Barack Obama does SNL

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 4, 2007 06:12 AM

1snl005.jpg

Kind of funny, but not very presidential. The Obama campaign posted the SNL clip and is obviously thrilled with their boss’s appearance last night, in which he appears at a Hillary Clinton Halloween costume party dressed as himself–because, you know, he’s comfortable being himself as opposed to you-know-who. What do you think?

More screenshots and commentary at HA.

***

Ed Driscoll: “Can an interview with himself be far behind?”

Posted in: Barack Obama

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Comments

  1. #1
    On November 4th, 2007 at 8:28 am, Ralph Gizzip said:

    Remember when SNL was funny?

    Yeah, me neither.

  2. #2
    On November 4th, 2007 at 8:45 am, Michelle Malkin said:

    Aw. Come on. It was a little funny.

  3. #3
    On November 4th, 2007 at 8:53 am, Always Right said:

    Typicaly lame SNL…

    Best part: Mike Gravel.

    Its a costume. yeah.. that’s what it is.

    maybe we could rig one up for RonPaul too.

  4. #4
    On November 4th, 2007 at 9:00 am, RetFireman said:

    Three words:

    pandering, pandering, pandering.

    This is the saxophone all over again. “look how cool and relavant I am. I am so cool I can go on SNL”.

    Well, that might have worked in the late 80’s early 90’s, but in 2007…WHO THE HELL WATCHES SNL ANYMORE? (let alone thinks it is cool and relavant)

  5. #5
    On November 4th, 2007 at 9:01 am, MikeM said:

    I happened to catch the opening (first time in years). I thought it was mediocre, with a few lame jabs and few that were chuckle-worth. But the minute or so with Obama was a little more pointed and barbed.

    I agree with Michelle that it wasn’t very presidential, but neither was Bill’s sax-playing on Arsinio Hall’s show. However, it does humanize him a bit (he hopes).

    And, Ralph, I remember when SNL was funny - but that was in the 1970’s.

  6. #6
    On November 4th, 2007 at 9:48 am, James Felix said:

    And, Ralph, I remember when SNL was funny - but that was in the 1970’s

    The Phil Hartman / Mike Meyers / Dana Carvey years also had a lot to offer. And if the cast he was in wasn’t so great, Will Ferrel still turned in some solid work.

  7. #7
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:00 am, DannoJyd said:

    SNL? That show is about as relevant as is Obama, or is it Osama? Ever since The Swimmer [Kennedy] gaffe I continue to get the 2 confused.

  8. #8
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:09 am, meatpieandtatters said:

    Obama is clown-like in many ways so he’d fit right in on SNL.

  9. #9
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:13 am, capitano said:

    My wife recently recorded SNL in the ’80s — Lost and Found which was supposed to give some insight into the ups and (mostly) downs of the show after the glory years. It was practically unwatchable and we fast-forwarded through long stretches that only served to confirm why we stopped watching. The only bright spot was the short stretch when they tried to resurrect the show with Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo, Martin Short, Harry Schearer, and Dana Carvey.

    Moral: Don’t let your writers into the coke supply until after the show.

  10. #10
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:36 am, nbarry said:

    It all started when Nixon put in a cameo on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In with “Sock it to Me?”

  11. #11
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:37 am, ajmontana said:

    Glida was funny, I miss her.
    Now we know why he missed the latest vote, it took him alllllll week to rehearse for his 3 lines. Yeah he went as himself, a TB.

  12. #12
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:46 am, Boomer said:

    Quit watching SNL a very long time ago not worth staying up to watch. Unlike Michelle I need to get as much sleep as I can know that I’m growing older and uglier, she is still young and attractive (I know shameless suck up).

  13. #13
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:57 am, Walldog said:

    The skit had its moments. I still get a chuckle from the Bill & Hill skits whether on the stage or at the debates.

  14. #14
    On November 4th, 2007 at 10:59 am, DaveC said:

    Was that the one with Brian Williams hosting? I missed the first part of it.. but it was pretty funny overall..

    who would have thunk it that Williams has a good sense of humor.. or, even sense of humor, period..

  15. #15
    On November 4th, 2007 at 11:35 am, taylork said:

    No Dana Carvey, No Mike Myers, No Chris Farley, No Phil Hartma, no watchie.

  16. #16
    On November 4th, 2007 at 11:41 am, granite said:

    #5 MikeM:

    You beat me to it!

    “… I remember when SNL was funny - but that was in the 1970’s.”

    Ditto!

  17. #17
    On November 4th, 2007 at 11:44 am, granite said:

    #10 nbarry:

    “It all started when Nixon put in a cameo on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In with ‘Sock it to Me?’”

    Aarrgghh!!

    I’m dating myself.
    I remember that one, too!

  18. #18
    On November 4th, 2007 at 11:53 am, DMC said:

    Very so-so. Very mediocre. It’s a little funny, but the actors don’t have good comic timing. They let the Biden and Dodd “cancel each other out” joke play out too long, thinking the audience is going to keep laughing, instead of moving on to the next bit.

    The line between politician and entertainer just keeps blurring. If I wanted a comedian and a teller of tall tales in the White House, I’d vote for Bill in 2008. (Not Hillary — she’s just not funny)

  19. #19
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:07 pm, ajmontana said:

    Hillary should have been the one in the straight jacket with the Biden and Dood guys in good humor suits.

  20. #20
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:08 pm, josetheguerilla said:

    It was kind of funny. I like the part where Slick Willy calls her a witch. Gilda Radner was the funniest ever on SNL. Who can for get Barbraw wawa?

  21. #21
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:09 pm, josetheguerilla said:

    It was kind of funny. I like the part where Slick Willy calls her a witch. Gilda Radner was the funniest ever on SNL. Who can for get Barbra wawa?

  22. #22
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:23 pm, vickisoup said:

    Buck I: The cast members are actors, reading lines someone else wrote for them. If Obama can’t carry his own message without a cue card, particularly a message like, “I’ve got to be myself, no matter what”, he may be worthy of hanging around the SNL cast, but he’s no match for a real candidate.

  23. #23
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:25 pm, vickisoup said:

    BuckI: Cast members are actors; not candidates for President. The irony of having to read a cue card to remember that he’s committed to just being himself is pretty strong.

  24. #24
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:31 pm, LC said:

    So he found time to do SNL yet he’s been present for approximately 25% of the Senate votes since begining his presidential campaign? Nice to know he’s collecting a paycheck from the American people while he plays make-believe on TV. I wish I could just skip out on my job whenever I wanted….

  25. #25
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:32 pm, vickisoup said:

    Barely worth the viewing…I also think it’s strange that he had to read his lines from a dummy card…aren’t those his own thoughts or what? I don’t see him playing well to the Hollywood crowd, frankly. Humorless and stiff…oh wait…maybe his Al Gore impression is appealing to them after all.

  26. #26
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pm, zorro said:

    Nothing on Earth ever stays the same. Not even SNL. That clip was entertaining.

  27. #27
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:41 pm, RandyS said:

    It was funny in a cute sorta way, typical of SNL of the past 20 years in that some parts (Biden/Dodd, f’r'instance) dragged on overlong. We’ve seen how he does extemporaneously (I-was-tired-from-all-this-campaigning excuses for his Freudian slips, et. al), so I don’t blame him for hedging his bets. It’s unlikely this will win him any converts, but at least his laughter is genuine, unlike a certain candidate’s forced wild-eyed cackle…

  28. #28
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:55 pm, radio relay said:

    Anybody running for President, who refuses to salute the flag, is a joke!

    Obama, might as well play the “funny man” card.

  29. #29
    On November 4th, 2007 at 12:59 pm, Buck I said:

    Retfireman:

    It’s just for fun and getting your name and face out there, so the young people will get out to vote. I’m sure appearing on Arsenio and playing the sax won Clinton some votes. God forbid, the president actually appear relevant and cool to young people.
    I’ll bet my house we’ll see Guliani on SNL AGAIN before the election is over.

    Obama has also been on Tyra and Ellen. The Republican candidates should do themselves a favor and at least try to appeal to young people, minorities and women. It’s not pandering when a candidate goes on T.V. in campaign season it’s campaigning.

    On the flip side the Democratic candidates should appear on Fox News and that Christian Nework Channel. The preaching to the choir stuff seems cowardly.

    VickiSoup: Even the cast members read the dummy cards, and they rehearse all week long.

    I think SNL has always been hit or miss, but obviously some casts have been better than others. Will Ferrell was the best performer of the past 10-15 yrs.
    The Bill/Hillary sketches always crack me up.

  30. #30
    On November 4th, 2007 at 1:11 pm, RetFireman said:

    No, appearing in something like that is called pandering, not campaigning. As for going on talk shows, they are invited on them. Since the talk shows are all run by Democrat shills and Liberal parrots, you will be hard pressed to see any Republican invited onto those shows. If you think that any of them will get the warm, fawning reception of The View that hillary gets, you are only deluding yourself.

    As soon as the media, be it talk shows, late night, or any other media such as just the evening news, starts to give the Republicans even one half the exposure that the Democrats are being given, then maybe I’ll give him a break. However, when everyone knows all there is to know about Obama, Hillary and Edwards, yet still are not aware of who is even running for the Republican ticket, it is really hard for you to make the claim that you do. The Republicans are being stiffed in the media. basically, they are ignored. Why is that? Well, it couldn’t be that mythical Liberal bias of the MSM now can it? No, never that.

  31. #31
    On November 4th, 2007 at 1:52 pm, gunslingerpatriot said:

    Osama can find the time to do SNL, and yet refused to put his hand over heart, and say the pledge of alligence.

    Thats just what this country needs, a pol that will reap the benefits of this country and not honor the traditions that makes it great!

    GSP

  32. #32
    On November 4th, 2007 at 2:05 pm, Buck I said:

    We’ve seen Republican candidates on the likes of Letterman and Leno. I think Freddie Thompson either hinted at, or actually announced his candidacy on Leno. Guiliani has been on SNL, and I’m sure he’ll be on again. John McCain HOSTED SNL, and I must add he was very funny. Mike Huckabee was on Real Time w/ Bill Maher. Liberal bias or not,as far as talk/entertainment shows are concerned, I’m giving facts here man.
    As far as your statement of Republican candidates not getting one half of the exposure on the evening news as Democratic candidates, I’d like to see the numbers to back that up.

    Lastly, if I was a republican candidate, I would sure as hell go on The View to spread my message. How do you expect to appeal to women outside your base, it you don’t want to go deliver the message.
    Similarly, Newt Gingrich and Dick Morris properly critized the leading GOP candidates for skipping out on the Tavis Smiley moderated debate.
    If you wanna be the president of U.S., you have to have the guts to get out of the Fox News, NRA, Heritage Foundation comfort zone and spread your message to all types of people.

  33. #33
    On November 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm, Buck I said:

    Gunslingerpatriot:
    On the pledge of allegiance I’ve seen one still photo of him staring off in the distance while 3 others have their hands over their hearts. I have also seen a photo of Bush with his hand over his upper intestine. I have also seen photos of Obama w/ his hand over his heart. This whole gotcha thing is silly on both sides.

    Has Obama ever, ever made a statement saying that he rejects the notion of putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem or pledge? Ever?

    Or

    Are you just taking one image out of context and creating an issue that doesn’t exist.

  34. #34
    On November 4th, 2007 at 6:30 pm, shimauma2 said:

    WHO THE HELL WATCHES SNL ANYMORE? (let alone thinks it is cool and relavant)

    I officially quit flipping to this show on Saturday night right after their Christmas special labeling all the red voting states DUMBASS land. The only good thing to come out of SNL after the Eddie Murphy years was Dennis Miller.

  35. #35
    On November 4th, 2007 at 6:33 pm, ajmontana said:

    “Faux News Alert”
    Obama flubs lines on SNL!
    Dummy Cards were of no use since he’s unable to read.
    Instead of “you look nice dressed as a bride”
    The line was , “you look great dressed as a lying crapweasel”
    film at 11:00

  36. #36
    On November 4th, 2007 at 6:55 pm, gunslingerpatriot said:

    Buck 1;
    The image in question was taken and at the time it was reported that Osama wasn’t reciting the Pledge of Alegience as well. Check out and see Ben Ferguson’s comments

    That and the issue that he has stopped wearing a flag on his lapel because he doesn’t want to offend people is something that should be question for a person seeking the Presidency.

    The other issue is that previously Osama has mentioned that he would be willing to meet with the worlds dictators at the White House (something no other US President has ever done)

    All of these things combined I believe his actions are suspect in the least and worthy to be further questioned. For the record-I don’t recall Hillary saying that she would meet a dictator in the White House.

    GSP

  37. #37
    On November 4th, 2007 at 7:06 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    “you look great dressed as a lying crapweasel”

    And, still, nobody noticed!

  38. #38
    On November 4th, 2007 at 7:54 pm, Buck I said:

    I believe you’re mixing the issues here, and confusing facts.

    Flag on lapel: Obama said out of his own mouth that he had quit wearing the flag on his lapel long before it was noticed. He wanted his patriotism judged by his words and deeds, as opposed to the token pendant which he noticed was worn by people he didn’t believe were very patriotic. A basic internet search of his comments on his issue will support what I just said. The issue has nothing to do with offending other people

    Meeting with evil leaders: Reasonable minds can differ on this issue, but for the record, I believe in the debate he said he would meet with the leaders of Syria, Iran, and North Korea in his 1rst term and he explained why. I never heard him say heard him say he’d meet with the specifically at the White House as a guest. Correct me if I’m wrong. Also, he’s just meeting with the people not endorsing, or selling parts of our territory for beans.

    Pledge Allegiance: I couldn’t open your link. I stand by what I said before regarding this issue, and emphasize that he’s never made a statement of not wanting to place his hand over his heart or recite. Maybe he was daydreaming, unfocused, or eventually got around to it, or maybe he thought standing was enough. Without a statement from him, there’s no full story or context here. Also, I have read that the widely circulated photo in question was actually the National Anthem being played. An internet search will show him w/ his hand over his heart and reciting at other times. The whole issue seems a little nitpicky, and he’s in pretty good shape, if this is the most incorrect thing he’s done in the last few months.

  39. #39
    On November 5th, 2007 at 9:21 am, MrVIBEMAN said:

    Obama just plain scares me and my wife. He’s like a liberal robot.

    Many people tiptoe around his upbringing. I’ll be honest enough to admit that anyone running for the most powerful office in the world, named Hussein, who was raised by a Muslim Radical, scares the hell outta me.

    SNL or not, funny or not, it’s just a really scary thought that he could be in the oval office.

  40. #40
    On November 5th, 2007 at 10:42 am, jedijson said:

    I remember SNL when it was funny (in the 80s). Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey, and Mike Myers. AWESOME!

    I did get a few chuckles out of this. I almost misheard Bill refer to his wife (”she’s a witch!”) as saying she was something else, but, alas, I was wrong. I also liked the comment about “that’s not a marriage he’ll regret in 30 years.” Didn’t agree with “that’s because people actually like me.”

    But, to be honest, I’ve seen funnier SNL moments.

  41. #41
    On November 5th, 2007 at 11:09 am, BadIdeaGuy said:

    Barack Obama, what a cut-up! That guy’s hilarious.

    Too bad NBC didn’t turn out the lights a day earlier.

  42. #42
    On November 5th, 2007 at 11:36 am, Yashmak said:

    He has about as much chance of making the White House as Ron Paul does.

  43. #43
    On November 5th, 2007 at 11:43 am, TinFoilChapeau said:

    I have to admit, Bill Clinton dressed as Mystery from VH1s The Pick Up Artist cracked me up.

  44. #44
    On November 5th, 2007 at 11:52 am, flairCounter said:

    #32 Buck I,

    As far as your statement of Republican candidates not getting one half of the exposure on the evening news as Democratic candidates, I’d like to see the numbers to back that up.

    It’s not exactly twice the coverage, but a big enough difference to be notable.
    Harvard report on The Invisible Primary - Invisible No Longer.
    Commentary at Captain’s Quarters here.

  45. #45
    On November 5th, 2007 at 12:39 pm, Anil Petra said:

    I tuned in to watch Feist.

  46. #46
    On November 5th, 2007 at 12:54 pm, feebiebabe said:

    This is the saxophone all over again.

    RetFireman - my thoughts exactly. I know I am out numbered here…but I still think SNL is pretty funny…maybe not as funny as it once was…but its will still get a chuckle out of my now and then.

    Any one see the comedic song mantage they did to the Iranian mini me a few weeks back. Absolutely priceless!

  47. #47
    On November 5th, 2007 at 2:13 pm, pecze said:

    Hmmm….I remember NBC saying that if Fred Thompson entered the race, they would have to refrain from showing old Law & Orders in which he appeared. Something about if his on screen time was more than a certain time, they would have to give all candidates that amount of time.
    So, why doesn’t this apply here as well?
    Oh, yeah, never mind…

  48. #48
    On November 5th, 2007 at 2:25 pm, mom2jack said:

    “You look great as a witch” gave me a couple of chuckles…otherwise, . The audience reaction to Obama is disturbing though. I wonder if Republicans are even allowed on set.

  49. #49
    On November 5th, 2007 at 3:18 pm, dakine said:

    It’s just smart politics. Voters like the candidates to appear presidential, but they also like them to appear human. Campaign strategy 101 really. McCain appears on the Stewart show pretty regularly, and other GOP candidates have appeared on “lighter fare” television. I think Giuliani would do very well on SNL and would likely jump at the opportunity. Wasn’t Huckabee on Stewart or Colbert as well?

    As a side note, referring to Sen. Obama as “Osama” is juvenile and pretty toolish.

  50. #50
    On November 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pm, Dandapani said:

    Posting broadcast television content to YouTube violates their term of service… LOL!

  51. #51
    On November 5th, 2007 at 3:27 pm, Buck I said:

    Dakine: Exactly.

    #46: That I Ran song parody was absolutely hilarious. I urge everyone to check it out on Youtube.

  52. #52
    On November 12th, 2007 at 9:04 am, The Raging Republican said:

    Ummmm, does this not break any campaign laws???

    On November 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pm, Dandapani said:

    Posting broadcast television content to YouTube violates their term of service… LOL!

    My point exactly

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