John McCain on Saturday Night Live

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have appeared on Saturday Night Live this season.

On the season finale, it was John McCain's turn.

WASHINGTON -- John McCain is 71 years old, and his age has provided late-night comics with some easy punch lines. On "Saturday Night Live," he joined in.

"I ask you, what should we be looking for in our next president?" McCain said. "Certainly, someone who is very, very, very old."

The certain Republican presidential nominee appeared in a phony campaign ad in which he promised to put an end to runaway government spending, claiming he had never sought money for his home state, Arizona.

"Controlling government spending isn't just about Republicans or Democrats," he said. "It's about being able to look your children in the eye. Or in my case, my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom are nearing retirement."

"I have the courage, the wisdom, the experience and, most importantly, the oldness necessary," McCain said. "The oldness it takes to protect America, to honor her, love her and tell her about what cute things the cat did."

It wasn't a particulary funny segment, though McCain did a good enough job. By joking about his age himself, he defuses the issue.

Whenever Jay Leno, David Letterman, or Conan O'Brien do an old age joke about McCain, I think they're being lazy. The jokes are so predictable. They're tired, nothing fresh.

I don't think I can take listening to months more of old man McCain jokes. They either bore me or annoy me. McCain is not that old.

Later in the show, McCain also made an appearance at the Weekend Update desk.

I think McCain ended up having more air time than Hillary and Obama did put together.

Of course, McCain is an SNL veteran, having hosted in 2002. And McCain has a friend in Lorne Michaels. Michaels has donated a full $2,300 to McCain's 2008 presidential primary campaign.

Michaels normally makes political contributions to Democrats, like Al Franken, but he has been a financial supporter of McCain at least since the 2000 primary election.

Apparently, McCain is the type of Republican that appeals to Michaels.