Obama and SNL

October 30, 2008 8:22 PM

What evidence is there to suggest that Obama will (or will not) be on Saturday Night Live this weekend?

I have heard rumors (though I don't remember where) that Barack Obama may have a cameo on SNL this weekend. However, I haven't been able to find any confirmation of this. I know also that Ben Affleck is supposed to be the guest star. But I still have the suspicion that Obama may appear given the sources that I can not find right now. If anyone has any information or can point me to any sources one way or the other, I would appreciate it.

posted by inconsequentialist to society & culture (16 answers total)

I've heard rumors McCain is going to show up. So maybe both of them will?

http://www.mofopolitics.com/2008/10/30/mccain-to-appear-on-snl-11108/
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:31 PM on October 30, 2008

Yesterday on Fresh Air, Terry Gross asked the same quiestion. Seth Myers said that he honestly didn't know, that both candidates knew they had an open invitation to take part, and that SNL would be ready and willing to put them on even if they got involved at the last minute. But he said that given their schedules he wouldn't venture a guess.
posted by Miko at 8:38 PM on October 30, 2008

I read an interview with Lorne Michaels last week and they asked him how they got Palin. He said that he never knows for sure until they are in the building the day of the show. He also said, consequently that they won't publicize any politician's appearance because they have been burned by no shows in the past.
posted by lee at 8:47 PM on October 30, 2008

He will be there if it's the thing he can do with the time spent that will make the biggest impact.
posted by winston at 8:50 PM on October 30, 2008

Here is the quote:
Why was her impending appearance kept so under wraps?
"From the experience on the first show of last season. Hillary's people had called to book the first show. This was in '07. We said okay, because they called first. Then she bailed. Obama had called just after, and I had to say, no, they called first. Everybody wanted to release it, and I said, no, too many things can happen in a campaign. Then Obama was set for the first show this past season, and it got leaked by the campaign to People.com, and we said, really? Because we don't do that. Then the hurricane happened, and we looked foolish. There were a lot of press calls, and it didn't happen. From that moment on I said I'm not doing anything until they're in the building."
posted by lee at 8:59 PM on October 30, 2008

Obama is scheduled to be in Pueblo, Colorado that afternoon. That's as far into the future that the list of announced events goes as of this moment. You could watch barackobama.com for further event postings to see if there are apparent gaps in the schedule.
posted by gimonca at 9:04 PM on October 30, 2008

I can't imagine Obama, with his solid lead, showing up on a comedy show a few days before the election.
posted by jayder at 9:24 PM on October 30, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'm with jayder. This isn't something a front-runner does; it's too risky. McCain can risk it because he has nothing to lose. At this point, Obama's appearances are stage-managed down to the minute and every minute is on message.

I can imagine him doing it after the election, but he probably will want to get down to work 24/7 on the transition then, too. So still doubtful.
posted by dhartung at 9:59 PM on October 30, 2008

Barack Obama just aired a half-hour infomercial that put him inside a replica oval office. At this stage in the game, everything about his campaign is directed at "deal-closing," trying to ram home the impression that not only is he presidential and ready to go, but that he's moved beyond the back-and-forth of the race. (His infomercial and subsequent rally barely mentioned McCain at all.)

SNL has been influential in this race, that's for sure, but not as a platform for candidates to shine. What's more, Obama hasn't proven himself particularly funny in these settings. He'd emperil his aloofness if he climbed into that playpen, and would only stand to lose stature by sharing a stage with McCain at this juncture.

McCain, meanwhile, is in throw-the-kitchen-sink-at-it mode. If that means going on SNL for a few laughs as he smiles an awkward smile, so be it.

Look at me, I'm a pundit too!
posted by bicyclefish at 10:00 PM on October 30, 2008 [2 favorites]

Having said all that, mind you, he did just show up on the Daily Show, albeit by satellite.
posted by bicyclefish at 10:02 PM on October 30, 2008

MSNBC says that McCain is probably going on SNL this weekend.
posted by washburn at 10:20 PM on October 30, 2008

Having said all that, mind you, he did just show up on the Daily Show, albeit by satellite.

And he was very, very guarded in what he said.
posted by smackfu at 6:26 AM on October 31, 2008

Lorne Michaels and Seth Meyers were on the News Hour last night. When asked what they had planned for the last show before the election, Michaels said little more than "We're gonna go all out."
posted by rlk at 6:47 AM on October 31, 2008

Much as I like him, I don't find him very effective as a comedian. Palin had great material to work wit; making fun of herself as Caribou Barbie plays to her image. I'd love to see him in a sketch where he gives other kids peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, whether they want them or not or, even better, takes sandwiches from rich kids to give to poor kids.

Does he play any instrument? It would be cool if he showed up in the band.
posted by theora55 at 6:49 AM on October 31, 2008 [3 favorites]

Obama is sceduled to speak in Springfield, MO a couple blocks from my house at 9 PM on Saturday Evening.
posted by sourwookie at 8:02 AM on October 31, 2008

According to the NY Times, McCain to Appear on SNL.
posted by piratebowling at 12:07 PM on October 31, 2008