Jack & Jill Politics

I'm surprised that no one here picked up on the fact that the graphics and art work for the SNL segment was inspired by the covers that were done in the 1950s, 60s and 70s for Blue Note Records. See, for example, the jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell's album Midnight Blue on page 3 at this website: http://www.pixagogo.com/7180565202

I think that Fred does a good job as Obama. I don't have a problem with it; however, I do have a problem with the lack of black actors and actresses on the show. Since Barack is half black and half white, a black or white actor has the right to impersonate him. I agree with all who say that Maya Rudolph was terrible as Michelle.........../

Fred has definitely improved to the point that I no longer cringe when he does Obama. I like Maya Rudolph but I just can't buy her as Michelle. I'm sure SNL can find somebody if they tried hard enough.

I thought the Ikeepitcool sketch was funny, finally. They're trying to find their footing on lampooning the president-elect, and I'm glad to see they're getting closer to funny instead of farther away. The YouTube guy is better, but Armisen is still pretty good. Doesn't matter to me that he isn't black - he's got a good enough resemblance when he's playing Obama, certainly no worse than Amy Poehler's resemblance to Hillary Clinton. Actually, it might not count to some, but Armisen is mixed - not with black, but I think part of the reason he's doing Obama is because like Maya Rudolph, who is also mixed, his features are kinda ambiguous, so he has more versatility in who he can look like. I've watched the show for years, and it seems they use who they've got instead of going out to find one person for one role. Any black person they'd hire would have to be able to do more than a Barack or Michelle impression. I'm just saying. Nielsen and 'nem don't care whether I'm watching Saturday Night Live or not, so unless I boycott the sponsors, it doesn't matter if I watch the show despite their not having a more diverse black cast. I'm not saying more black involvement wouldn't be good. My knickers just aren't in a bunch about it. To be honest, I'm more concerned that the Apollo doesn't come on after the show anymore. For the record though, I hate to see Kenan doing women. I hate it. Where is the next Ellen Cleghorne?

I thought this skit was kind of lame (cute but lame). I am with many of you. SNL is not what it used to be, but I do love the political character skits (GW Bush and Cheney, HRC, etc.).

But you cannot tell me that you didn't laugh at the Poehler rap when Palin was on. OMG, every time I see it, I fall out. I thought Poehler and Fey were geniuses this fall.

And I also agree about the lack of black actors/writers on the show. Wuz up with that?

I think it was funny. I just don't get why they can't hire some black people? I mean when they had blacks folks as cast members it worked out well for them so why regress?

i thought it was very funny! as for having a black actor play obama . .awcomeon! i'm all for race-blind casting. You wouldnt back hiring only white actors for white roles!

mca, good on you for your thumbs up on race-bind casting. I think 50 cents would do a good impersonation of Michael Phelps.

I'd like to see a black male impersonate President-Elect Obama. Have you ever seen a black male impersonate Bush, Clintton, Nixon, Johnson, Regan......... on SNL? Just askin.............

EVENING THREAD IS UP

not at all funny.

this guy is terrible in every conceivable way. SNL hasn't been entertaining (or relevant) since the late 80s.

why are americans so desperate to be constantly entertained??? with the nation in the state it's in, it makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER to start trying to parody the incoming president. there's nothing 'funny' about what's happening in this country right now. it's time for us to get serious. after bush i know it's hard to believe, but the office of the presidency is serious business.

I'm not opposed to good humor at all . And what qualifies as good humor goes beyond the ice cream truck (Hee,hee, hee,!) It's totally subjective.

I have'nt watched SNL since Eddie Murphy left, so I can't address the quality of the show or the actors/actresses. What I will comment on is the role of Black females being portrayed by Black males. I don't like it! If the role calls for a big black woman, hire a big black woman.

I hate the role Eddie Murphy played in "Norbit," and the Tyler Perry movies where he portrays Medea . My thoughts: Hire a big black woman, I'm sure she needs the work too. Hell, hire a thin black woman and stuff her with pillows or a fat suit. Just give black women the roles if it calls for a black woman. That's my rant for now!

i agree with your overall point. can't stand what murphy and perry have been doing with respect to black women. it's shameful.

i hadn't watched SNL after eddie either UNTIL this election season when the pundits were talking about how 'good' these people were at playing obama, hillary and palin. the new crop is horrible, and i see i haven't missed much. but yes, if the role calls for a black person, hire a black actor. female--hire female, etc. shouldn't be too much to ask.

I agree that SNL has sucked for a long time....but yes we DO need to laugh and not be so serious ALL the time, least we all go completely mad. Every funeral I've been too, there was a joke, some laughter about a memory or something...we need humor in life. Being serious does not have to equate with being mad. You can be serious and have a laugh too.

I thought visually it was fabulous. One of the best skits I've seen from cinematic perspective. And Fred has the voice down pat. Intonation, timing, everything. He's great! And I thought it was funny. A+ from me. The best political lampoon I've seen in ages, particularly because it was presented in such a cool, retro 60's visual style.

Why do you all continue to support and watch SNL when Lorne Michaels and NBC so blatantly disses us? That skit was filler between real routines but if that's the meat of what they do it's lame lame lame.

The writing itself was meh....

I still want them to bring in an Obama impersonator but I have to say Fred has worked HARD on his Obama and its showing.

as far as armisten and black characters, while his obama may be lacking most times, have you ever seen him imitate prince? funniest.shit. ever.

that was fabulous. love it. and the man. coool, baby. works for me.

I actually thought it was funny.

While I think they should get a black actor to play Obama, Fred Armisen as Obama doesn't bother me as much as the fact SNL does NOT have any black actresses. You mean there's no funny black women out there? Maya Rudolph does not count, and the reason why I say she doesn't count is because she also plays white characters while they have Kel (a black man) playing black women. Maya Rudolph playing Michelle Obama is not going to work. They just hired two more female cast members and both of them are white. Neither one of them is going to make any bit of impact over the bland white actresses they have on now. But hey, this is SNL, where the only black female regular I remember is Ellen Cleghorne, and how many years has it been since she was on there?

I thought it was funny too. LOL, especially the last part about not having a banner when he does something big.

And I agree, it's sad how lacking SNL is when it comes to non-white actors and actresses. They shouldn't have to find a "guest star" everytime a Black woman needs to be played. And Kennan cannot play every black woman any more than he would have been a credible Barack.

why can't they hire a BLACK actor to play Obama. To be honest, I can't get past it, so whatever this dude actually ' does' matters little to me.

That wasn't funny, they should hire that dude from youtube

NinaG: HEY! :>)

CO-SIGN!! [On Alphacat.] But I liked the skit! :>)

You got it, girl!

Co-Sign. Alphacat rocks!

Alphacat is hellafunny