Will Ferrell made his triumphant return to Saturday Night Live last night; actually, the official title is "Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday" which is so clunky it sounds like a Bushism.
The bit is too long, as usual, but has some good lines. Bush is in the Oval Office to offer his endorsement to the McCain-Palin ticket; he refers to the upcoming election as a contest between, “the hot lady and the Tiger Woods guy.” Tina Fey as Palin (I guess we're done seeing the real thing, although with the ratings Saturday's show got, who knows) pops in to the Oval Office to see Bush: “So nice to meet you Mr. President, I've seen you on TV.”
She gets more good lines, saying that she and John have been “Travelin' the country, talkin' about change, and energy independence, and William Ayers... Doin' a little shopping...”
Of course, McCain doesn't want the endorsement, ha ha. Todd eventually tracks him down; I like Jason Sudeikis, the guy who they have playing Todd Palin, although the snow suit does most of the acting.
I can't decide if Tina Fey is getting tired of playing Palin or if the discomfort is part of her performance. Either way, I think she is now officially Head of Show Business. I can't recall a comedienne/writer/actress/whatever you want to call her who became this popular, especially without a blockbuster film or highly rated TV show. I think she's hilarious, and it's a great impression. Maybe sometimes talent does matter.
David Zurawik in the Baltimore Sun says that SNL is providing a “profound service” with their political satire. I don't know if I'd go that far, but it definitely has gotten people to watch the stupid show again. This sketch does get a little more pointed than some of the others, with Ferrell as Bush saying, “When you go in the voting booth to vote for McCain, remember this face,” and points to his own. It's a lot more bluntly left-wing than the Amy Poehler rap from last week. (I thought the rap was funnier, though.)
Here's the clip:
Source: Hulu
Image: Baltimore Sun
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