Did SNL Go Too Far In Governor Patterson Parody?  |
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 I had a feeling as I watched this past week's episode of SNL there would be some fallout from the Weekend Update segment featuring Fred Armisen as New York Governor david Patterson who is legally blind. He was portrayed as a bumbling, disoriented guy who unwittingly kept getting in the way of the camera after he was supposed to be gone.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/15/paterson.snl/index.html
Patterson said on Monday, "Now that [Alaska Gov. Sarah] Palin's not around, they seem to have run out of material. The idea of a person rolling around the stage in a chair, being disoriented, can't find anything, bumbling, in a sense looking like a clown is a way disabled people are portrayed all the time. The perception that disability equals inability to be responsible is totally wrong."
I really can't disagree with him. I laughed as I watched it but I think we're all guilty sometimes of laughing at something even as we realize it's not very sensitive towards the feelings of others,, namely whatever group is being lampooned. In this case it could be argued that Patterson has been known to be willing and able to make fun of himself but that doesn't excuse the way all people with similar disabilities were portrayed.
What do you think? Are people simply being much too sensitive or did SNL cross the line - again?
Annie
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11.  whiteheather39 (13370) | 1 year ago |  I definitely did think they crossed the line. I did not find it funny at all. I thought it was in very bad taste and very cruel.
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 anniepa (9233) | 1 year ago | I think you're the first one with that view. Like I said, I'm wishy-washy and can't make up my mind what to think! It WAS cruel and made fun of blind people in a tasteless and unfair way. Some have said the governor is a public figure which is correct but there are millions of others with his disability who are not. Geesh, I'm contradicting myself!
I have a good sense of humor but I've never cared for humor at someone else's expense when it's over something they can't help. I mean, parodying someone who's rather clumsy is one thing but there should be a place where they draw the line.
Annie | |
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| whiteheather39 (13370) | 1 year ago | Actually I was not thinking so much about the governor's feeling as all public figures are fair game but my feeling were for all the blind or other disabled people to them their disability is not by choice or a joke. | |
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| anniepa (9233) | 1 year ago | That's how I feel too regarding others who aren't in the public eye. I understand it's one thing for a governor who's been used to being made fun of and who's obviously accomplished a great deal in spite of his disability, but for the average person it would be seen as very hurtful and discouraging to put it mildly.
Annie
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| 12. spalladino (9027) | 1 year ago |  Well, wouldn't you know it...hubby and I couldn't manage to stay up late enough to watch SNL so I missed the whole thing and have only seen short clips on news reports about it. I first gut reaction was that they shouldn't be making fun of someone's disability but then I started thinking and, really, they're known for poking fun at public figures...whether it's a disability or mishap. I do feel bad that Patterson is upset though.
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| anniepa (9233) | 1 year ago | As I've said, I think he was possibly thinking of how others with a similar disability may take it more than just of himself. Sometimes comedians can be poking fun at a single person but they're also hurting innocent people in the process and I think Patterson may have felt compelled to defend them.
Annie | |
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| 13. scarlet2000 (1345) | 1 year ago |  My personal opinion is they did go to far. I only saw a clip of it on the news. I think they owe Governor Patterson and all blind people a public apology. I reliaze that it is comedy but sometimes it can be taken to far and people get hurt.
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14.  Rosekitty (4800) | 1 year ago |  I really thought it was funny and know how SNL goes after anyone and feel that if you are, then you got one of the best compliments.
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| 15. cobrateacher (4223) | 1 year ago |  At first, I really enjoyed it. When it should have been over, though, it didn't end. The "governor" walked into things and crowded the camera, and seemed to want to be in everyoe's way. It went too far, I think, and it added to my many reasons to get to bed earlier than that!
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| 16. RBNLOVESPOH (181) | 1 year ago |  I usually love the skits they do on SNL but they went too far with making fun of Gov. David Patterson. Making fun of someone with a disability just shows the lack of respect they have. Just because he is in politics does not give them the right to make fun of him. It was a disgrace and should not have been allowed to be put on the air. I also feel that on the next show, SNL needs to make a public apology to the governor for making fun of him.
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| 17. Bd200789 (1969) | 1 year ago |  I didn't get to watch the episode, but I saw a clip of in on CNN. It was funny, but I can see where it would offend some people.
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| 18. bam001 (904) | 1 year ago | I think that SNL went WAY TOO FAR in the Governor Patterson parody. It was not just disrespecting the Governor, it ended up showing complete disrepect to those who are blind. It is one thing to joke around with someone, but making fun of a physical handicap is going to far. Already, we have too many people who look down on others who are not exactly as they are. Now, we have a national television show basically saying that it is o.k. to make fun of blind people. Think of young people (not necessarily children) who are watching this show. We all know that kids/teens can be cruel to one another. This is adults being cruel to others and it only reinforces that it is o.k. to act this way. It is not o.k.! And, we shouldn't be subjected to it on t.v. or in real life situations. Further, we should teach others (adults and children alike) that there are some behaviors, such as teasing and making fun of others, that are absolutely wrong. | |
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19.  Opal26 (9894) | 1 year ago |  Hey annie! I didn't see the skit so I'm not really sure that
I'm qualified to make an informed statement as to whether it
was "politically correct" or not. From what I have heard
and read about it though, I am leaning towards the facts that
it may have gone a bit too far in this particular instance.
I don't feel that it is correct to make fun of people with
disabilities in any way. Governor Patterson is doing his job
as any other Governor would and I don't feel that it was
necessary to take things to that level and make fun of people
with disabilites as the Governor said. He wasn't so much upset
about them poking fun at him as he was at others who might
have taken offense and I tend to agree with him. After all he
has a job, he is the Governor of NY! He is my Governor and
I respect him as such!
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| 20. revellanotvanella (1946) | 1 year ago |  No, I didnt see that suprised I didnt catch it in the news.
I think its dumb for them to go so far because first of all its not accurate and its like....I dont know, not right? I've seen Patterson and one of the first things that did suprise me--maybe because of my own stereotypes--is that he was so capable even though he was blind. So if I had saw it I would be shaking my head like, its not right, this man has proven himself.
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| revellanotvanella (1946) | 1 year ago | and I think Patterson's statement was on point, if anything it took away from some of SNL's glory because they were on a roll with the whole Sarah Palin thing. | |
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