I thought Sarah Palin did more than fine on Saturday Night Live [Noel's got the video here]. In particular, during her Weekend Update appearance Palin displayed a speaking poise and polish exceeding that of the other candidates on both tickets. But Republicans who agree to appear on such shows put themselves in the lap of the liberal media gods. And those lesser deities abused their power last night, running a nasty joke at Clarence Thomas's expense during Weekend Update shortly before Palin appeared.
The set-up was the fact that, in a dissenting opinion published this past week, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts employed the style of a hard-bitten detective novel. That set up this . . .
View video here.
SETH MEYERS: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts this week wrote a legal decision that was a parody of a Mickey Spillane novel, using phrases such as "tough as a three-dollar steak," and "just another day at the office." Not to be outdone, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a decision as a letter to Penthouse.
Seventeen years almost to the day that Anita Hill appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, NBC is still exploiting her unsubstantiated allegations to slur Clarence Thomas in the presence of the Republican vice-presidential candidate. Nice MSM two-fer.
Sidenote: In his memoir, My Grandfather's Son, Thomas tells the story of how Joe Biden went back on his promise to treat Thomas fairly during the Senate confirmation hearings [Via NRO.]
Note: As Jason Aslinger has observed, the Thomas "joke" wasn't the only shot at a conservative that SNL managed to work into Weekend Update. It somehow also shoe-horned Dan Quayle's spelling of "potatoe" into the skit. Rather than recycling that 16-year old incident, SNL might have used Joe Biden's recent description of "j-o-b-s" as a three-letter word.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Nothing Racist here?
October 19, 2008 - 08:31 ET by ChasvsGee, Must be the MSM attacking a Conservative Black Man!
What if Fox ahd done thing about the annointed one Barack Hussein Obama? There's be rioting in the streets!
The only office BHO belongs in is the Police Office!
STOP OBMA NOW!
If only Clarence had called
October 19, 2008 - 08:44 ET by JerryIf only Clarence had called Anita "trailer park trash" and then later paid her off, he would be adored by the MSM.
Or maybe if he had raped her several years earlier, the MSM would have placed a ban on any mention of it.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
balance
October 19, 2008 - 08:47 ET by sawing battathese things have a way of balancing themselves out....
the libs in NYC cant help themselves and are feeling more confident the closer the election gets....they will take more chances, extend the border of decency, etc...and they may just go too far...and tell people what they actually think (which is 'game over' for liberals).
give 'em enough rope...
Better Host
October 19, 2008 - 09:44 ET by allanfI dare say, I think Palin would be a get higher ratings as host of the CBS Evening News than her perkiness, Katie Couric.
Funny racist joke
October 19, 2008 - 10:16 ET by iveseenitallWhy did they use the laugh machine? That joke was soooo funny on its own! I couldn't stop laughing. Penthouse! Wow! Where do they come up with these things? Boy, they really earned their money with that one! ROFLO! -----Scheeze!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Thicken your skin people!
October 19, 2008 - 11:15 ET by air conservativeThicken your skin people! That one line against Thomas warrants this article? I was actually more disgusted by the things said and done in Palin's presence last night than that little joke. It is disgraceful, not only that she appeared, but that she didn't reject the script with integrity. These types of decisions have LOST McCain the election.
According to the left and
October 19, 2008 - 11:23 ET by JerryAccording to the left and the MSM (same thing), the election was NEVER McCain's to lose. Sarah Palin ignited the conservatives and McCain's campaign, something the left and MSM (same thing) cannot stand, which explains their un-relenting assaults on Palin.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Thicken MY skin? It's not
October 19, 2008 - 11:27 ET by Jack BauerThicken MY skin? It's not MY skin that concerns me.
It's a tired liberal slime against a Justice of the Supreme Court that offends me.
And all you are concerned about is the fact that Sarah Palin won the SNL debate like every other debate she's participated in?
Are you sure you're not AIRHEAD conservative?
No need to attack me
October 19, 2008 - 12:47 ET by air conservativeNo need to attack me personally. Palin won last night? They continued to mock her right in front of her face! Did they do that with Obama? A slime against a supreme court justice is what offended you, huh? Not the airhead performance by Tina Fey, or the years of slamming Bush? Of all of the things last night, it was that one line that bothered you?
I rest my case. Yes, I am
October 19, 2008 - 18:57 ET by Jack BauerI rest my case. Yes, I am more offended by the never-ending racist liberal slimes against Justice Thomas on a "comedy" show, than by a bunch of celebutards sort of insulting their main guest.
By turning up, being classy, and a good sport, Governor Palin won hands down to most people, I suspect.
I do apologize for attacking you. It was a lame, obvious gag, and I went for it. It's a failing, I know.
What I found truly
October 19, 2008 - 13:53 ET by GipperWhat I found truly interesting about the Justice Thomas joke was how it completely and totally bombed. Seth Myers delivered it, and the audience yawned.
As far as Sarah, I was impressed. When she initially appeared with Lorne Michaels, she made the point that Tina Fey was playing it over the top. Then Alec Baldwin was, IMO, quite funny. Great line by Sarah about Stephen being her favorite Baldwin.
The best bit of the whole show was the first MacGruber. The show is easily 4 to 5 years past its expiration date.
"Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his." - Ronald Reagan, 1980
My Grandfather's Son
October 19, 2008 - 15:58 ET by Kingfish17I read Justice Thomas's autobiography about a month ago. I almost bought "The case against BO" or "Obama Nation", but I decided to read something positive instead of negative.
His story is simply amazing. It's a shame what the MSM has done to this man. I would suggest to anyone who reads these forums to make this book a must read.