Video: SNL goes after blind New York governor again
posted at 1:26 pm on February 1, 2009 by Allahpundit
Here’s why I don’t worry about being sent to hell for my atheism; I’m destined to end up there anyway for laughing at stuff like this. It’s not so much the gags that make it funny as the pure shock of seeing them revisit this joke after they took so much heat the first time around for goofing on his disability, including from Paterson himself. There’s an inspired randomness to the impression, too. Except for his blindness, he’s a nondescript figure, yet someone on staff somehow got the idea to play him as a sort of Borscht belt comedian. It’d be like turning the governor of Maine into a Don Rickles-ish insult comic. Absurd, but that’s why it works.










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Well they don’t have Palin to kick around any more, and they would prefer not to go the ways of Pajamas Media. When in doubt, make fun of the blind!
Mr. Joe on February 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I tried to watch SNL last night. What a major disappointment Steve Martin was. Another celebrity slobbering over Obama. Made my stomach turn. He should get small and get inside a vacuum cleaner and stay there.
kahall on February 1, 2009 at 1:31 PM
When in doubt, make fun of the blind and New Jersey!
Mr. Joe on February 1, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Gee, I thought that being a liberal and PC required consideration, compassion, empathy with those who are less-abled?
Going after Governor for missteps is one thing, making fun of that Governor’s blindness is something completely different…and quite a bit crude.
SNL, hey, SNL!! You looking for comedy props? Head over to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C.. Or stop over to Capital Hill. Lot’s of material just begging for air time.
coldwarrior on February 1, 2009 at 1:33 PM
I wasn’t funny at all last night. They even made fun of Michael Steele.
I think the best part was “Laser Cats”.
Did you notice they ran the “McGruber” in between real commercials? Very odd. Still not funny.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 1, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Well Lorne Michaels feels reasonably confident that he won’t run into Governor Paterson in Martha’s Vineyard, and if he does, he can take him in a fight.
Mr. Joe on February 1, 2009 at 1:37 PM
I’m sure the Obama administration would like to make this a hate crime. Free speech is often offensive, why do you think it needs protection?
Maxx on February 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I am not worrying too much. At least they are going after some Democratic guy.
promachus on February 1, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Could this be part of the dreaded Kennedy pay-back? If it is, it`s pretty childish and sort of makes me support Paterson.
If he wasn`t taxing everything that moves in this state, that is.
ThePrez on February 1, 2009 at 1:41 PM
We’ve come to this.
It’s now ok to make fun of blind people.
Liberal / Conservative? Who cares. If they’re blind, crippled, retarded, handicapped, old, young let’s make fun of them.
“The Death of Right and Wrong” by Tammy Bruce is on target.
BowHuntingTexas on February 1, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Payback for not choosing Caroline.
I’ll watch SNL again when they start going after Ogabe’s obvious physical traits and clueless decisions.
Bishop on February 1, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Fox should come up with a show that’s Classic SNL like.
- The Cat
P.S. I mean Fox not Foxnews. Unless they have Dennis Miller and Gutfield on the staff oh and Alf. I still don’t know why they didn’t tap into that.
MirCat on February 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Yep, pretty stupid and typical.
matd on February 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
That was the only funny thing on the show. What a disappointment!
rockmom on February 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Oh my God, noooo! Not Michael Steele!
Don’t be such humorless gits, people. If SNL is making fun of someone, at least that means they’re important enough to make fun of.
MrScribbler on February 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Q. Why does NJ have all the chemical factories and Washington DC have all the lawyers?
A. NJ had first choice.
Wade on February 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
My SNL viewing goes back to 1975, so I’ve seen the apex and nadir of each successive cast and group of writers. Right now, it is well at yet another nadir disguised as hip-ness.
But, your point, “at least that means they’re important enough to make fun of” has validity. One must then assume that Obama is not important?
coldwarrior on February 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
The Daily Show goofed on Patterson better, but I don’t watch it anymore. Or SNL. Because their jokes are still old.
chunderroad on February 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Who is this “Obama” you speak of?
MrScribbler on February 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Were there any skits poking fun at our president who is just so darn hard to make fun of?
I guess we’ll have to wait until Barry is either crippled or diagnosed with terminal cancer for SNL to go after him.
fogw on February 1, 2009 at 1:58 PM
My point was that the show was just unfunny.
After Seth Meyers noted Michael Steele was elected Chairman of the RNC, he said, “Republicans, you know this doesn’t work with just any black guy?!” It was an obvious shot at conservatives and Mr. Steele himself geared toward the notion that Mr. Steele is a “token” in the Republican party.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 1, 2009 at 1:59 PM
MrScribbler on February 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM –
+1
coldwarrior on February 1, 2009 at 1:59 PM
The did an Obama piece for the “cold open”. It was made to look like he was giving a speech from the Oval Office regarding the economy. He would say something negative and then turn to a camera to his left and remind viewers of how “cool” his inauguration was. Then he would shift back and talk down the economy. Back and forth.
The only good part of the opening was when Joe Biden came in. I was “hoping” the Biden character would say something funny, but….nope.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Allahpundit, hell should inspire terror, not worry. If you think wit and humor will keep you out of heaven, I urge you to familiarize yourself with Pastor John MacArthur, the Dick Cheney of Bible authorities — although I don’t think Dr. MacArthur ever met Pat Leahy.
Terrie on February 1, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Brutal attack.
fogw on February 1, 2009 at 2:06 PM
It is just a cheap way to make fun of blind people, and mask it as a political figure.
right2bright on February 1, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Who cares?
For all the problems I have with SNL, they might be able to teach Governor Patterson to get a backbone.
Ryan Gandy on February 1, 2009 at 2:16 PM
A little off topic, how many remember the Dan Ackroyd-Jan Curtin skit that used to be included as part of Weekend Update? Ackroyd would invariably begin, “Jane, you ignorant slut….”
That segment was a parody of the 60 Minutes “Point-Counterpoint” between conservative James J. Kilpatrick and liberal Shauna Alexander. Well, FWIW, today marks the final installment of Kilpatrick’s weekly “The Writer’s Art” syndicated newspaper column. At age 88, Kilpatrick could no longer keep cranking out the column.
Speaking of older (and funnier and less politically correct) SNL skits, who remembers the skit following the Clarence Thomas hearings? Kevin Nealon, I believe, played that nitwit Biden. Chris Farley was hilarious as Senator Hefflin, talking about pornography. And Phil Hartman was outstanding as Ted Kennedy, continually asking the Clarence Thomas character whether he’d ever tried to walk in on Anita Hill with no pants on. As I recall, the cast had a field day with all those senators regardless of party.
BuckeyeSam on February 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
God bless and guide Paterson. SNL can sit and rotate.
Coronagold on February 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Stevie Wonder is wondering what the big deal is about.
LevStrauss on February 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM
BuckeyeSam on February 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM –
You mean back when SNL was relevant to the overall politics of America? Sure do miss those days.
coldwarrior on February 1, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Ya gotta admit, though, that Stevie Wonder and David Paterson don’t see eye to eye on anything.
coldwarrior on February 1, 2009 at 2:22 PM
SNL!?! That’s still on?? That’s so…..80s…Is Belusi still on? Oh, wait.
E9RET on February 1, 2009 at 2:22 PM
I enjoyed it. Missed the Laser Cats segment, was busy watching the end of last year’s Superbowl.
Stupid Giants, losing to the iggles.
rbj on February 1, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Wow, lot’s of PC-ites in here. I thought that was a bastion of the left. Lighten up… it’s called satire. I’d hate to see your shock watching an episode of South Park. “Gasp! They’re making Al Gore look dumb! What an insult to dumb people!”
Daft Punk on February 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Daft Punk on February 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM –
Manbearpig is funny, I don’t care who you are. I’m serial!
coldwarrior on February 1, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Funny! (Yup, I know. I’m a bad person.)
petefrt on February 1, 2009 at 2:39 PM
I have so missed the Jersey Jokes is this the last place a person can get Jersey Jokes.
Dr Evil on February 1, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Puff the Magic Negro is one thing but making fun of someone’s blindness is another.
Jamson64 on February 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM
I thought that was hilarious!
CP on February 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I love Fred Armisen, and I love it that he’s engaged to Elisabeth Moss. They should have children and then their children should have children with the Pohler/Arnett children.
MayBee on February 1, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I’m sorry, but a blind guy being governor will never stop not being funny. He is in way over his head and only got as far as he has because of his dad.
Speedwagon82 on February 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM
The odd thing is, those were real commercials for Pepsi. I’ve never seen anything like that before on SNL, where a recurring sketch is pimped out to a sponsor.
YYZ on February 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Patterson does have a reputation for his constant knocking of Jersey.
malan89 on February 1, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I think the fact that Ted Kennedy was left in the Senate for so long is far funnier. (sadder even)
Jamson64 on February 1, 2009 at 3:34 PM
So did I. I often flip between Mad TV and SNL because I’m starving for a laugh at that hour of the night.
Yup, at least Rickles was funny.
Kini on February 1, 2009 at 3:36 PM
If you laughed at that Allah….if you thought it was the slightest bit funny….then you deserve to go to hell.
It was frickin lame.
Kasper Hauser on February 1, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I thought the Patterson skit was a hoot. The guy who does Patterson is great. He does Obama too, which guarantees him a job for the next four years at least.
UnEasyRider on February 1, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Hello!! It was hysterical, but you would have to live in New York and see this lamebrain operate on a daily basis to understand why. He’s not just blind literally (and they he’s only legally blind, he can still see cocktail waitresses), but he’s figuratively blind. Caroline Kennedy anyone? New taxes on downloads? New axes on all sodas not including carcinogenic dietetic sugars. Subway fares going up to $3. The man is lampoonable, harpoonable, and as skewerable like a kabob, but it has nothing to do with his eyes. His physicality just adds to it the impression. Would you do an impression of Bush without the idiotic giggling or of Arafat without the disgusting kissy mauling he was famous for. Wake up, idolators! They’re politicians and they must be MOCKED!!! Mock them into humiliation!
Western_Civ on February 1, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Lighten up Francis
Kini on February 1, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Not really, he was an embittered young man making fun of others until he became an embittered old man making fun of others.
As he aged he couldn’t understand why what was (marginally) funny when he was younger was no longer. He just couldn’t understand that bitter old men attacking everyone was so…unfunny. Reminds me of the old guy on the corner who always kept our baseballs and footballs when they landed in his yard. He wasn’t funny and neither was Rickles.
E9RET on February 1, 2009 at 3:56 PM
You people watch Saturday Night Live? Really? On purpose?
wow
funky chicken on February 1, 2009 at 4:02 PM
How does a blind man know when to stop wiping ?
redrock on February 1, 2009 at 4:04 PM
That’s like Jackie Gleason justifying the use of any kind of rude, coarse, profane, or vulgar language as humor.
I had a good laugh over it. Not only for the humor, but the parallels were just dead on target.
Rickles, ah, he was a Rat Pack wannbe and after they all died off, he went also… I still got a few chuckles from that chuckle head.
Kini on February 1, 2009 at 4:13 PM
He’s only governor BECAUSE he’s blind…and black. That’s what makes it so funny. Still waiting for them to make fun of bin Hussein Obama, though.
SouthernGent on February 1, 2009 at 4:22 PM
The only funny bit on an incredibly unfunny show.
curved space on February 1, 2009 at 4:31 PM
If you all find SNL so ick, why do you continue to watch it? Just. Turn . The . Dial . Oh and do what I do, contact their sponsors, let them know you do not intend to use their products, tell them why, and go read a good book, like
“Applied Economics” by Thomas Sowell, it is a very good read. *sigh*
clinker46 on February 1, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Hilarious. It wasn’t even making fun of him or his blindness, it was just schtick. It’s hard to do good schtick, like it’s hard to do good slapstick.
It was the first funny thing they’ve done in months. I love how he completely broke character at every punch line.
Tanya on February 1, 2009 at 4:33 PM
I thought so, too. Very funny, particularly if you know NY and NJ. People in Philly are also onboard with the Governor’s ideas about NJ.
gracie on February 1, 2009 at 4:44 PM
People in Philly are all twit balls, obambi lunatics, and very much into hand-outs and entitlements. Shame, beautiful city, going to hell in a handcart. I grew up there, now live 50 miles away and only go through Philly to get to the Jersey shore. *sigh*
clinker46 on February 1, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I laughed. I shouldn’t have, but I laughed.
flipflop on February 1, 2009 at 5:01 PM
You actually pay money to visit that dumping ground by the sea? Buy a beach tag and try to not step on anyone while searching for a patch of sand to sit on?
Kini on February 1, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Indeed. Jefferson, who gave the media all the protection they ever needed, and still have, is crying from his grave at what they’ve done with it – they are now the propaganda arm of the Democrat party, and of Obama.
Entelechy on February 1, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Endearing, though goofaws…were when the actor smiled sheepishly, at the segment about the “convention” (about 1/3rd in), and when he, at least twice, forgot that he’s supposed to be blind, and opened his eyeds wide…
Entelechy on February 1, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Ogabe = Bushitler
user = stupid
The Race Card on February 1, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Funnier than SNL…but only to the blind.
The Race Card on February 1, 2009 at 6:00 PM
The racial and seditious remarks about a sitting President are going to be commonplace by the next election. And then we will again sit around wondering “Duh, how did this happen?”
The Race Card on February 1, 2009 at 6:01 PM
You mean, comments alleging he’s seditious or a traitor. Don’tcha?
The Race Card on February 1, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Not one chuckle!
ackrite55 on February 1, 2009 at 6:08 PM
New Jesery deserves it…
Ace ODale on February 1, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Roger Simon of Pajamas Media tells Hot Air, Protein Wisdom and Ace to go get jobs, ya bums!
“A society that gets rid of all its troublemakers goes downhill.” Robert Heinlein
Mr. Joe on February 1, 2009 at 6:31 PM
And I actually liked the Paterson jokes, even the New Jersey ones.
Mr. Joe on February 1, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Somebody bet W.C. Fields he couldn’t do humor about a blind man without being offensive. But in one movie he did, albeit not by making fun of him. He had the blind man blunder about in Fields’ general store breaking things, and the humor was from Fields’ frustration and dismay. He put the blind man in control of the situation, taking advantage of Fields’ not being allowed to get angry at a handicapped man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y189-69cQPs
Of course, SNL didn’t choose this.
JimC on February 1, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Ah, so that’s why he does’nt like Palin. Wouldn’t suprise me if Allah is chummy with Chuckie over at LGF.
Figures.
Kokonut on February 1, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Funniest part was the lead in where Obama kept harkening back to all the hype instead of telling the American people the bad news. It was so true that the filthy bastard wants to remember Oprah weeping over his win instead of doing the dull stuff that like working on the economy. I turned it off after Steve Martin made the incredibly stupid comment about Obama.
highhopes on February 1, 2009 at 7:03 PM
What the heck, I just wasted five minutes watching stupid over paid idiots.
…………………can I get my minutes back?
Mercy4Me on February 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
“Hey, honey! Can you come here and proofread this paper for me?” /stolen punchline
If this guy Paterson is such a delicate flower, maybe he’s too sensitive to be governor.
baldilocks on February 1, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Armisen’s Obama impersonation last night was hooorrrrible! But I admit I laughed at the Patterson skit, and it was about the only one I did laugh at. Being from the Midwest I have to ask, is New Jersey really that bad? And what makes it so bad? I’d seriously like to know if anyone cares to answer.
McKenz59 on February 1, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Well, Leno joked that those US Air passengers got the choice of landing in the Hudson River or at Newark International, and picked the Hudson River. People laughed.
If you like crappy areas of Detroit, you will like Newark.
Mr. Joe on February 1, 2009 at 7:47 PM
NJ is known as the Garden State…some of the best eating corn on the cob comes out of Long Valley…in the north west it’s some pretty country in the foot hills…Some great beaches, parks and lakes…
ALL the jokes are about the areas near ny and philly…
jerrytbg on February 1, 2009 at 8:26 PM
I’ve never cared much for SNL. They’ve always mistaken cruelty for humor. They have that in common though with a lot of “comics” from the past 30 years or so.
Personally, I always thought SCTV was much better. Maybe Canadians are just better at satire.
ddrintn on February 1, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I guess Barry O. isn’t important enough to to be noticed by SNL?
jeanie on February 1, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Good, I like these person attacks. It delegitimizes the worship of the handicapped.
federale86 on February 1, 2009 at 10:14 PM
But isnt this guy
Black
Blind
Liberal
Why are they going after him so hard?
I mean he is everything a liberal dreamed of..
jcila on February 1, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Canadian is a satire of the US. But they’re serious.
The Race Card on February 1, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Garret Morris IS Obama.
BHO Jonestown on February 2, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Water cooler 10 AM today;
Mike: Hey, did ya see the SNL bit on Patterson?
Amy: No.
Mike: Neither did he.
soundingboard on February 2, 2009 at 1:59 AM
mean he is everything a liberal dreamed of..
jcila on February 1, 2009
Going after Paterson relieves them of any perceived obligation to go after the big-eared freak. Certainly there’s a potential skit with Ogabe snorting coke off the top of the desk in the oval office. Or is he more into smoking crack? Whatever…comedy gold!
SKYFOX on February 2, 2009 at 6:05 AM
I avoid SNL, anything on the Comedy Channel, MSNBC and any noise emitted by The White House.
I am happy and healthy with this.
However, I wish I had turned off the football game last night before Dan Rooney had to thank our President who just used the team for votes just as He used everything. About then, I wished Arizona had won. And my wish for McCain just continued.
IlikedAUH2O on February 2, 2009 at 6:29 AM
Wow, what a group of politically and socially “sensitive” people posting here. Grow up and get some thicker skin. If you think it’s “wrong” to make fun of a politicians disability, then you belong on the “left” side of the aisle where all the easily offended people live. Don Rickles not funny. Jesus H, you are definitely in the minority. Growing up as a kid, my grandpa, my dad and myself would come to tears listening to him rip folks up. It was hysterical. It’s these ridiculous sensitivities that people have now a days that are causing such problems with special interest groups, minorities etc. I say, if you decide to become a politician, any quirk, physical or mental handicap etc. becomes fodder for the masses. If it OFFENDS your poor little butt, you shouldn’t be in politics.
rayvet on February 2, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Me thinks Lorne Michaels has an agenda and someone else in mind for the 2010 election…
anniekc on February 2, 2009 at 9:27 AM
God luv ya, AP, but why do you feel the need to keep reminding us of your atheism? Is this a cry for help?
argos on February 2, 2009 at 9:27 AM
“Here’s why I don’t worry about being sent to hell for my atheism”…Again, TMI, but since you must shove it in our faces: you already are in hell, Allah. Being a atheist and a ‘conservative’ blogger offers a nightmare scenario. I feel for ya…Aside from that aspect, argos has a point.
SNL is now ‘S–t, No Laughs’. I can tell from the picture and Allah’s description it stinks.
Christine on February 2, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Heh. Kinda like “I don’t believe in Heaven but I pray there ain’t no Hell”
E9RET on February 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
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