Existing comment:
Campaign Parody:
"Saturday Night Live" has skewered presidential candidates for more than three decades, but the late-night comedy show's equal opportunity mockery reached new heights as a cultural and political force during the 2008 campaign.
Tina Fey's portrayal of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler's parody of presidential contender Hillary Clinton tickled America's funny bone and became pop-culture sensations. When Sarah Palin herself appeared on the NBC show, ratings soared to a 14-year high.
Late-night comedy and talk shows are important stops on the campaign trail as politicians try to show a lighter side and court new audiences, especially young people. Laughs aside, parody is serious business. SNL's hit bits went viral online and became part of the public discourse, from kitchen tables to "Meet the Press." |