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SNL Seeks a New Post-Election Obama

Four comedians auditioned, but no pick from Michaels yet

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2008 5:25 PM CST

(Newser) – Lorne Michaels has a tough decision to make, and the fate of Saturday Night Live may depend on it: Who will parody the president-elect? Fred Armisen played Barack Obama during primary season, but the executive producer can’t squeeze 4 years of laughs out of his milquetoast portrayal, writes Jocelyn Guest for the Daily Beast. He auditioned four comedians earlier in the year but has made no decisions. The candidates:

Jordan Carlos, Stephen Colbert’s token black friend, who currently does his own parody called “BA-L-ACK Obama”
Donald Glover, a writer for 30 Rock and member of the sketch comedy group Derrick.
Wyatt Cenac, a Daily Show correspondent who has done a number of Obama sketches on YouTube.
Jordan Peele, a longtime cast member of the recently cancelled MadTV, also known for David Alan Grier’s Chocolate News.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

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President-elect Barack Obama and his adviser Valerie Jarrett decide on lunch during a stop at Manny's Coffee Shop and Deli in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Fred Armisen plays Barack Obama during an SNL sketch. (SNL)

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A message from Barack Obama about the launch of his campaign after announcing his 2008 presidential bid. (contactlevy)

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SNL is entering unfamiliar territory, and at time when the cast is glaringly homogenous. A fresh Obama is the push that SNL needs to remain relevant.
- Jocelyn Guest

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SNL Seeks a New Post-Election Obama