As '08 draws to a close, SNL has ended on a somewhat controversial note. The David Paterson sketch has caused tremors in the blogosphere, with some critics saying the sketch was inappropriate and the governor describing it as "third-grade humour".
A spokesperson for Governor Paterson, Errol Cockfield (what an unfortunate surname) said, "The governor engages in humor all the time, and he can certainly take a joke. 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. The governor is sure that Saturday' Night Live,' with all of its talent, can find a way to be funny without being offensive. Knowing the governor, he might even have some suggestions himself.”
Now, there is one thing I'd question here. I don't think that anywhere in the sketch implied that because Gov. Paterson was blind, this rendered him incapable of having a job. I think that more than anything, the sketch was highlighting the fact that a man who has admitted to using drugs, and having extramarital affairs (including one with a state employee) could be elected governor. Not to cast judgement on Paterson's personal life, as he has said he has not touched illegal substances since his early 20's and his wife apparently also had affairs, but considering there were calls to impeach Clinton when his affair with Monica Lewinsky came out, it does seem odd that everyone would overlook Paterson's past.
What did you think of the sketch? Did Armisen's depiction cross the line?
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