Saturday Night Live went WAY over the line in a skit on the September 20 show.
It was about 50 New York Times' reporters being sent to Alaska to cover/investigate Sarah Palin.
Host James Franco played the assignment editor of the Times, meeting with a roomful of reporters.
While the skit was mocking how Times reporters live in a bubble and are clueless about Alaska, there were some horrible shots taken at the Palin family.
At the beginning of the skit, while discussing the stories they planned to investigate, one of the reporters (played by new cast member Bobby Moynihan) said he was going to look into Todd Palin's suspected activity -- incest.
"What about the husband? You know he's doing those daughters. I mean, come on, it's Alaska."
Franco said, "He very well could be. Admittedly, there is no evidence of that. But on the other hand, there is no convincing evidence to the contrary. And these are just some of the lingering questions about Sarah Palin."
At the end of the skit, it was noted that a Times reporter (played by Bill Hader) won a Pulitzer Prize for a story on incest in the Palin family.
In 2009, Howland Gwathmey Moss, V was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his Times series on unproven, yet un-disproven incest in the Palin family.
The final shot of the skit showed a printed page of the Times with the headlines "In a Small Alaska Town, Doubts Still Linger" and "While No Direct Evidence of Incest in Palin Family Emerges, Counter Evidence Remains Agonizingly Elusive."
As I said, the skit mocks the members of the press and their ridiculous coverage of Sarah Palin.
Nevertheless, to raise the specter of incest in the process is inexcusable.
I wonder if classmates of the Palin children watch SNL.
I suspect that there are some jerks at their schools who will be taunting the daughters about their dad "doing" them.
I can't think of the children of any other politician being subjected to this sort of treatment.
Accusing Todd Palin of incest is unconscionable.
I don't think a joke about Jill Biden doing her sons would go over too well. How about Barack Obama doing his daughters?
(Just typing that creeps me out. I feel I should apologize to Obama and Mrs. Biden. It's so disgusting and so unfair.)
Bottom Line: It shouldn't be open season on the Palins.
Incest.
I find no humor in that at all. Not funny.
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The opening of the show was so very original. It made fun of John McCain's age. How creative!
In a studio recording campaign ads, McCain (played by Darrell Hammond) appeared confused and was little more than a puppet of his handlers, agreeing to say the "I approve this message" line for untrue ads about Barack Obama.
Video.
For the entire show, no jokes were made at the expense of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
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UPDATE, September 21, 2008: Franken helps craft McCain 'SNL' skit
More here.
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UPDATE, September 22, 2008, from FOX News: ‘SNL’ Palin-Incest Joke Falls Flat In Sketch Lampooning New York Times
41 comments:
I was shocked...I had to rewind to see if I heard it right. I can't believe that someone thought this was funny. I understand satire, but this was just ugly.
I am far from being a Palin supporter and have been a long time SNL fan. What the cast and producer did tonite was unacceptable. SNL producer Lorne Michaels has a young daughter. Is she fair game? I think not. Neither are Palin's children who will no doubt be humiliated at school over this.
I had to turn the show off. I don't feel right about watching it anymore.
Apologies are owed at the very least.
Well said. On the off chance such accusations cloaked as "comedy" had been leveled against Barack Obama, the Don Imus incident would have come up looking like white light and fuzzy bunnies by comparison.
http://goplayinthestreet.blogspot.com/2008/09/snl-todd-palin-incest-comedy.html
i agree, and i'm really outraged.
personally for me its like the straw that broke the camels back.
i missed the incest sketch, because the first one put me to sleep, the one where they took their cheap shots at McCain.
i've never been a boycott type of person, but i have vowed to do whatever i can this time.
I enjoyed the episode in its entirety. Will Forte's fear of polar bears developed wholly over the course of the Palin sketch, but because Governor Palin contests the marine mammals' status as threatened under the Endangered Speices Act, perhaps Forte should be fearing for them, too.
Even though, the NY Times expose of Palin was overshadowed last week by the death throws of the Wall Street investment firms, it was nice to see some teasing of Palin before she disappears forever from the national stage. And Jason Sudeikis killed as the Leman Bros. CEO, too.
Welcome to the latest attempt by the Progressive Democrats who want a new tone. They have decided to turn the Palin's into a Jerry Springer show characterization. Yes it was wrong, but the deeper understanding for eveyone who have a different opinion then the Media is this is how they see you. A character to trotted out on Springer, Maury or some other trash TV to be made fun of.
I think enough is enough! How do victims of molestaion feel? I wonder if anyoen int hat room had to grow up in the home of a child molester? I doubt they would be laughing if they did. I shudder to think that these people who find this skit acceptable and funny, may be the same people on our school bards, in our government, writing laws, sitting on the benchg in our courtrooms. This is a sickning peek into what our country in becoming. To creat a sense of acceptance and humor out of something so horid is really in-human. I will no longer be watching SNL, neither will anyone I know. They crossed the line and I feel they should be reprimanded for this. I think the governers council against crime prevention and other groups advocating for victims of abuse to gather together and sue SNL and the network for this. IU would also like to see our officials that are running for office speak out against this and no longer be guests and supporters of this show
This is BEYOND low - this is UTTER FILTH!!! At the very least, the Palin family needs an apology on prime time TV, and the producers need to be CANNED!! This episode needs to be investigated. Imagine if this had been leveled against Biden or Obama. Oh my gosh, heads would roll!! And why hasn't the Obama campaign come out with a comment of total disgust over this? What a bunch of HYPOCRITES!!!!!!!! I often vote Democrat, but they have DEFINITELY LOST MY VOTE!!!!!!!
Obama was supposed to make an appearance on the season premiere of SNL, but Hurricane Ike intervened.
I hope Obama cancels any plans to go on the show.
Obama should condemn these attacks on the Palin family by his allies. He can't control them, but he can comment on their despicable behavior.
If he wants to be a leader, he should act like one.
SNL's writers tried to poke fun at Palin's abortion position in cases of rape and incest. Alaskans should be insulted since in the skit it referred to incest being likely there. I switched off the program and won't feel comfortable watching it again. The Todd Palin and his daughters remarks were so off-color that there should be a public outrage over this. But so far, I've seen almost nothing.
I don't think SNL was poking fun at Palin's position on abortion in cases of rape and incest.
I think it was a terribly mean-spirited attack.
"What about the husband? You know he's doing those daughters."
The husband is Todd Palin and "those daughters" have names. They're real people.
There is nothing remotely funny about saying that Todd Palin is doing his daughters.
It's sick. The people at SNL used terrible, terrible judgment.
I think this skit is complete crap! NBC owes the Palin family an apology. NBC is so far left it isn't even funny!
Bush is a 7.5 year joke -- and you're whining about a SNL skit?
Wake. Up.
(Let's see if you have enough integrity to leave this post in place.)
SNL would be well served to make a few jokes or two over the span of the last 20 years...
Instead of wasting our time.
How about enough integrity to not hide behind "ANONYMOUS" ? The stupid words of the left should always be published in giant hollywood letters for all the world to see and laugh at.....
go to:
http://crackheadalmanac.blogspot.com
for more SNL "news."
"anonymous, 9:00 AM, September 22, 2008"--
You wrote: (Let's see if you have enough integrity to leave this post in place.)
Why would you say that?
Have you been to my blog before? Have you commented here?
I know you haven't experienced unfair treatment because I don't treat posters with opposing views unfairly. You have no reason whatsoever to question my integrity or imply that I'm stifling debate and censoring comments.
On this post, I deleted the comment by "chus" because this individual spams my blog, writing nothing but, "This is what I think" and leaving a link to his/her blog. Nothing more.
I invited the person to actually leave a comment other than "this is what I think." I told the person I would delete the spam comments.
That's what ALL the deleted comments from "chus" are about. It has nothing to do with content.
It couldn't. I don't know where "chus" stands because I never followed any of the links.
So, in addition to my "whining" about SNL's terrible judgment, I'll "whine" about yours as well.
Cry me a river... stop being so serious! It's SNL for crying out loud. LOL
Do you have children?
Do you have siblings?
I know you have parents.
Do you have sex with them?
I think you do. LOL
Of course, I'm just spoofing the crazy stuff people write on blogs. It's a spoof. No harm done.
LOL
You're doing your kids, if you have them.
You're doing your siblings, if you have them.
Your parents have got to be doing you.
LOL
Too bad you're "anonynmous."
This would be so much funnier if we knew your real name and face and your children's real names and faces, or the names and faces of your siblings and parents.
LOL
I think that everyone here and everyone that is outraged about this should start a petition to get the writers, the actors that participated in the skit and anyone else that approved of the skit and allowed it to be aired removed from SNL. There really are no words to descibe how low this was. I can't beleive that anyone would feel this was o.k.
I've always enjoyed SNL but after this recent show I will no longer be a viewer. How sad, that NBC has to stoop so low due to politics. What the heck is NBC so worried about? As Obama would say, "enough is enough"! If you think you are helping Obama's promotion, you are sadly mistaken NBC.
Bobbie, you may be sincere in your outrage or you may be a lib posing as a conservative.
In any event, I think free speech is best answered with more free speech.
I think it's completely legitimate for viewers to voice their concerns to NBC. It's fair to boycott SNL and NBC and vow to never watch again.
Personally, I don't want to have anyone removed from SNL.
People can simply choose not to watch. People can contact SNL's sponsors if they wish.
As offensive as the incest stuff is, I don't want to silence anyone on SNL.
Frankly, I hope they keep talking.
The malicious attack on Bristol Palin is unforgivable, but the program cast and writers may be only affected by the fact it wasn't funny. I would like to see writers, actors, and the producer fired.
I don't like Sarah and I used to like SNL. I don't think this was an opposition plot- just a creation of misogyny and incompetence. An apology is not enough.
They weren't trying to say Todd was a pervert. They were trying to label the Times as biased. Even this right-wing blogger says so:http://www.downrightpolitical.com/articles/sep08/give-snl-credit-for-trying.html
I also was appalled at the lack of decency demonstrated by NBC. This goes beyond politics and shows just how low the media has sunk. One approach would be to provide feedback to the parent company, GE.
Carlitos, if SNL really wanted to say that the Times reporters are biased and out of touch with the experiences and values of most Americans, perhaps the premise of the sketch could have been that Obama is raping his daughters and the Times reporters are willing to be apologists for him. The reporters could be shown convincing themselves that incest is a good thing or at least not something to be condemned, just an alternative lifestyle.
That would have been an even more powerful spoof of the Times.
Now, I want to make clear that I find joking about incest and sexual abuse to be reprehensible.
It would be sick to suggest that Obama is committing incest, just as it's sick to suggest that Todd Palin would do such a thing.
In the name of satire, something other than incest should have been worked into the sketch. Incest is just too hurtful.
Mary,
I am not a librel posing as a conservative. I am a victim of a registered sex offender and I took extreme offense to this skit.
It is also not free speach to accuse others of incest on live national TV and ruin the lives of Real parents and Real children.
Free speach does not mean that you can say anything you like about anyone you like regardless of truth. There are laws against that. Free speach was never intended to be a curtain for people to hide behind that wish to crucify others and this greatly infringed upon the rights of the Palin family. I do not think this is what our forefathers meant when writing the constitution.
Did anyone actually watch the skit, I did, it was a goof on NY Times reporters being stupid and being out of their element in Alaska... (it's possible that it comments on Palin's refusal to grant abortions to rape and incest victims)... but the bottom line is the reporters (who posed the question) were depicted as being idiots. In response to the fact that no Obama/Biden jokes were made... the show is a weekly reflection of what has been going on in the world that past week... Palin has been the headliner (the "celebrity" McCainer's have been complaining that Obama has been) You can't have it both ways -- Freedom isn't about getting everything you want and screwing everybody else-- it's the freedom for EVERYONE to live their lives the way they see fit.
When did this country become such a bunch of whiners? It was a skit, it was on SNL, get over it. Whining and crying over every little thing than bothers you is way past annoying, its pathetic. Toughen up.
Bobbie, unfortunately, many people are posers on the Internet.
Such people do leave comments on my blog, so I'm always wary.
I imagine that anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse would find the skit especially hurtful.
Because the skit didn't actually accuse Todd Palin of incest, it's a grey area. I agree with you. The right to free speech does not give one license to slander.
There are limits to free speech, and it should be exercised responsibly.
Sadly, it isn't always exercised with civility. The Constitution does protect the rights of insensitive jerks, too.
The Constitution doesn't guarantee us freedom from cruelty.
"anonymous, 12:09 PM, September 23, 2008"--
I saw the skit as it aired live. I cringed at the incest references. I laughed at Will Forte's fear of polar bears.
As I clearly stated in my original post, the skit was not ABOUT incest. It was about the NYT's idiocy. (Did you read the entire post?)
It's ridiculous to suggest that there were no Obama or Biden jokes because they haven't been the headliners in the news. You've got to be kidding. Really.
For all the whining neo-cons, what, indeed, would be your reaction had the skit been directed at Obama? Would you still be feigning your self-righteous indignation? Or would the skit be funny to you? The skit WAS funny but wouldn't have worked from the perspective of attacking Obama, since AK has the highest rates of incest and rape (sadly).
As I said in my post, I would be just as repulsed if the spoof of the NYT reporters involved the suggestion that Obama was raping his daughters.
How many viewers do you think know about incest rates in Alaska compared to other states in the country?
Very, very few. You'd have to be a Daily Kos reader.
It's ridiculous to suggest that the skit "worked" because of rates of reported incest in Alaska.
(By the way, does Alaska currently have the highest rate in the nation? Please provide link.)
I believe it was utterly unnecessary to victimize the Palin children and Todd Palin to spoof the NYT.
If you call that whining, so be it.
I am really not sure why this is being marked as a libral, conservative, Democratic or Republican issue. I think this is something that is equally offensive to anyone who can immagine themselves in the shoes of the Palin family. YES... everyone would be JUST as outraged if SNL did the skit about the Obama family because it is about the FACT that incest and child molestation is SICK, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE!! I also think that librals should be a little put off that some (Independant, Anonymous, etc) are giving the impression that only conservatives are upset about humor being made from incest as I have seen quite allot of librals upset about this skit too. making it about librals or conservatives is just a method in which to cloud the real issue that PEOPLE, not parties were hurt by this skit.
I am a teacher,I have been a teacher all my life. I have worked with juvenies who have been really molested by families members, and there is nothing funny about it. I have had to keep girls who were sold by their mothers for drugs to drug dealers. there is nothing funny about this skit.
I have seen them come to school beaten and raped ,there is nothing funny about this skit!
I have to assume that the people who ssid, "we should all just grow up" must not have a daughter,and has not so far been accused of raping her, or she has not been raped by anyone so far...
I think this is a sick commentary on our society that anyone would ever think this is funny! I think what is happening, we allow this by not speaking against it! I plan to protest that anyone on any level that was involved in this should be fired! this is not humor!!
My family and I will find a way to take this to "GE" the owners of NBC,and I am asking that anyone that is offended, to not watch SNL anymore ,and to not buy any "GE" products! ..my next posting will say what they are...
...and I can't leave without making this comment , every day I try very hard to teach my children to respect each other with words and actions, it's very hard,when adults don't do it themselves
teacher in Phoenix
I find it hard to believe anyone upset by the "incest" crack actually saw the SNL skit in its entirety. I agree, there's nothing funny about incest, but that's not what this skit was about - it was about the NYT and how they have been merciless in going after Gov. Palin and her family, even making baseless accusations like that she was a member of the AIP. SNL didn't accuse Todd Palin of molesting his daughters. But the Times, yeah, they would, and that was the point of the joke.
John McCain is a tortured war veteran,not just a war veteran, but a veteran who lived for years in the service of our country. Do you not have respect for anyone!!!!
I was raised to respect my "elders"
in America ,it seems to me ,we no longer respect anyone or anything,
excuse me, maybe just movie stars!
I would like to know if anyone
responsible for this skit served anytime
in any military service, being tortuted everyday?
I hope SNL will be sued by
by Sen. John McCain, and Gov. Palin. I hope SNL will be ending soon, and I will do everything to make sure that happens...soon.
angry and upset
under is that not anything that we can respect enough in that to not "disresepect" him in your very
"unfunny" skits, there has got to come a time when we all say"enough !!!! No more of this
I said my next Posting would be about the "GE" brands,well there are FAR two many for me to name here. You can simply type in "General Electric products", and it will take you right there.
...just a few are."Kitchenaid,"Carrier".JennAir
"Amana","Maytag",,they make freezers,microvaves,cooking ranges,dishwashers,everything!
...People listen through their money,these are products I won't ever by again from them! But now,it's time to find out how to email the program manager at SNL
directly, this is good but I personally want him to hear from me personally,and there is a way for us to contact,next "blog"...
"GE" and Lorne Michaels info.
NBC.com has a form for viewer feedback.
Here.
You'll have to jump through hoops to do it. NBC wants to gather a lot of personal info before you're allowed to express your views.
Why am I not surprised?
Here is the easiest way to contact SNL.
mdGeneral Electric is the parent company or owner of NBC.
If you want yourvoice heard in a place that matters,you can call
Peter "GE" 1203 373 2574
Gary"GE" 1203 373 3476
Russell 1203 373 3193
I know it's a long distance call
but just have 1-2 sentence complaint ready and read it , or just say,"I'm calling to protest the "incest" show, they will know...I hope a lot of people will call them.
I called them and told them,the public is waiting for a statment from your company about such offensive programming...as I said before I will not be purchasing any more products "GE" products
SNL stopped being funny years ago. The only reason I saw the clip is because it has been played repeatedly. The harm to the family cannot be undone, and no one could reasonably expect a public apology to accomplish anything. The offenders have no integrity, no one would believe them; it would be vulgar. But we can all hit the offenders where it hurts by ignoring them. I hope low ratings takes them off the air. Lorne Michaels, Jay Leno, Bill Maher, David Letterman - all willing to shame and embarrass children in the hope of appearing relevant. They may have once been on the cutting edge - the voice of the young and hip, but they are now nothing more than a bunch of rich, creepy old white guys. They should all retire and make room for people who are talented enough to make us laugh without degrading themselves and others.
SNL has had a rough couple of years.
Still, I think the current cast is really talented.
The incest thing was terrible judgment on the part of everyone involved.
If they would put themselves in the place of the Palin family, perhaps they would realize how hurtful a "joke" or a "spoof" can be.
The children of Sarah Palin aren't public figures. They should be off limits, as Obama said.
I wish Obama would call SNL, Letterman, Leno, O'Brien, and others. He should show some leadership and ask them to end the attacks on the Palin children. They occur on a daily basis.
Obama couldn't handle it when Maureen Dowd made fun of his ears! He asked her to lay off.
I think he'd crumble under the attacks that have been waged at Palin and her children.
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