SNL is criticized for 'attack' on blind Americans (i.e. NY Governor Paterson)

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NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
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I was watching it with my fiance on Saturday night and giggled a few times, but I told her that they were probably gonna get blasted for going "too far". Sure enough, she sent me this email this morning with this link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200..._on_en_tv/snl_paterson

ALBANY, N.Y. ? A "Saturday Night Live" skit portraying New York's blind governor as a bumbling leader didn't get a laugh from Gov. David Paterson.

Paterson's office said the skit ridiculed people with physical disabilities and implied that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities.

"The governor is sure that 'Saturday Night Live,' with all of its talent, can find a way to be funny without being offensive," Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield said in a statement Sunday. "Knowing the governor, he might even have some suggestions himself."

The skit that aired Saturday featured SNL cast member Fred Armisen as Paterson, who must appoint someone to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton. Armisen said he has three criteria for filling the job: economic experience, upstate influence and someone who is disabled and unprepared for the job ? like himself. He held up a chart illustrating the state's job losses upside down.

National Federation of the Blind spokesman Chris Danielsen said the portrayal suggesting Paterson as befuddled and disoriented because of his blindness is "absolutely wrong."

No one from NBC, which produces SNL, could be reached for comment early Monday morning.
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Segment from Weekend update:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4871...ov-paterson#s-p1-st-i2
 
sandorski

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,566
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Dude needs thicker skin. Governors are open game, especially the Governor of freaking New Jersey!
 
C

Chryso

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2004
4,039
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Originally posted by: shortylickens
"Can be funny without being offensive." :confused:
Has he ever watched that show?
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Since he is blind I am gonna say, no.
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
Sounds like one of those "I'll laugh at it until it demeans me" sort of things. I giggled a bit at the article when it described the skit :p.
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
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Originally posted by: Chryso
Originally posted by: shortylickens
"Can be funny without being offensive." :confused:
Has he ever watched that show?
Click to expand...

Since he is blind I am gonna say, no.
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If you watch SNL in mute you are missing 9/10 of the fun.
I suspect hearing it and not seeing the visuals means you only lose out on 1/10 of the fun.
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: Aikouka
Sounds like one of those "I'll laugh at it until it demeans me" sort of things. I giggled a bit at the article when it described the skit :p.
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I felt bad for laughing at Fred's mannerisms which were 100% accurate from the way he talks, to the lazy, crossed eye/half open eye.

But the best part was when after his segment on Weekend Update was over, he kept wandering back onto the stage in front of the cameras -- I don't know if it was planned or if it was just Fred trying to get some more laughs, but it was pretty funny.

Then when Amy Poehler was giving her good-bye speech and saying that this was her last show, he wandered back out in front of the cameras blocking Amy's shot as she was getting all teary-eyed.
 
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Originally posted by: sandorski
Dude needs thicker skin. Governors are open game, especially the Governor of freaking New Jersey!
Click to expand...

Paterson is the governor of NY
 
SunnyD

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
Jan 2, 2001
32,674
146
106
www.neftastic.com
Originally posted by: Aharami
Originally posted by: sandorski
Dude needs thicker skin. Governors are open game, especially the Governor of freaking New Jersey!
Click to expand...

Paterson is the governor of NY
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"What do you have against New Jersey anyway Governor?"
"Unfortunately a southern border!"
 
Beev

Beev

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2006
7,775
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He's probably pissed because of the truth in the skit:

"not supposed to be your governor" etc
 
sandorski

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,566
6,112
126
Originally posted by: SunnyD
Originally posted by: Aharami
Originally posted by: sandorski
Dude needs thicker skin. Governors are open game, especially the Governor of freaking New Jersey!
Click to expand...

Paterson is the governor of NY
Click to expand...

"What do you have against New Jersey anyway Governor?"
"Unfortunately a southern border!"
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ahh,my bad. Not much difference though.
 
V

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
he called SNL's humor childish.
what a tool. most comedic humor IS childish. that's what makes it funny.
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That and this is the same show that recently brought you Jizzed in my pants, Dick in a box, etc... :p



 
SagaLore

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
21
81
I really need to get more informed what's on in other states. Did not realize NY had a blind governor.

I wonder how that affects funding and decisions for anything related to visual aesthetics...
 
moshquerade

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
Originally posted by: SagaLore
I really need to get more informed what's on in other states. Did not realize NY had a blind governor.

I wonder how that affects funding and decisions for anything related to visual aesthetics...
Click to expand...
Yeh when Paterson was three months old, he got an ear infection that spread to his optic nerve, leaving him legally blind. He can?t see at all out of his left eye, and his vision is 20/400 in his right eye. So he can see somewhat.

Paterson jumped into the governor job after former governor Spitzer got busted for boinking a prostitute.
 
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