Screen Junkies » Sarah Palin

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly: Political Appearances On ‘SNL’

Penn Collins — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:56:25 +0000

It’s looking like Mitt “Mittens” Romney is in position to take the Republican nomination this summer for the presidential election, which means that he’s got about six months to turn himself into one heckuva likable guy.

Of course, that means a mandatory stop on SNL to prove that he can laugh at himself.

What once was a charming, spontaneous act by some politicians has started to feel a little forced, like the show and the candidate are going through the motions.

That’s not to say that all the appearances have been duds, but any time you get a non-performer on stage to make people laugh, the results will be mixed. Here are a half-dozen examples of which way these cameos can go.

Don’t forget to vote this November.

Rudy Giuliani

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Giuliani and SNL enjoyed a very symbiotic relationship during his tenure as Mayor. He comforted America when the show returned after 9/11, reminding the country that it’s okay to laugh again, though not necessarily at SNL, because it’s not always that funny.

While Giuliani was never the most charismatic speaker or guest on SNL, he did feel like a godfather of the show, and that bit of goodwill made everyone a little more at ease, and a little more inclined to laugh. Even the fact that he’s championing his efforts to clean up the city doesn’t seem so self-aggrandizing, but rather a little charming.

Giuliani’s genuine enthusiasm for being on the show, coupled with Norm Macdonald’s mumbly creepiness makes for one of the successful appearances by a politician on SNL.

Don’t get too excited, though. They’re not all winners.

Janet Reno

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, SNL had a real problem. That problem was that the show couldn’t offer up an impression or spoof of a celebrity without having that celebrity on one of the shows to “confront” the cast member doing the impersonation. Even the first time I remember it being done (Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro), it felt forced and cheap, and every subsequent time more so.

Here’s an example of a bizarre funny sketch that at no point needed an appearance by the actual Janet Reno. Further, seeing her dancing doesn’t really do anything other than make my eyes bleed. Sure, she’s a good sport for sanctioning this mockery, but that doesn’t exactly make her funny, now does it?

Cheer Up, Rick Perry: 7 Great Political Gaffes Caught On Video

Wookie Johnson — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:07:26 +0000

Rick Perry went blank at last nights GOP debate while announcing the three federal agencies he would target to tame the budget deficit. “Oops,” he proclaimed after stammering for 43 seconds, trying to name the final one. Many theorize that this was the death blow to his campaign. How dare a candidate stammer and, umm… what’s the word I’m looking for? Um… ummm…. well, screw it. It’s gone now.

Cheer up, though, Rick Perry. Your blunder wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as these famous political screw ups.

Howard Dean

Howard Dean’s campaign for the Democratic nomination fell to shit after he admitted a spastic scream while working the crowd at a rally. I love the idea that someone can be in a room filled with their strongest supporters, but as soon as they do something dorky, it’s all over. It’s the political equivalent of your wife catching you watching Torchwood.

Sarah Palin with Katie Couric

Katie Couric‘s interview of Sarah Palin confirmed everyone’s suspicion that the vice presidential candidate didn’t have too much going for her in the smarts department. She failed to mention any Supreme Court rulings beyond Roe v. Wade, couldn’t recall the names of any of the newspapers she reads (“All of ‘em, any of ‘em”), and got her head stuck in a honeypot.

Watch Trailer For The Sarah Palin Doc To End All Sarah Palin Docs (Hopefully)

Joseph Gibson — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:31:23 +0000

If you thought you were going to be able to avoid reading more about that Sarah Palin-approved documentary about Sarah Palin – how’s that workin’ out for ya? Here it is, the trailer for The Undefeated, which is a rather curious title considering that Sarah Palin has been, in fact, defeated – twice if you count the time she quit halfway through.

Anyway, the trailer is mercifully without the sound of Palin’s voice, opting instead to go for the “talking heads talk about how amazing Sarah Palin is” route, which I guess helps to obscure the fact that this documentary was originated from a project conceived by Sarah Palin. Less fortunate is the absence of any of those explicit anti-Sarah Palin soundbites from people like Howard Stern and Louis CK, which are said to necessitate the release of an “unedited” version of the film in addition to a PG-13 version for general, less cool audiences. Anyway, here’s the trailer – I recommend not watching it if you just ate.

9 Rejected ‘For Your Emmy Consideration’ Ads

Jame Gumb — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:36:32 +0000

At about this time every years, trade publications and websites are overrun with ads from various television shows asking for “your consideration” in regard to the Emmys. And this year, like a reoccurring herpes outbreak, they are right on cue. I’m sure that for people who are actually involved with nominating shows, these ads are somewhat flattering. But for me, being asked to “consider” Jay Leno‘s fat face day after day is nothing short of torture.

But if nothing else, seeing these ads made me wonder how the networks decide which shows to promote. With the abundance of crap on television, there must be quite a deliberation process. With that in mind, I set to work harassing my dozens of insider contacts, and was given access to the following rejected ‘For Your Emmy Consideration’ ads. I hope you find them as insightful as I have.

“The Hasselhoffs”

Palin Producing Biopic About Herself, Release Date To Unexpectedly Fall Near ’12 Primaries

Penn Collins — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:45:51 +0000

Ensuring that the HBO Films’ Game Change doesn’t paint her in a negative light, Sarah Palin and her deft cinematic hand of genius are hard at work producing a rival biopic that presumably won’t be as critical of her political career (though it would be kind of funny if she ripped herself apart in her own film).

The project, inexplicably titled Undefeated, aside from being produced by the subject, will be directed by conservative filmmaker Stephen K. Bannon, and will be released in key states before the primaries in 2012. You know, if people didn’t know Palin better, they might jump to the conclusion that this film has self-serving purposes.

Undefeated will be released in both an unrated format and as a PG-13 film, so that all her tween fans will be able to see the film. The unrated format will feature some obscene and graphic anti-Palin sentiments. It’s weird that her feature will focus on the vulgar nature of her critics. Cause, you know, that could have gone either way.

Julianne Moore Looks Folksy In First ‘Game Change’ Pic

Wookie Johnson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:21:01 +0000

It’s Halloween 2008 all over again and Julianne Moore is getting in on the fun.

Here we see Moore going rogue as former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for the HBO film, Game Change. In the film, Moore’s Palin is joined by Ed Harris as John McCain, Woody Harrelson as Steve Schmidt, Melissa Farman as Bristol, and Ron Livingston as senior adviser Mark Wallace. Production begins today with director Jay Roach, but this first photo should be enough to keep Tracy Morgan going until there is a trailer.

Tracy Morgan Likes The Naughty Secretary Look

Wookie Johnson — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:26:32 +0000

It’s funny that Tracy Morgan began his career on live television considering he can’t be allowed near a live-feed without a predictably unpredictable outburst. As TNT just found out.

Morgan recently sat in for an “Inside The NBA” segment (strangely while wearing a shirt) where he was asked to solve a recurring argument between Charles Barkeley and Kenny Smith, “Tina Fey or Sarah Palin?”

The answer as you can probably guess caused co-host Ernie Johnson’s butthole to pucker a little bit. You just know it did. Morgan’s response, “Let me tell you something about Sarah Palin: She’s good masturbation material. The glasses and all of that, great masturbation material.”

Johnson then cut him off to threw to commercial, right before Morgan could say he would make her pregnant and eat the afterbirth. Broadcaster TNT has apologized to anyone offended by the candid interview. I’m not sure why. He was clearly being complimentary. (Gothamist)

Sarah Palin to Star in ‘Alaska’ Reality Show on TLC

Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

That’s right. The most popular Halloween costume of 2009 (and would-be vice-leader of the free world) is joining the esteemed ranks of reality television. TLC has landed the Sarah Palin‘s "Alaska" reality series. In the eight episode series, Palin will show us her Alaska as well as take us inside her home. But knowing TLC this is all just a launchpad for a series about competitive moose-eating contests. I know how they think.

Discovery Communications edged out rival A&E Networks for the show, with the remaining question being which of its suite of channels would air the program. Discovery Channel is considered the flagship brand, and certainly a home for travelogues, though the company felt Palin’s appeal was better suited toward mom-friendly TLC. The network is best known for "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and also airs "Cake Boss," "Little People, Big World" and "American Chopper." (THR)

Seeing how being dumb on television launched Jessica Simpson and Snooki into super-stardom, my prediciton is we’ll either see Palin in the White House or shilling for Carl’s Jr as a result of this. Maybe both.