So now that my faith in humanity has returned and I can face problems like personal credit card debt and what to do with my lazy ass on a Friday night, let’s discuss some pop culture nuggets. Here is the return of your Daily Rounds and it’s a week’s worth of goodies.
Last night, Will Ferrell stopped by the last prime-time “Saturday Night Live” of the election cycle to reprise his wonderful impression of our sitting President George W. Bush. Honestly, the dude is the best W. that I have seen! Anyways, Ferrell’s W. visited with Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin and gave her some advice for “important job”. Some mockery oh John McCain, Dick Cheney and others followed. Here’s the video so you can see the faux awkwardness between Bush and the new Republican candidates.
And word is that Maya Rudolph will be reuniting with her onetime fellow cast mates to embody Michelle Obama this weekend on “SNL”, which will be hosted by the insanely hot John Hamm from “Mad Men”. Rudolph will also be appearing in probably the show’s last “Bronx Beat” with Amy Poehler who is set to depart from the show after the election in preparation for the birth of her first child.
Yeah yeah Sarah Palin did a few jokes during her guest appearance on Saturday Night Live this past weekend and she locked arms with Alec Baldwin and neither of the two spontaneously combusted. Apparently, she was nice, courteous and open to poking fun at herself, qualities anyone in the public eye can surely benefit from. I can't say if she is actually funny because they didn't give her much to work with on the show, even though she was on camera three times. I do wish that there was more interaction with Tina Fey, although Ms. Fey might have asked for it that way, and want Tina wants Lorne grants. As Alec Baldwin pointed out in his round up for HuffPo, this is a parody sketch comedy show, not Meet The Press, so there was only so much they can do and I am sure a lot of things were gone over with a fine toothed comb. SNL did manage did manage to score its highest ratings in fourteen years with Palin's guest appearance on Oct. 18th, the highest viewer turnout since Nancy Kerrigan stopped by after the Tonya Harding incident. And while the show was its usual bore, the real hilarity came, as it has been for weeks, during Weekend Update. This season, as SNL usually does, is strongest around the political commentary. And while some see it as skewering of Palin or Hillary Clinton, I see it as supporting its strongest comedians, the women cast members. Sarah Palin stepped up to the plate, but it was truly Amy Poehler who hit a home run, per usual, with the "Palin Rap". ENJOY!
While many have dissected what this means for the McCain/Palin ticket, I was more interested in why likability somehow means electability in America? Of course after appearing on SNL many people decided they like Gov. Palin more today than they did yesterday. But because she can laugh at a joke and read correctly from a teleprompter, that should grant her access to the second most important position within our nation? This is what I do not get about the Republicans or half of the American voters out there. We already voted in a President we would like to have beer with and we are now in two wars and a looming depression. I had no doubt Palin wouldn't fail on SNL, but in America's eyes whenever Palin doesn't fail, she wins. I would assume that since America has grown accustomed to pathetic leaders who just barely make sense when speaking and fuck up 75% of the time as adequate enough that this somehow gives Palin even more traction. But lets remember that someone must succeed to win and in regards to her performance on Saturday, there was no success there for Palin. There was some success for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. And now the big question for SNL is what Lorne will do without his artillery of funny ladies by his side.
It has honestly taken me way too long to wrap my head around Thursday night's VP debate and the bullishness that followed from the McCain campaign that it's almost difficult for me to write this. After cozying up on my couch Friday night, after a long long week, with a glass of wine and a DVRed VP debate to watch, I wasn't sure that I would be able to get mad since I was already privy to most of the gems spit out from either side in Friday morning's news cycle. I think what shocked me most about the debate was the fact most Americans, those who are not heavily involved in party politics, were only given a true dedicated hour and a half to meet and learn about their VP candidates. In the age of overdosing on technology, one would think that since we have heard so much about both tickets, this debate would have just been filler space. But Gov. Palin has only been in the major limelight for 5 weeks and really has only given a few canned interviews and some repetitive stump speeches until this weekend. I know virtually nothing about the direction she wants America to go in, what she wants us to accomplish and how she plans on making any of this happen. And the fact that I don't know this and have yet to learn terrifies me. After the debate, most reports, pundits, even myself said "She was a good debater". I thought she was because overwhelmingly she charmed HER audience, was never overly aggressive, responded when necessary and avoided any topic or question that would trip her up. But the problem is, after an additional hour and a half with Governor Palin, I still KNOW NOTHING OF HER PLANS. She is in line for the Presidency people. She will, if her ticket wins, obtain the second most important position within our government and our country. And she will be second in command under a President who is to put it nicely, old. And God forbid anything were to happen, she would be given the reigns. I am completely flabbergasted by the past few months of this election cycle and he appointment and announment of palin can just be added to he lost of fumbfounding things. With the past two weeks of limited acces to gov palin, her supporters and her continuously aggressive tone at rallies,she seems to be making sure that the past eight years was just a blip on the conservative takeover of America.
At least Saturday Night Light can continue to poke fun at it.
I know someone who could. Here is more of Katie Couric's mind numbing interview with Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. Warning it is painful to anyone with an IQ above 50. The Governor can not name ONE newspaper she reads on a regular basis. I guess it's that whole "gotcha journalism" thing again.
As most of you may know, I have a few girl crushes, specifically on feisty chicks who don't take no bull. And before this election cycle Campbell Brown would not have appeared in that list of crushes, but recently she has been giving it to the McCain campaign. First with the confrontation with Tucker Bounds, a McCain spokesperson and now with her "Free Sarah Palin" editorial, Brown has found a place in my heart that I only thought was reserved for Rachel Maddow. Please journalists, take note and do the same!
I can appreciate editorial stances and the necessary probing (don't get any ideas!) it takes to get to the truth of the matter in politics, as long as it doesn't become too partisan for either side. The McCain campaign, since July, has deviated from "The Straight Talk Express" and hopped aboard the "We Hate the Press" express. I understand that as a Republican he can feel a bit attacked on the issues, since he votes so closely with Bush on almost all policies, but isn't this why he is running? And if you believe someone is strong enough to be your running mate as Vice President, shouldn't she be able to discuss issues with the press, even if they are hostile? I mean come on Sarah Palin wants to be second in command of America but is too scared to discuss her policy points with Campbell Brown? Really??? If Barack Obama or Joe Biden were to sit down, as they have on too many occasions to mention, they always answer the questions. The same can not be said for the other side. And if you can't be accountable for answers before an election, how can we trust you will be after? Eight years of secrecy is enough for this American!
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