Video: SNL goofs on New York governor for being blind
posted at 11:37 am on December 15, 2008 by Allahpundit
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I chuckled in shock at the sheer audacity of it when I saw it on Saturday night, but Paterson’s not laughing. I think they would have gotten away with it if the only blind gag had been his disorientation at the beginning, but they keep coming back to it, most cheaply in the form of the upside-down graph and having the character wander into the shot a few minutes later during Amy Poehler’s segment.
More surprising than the skit itself is the fact that they chose this one for posting on the website when the Blago skit, which was funnier, didn’t make the cut. Exit question: Too far? I want to sympathize, but for some reason I’m having trouble today.
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NYT where ya at?
marklmail on December 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I cracked up– but I love anything Fred Armisen does (well, except Obama; that’s his weakest immitation).
Pasalubong on December 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I was amazed too, but then I thought that making fun of a blind person on television is kind of like making fun of a deaf person on the radio.
kurtzz3 on December 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM
If we are to be all equals, then we are to be all equals.
vinman on December 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM
It was hilarious.
Absolutely hilarious. Did you hear him ordering $50 worth of circus tickets at the end?
Paterson needs to learn to laugh, and people shouldn’t fret on his behalf.
MayBee on December 15, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Stay classy SNL.
meltenn on December 15, 2008 at 11:43 AM
SNL will probably argue that because he can’t see it, he can’t be offended.
They’re like that. Probably think it’s part of the joke.
BKennedy on December 15, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Oxymoron…
Hey the skit was pretty funny, as funny as SNL can get, a little rough, yeah, but the Gov. should do what all smart politician’s do, go on and have some fun.
Don’t be so thin skinned…btw, if he is “legally blind” how did he see it?
And is he “blind” so he can get the best parking places…
right2bright on December 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Stevie Wonder would tell the Gov to grow a pair.
LevStrauss on December 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Classless…
DL13 on December 15, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I’m thinking if all they did was make fun of his blindness he would’ve brushed it off but they went after him pretty hard from all angles, whether it be professional or personal.
Typhonsentra on December 15, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I AM OUTRAGED.
Oh, wait. No I’m not. I don’t care what SNL does because it ceased being entertaining over a decade ago.
Good Lt on December 15, 2008 at 11:49 AM
SNL isn’t really the place to go for well thought out social and political commentary, and this kind of tacky cheap shot is to be expected from them. Imagine how much more brutal they would have been had Paterson been remotely conservative!!
That being said, Governor Paterson should lighten up. Who cares what a bunch of half-assed ‘comedians’ think?
CantCureStupid on December 15, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Just wonderin’…
Do y’all think the original SNL crew (Ackroyd, et al) would have written a sketch like that?
kingsjester on December 15, 2008 at 11:50 AM
The Jersey cracks were pretty funny though.
“What do you have against New Jersey?”
“A southern border, unfortunately.”
BKennedy on December 15, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Im from NY, and i thought it was hysterical! My whole family was dyyyyyin the whole time.
ernesto on December 15, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Did SNL goof on Obama too, or just concentrate on diverting attention away from him while he’s surrounded by a scandal?
fogw on December 15, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Hell yes, except
1) It would have been funny;
2) No one would be having hissy conniptions about it.
Remember the Richard Pryor/Chevy Chase word association skit? There would be riots if they tried that today. This skit, while tacky and tasteless, doesn’t even come close.
CantCureStupid on December 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
The funniest bit was the Robert Byrd impression during the intro sketch (the Blagojevich hearing). The show went downhill from there.
SWLiP on December 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Informed people still tune in to SNL? Keep our culture classy Americans.
Mark30339 on December 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
He had the look down… was it over the top, likely. But where was all the whining when Palin was protrayed stereotypically. She had the guts to go on there, make light of herself and appear good natured. To late for the governor to do the same.
espnjunkie on December 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I think SNL should make a sketch about how not funny SNL is.
latinchic on December 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
If SNL does a sketch, and nobody cares enough to watch it, does it make a stir?
loganthompson on December 15, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Ha. That reminds me of a T-shirt. Content warning: it’s got the F-word.
Color Blind T-shirt
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I mostly agree with you, but it is a little different to play on a stereotype than to play on someone’s physical handicap.
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I also want to point out that Paterson has likely gotten away with a lot because he is blind. That was the point they were making, I think. He listed all of his scandalous behavior, which everybody accepted because they were afraid to be too critical of a blind black man.
He can’t hide behind it forever, and SNL (based in NY) is demonstrating that.
MayBee on December 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
CantCureStupid on December 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Exactly right. Political Correctness, coupled with the dumbing down of America, has created television writing that is intended to be witty and sarcatically biting, but comes off as tacky and tasteless. Compare WKRP to some of the stuff today. You can’t.
kingsjester on December 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM
There is no such think as bad press. If it gets people to watch, SNL could care less.
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I’m guessing you don’t have any physical handicaps..
Pam on December 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Not overly funny, but too freaking bad – Patterson is a lame-o politician, and appears to be politically as well as medically blind. And none of these outrage groups cared when it was McCain’s disabilities being mocked.
holdfast on December 15, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Lighten up, Francis.
espnjunkie on December 15, 2008 at 12:05 PM
In the early years of SNL they did a skit parodying a Canon camera commercial. Stevie Wonder trades places with a tennis player and he alternately gets pummeled with tennis balls on the court, and then takes really out of focus and out of frame pictures with the camera.
Different context here, as Stevie was a participant, and the vast majority of skits in those days were written knowing full well that 75% of their audience was stoned.
However, it was a very funny skit. I think you can find it on a video of Best SNL Commercials. I tried YouTube and didn’t find it there.
TugboatPhil on December 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I thought it was funny, at first I couldn’t believe they were doing it. Paterson should chill, people get offended too easily these days.
Complete7 on December 15, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Sad. It’s their own albatross. Democrats came to power by destroying their opponents this way. Dehumanizing leadership doesn’t end just because the dems take power.
pt on December 15, 2008 at 12:10 PM
How cute. Maybe next they’ll make a skit making fun of Janet Reno’s Parkinson’s.
Creeps.
MadisonConservative on December 15, 2008 at 12:10 PM
godless cretins
kirkill on December 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I caught it channel surfing. I thought when he was wandering around the set getting in the shot it was a goof on the show and the people doing the skit more so than Patterson. Patterson’s blindness was just a comedic device. I did not find it the least bit offensive. Then again I did not see the graph, but still it is facetous, when would Patterson actually hold a graph on camera? Never. That is what makes it funny, the implausability of the situation.
Theworldisnotenough on December 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Obviously, SNL is in on the conspiracy.
YYZ on December 15, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Then there wouldn’t be a SNL. I love that they blow PC into smithereens, and only wish that no topic w/b taboo, i.e. more mocking of the terrorists, all politicians to an equal extent, no exceptions, for any reason. If they deserve it, they s/b on their radar.
Entelechy on December 15, 2008 at 12:17 PM
C’mon dems, lighten up. You cheered all season every season for the last eight years as they absolutely crucified GW Bush and Cheney. Think about Will Ferrel portraying a mentally handicapped President.
Liberals can be such pu**ies.
Tim Zank on December 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM
For example, how about mocking the dude who, freely, threw a shoe at the President of the U.S.A.?
Yahoo and other idiots “Bush’s visit mared by shoe throwing” – they are indeed completely clueless.
Entelechy on December 15, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Yeah. Me too. I chucked the newspaper across the room when I saw those headlines this morning. We’re already the 2nd highest taxed state in the nation. He must be going for the #1 spot.
Connie on December 15, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Uh this is really weird story about Keith Overmanned, it has some weird twist.
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-dare-you-sir-statutory-rape.html
Dr Evil on December 15, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Haven’t seen SNL in a while, but I remember Eddie Murphy goofing on Stevie Wonder a lot (maybe in his non-SNL stand-up?).
I don’t think it’s a huge deal. I like the South Park approach where everyone is fair game.
If you hit everyone equally, I don’t see how anyone can have a problem with it.
How many times do we have to see the same tired jokes about Republicans, Catholics and rednecks?
reaganaut on December 15, 2008 at 12:33 PM
The only reason some are offended is because he has a D after his name.
JeffinSac on December 15, 2008 at 12:34 PM
What most people won’t get is that the blind bit wouldn’t be funny if Paterson wasn’t such a clueless half-ass, and didn’t play the part of the blind man so well. He’s completely in the dark, literally, metaphorically, any way you slice it. This NYer has to laugh.
He’s a rookie substitute teacher in a room full of wealthy, malcontented, and brash old boys. The man is the penultimate political spitball target.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I’m guessing you don’t have any physical handicaps..
I’m not governor of one of the most powerful states in the nation.
MayBee on December 15, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I thought it was pretty funny, especially the “southern border” crack.
All of politics is pretty funny….except the dirty, thieving, deceitful, I’m in this for me part.
Vince on December 15, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I’m reminded of Ackroyd doing Nixon and Carter and Chevy doing Ford. Those were so much better than now. The writing on the show now is so bad. When they do come up with something funny, they beat it to death.
grdred944 on December 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM
The people offended over here are largely Republicans.
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 12:46 PM
You stay classy, SNL…
Maybe, they should look at SNL archives when the Not Ready for Prime Time Players ruled the night. They were funny back then…
Wyznowski on December 15, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Franken would have, and it wouldn’t have been funny, and Michaels would have vetoed it. But not because it wasn’t funny…
ParisParamus on December 15, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Fixed it for ya.
fogw on December 15, 2008 at 1:00 PM
I found some of it pretty funny. But still SNL is nothing like they were with Rosanna Danna, Belushi, Chase, Akroyd, and the others that were with them. I don’t watch it much anymore. Doesn’t have the same click it use to.
sheebe on December 15, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Next week, they will have him getting hit by a shoe.
Seriously, what people say and do and how they act (basically the choices they make) are all fine targets. He did not choose to be blind so that should be off limits.
Of course, that would actually take a thought process…
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Waaah.[/sarc]
I had thicker skin in 3rd grade than most people do today.
Disgusting, isn’t it?
Ryan Gandy on December 15, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Stevie Wonder used to come on SNL and do blind jokes he played along what’s the difference btw Stevie Wonder and Governor Paterson?
Let’s “SEE” Stevie Wonder is accomplished musician and singer and has a sense of humor…Governor Paterson reaped the office of NY Governorship, through Previous office holders “Scandals” oh then the Governor went on a personal confession jag…yeah that’s a tough call, what do they have in common again/ sarc
Dr Evil on December 15, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I don’t find this kind of humor funny and, although I am not doubting that Patterson is a bad politician, I read his office’s statement as being more about a defense of blind people in general, not him in particular.
When Ray Charles’ character in the Blues Brothers catches the boy trying to steal from his music shop and throws a shot at him as a deterrent — that was funny to me. When Stevie Wonder participated in SNL sketches making light of his disability, that was ok. Both cases showed people who were comfortable poking fun at themselves.
But, I sure wouldn’t want my kid to grow up thinking it is ok to mock another person for their disability. That’s called bullying in my book, whether it be on the playground or on tv. It wasn’t ok when people made fun of Trig, it wouldn’t be ok to make fun of James Brady, and I don’t think this is ok, even if he is a jerk of a politician.
I hope SNL loses (more) viewers over this.
Y-not on December 15, 2008 at 1:07 PM
You still read a newspaper? Wow. That’s old school!
(just teasing)
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 1:09 PM
I’m wondering why the Blago skit hasn’t been posted at NBC’s website yet.
CP on December 15, 2008 at 1:10 PM
So you get upset every time they make fun of an ugly person (or praise a pretty one) or a short, tall, stupid, etc. person?
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Stevie went on the show and participated in the humor. If Paterson was in on the skit, that would be different. But he wasn’t.
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 1:13 PM
If Paterson was in on the skit, that would be different. But he wasn’t.
Oh, he’s part of the skit alright, it’s just that his performance took place in Albany.
MayBee on December 15, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Democrats always have a hard time with people making fun of them, or making fun of themselves.
Gov. Palin took repeated jabs to the face from SNL throughout the campaign, and even had the cajones to go on there herself.
A Democrat Governor gets one ab, and they whine.
Enoxo on December 15, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Let me rephrase: he didn’t choose to have a disability.
I’m not upset. I just think it’s a poor choice. But, no, I’m not upset.
Another example: on MADtv, they did a skit with the Lennon Sisters, except there were 4 not 3 sisters and the 4th one was “ugly” and had short arms and small hands like a disabled person. Poor taste IMO.
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 1:18 PM
I cannot wait until SNL starts making fun of Uhbama.
I mean, why wait until after the
inaugurationcrowning? Between, Ayers, Wright, Rashidi, Rezko, and Blago the material practically writes itself..Urban Infidel on December 15, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Ridiculing a disability is not really funny. But the question is why have they chosen to do a skit on him at all? Is there some reason to try and make him look like a fool?
Done That on December 15, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like I was attacking you. I just think we get a little arbitrary when we talk about what people find funny.
I mostly agree with you.
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Bah, 4 minutes I’ll never get back.
Make it funny, or offensive, or both, but that’s just lame.
Anybody else notice the whole Western Hemisphere is missing from the map backdrop?
Might be old news, I just noticed. I don’t give SNL a thought on Saturday night.
CBarker on December 15, 2008 at 1:23 PM
hey, it’s “satire”
Doesn’t that make pretty much anything ok?
Asher on December 15, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Boo Hoo, dems sure have thin skin…They have eaten Bush and Sarah Palin alive week after week, and when a dem. gets spanked, they either pull it or cry like babies. Can’t wait for them to make fun of big eared, purple lipped, unicorn riding O.
nondhimmie on December 15, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Once you go Blind you never go back.
pseudonominus on December 15, 2008 at 1:37 PM
No worries. We do get arbitrary but I think thoughtful people can establish guidelines. SNL is not likely to be that thoughtful, IMO.
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 1:38 PM
One of my favorite MADtv skits is when Hillary is up for Women of the Year and Obama sneaks in the back door, steals the show and gets the award. Priceless.
My favorite line in that skit is when the black women hugs him and says “Ooh, he smells like caramel.” (think about it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIIptHkFxA
Mr_Magoo on December 15, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Speaking of making fun of people.
The L Word 25 men who look like old lesbians the Blago edition.
http://getoffmyphone.blogspot.com/2008/12/l-word.html
Dr Evil on December 15, 2008 at 1:43 PM
I’d compare it to making fun of a person with no legs. It just isnt funny.
A person in a cast on Benny Hill, or Ray Walston in Johnny Dangerously with all his ailments every time he got hit by a load of papers, is as far as I go. Now if the person was truely blind and made fun of himself, well thats fine and the other blind folks can then complain.I dont see any humor in it even in that circumstance.
SNL just doesnt impress me any more.
johnnyU on December 15, 2008 at 1:44 PM
SNL will never make fun of Obama.
pseudonominus on December 15, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Bring back the Bees and the Bass -O- Matic.
vcferlita on December 15, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Well, when they did it to Palin, we were told to “lighten up, it’s satire!”, so let’s see if the same happens here.
In any case, sure the blind shot was a little rough (but come on, the guy DOES look silly), but the whole part that followed “wild card” is totally accurate. He’s politically never done anything of note, supported letting non-New Yorkers vote in New York elections, and had more scandals then Spitzer when he came into office. Why he wasn’t forced to step down, I’ll never know, but the guy is a joke of a Governor.
Rainsford on December 15, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Hey, remember when Sarah Palin went ballistic on SNL because they joked about her husband committing incest with her daughters? Yeah, me neither.
Lighten up, Patterson. Poor taste is what SNL does best. Or worst.
SAZMD on December 15, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Oh, I forgot, Blind people aren’t equal to you and I, so they have to be coddled and cannot be made fun of. All of you who are calling this classless are no better than liberals in their treatment of blacks. Its somehow not allowed to make fun of minorities or people with disabilities because you think that they are weaker than you, and cannot handle being made fun of. You are the ones that are classless.
muyoso on December 15, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Put down the crack pipe for a second.
Blindness is a disability. Being black is not.
MadisonConservative on December 15, 2008 at 2:21 PM
I don’t know about MadTV, but SNL did a skit identical to the one you describe. Kristin Wiig play the “ugly” one. Like all of her skits, it wasn’t funny; not because of PC issues but because she’s not funny.
Oh, and I want to applaud you for choosing a login name that honors the most prominent visually challenged person in our history;)
Laura in Maryland on December 15, 2008 at 2:24 PM
I wonder if the folks who think this is ok have taught their 8 year old child that it is ok to mock Down Syndrome kids.
Sure, blind people and others with disabilities can “take it.” Heck, I’m sure Stephen Hawking is constantly subjected to ridicule and it hasn’t stopped him from achieving great things with his mind (as well as from being lousy to his first wife). But does that make it right?
Do we subscribe to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” Or are we defending moral relativism here?
Y-not on December 15, 2008 at 2:29 PM
To all who squawk about disabilities: there are no such things. There are only differences, challenges, and opportunities, just check with Carlin.
The disability organizers would have been peddling BS for years and only ask for different treatment when it suits them. SNL treated Patterson’s blindness as a quirk, much like Palin’s accent and wink, Bubba’s swagger and voice, and Bush’s squint and laugh.
Laura in Maryland on December 15, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Obviously we all want to teach our children this, and we should. But it wouldn’t make sense to apply this approach to comedy. If comics are too worried about offending someone, they won’t be funny.
I’m sure Obama doesn’t like to be reminded that he says “uh, umm” more times than most can count, but it’s hilarious.
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Armisen has done something like this before on SNL. Once he played a blind tv chef. He kept dropping the meat and wandering into other people’s shots. So this is not new, except it’s the gov of NY this time.
juliesa on December 15, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Is that the same Carlin that equates abortion with the death penalty? The same Carlin that bemoaned airport security two years before 9/11? The same Carlin who ranted and raved about business criminals for years and then started doing commercials for telephone services? The same Carlin who went truther shortly before he passed?
Carlin was occasionally funny. The rest of the time he was just a bitter old man who wavered between philosopher and misanthrope.
MadisonConservative on December 15, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Ok, the next time I meet an 8 year old bullying a blind kid, I’ll tell him to pick up a digital recorder and post his
abuseroutine on YouTube. That will make it comedy./sarc
I’m sorry, that was probably too harsh.
I know you are being earnest and sincere, but I really think there’s very little difference between my hypothetical (which, sadly, happens very frequently in our schools) and this dumb skit.
Y-not on December 15, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Why did they make him look like Saddam?
t.ferg on December 15, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I appreciate the apology. They’re rare online.
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with you (even though I agree that the skit is in poor taste).
Look, we also teach kids not to use curse words and yet it’s OK for comics to use them. The truth is that adults and children are held to different standards.
Change your scenario from a kid making fun of the blind to cracking sexually explicit jokes and maybe you can see what I mean a little easier.
Esthier on December 15, 2008 at 2:48 PM
True enough.
I guess we agree that the skit is tacky. But I “defend” the governor for issuing a statement criticizing it, even though he seems to be a jerk.
Cheers.
Y-not on December 15, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I thought the skit was mostly stupid. The New Jersey cracks were funny, though.
The best part of the skit, IMO, was the graph, representing employment figures, I guess? I guess SNL is suggesting that the governor doesn’t “see” the figures going down, and thinks they’re going up because the graph is upside down.
Except, if you turn the chart 180 degrees (so it is rightside up), the graph STILL goes up. So the joke is the SNL writers are so eager to go for the cheap laugh that they don’t even realize that they have no substance.
malclave on December 15, 2008 at 4:06 PM
silly but the gov has got bigger issues, kind a like the collapsing finances of the entire state.
rob verdi on December 15, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Bravo! Well spotted!
I guess they don’t know what point symmetry is.
Y-not on December 15, 2008 at 4:23 PM
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