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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Single and Over 40? Meet Older, Sincere Singles Everyone is Serious and Screened. www.MatureSinglesOnly.com | add comment |
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22.  Kashigurl (1168) | 1 year ago |  It WAS a parody. That's what they are....I think we should be equal across the board. Isn't that what the disabled want... To be treated equally?
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 anniepa (9203) | 1 year ago | I don't think I'd consider portraying a blind man as inept and bumbling when he isn't "equal treatment".
Annie | |
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| Kashigurl (1168) | 1 year ago | But that's comedy.....we portray everyone in ways they are NOT in comedy....that's what it is....making fun of things. Are all white people the way Chris Rock prtrays them...NO....are all fat people Big pigs that can't stop eating? NO...that's comedy. It should be across the board...we're all up for bait. | |
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23.  irisheyes (2931) | 1 year ago |  I think they pushed the envelope a little on that one. They want to keep those ratings up but I don't think it will be easy finding anything as funny as the Tina Fey takeoff on Sarah Palin. Opportunites like that one with a public figure lampooned by the right comedic genius just don't come that often.
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| anniepa (9203) | 1 year ago | How right you are! Who would have ever imagined there would be a political candidate like Sarah Palin who was a dead-ringer for Tina Fey, who is a comedic genius with a brilliant talent for impressions? I doubt they'll ever have something like that come along again.
Annie | |
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| 24. suspenseful (17071) | 1 year ago |  I do not watch SNL but I think you are upset because he is a Democrat and is for things I do not approve of like embryonic stem cell research and same gender marriage. If it was a Republican, and SNL was making fun of him you would not care that much. I do not think it is about his disablity, I think you feel it is all right to mock Republicans like Sarah Palin, but hands off the Democrats, they are beyond reproach.
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| anniepa (9203) | 1 year ago | This post contains content of a mature nature. You must be Signed in or Registered to have the option to view this content. | |
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| 25. quinnkl (1466) | 1 year ago |  As long as they make fun of everyone equally, I don't have any complaints. Comedy is comedy. I don't always agree with their ways of doing things (especially when it comes to disabilities), but that is what the show is about. That is what they do. And comedy is just that, comedy. Sure they go to far sometimes, but that is what SNL is famous for and what they do. It is another one of those "turn the channel if you don't like it" things for me.
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26.  worldwise1 (6099) | 1 year ago |  SNL has habitually been known for going too far, anniepa. It's typical of most of this genre of shows. While I don't go along with censorship I do feel that there should be limits set as to what is acceptable to be shown on TV. Fat chance of it ever happening though. I just happened to be watching the show on the night in question, and I immediately found it to be distasteful.
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