Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Franken Hatched Mac-Mocking SNL Skit

Candidate-comedian's role triggers ethics, political controversy

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 21, 2008 6:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – Former Saturday Night Live scribe and current Minnesota Democratic Senate hopeful Al Franken hatched the idea for last night’s sketch mocking John McCain—raising tough political questions for the program and NBC, Politico reports. Critics raised concerns about the propriety of a politician playing a role in an attack on a candidate from the rival party. Franken's involvement may also fuel claims that NBC has a liberal bias, Politico notes.

Current SNL head writer Seth Meyers wrote the sketch, but it emerged from a comment Franken made to friend Lorne Michaels, the producer of the show, according to sources. Meyers later called Franken to discuss the piece. The candidate’s input could hurt his campaign, which has come under fire in the past for some of his controversial comedy.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

The sketch idea emerged in a conversation between Franken and friend Lorne Michaels (above), the producer of "Saturday Night Live." (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Comedian Al Franken is framed by the seal of the state of Minnesota on his radio show, Air America in an appearance last year. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, Pool, File)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Al has been friends with Lorne Michaels for over 30 years, and Lorne thought Al’s personal experience was funny enough for an SNL skit. - Colleen Murray, spokeswoman
for Al Franken

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

SNL Comes Up Lame This Primary

This field should be a gift from the comedy gods: Kera Bolonik

(NEWSER) - There was a time when Saturday Night Live could have had great fun with Mitt Romney's proclamation that he "liked to fire people." Instead we got this week's bland cold open (see video) in which Romney tried to (ha ha) fire his breakfast. "It's been that kind of year on Saturday Night Live," writes Kera Bolonik at Salon . "The Republican presidential field is an embarrassment of crazy-train riches. But the writers have been lazily broad-stroking caricatures." More»

Stalled Career, Ageism Drove Ex- SNL Writer to Suicide

Wayne's World writer Joe Bodolai found dead in Hollywood hotel room

(NEWSER) - Joe Bodolai's long career in show business came to a sad end in a Hollywood hotel room. The 63-year-old comedy writer and TV producer was found dead the day after Christmas, having apparently committed suicide by drinking a mixture of antifreeze and Gatorade. Bodolai, who wrote for Saturday Night Live and co-wrote Wayne's World, left a final blog post in which he said one of his biggest regrets was his inability to conquer his alcoholism. More»

Alec Baldwin Says 'Sorry' ... to Alec Baldwin

Actor apologizes to himself as airline pilot

(NEWSER) - Hot off his ugly incident on an American Airlines flight this week, Alec Baldwin appeared on Saturday Night Live and apologized to ... himself, the New York Daily News reports. The funnyman donned a pilot's uniform and was introduced as Captain Steve Rogers: "It was awful Seth," he tells Seth Myers on Weekend Update. "Which is why it was important for me to come here and on behalf of everyone at American Airlines, issue an apology to Mr. Alec Baldwin! Mr. Baldwin is an American treasure!” More»

SNL Tweaks 'Rent Is Too Damn High' Guy

Jimmy McMillan will give you breakfast, lunch, and dinner

(NEWSER) - Saturday Night Live took a jab at Rent Is Too Damn High candidate Jimmy McMillan last night, with Kenan Thompson giving what Gawker calls a "pitch perfect" impersonation. McMillan, noted host Seth Meyers, reportedly hasn't paid his $800 rent since the '80s. Responds Thompson (to everything): "Because the rent is too damn high!" Catch that and other highlights in the gallery. More»

McConnell Snaps at Franken: 'This Isn't SNL '

Senate minority leader not amused by funny faces

(NEWSER) - There was too much of the funnyman about Al Franken for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell yesterday. The comedian-turned-senator was presiding over the Senate as McConnell made a speech opposing Elena Kagan's confirmation to the Supreme Court . Franken appeared to be shifting in his seat and making faces, which McConnell took as mockery. "This isn't Saturday Night Live, Al," McConnell told Franken. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Franken Hatched Mac-Mocking SNL Skit