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SNL & Palin; Obama Next?

Posted by JOE WINDISH, Technology Editor in Arts & Entertainment, Politics.
Oct 23rd, 2008 | Comments

Freakonomics:

Sarah Palin’s favorability ratings dropped slightly among independents, Democrats, and Republicans who viewed Tina Fey’s impressions of her on Saturday Night Live, according to a study conducted earlier this month by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.

Another study by the same group said the real Palin’s appearance on SNL last week boosted her ratings — though not by much — according to an HCD press release.

SNL’s ratings, on the other hand, have shot up thanks to the fake, but especially the real Palin, hitting their highest levels in 14 years when the real version appeared on the show, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Sean Quinn at FiveThirtyEight says the impression has impacted the race in New York to the point that the McCain-Palin campaign is finally and belatedly pushing back.

Meanwhile, rumors are flying that Obama will appear on SNL a week from this Saturday, November 1 — just three days before the election. TVSquad has more about that.

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DLS

Icing on the cake. It's already demeaning to have celebrity-style appearances (what was that nonsense on Ellen Degeneres's show?) with Hollywood obviously favoring you-know-who (of you-know-which party). If Obama does appear, hopefully he'll keep it low-key; if he wants to exploit an appearance, perhaps he should study Bill Clinton's television appearance as an earlier model.

If Obama wants to be innovative, why not wait and appear after he wins the election? It becomes something actually interesting between November 11 (get that date right, Dems, heh, heh) and "regime change day" next year. Why not add to the festivities between the two dates? (in addition to joining the G-20 or OECD summit or summits about the world economy and other serious matters)

lotusflwr

I wish Obama would go on SNL sometime but I doubt he'll lay down before Election Day and be the fodder for the GOP squawkers to throw their hands up & over-act like a bunch of drama queens about how he doesn't take things seriously, couldn't stop campaigning to help with the bailout but was in Hollywood raising money like the Mr. Rockstar Celebrity he is, yadda yadda yadda. Plus with his grandmother seriously ill and a lot of campaigning still left to do, I doubt SNL ranks highly on his list (rightly so.)

I do sulk a little despite knowing that it would be a bad idea all around though because he was hilarious at the Alfred Smith dinner AND the guy playing him on SNL does a great impression of Obama's intonation. Plus I need break from all the politics; I'm so sick of this election.

I'd personally welcome a HUMOROUS distraction now, but I don't see it in the tea leaves, until post-Nov. 4 if ever. I might be able to coast until then just watching Colbert and deigning only to read articles and not comments. Maybe I'll get some scissors and start taking out my frustrations on the handful of political mailers I get every day?

StockBoySF

I am sorry to see that Palin took a hit from her SNL appearance. Politicians need to let their hair down and be able to poke fun at themselves, especially in a race as serious as this one. It was refreshing to see a more human side of Palin, she wasn't on the attack. I think people need to chill over her SNL appearance... it was meant to be fun.

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