(CNN) - Saturday Night Live, the longtime NBC sketch comedy show that has arguably wielded significant influence this presidential election season, skewered the McCain-Palin ticket for the second straight week in a row Saturday.
In the show’s opening sketch, a Darrell Hammond impersonation of John McCain is shown in an advertising studio recording his tagline for a bevy of negative - and ridiculously false - campaign ads. The ads level such allegations as Barack Obama wants healthcare coverage for the entire universe (including Osama bin Laden) and supports tax cuts for pedophiles.
The sketch also takes a dig at McCain's age, portraying the Arizona senator as unfamiliar with digital recording technology (After he is told it is a new technology McCain says, "Like 8-track?")
Politico reported Saturday the sketch was actually conceived by former SNL writer Al Franken, the current Democratic challenger to Norm Coleman's Minnesota Senate seat.
SNL has already proven its ability to crystallize emerging campaign narratives this election cycle, widely credited with raising a general perception the media was in love with Obama during the primary election season in a series of sketches last winter. SNL's portrayal of Sarah Palin last weekend also synthesized several questions raised about the Alaska governor's readiness to serve as vice president.
With a weekly viewership stretching into the millions that reaches a swath of (mostly young) voters who aren't as closely following the ins and outs on the campaign trail, SNL has a clear ability to shape general perceptions of both presidential tickets in the final stretch of the race for the White House.
Responding to SNL's depiction of McCain, spokesman Tucker Bounds said, "Saturday Night Live is funny, Barack Obama showing no sign of life or leadership during a banking crisis is not funny."
From CNN Politics
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AAAhahaha! I love SNL.
Great Job Hammond!
McCain's Straight Talking Express has been highjacked by the swift boating Rove elements of the Republican Party. McCain tarnished his honor and integrity by being a willing participant.
That was one of the funniest SNL skits I've seen in ages.
Thank goodness for SNL for their willingness to throw the truth out there when there are so many tip-toeing around it in the media. Also, why hasn't CNN reported about the compromises made on the VP debate becuae of Palin's inexperience. This will give her yet another opportunity to answer with only prepared statements. Americans will never get the opportunity to hear her in a free and open debate; the McCain campaign seems to be doing all they can to prevent that.
Ridiculously false? Sure CNN...sure....great impartial journalism there again. No one believes you anyhow.
SNL should quit trying to influence the Presidential & V P election.
If they continue to do so why not mock the Democratic Party as well.
In other words give equal time. Surely there are other topics that can be used to entertain the veiwing public. Quit trying to slant the opinion of the viewers. Shame on SNL.
Sad, really, that it takes yet another comedy show to point out the obvious... Can't wait to hear the whining from the McCain camp about "liberal bias" when it's the facts that keep getting in the way.
They're right. Its true....
Republican for Obama.
Go SNL. Until mainstream news media grows a pair, you and Jon Stewart are all that stands between Constitutional America and the Fourth Reich Amerika.
We are so close to becoming a Police State.
They don't deserve it any more than obama deserves it. this is just another example of how liberals control the media. most actors and writers are liberal.....by doing this SNL is just losing more fans than they already have lost because of horrible skits. SNL is going down the drain and everyone knows it.
Excellent. I'm glad some people are finally discussing McCain's hypocrisy.
After reading the entire Ticker site I can only conclude that CNN is solidly in the pocket of Barack Obama..........not one decent word about John McCain.
That is exactly what they did to Hillary Clinton and that is exactly why I now support McCain/Palin. This Obama dude is one slimey character and I don't want anything to do with him.
When looking at the Republican candidates and their message you gotta either laugh or cry. So thanks, SNL, for giving us a few chuckles in the midst of our enduring this pathetic duo.
Not too surprising. SNL has a cast full of liberals. Most liberals are funny...not very bright...but funny. I like to laugh at them.
It seems that SNL are showing up the McPalin ticket for what they really are..... a pair of jokers!!!!
How can anyone even consider them as President and VP with the state this country is in and how McCain constantly flip flops just for political gain, lie after lie and the most in-experienced VP on this planet!!!!
All you Republicans are now spouting "COUNTRY FIRST", and you want to let this country get in a worse state by voting for McPalin!!!
It must be a case of the McCain doctrine......McCain first, country later!!
Liberal cry babies.. wahhhhhh it is your fault for choosing Obama over Clinton. You have made your bed, now sleep in it!
O.K. You SNL crew... Don't you know your making the Repub gods angry? The next thing you know they'll be making ads about your show and then your in BIG trouble...
Bravo to SNL. I have been watching this show since I was actually young and I still love it. It is relevant and I believe that young americans can relate to it. The best part is that their commentary is both funny and thought provoking. KUDOS!
All fair in
LOVE,
WAR,
POLITICS,
AND
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
TOUGH PETUNIAS!!!!
These SNL skits, unlike that New Yorker cover protraying the Obama's as flag-burning terrorists, is political parody.
That is whyI do not watch such stupiid show. Hateful and bias is SNL.
my latest concern is the subpoena-dodging that's going on in an investigation started by republicans in ALASKA BEFORE that VP selection. We've seen that stuff pulled by the current republican administration, and it should NOT be allowed. They are not above the laws that govern the rest of the country.
Let's take our country back for US – as defined in the constitution. It may be our last chance at survival as a nation.
The ads on SNL are truer than the real life ads McCain spews out.
Deserve it?! Lead our country down a path of destruction?! You are so off base! Obama has no expereience whatsoever! And then the is Biden – who resembles a used car saleman! I am from Illinois – but I am certainly not voting for Obama! He scares me! Get rid of the fluff and what does he have? Nothing!
McCain/Pain 08