`SNL' debuts with Fey as Palin, Phelps as host - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 09-14-2008

By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer
Sun Sep 14, 7:40 AM ET

NEW YORK - Live from New York ... it's Tina Fey as Gov. Sarah Palin.

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After wild conjecture over whom would play Sen. John McCain's running mate on "Saturday Night Live," Fey returned to her old show for an opening sketch featuring her and Fey's former "Weekend Update" co-host Amy Poehler as Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The NBC comedy show's season premiere opened Saturday with a "nonpartisan message" where the two pleaded for an end to sexism in the presidential campaigns — which have seen Palin enjoy sudden popularity after Clinton's loss to Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

"I didn't want a woman to be president, I wanted to be president," said Poehler, reprising her caricature of Clinton.

Many have said Fey bears a resemblance to Palin, a comparison alluded to in the sketch. A frustrated Clinton eventually broke down, complaining about Palin's ease of ascendance and her "Tina Fey glasses."

A few digs were made about Palin being less experienced than Clinton. As Poehler's Clinton bragged about her foreign policy experience, Fey's Alaskan governor exclaimed: "I can see Russia from my house!"

When Poehler said she disagreed with the Bush Doctrine, Fey's Palin acknowledged, "I don't know what that means" — a reference to Palin's apparent confusion on the subject in her first major interview earlier this week on ABC.

Poehler wrapped up the sketch: "In conclusion, I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can't, I will lend you mine."

"SNL" returned early this fall for its 34th season in part to capitalize on the presidential campaign. The show has historically had particular relevance in its political parodies.

Last season, a sketch making fun of the media's fawning over Obama was seen as causing the press to rethink its coverage. In 2000, Darrell Hammond's impression of Al Gore in the debates made the phrase "lock box" ubiquitous.

This year's season debut was expected to dive even further into politics because of a planned appearance from Obama. But the Senator canceled his cameo early Saturday. His campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Obama decided it was no longer appropriate because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.

Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps was the host. Phelps, who won eight gold medals at last month's Beijing Olympics, said in his opening monologue: "This seriously is like the ninth best moment of my life."

Phelps' mother, Debbie, got in on the joke from the audience, as did William Shatner, who made an irreverent cameo.

The star swimmer stumbled over a number of lines, but also performed in a reprise of a sketch another athletic "SNL" host, Peyton Manning, played last season. As he did a similarly football-themed sketch, cast member Will Forte played a swimming coach trying to rally a despondent swim team in a locker room.

As team captain "Michael Phillips," Phelps said: "I just don't think I'm cut out for this whole swimming thing."

___

In this photo provided by NBC, actress Tina Fey, left, plays Governor Sarah Palin, and actress Amy Poehler plays Senator Hillary Clinton on 'Saturday Night Live' Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 in New York.(AP Photo/Dana Edelson, NBCU Photo Bank)

REDVOLUTION · 09-14-2008

They got Palin look down pat.

Hillary was not even close. She looked like a mannequin with no eyebrows.

ThaBigP · 09-14-2008

I thought it was pretty funny, and I thought that Tina (that's who did Palin, right?) did a great job, especially with the vocal inflection, accent, and facial gestures Palin tends to make. And, I took it as playing on the stereotypes out there about the two of them. I certainly think the crowd had a different opinion, as I could almost hear them standing in ovation when they'd poke a jab at Palin, with muted chuckles when fun was poked at Clinton.

CanadianCowboysFan · 09-14-2008

Tina is hot

Viper · 09-15-2008

It had me laughing, Tina had Palin down.

ConcordCowboy · 09-15-2008

Man she was perfect.

Had her voice down and everything.

MrMom · 09-15-2008

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/palin-hillary-open/656281/?dst=nbc|widget|NBC%20Video&__source=nbc|widget|NB C%20Video

CanadianCowboysFan · 09-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConcordCowboy

Man she was perfect.

Had her voice down and everything.

accent might have been a bit too Fargoish but still pretty good

**trickblue** · 09-15-2008

Palin responded to the skit today saying she found it extremely funny...

She capped it off by saying she was honored to be portrayed by Tina Fey as she finds her funny and she dressed up like her for Halloween one year...

They do have a strong resemblance... both Fey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus...

CanadianCowboysFan · 09-15-2008

Fey is the hottest of them all

**BrAinPaiNt** · 09-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by trickblue

Palin responded to the skit today saying she found it extremely funny...

She capped it off by saying she was honored to be portrayed by Tina Fey as she finds her funny and she dressed up like her for Halloween one year...

They do have a strong resemblance... both Fey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus...

More Fey than Julia IMO.

VietCowboy · 09-16-2008

about believing that humans and dinosaurs walked the earth together at one time, and that time was only about 6K years ago.....does she really believe that?

Aikbach · 09-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by VietCowboy

about believing that humans and dinosaurs walked the earth together at one time, and that time was only about 6K years ago.....does she really believe that?

Does it matter? No, not it doesn't, it's a belief in a theory just like any other theory about the age of the planet.

Has no bearing on her politics a part from the fact she believes in a sovereign God and a savior in , Obama pays lip service to as much as well.

VietCowboy · 09-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aikbach

Does it matter? No, not it doesn't, it's a belief in a theory just like any other theory about the age of the planet.

Has no bearing on her politics a part from the fact she believes in a sovereign God and a savior in , Obama pays lip service to as much as well.

it matters to me, but not for reasons you'll expect. In a Psychoanalytical case conceptualization mode right now.

Achozen · 09-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aikbach

Does it matter? No, not it doesn't, it's a belief in a theory just like any other theory about the age of the planet.

Has no bearing on her politics a part from the fact she believes in a sovereign God and a savior in , Obama pays lip service to as much as well.

But it does.

She said that the war in Iraq is a task from god. Come on now, that's just ridiculous.