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Paterson Furious About SNL Skit

Governor outraged by SNL sketch

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2008 6:08 AM CST

(Newser) – New York Gov. David Paterson is furious about a Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked his blindness, reports the New York Post. The sketch featured Fred Armisen mimicking Paterson's gravelly voice, brusque demeanor, and wandering sightless eye. Neither Paterson, who has been legally blind since childhood, nor advocates for the visually impaired, saw the humor of the skit.

"The governor engages in humor all the time, and he can certainly take a joke," said a Paterson spokesman. "However, this particular Saturday Night Live skit unfortunately chose to ridicule people with physical disabilities and imply that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Gov. David Paterson is said to be furious over a portrayal of him on 'Saturday Night Live.' (AP Photo/Tim Roske)

Fred Armisen, playing NY Gov. David Paterson, mistakenly runs in front of the camera as Amy Poehler bids her goodbye to SNL. (britethorn)

Comedian Fred Armisen as New York Gov. David Paterson. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

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Fred Armisen plays New York Governor David Paterson in a controversial SNL sketch. (hulu.com)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

Guest

Dec 16, 2008 6:08 AM CST

So who told him?? He sure didn't get all that from the subtitles. And as for the commentor just above me- try being Christian in this country if you ain't got a sense of humor then you are one sense short of a set. ( see what I did there?) "see" was not meant as a pun, officially. BTW, my nephew was born without an optic nerve and he has a "sense" of humor, it's called self-deprecating and only assholes ain't got it.

Guest

Dec 15, 2008 10:28 PM CST

I have a daughter with a disability and I do not, do not find the the above "funny" people advocates. Why the thoughtlessness from apparently grown persons?

Guest

Dec 15, 2008 7:21 PM CST

BTW has anybody told him he's black?

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Politics • Entertainment • Media

Saturday Night Live • NBC • New York • Fred Armisen • David Paterson • Weekend Update

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Paterson Furious About SNL Skit