas struggles. Don't talk down to me because of my opinion. You aren't perfect either.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 3:24 PM
  • R.C., you have a problem with someone who wants to run our country and be a stand up comic........You haven't heard an Obama speech lately, have you? Sarah appears on the left wingers show of the night and you ridicule her childish manner and are wondering if she's qualified to run our country yet you'll gladly choose someone who openly embraces terrorists and radicals. Go figure.

    Go McCain and Palin!

    Jim

    -- Posted by Jim Foster on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 5:30 PM
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