David Paterson, SNL (Video)

For years, Saturday Night Live has mocked the vision problems of New York Governor David Paterson.

Fred Armisen portraying Paterson would appear on "Weekend Update." Paterson's disability was the source of tasteless jokes.

Some past appearances of the Paterson character:

December 13, 2008, Video

January 31, 2009, Video

September 26, 2009, Video

I found the portrayal of Paterson to be terribly offensive. I can understand why Paterson and groups such as the National Federation of the Blind criticized the sketches.

The National Federation of the Blind says it considers the sketch an attack on all blind Americans.

Federation spokesman Chris Danielsen says the portrayal is "absolutely wrong."

He says it also perpetuates a stereotype and misconception that contributes to an unemployment rate among blind people that stubbornly remains at 70 percent.

My reaction to Fred Armisen returning to "Weekend Update" playing Paterson on the season premiere of SNL was "NOT AGAIN." How many times do they have to resort to using the same bad material, and in this case, very stale bad material?

Host Amy Poehler was at the "Update" desk along with Seth Meyers. Enter Armisen as Paterson.

Same old, same old.

Then, surprise!



Enter the governor of New York, David Paterson.

Paterson interrupted, saying that he's had enough.

From left to right it was Poehler, Meyers, Armisen, and Paterson at the desk.

Armisen remained in character as Paterson.



Poehler and Meyers apologized for mocking his blindness over the years.

Video.



Transcript

GOV. DAVID PATERSON: Stop, stop, stop! This has gone on long enough.

SETH MEYERS: Gov. Paterson.

PATERSON: That's right, Seth, the real deal. Not some cheap imitation, just classic Paterson. Say, I see you're still sporting the beard.

FRED ARMISEN (as Paterson): Yes, I am.

PATERSON: I shaved that off a year ago. Are you blind?

ARMISEN: Touché.

PATERSON: Ladies and gentlemen, I wanted to come here tonight before my time as governor of the great state of New York ends, and to tell you that working in Albany is just like watching Saturday Night Live. There are a lot of characters. It's funny for ten minutes, and then you just want it to be over.

MEYERS: We apologize if we upset you.

PATERSON: It's OK. It happens. I upset people all the time. It's kinda my thing. But while I have a good sense of humor, jokes that degrade people solely for the fact that they have disabilities are sophomoric and stupid. I have a disability, but for the last two and a half years, I seem to be one of the few people in the country who can see what we need to do.

It's as if you think it impedes someone from being governor. As governor, I've kept the budget in balance; cut $42 billion of deficit; we have not been passing out any IOUs; I'm blind; I'm governor; and I'm still alive. Now how much better do you want me to be?

AMY POEHLER: Well, Governor, we are really sorry.

PATERSON: Sorry? You should be sorry. You have poked so much fun at me for being governor, that I forgot that I was black.

MEYERS: Governor, I think I speak for everyone here that we'll be more respectful of the blind.

PATERSON: Well, I certainly hope so, because blind Americans are incredibly capable and we also rely on our other senses as well.

MEYERS: So it's true that your other senses are heightened.

PATERSON: Oh, absolutely. For instance, just by my sense of smell, I can tell that there are 15 people in this audience from New Jersey.

ARMISEN: That's a good one, Governor.

PATERSON: Thank you, Governor.

MEYERS: The honorable David 'Patersons,' everybody!

The bit ended the way it always would, with Armisen wandering blindly in front of the camera, blocking the anchor desk. This time both Patersons obstructed the camera shot.



Finally on SNL, Paterson got the last laugh.

"There are a lot of characters. It's funny for ten minutes, and then you just want it to be over."

That sums up SNL the past few seasons.