SNL Addendum - More Satire Promised - Humor News Coverage Continues
Saturday Night Live and the Cleveland presidential debatehave been driven from the news as the campaign's engage in another debate of sorts--dueling ads about 3 AM phone calls to the White House.
After tonight's SNL show, however, the fusion of comedy and politics may rejoin the March 4th calculus. As the Washington Times reports "should this week's sketches have an impact on the presidential race, Mr. Michaels couldn't be happier." (The possibilities are discussed in a prior post).
Who will be watching? Admittedly speculative on my part, the SNL's audience is younger, more upscale, informed; an audience that is Obama's demographic. But then again, the show emanates from the NY Senator's main base. Regardless, SNL's anticipated debate skit will aim at neutrality. Its subsequent use, however, may not be neutral.
Guessing what will be shown and how it will spin is obviously idle - by tomorrow we'll know. Thinking about the composition of the SNL audience however reminds me of another quality of comedy and politics, that is: for humor to work it requires familiarity with politics.
In the Washington Times piece impressionist Jim Morris observes:
. . . [G]reat political sketches demand an informed public. That's exactly what "Saturday Night Live" has."You're relying on the viewers to get the references. Political humor has to play to a somewhat educated audience," Mr. Morris says. "In this political season, everyone seems to be up to speed on what's going on."
Other Comedy Notes below fold:
