‘Saturday Night’ Reminds Us How Far The Unfunny Partisans At SNL Have Fallen
'Saturday Night' is a wonderful celebration of a cultural moment, and pulls together a wonderfully cathartic story.'Saturday Night' is a wonderful celebration of a cultural moment, and pulls together a wonderfully cathartic story.Trump scores free prime-time ad slot after NBC's 'SNL' skit scandal with Harris
Former President Donald Trump secured a free election promotion on NBC following complaints that the network attempted to give opponent Kamala Harris a boost with voters by featuring her on "Saturday Night Live." The network was accused of violating the Federal Communications Commission's "equal time" rule.
Trump's advertisement aired on Sunday evening after NASCAR's Xfinity 500 and the NFL's Minnesota Vikings-Indianapolis Colts football game.
'Just remember, Kamala and her friends broke it.'
The ad featured a "special message" from Trump to sports fans.
"We're two days away from the most important election in the history of our country. We've got to save our country, and it needs saving — it's in very bad shape," Trump stated. "The worst economic numbers in generations were just announced two days ago. We're losing jobs; we're losing everything, including viability."
Trump warned viewers that America is currently headed toward an economic depression.
"We've never seen anything like it, at least for the last 40 years," he continued.
Trump called for closing the borders, lowering taxes, and eliminating inflation.
"Just remember, Kamala and her friends broke it," he added. "I'll fix it."
"Go and vote," Trump concluded.
The ad directed viewers to a webpage with a form to obtain voter location and registration information.
NBC was forced to give Trump the free airtime after featuring Harris for a minute and a half in a cold open sketch for "SNL," the show's final episode before Election Day, Blaze News reported.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called the skit "a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC's Equal Time rule."
"The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct - a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election," Carr continued. "Unless the broadcaster offered Equal Time to other qualifying campaigns."
NBC filed an Equal Time notice with the FCC late Sunday after the pushback.
Carr told Fox News Digital that the network's filing confirms that it "views the Harris 'SNL' appearance as a free use of their facilities and airwaves within the meaning of the federal Equal Time rule."
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital that Harris' cringeworthy sketch indicated her campaign is desperate to appeal to voters.
"Kamala Harris has nothing substantive to offer the American people, so that's why she's living out her warped fantasy cosplaying with her elitist friends on 'Saturday Night Leftists' as her campaign spirals down the drain into obscurity. For the last four years, Kamala's destructive policies have led to untold misery and hurt for all Americans. She broke it, and President Trump will fix it," Cheung told the news outlet.
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NBC Forced To Give Trump Airtime After Violating FCC Rules With Harris SNL Spot
Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a thread on X that Harris’ appearance on SNL ran afoul of the FCC’s 'Equal Time' rule.Trump focuses on top issues, Harris makes 'SNL' appearance
Just two days from Election Day, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are going into the homestretch with contrasting campaigns.
Trump traveled from the Rust Belt to campaign in North Carolina and Virginia on Saturday, largely focusing on top issues like the economy and immigration.
'Over the past 4 years, Kamala has orchestrated the most egregious betrayal that any leader in American history has ever inflicted on our people.'
"If Kamala wins, you are 3 days away from the start of a 1929-style economic depression," Trump said in a post on X. "If I win, you are 3 days away from the best jobs, the biggest paychecks, and the brightest economic future the world has ever seen. ... I will massively cut taxes for workers and small businesses — and we will have NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, and NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY benefits!"
"As we rescue our economy, I will also restore our borders," Trump said in another X post. "Over the past 4 years, Kamala has orchestrated the most egregious betrayal that any leader in American history has ever inflicted on our people. She has violated her oath, eradicated our sovereign border, and unleashed an army of gangs and criminal migrants from prisons and jails, insane asylums and mental institutions around the world, from Venezuela to the Congo — stealing countless American lives."
Harris also spent time in the Sun Belt, campaigning in Georgia and North Carolina. Harris has refocused on policy issues like immigration, noting that she has served as attorney general of a border state.
"I was attorney general of a border state," Harris said in a post on X. "Strengthening our border is not new to me."
Under Harris' purview as "Border czar," there have been over 8.7 million migrant encounters across the southern border alone, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Harris also reminded voters of her goal to "restore reproductive freedom" and implement a $6,000 child tax credit, as well as her "economic plan" that "taps into the aspirations of the American people."
Harris also made a surprise appearance on "Saturday Night Live" alongside Maya Rudolph. Many pointed out that the skit looked like a recreation of Trump's 2015 appearance with Jimmy Fallon, both of which showed the presidential hopefuls speaking to their reflection, played by one of their co-hosts.
"It is nice to see you, Kamala," Harris said to Rudolph. "And I'm just here to remind you, you got this, because you can do something your opponent cannot do. You can open doors."
While her appearance sparked a huge amount of online discourse, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr criticized Harris' appearance as a violation of the FCC's "Equal Time rule."
"The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly the type of biased and partisan conduct — a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election," Carr said in a post on X. "Unless the broadcaster offered Equal Time to other qualifying campaigns."
The campaign season took another unexpected turn last night when Ann Selzer released a poll alongside the Des Moines Register showing Harris three points ahead of Trump in Iowa. This is a huge turnaround for Harris compared to the four-point deficit she was facing in the state, according to a previous poll from Selzer.
Iowa is not considered a swing state but has had a split voting record. Trump won the state in both 2020 and in 2016, but former President Barack Obama won the state in 2012 and 2008.
At the same time, many criticized this poll as a fluke, calling it a last-ditch attempt to "demoralize Trump voters." Notably, major projections have all included Iowa as a red-leaning state.
"No President has done more for FARMERS, and the Great State of Iowa, than Donald J. Trump," the former president said in a Truth Social post on Sunday. "In fact, it’s not even close! All polls, except for one heavily skewed toward the Democrats by a Trump hater who called it totally wrong the last time, have me up, BY A LOT."
Trump is set to campaign in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia today. Harris will make multiple campaign stops in Michigan.
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Shane Gillis turns down 'Saturday Night Live' Trump role — five years after the show fired him
"Saturday Night Live" recently wooed comic Shane Gillis to portray former President Donald Trump on the late-night institution's 50th season — but this time around it was the short-lived cast member's turn to say "You're fired!"
Gillis revealed his former employer's offer — as well as his refusal thereof — during a recent appearance at the Skankfest comedy festival in Las Vegas.
In the last few years, Gillis has become known for his Trump impression. Last July he showed it off on the wildly popular comedy podcast "Kill Tony"; that episode garnered more than 20 million views on YouTube.
Comedian Luis J. Gomez told the crowd, “Nobody thought [Gillis] was coming to this festival this year.”
Gillis replied, "Explain why."
Gomez answered, “Because he was offered to play Trump on the entire season of 'SNL' and he turned it down to f***ing be here, folks.”
Gillis added, “They said, ‘Are you serious? You’re going to say no?’"
Gillis joked that he told "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels that he had to be at the comedy festival.
Almost exactly five years ago, Gillis scored his first "SNL" job offer — which was promptly rescinded just four days later after reports that Gillis had made "racist" remarks during a September 2018 episode of his "Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast."
At the time, Gillis apologized to "anyone who was actually offended" and said, "I respect the decision they made. I am honestly grateful for the opportunity."
Gillis was quick to rebound from his public "SNL" dismissal. Along with fellow comedian John McKeever, he created the sketch show "Gilly and Keeves," which racked up tens of millions of views and featured a sketch with Gillis portraying Trump attending a speed-dating event.
In September 2021, Gillis released his very first comedy special – "Shane Gillis Live in Austin." The special has more than 33 million views on YouTube.
In 2023, Gillis released his "Beautiful Dogs" special on Netflix, which introduced his impressive Trump impression to the masses. The special has a 92% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was the third-most-watched comedy special on Netflix.
In February, Gillis got a deal with Netflix for six episodes of his self-funded comedy series titled "Tires." "Tires" boasts an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and was the top show on Netflix for a couple of days. In May, Netflix announced it would renew "Tires" for a second season and air another Gillis comedy special.
In the last few years, Gillis has become known for his Trump impression. Last July he showed it off on the wildly popular comedy podcast "Kill Tony"; that episode garnered more than 20 million views on YouTube.
Gillis finally made it to the "SNL" stage last February, when he hosted the show — and performed as the 45th president hawking his limited-edition sneakers.
In lieu of Gillis, "SNL" has comedic actor James Austin Johnson playing Trump this season. Alec Baldwin previously played the role.
In September, Michaels said there was a need to "reinvent" Trump because of his performance at the presidential debate.
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Howard Stern wants 'SNL' to drop Harris satire, claiming 'there's too much at stake' with potential Trump victory
Radio host Howard Stern stated Tuesday that "there's too much at stake" with the upcoming election for the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" to make fun of Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.
As part of Harris' continued media blitz this week, she sat down with Stern, who was tripping over himself to express his fervent endorsement of her candidacy.
'You've got to win, you just have to.'
Stern admitted that he was "really nervous" because he wanted the election to "go well" for Harris.
"Even when I watch them on 'Saturday Night Live,' where they have Maya Rudolph playing you, I hate it," Stern told Harris.
"I don't want you being made fun of. There's too much at stake. I believe the entire future of this country right now — I mean, as America, land of the free, home of the brave — I think it's literally on the line," he added.
"I agree with you," Harris responded.
When asked how she felt about Rudolph's impression of her, Harris told Stern that she is "a huge fan" and thought "it was funny."
"I think she put a lot of time into doing the piece and the character," Harris said.
During an interview on "The View" this week, Harris was shown a clip of Rudolph's impression of her. She responded to the video by stating, "Maya Rudolph, she's so good, she had the whole thing, the suit, the jewelry, the mannerisms."
Harris told Stern that her opponent, Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, has a "desire to be a dictator."
She continued, "He says he's going to be a dictator on day one. Understand what dictators do. They jail journalists. They put people who are protesting in the street in jail," both of which the Biden-Harris administration has done.
Stern told Harris, "With all this pressure on you right now, and you've got to win, you just have to."
"I really believe we're in for the darkest skies on the planet. Like, the sun's literally going to go out. God bless you for doing this," he added.
The friendly interview was ridiculed by New York Times columnist Michelle Cottle, who likened the talk to Harris spending an "hour in the warm embrace" of Stern. Cottle accused the radio host of being "a little too openly butt-smoochy."
"Who could resist the opportunity to outsource some Trump bashing to a professional trash-talker like Stern, who famously disdains the MAGA king?" Cottle questioned.
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'SNL' tackles pro-Palestine campus protests: 'I'll tell you what ain't free: Columbia'
"Saturday Night Live" addressed the pro-Palestine protests happening at college campuses across the country. The comedy skit show focused on the perspective of the parents paying exorbitant tuition for their children to skip classes to establish encampments.
A pro-Palestinian protest erupted on Tuesday at Columbia University, where dozens of demonstrators barricaded themselves in the university’s Hamilton Hall. There were 112 people arrested at Columbia on Tuesday, 32 were not affiliated with the university, according to an NYPD official.
There are reports that Columbia University is reconsidering holding commencement ceremonies because of security concerns stemming from the pro-Palestinian protests.
This week's cold open of "SNL" had parents of college students discussing the ongoing protests which have gotten aggressive in several instances.
Actors Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, and Mikey Day played concerned parents of students participating in the alarming demonstrations during a talk show.
Gardner's character said of the college protests, "It's been tough. Now, I'm all for free speech, but I don’t understand what they think they’re accomplishing and that’s really putting a strain on me and my daughter’s relationship."
Thompson's character chimed in, "Nothing makes me prouder than young people using their voices to fight for what they believe in."
However, Thompson was in favor of other college students participating in the divisive protests, but his daughter "better have her butt in class."
When asked by the talk show host if he is proud that his daughter is out there protesting, Thompson fired back: "Nah man, you bugging. Alexis Vanessa Roberts better have her butt in class. Let me find out she in one of them damn tents instead of the dorm room that I pay for."
Another parent on the panel curiously pondered, "I thought you were in favor of the student protest?"
Thompson snapped back, "Man, I am supportive of y’all’s kids protesting, not my kid. My kid knows better. Shoot, Alexis Vanessa ain't crazy."
The host asked about Thomspon's feelings about students taking over Hamilton Hall.
"That's good for y’all’s kids. But they ain't mine. That's all I'm saying. They ain't my kids," he continued.
Gardner said she is worried that her daughter could be arrested during the protests.
“I ain’t worried about Five-O, that is not my business," Thompson stated. "My business is Alexis Vanessa Roberts. OK? She ain’t talking about 'no free this, free that,' because I tell you what ain’t free: Columbia. Do you all know that they got the nerve to want $68,000 a year?”
Thompson explained that he took up several jobs and was "busting his hump" so that he could send his daughter to Columbia University.
Speaking of his sacrifices for his daughter: "All of that just so she can say she got a degree in African American studies. It’s like, little girl, you’ve been black your whole life. You know what it is."
Gardner noted that some universities were canceling their commencement ceremonies due to the aggressive protests.
Thompson retorted, "I don’t think you get it. Alexis Vanessa will be graduated, even if I gotta do it myself."
There have been more than 2,100 people during anti-Israel protests at U.S. college campuses in recent weeks, according to Fox News.
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Community Affairs Cold Open - SNL www.youtube.com
'I didn't do it at rehearsal': Shane Gillis explains how he got his hilarious uncensored SNL monologue to air
Comedian Shane Gillis explained that the only reason he was allowed to perform his allegedly offensive monologue was a combination of omitting certain words and keeping his content close to his chest.
Gillis' 2024 return to "Saturday Night Live" after being fired in 2019 was met by an incredible outpouring of praise and support. The appearance was immediately followed by Netflix picking up his self-funded sitcom.
The comedian's monologue was not well received by all, however. For example, radio host Dean Obeidallah said that Gillis' jokes "ridicule vulnerable communities," calling him racist and offensive and claiming that he operates in a "world of bigotry."
Gillis made a post-"Saturday Night Live" appearance on the "LOS Podcast," hosted by popular comedians Jay Oakerson, Luis Gomez, and Dave Smith.
Gomez asked Gillis about his monologue and whether the NBC powers that be knew that he was going to use words typically forbidden on network TV.
"Did they know you were going to say 'gay' and 'retarded' in the monologue? They had to, right? They knew it [and] said do what you're going to?"
"No, I didn't do it at rehearsal," Gillis explained. "There was a lot! There was like 'nobody's ever worn a T-shirt, you can't wear a T-shirt, you got to wear a jacket,'" Gillis recalled being told.
"I was like 'I'll wear a watch with it,' they like 'fine,'" he added.
"They didn't know you were going to say gay and ... did they say anything afterwards?" Gomez continued to ask.
"Some people knew. I told the right people," Gillis revealed.
After he was asked if executive producer Lorne Michaels — the man who inspired the character Dr. Evil — knew about the particulars of the jokes, Gillis said "no," with a coy wink.
Gillis further explained, however, that when he tried to reveal the content of his jokes to Michaels, the producer said he didn't want to know.
"He was very supportive, 'cause I kept telling him what I was going to say and he was literally just like 'don't tell me, just do it.' 'Cause he doesn't want to have, I'm sure he didn't want to have any —"
"He wants no accountability?" Gomez interjected as he laughed.
"He was like 'you're here, I trust you,'" Gillis concluded.
Gillis told jokes on the NBC sketch-comedy show about how he has many people with Down syndrome in his family. He then used the word "retarded" in a joke about how it would be a great moment for the country if three black children defended his young niece (who has Down syndrome) after she was insulted by a white child.
Despite apparent offense being taken by some media critics, actor Chris Burke came out in defense of Gillis.
Burke appeared on the TV show "Life Goes On" from 1989 to 1993 as the first actor with Down syndrome to star in a TV series.
TMZ reported that Burke said it would be more offensive for comedians to exclude people with Down syndrome from jokes. He also noted that it didn't seem like Gillis was making jokes out of ignorance.
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