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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
1

SNL Seeks a New Post-Election Obama

Four comedians auditioned, but no pick from Michaels yet

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(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.

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.
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.
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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1 comment
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petepenguin
Nov 21, 08 10:33 PM CST
Well,since the Daily Beast has spoken,I guess that rules out Armisen,who did fine with the material he was given.Ya know,it does start with the writing. Reply
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Jordan Carlos made an impassioned case to Gawker readers for picking him
Gawker

See Jordan Carlos' 'BA-L-ACK Obama' on FunnyorDie.com
Funny or Die


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