What makes me ill is that they keep saying that Palin has moves because she can raise the roof on beat. Yeah such an accomplishment. Somehow this is supposed to make her more attractive to youthful voters.
Clearly Palin does not know the difference between people laughing with you and at you. In the case of SNL it was the later.

I thought this was weird and uncomfortable as well because, yes, the whole premise is laughing AT Palin. Her trying to pretend she is in on the joke does not change that fact or negate the terrible things she says and stands for. I am surprised she even went to NYC, its outside the "real america" after all.

Baldwin's "way hotter in person" was sort of annoying and awkward, especially with him escorting Gov. Palin off.

I was wondering when I watched it: Was Palin originally supposed to perform this, or were her refusal and Poehler's substitution completely scripted? If the former, what was the deciding factor: the gun-wielding? the "Eskimo" stuff (when did it become okay again to use that term?)? If the latter, why the scripted refusal on-air? And if both -- if there were suspicions among the writers and performers that Palin might opt out -- was the version Poehler did appreciably different from the one Palin would have? (E.g., was Palin offered a toned-down version of the rap?)

Anyway, Baldwin seemed surprisingly mean-spirited -- I know that's his schtick, but I was expecting some giddiness over his material -- and Palin surprisingly wooden, even though she was just watching comedians act. She did nothing. Why was she even there?

Well, I'm sure everyone expected them to do this but I like how SNL juxtaposed the two, Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, and Sarah Palin as Tina Fey...During this entire election...whenever I look at Sarah Palin, I without fail think of Tina Fey. Sarah Palin, is a parody of herself...as well as comedic gold.

I had this video sent to me by a friend who was all, "LOL!" but I found it awkward at best. Palin came off as stiff and uncomfortable and "Eskimo"? Who says that?

I thought it was really genuinely funny. And even though I'm terrified she might become our VP and would like to say bad things about her, I thought it was awesome and smart that she came on and let herself get made fun of, instead of trying to pass the mock on to someone else.

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with her being on SNL. However, it's annoying that she can go on SNL but she can't give press conferences. For a Vice Presidential candidate, her media appearances are tightly controlled. It's mindblowing how little access reporters have to her.

I've heard NBC negotiated for her to be interviewed by Brian Williams in exchange for going on SNL. I doubt that's going to happen, though.

I found the entire episode boring as hell.

When I was watching it, I was thinking about how sexist it was, and then realized that it isn't SNL's fault - this is what they have been given to work with. You couldn't be more right Samhita - her candidacy belongs in the realm of blonde jokes, not in any reality that I want to be part of!

I definitely was shocked by the "Eskimos" in the rap sketch. I don't know if it's common knowledge in the lower 48 that "Eskimo" is not the correct term, or that it has a negative connotation, but the portrayal was a ridiculous caricature. And Palin of all people, as governor of Alaska, should know that, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I know all the sketches were framed as if she objected and backed out, but it seemed that her "objection" was to the indignity of mocking oneself and doing a silly rap, rather than to the content itself.

I did like Todd's dance, though.

What's the deal with the llama's ass in the background of the first Palin scene?

Also, interesting that Marky Mark is going around hating his impesonator, anyone this was suggestive of Palin's same attitude? But then again there was supposedly a Palin/Fey hug at the end.

I agree...it was a bit dry. Why a rap? Why not an opera, they coulda done it a little more talent show-esque.

Palin can do SNL, FOX, and Christian Broadcasting...but no press conferences...and yet wants to be a serious candidate?

Eskimo is the term that is most widely used there. It's pretty much not derogatory. Rather like in most parts (though not all) of Canada, Indian is a perfectly fine word for 'native', 'first nations person' or 'aboriginal'. One wouldn't use it in the newspaper or in an academic article, but it's the commonplace word that I, a white woman, would have no worries about saying to an Indian. For example, I might say, "I'm studying Indian languages. Which one were you just speaking?" or "Man, you Indians have the greatest cheekbones!" (just kidding! I said that to an Indian friend in jest, she said, "And you whites have the greatest asses. Well, except for you... I should make you an honorary Indian for that ass" LOL)

Well, that's the closest she's gotten to a press conference.

I found the whole thing funny, in that sense that I'm still laughing at Sarah Palin. She thought it would be good for her to get on SNL and "play" Tina Fey, and that's funny.

I felt funny on the inside watching this, and not in a good way. It was totally awkward and uncomfortable.

On a side note, I have understood the term "Eskimo" to be incredibly offensive for years (it means "raw meat eater"). The correct term is Inuit, which means "people" in the Inuit language. I find it difficult to understand why I would know that on the other side of the world (Australia) and others don't - perhaps I'm mega-sensitive to all this stuff.

It's not that good, but Fey walking by Palin without even a glance is priceless. She's ice-cold and amazing.

I have no idea why the Palin camp decided it was a good idea for her to go on that show. I wonder what they were thinking... And, I agree that it was really awkward. I actually felt sort of bad for her (which is saying a lot).

Although I have to say that I am really surprised that so many people didn't like the rap. Everyone I know thought it was absolutely hilarious!!! I mean the moose?!? C'mon -- that's some funny shit!

I watched the opening sketch Sunday morning and I found myself unable to appreciate it as humour because I was too busy trying to figure out what level of irony each of the performers was working at, what the intent of the writers was, and what possible purpose Palin had for coming on the show. I mean, it's one thing for the SNL comedians to crack jokes about the abominable things said and done during the McCain/Palin campaign
("When I say Obama, you say Ayers!")... but it's just plain twisted and disturbing when Palin is laughing along with them.

for a real Palin giggle, i highly recommend this article:

A Palin Porno video and SAYS: NO WAY, NO HOW, NO Women in the White House
here is the link:

http://www.femisex.com/content/saloncom-posts-a-palin-porno-video-and-says-no-way-no-how-no-women-white-house

ACtually,

She IS going to be on Brian Williams later this week--I saw the promo...only it seemed to suggest that McCain would be going on the interview with her.

I'm very interested to hear more about a "deal" that would have made it a bargaining chip.

BUt I highly doubt that even if McCain-Palin had vetoed the Williams interview, SNL would say "thank, but no thanks" to what's been their biggest cash-cow of recent years.

Does it make you feel uncomfortable because the VP you don't support is on a show you like? Or that this potentially will make people like her? Because...I don't see why else you'd need to complain about the awkwardness of the skit.

Saturday Night Live and several other comedy shows (specifically the political ones like Daily Show and Colbert Report) frequently fall into the awkward territory when they invite famous non-actors onto the show. When juxtaposed with professional comedians, even the star of your high school's winter play is going to look like an idiot. I have this awkward feeling when the hosts of the shows (which are in the majority of the skits) aren't actors. They clearly under perform in the skits and rely on the SNL crew to carry them.

Seriously. I'm not saying you should support McCain/Palin, but I don't really see your reasoning behind this besides to be mean-spirited or out of fear that this will somehow be meaningful to her campaign.

When Palin said '...Caribou Barbie' it was very good delivery. Whilst the rest was wooden, that comes as no surprise, seeing as 1) she's not an actor, 2) her political persona is very 'unslick' 3) As Renee says, they were clearly laughing AT her. The criticisms of Palin that Baldwin was listing were geniune, not ridiculous made-up ones. Palin had to stand there and take it. It would make me wooden as all fuck. And yeah, the 'you look hotter in person/you're hotter than Fey' thing was icky, especially as that truly is how she's described by her opponents, stupid/crazy/backward/milf; Baldwin didn't 'backpeddle' - he just finished performing the entire criticism.
Even though I intensely dislike Palin's politics, I came out of that clip thinking 'wow, that Baldwin guy is a nasty smug fuck'.

She was good. AND she's beautiful, and very, very relaxed and confident. And, wouldn't have liked it if Obama did it, or Joe Biden, or Hillary, or McCain. This whole thing about being "roasted" and a "good sport" is way overrated for me - at this point in time I like my Presidents (and being a VP is all about being back-up President) - well, presidential.

The dinner where McCain and Obama were funny was fine - because THEY were speaking the words. They were making fun of themselves and each other (which is still okay by me in a campaign)- but watching Gov. Palin being a part of the joke on her just didn't work for me - seemed like a desperate attempt for us to like her - trying too hard. Rori

konkonsn, I actually felt uncomfortable watching it because I felt bad for Governor Palin. I may hate her politics but I know nothing about her personally and felt the same kind of empathy that I would for anyone who had to just stand there and face that kind of criticism in front of both a live and nationwide audience. It didn't make me like Gov. Palin anymore, it just reminded me that she was a human being who might be putting on a brave face but could still be hurt by being the butt of the joke.

Does anyone else know if Baldwin's "nasty smug fuck" thing was meant to be him doing his 30 Rock character? Or is his 30 Rock character the real guy?

Lol, this skit has nothing to do with her views. Just take it for what it is, ya know, she's not a comedian. I don't support her but I don't think anything was awkward. It's live TV so it's not polished.

I actually thought the rap was hilarious.

I actually thought the rap was hilarious.