Given the focus that everyone knew was coming on Palin, I am not sure why Obama would wanted to have been connected to the show. All those who will lampoon SNL's unfair coverage of her (the target was just too big) would also state that Obama was condoning the treatment which in theory he should be above. Also, in fairness to McCain an offer should have been made to him and if not, one should be made.

I did see the sketch you mentioned and it is what sent me to bed.

Hello. Wihtout questioning Obama's statement that he was canceling because of the hurricane on the Gulf Coast, I have to agree that it probably would havew been a mistake for him to appear on a show -- especially as much as she was satirized not just in the opening sketch, but also Weekend Update where thyey really got into aspects of her life more controversial than her not knowing what the Bush Doctrine was -- like her teen daughter's pregnancy. In hindsight, I think it would have fueled a lot more criticism from the right about the "elite media" allegedly being nicer to Obama. Thanks. Z

Fey as Palin was hilarious and sooo on point!!!! I loved every minute. "I invite the media to grow a pair".

Hi KNG: Hi, Did you read my review filed right after the show on this blog? I thought Fey was terrific as well -- in league with the best work ever done in the 33 year history of the show. And I am old enough to have seen the Belushi era in its first run. Thanks. Z

Mr Phelps did not embarrass himself. Other than the opening segment, nothing on the show was funny. The diet skit was mildly amusing. The rest of the show's skits seemed like good ideas in the writers room that fell flat when actually done.

Hi Robert, I think you are being a little harsh on the show. Did you really not like the Fey-Poehler/Pailn-Clinton opening. You could hardly be more topical. Having this kind of national political satire is so important to ahealthy democracy. Thanks. Z

I wish Palin was an actress on SNL rather than VP nominee. That is a scary team for real.

No comment, says the TV critic named Z. Thanks.

McCain has been on SNL on numerous occasions, even when Barack was competing with Hillary. While I see what you're saying, I don't think SNL is required to invite both candidates considering that McCain has been on multiple times.

Hi, I agree. And I am sure if McCain wants to come on, they will be happy to have him. It just makes the shjow that much more relevant, more interesting to reviewers, and mnore likely to get big audiences. Thanks. Z

Didn't see the show, but it sounds entertaining from the transcript. Sounds like most of the barbs were directed at Palin though. Guess that means SNL is becoming part of the anti-Palin propaganda machine like the majority of the media. No surprise though.

Hi, Yes, most were directed at Palin, though, Hillary Clinton took her share as well. I would disagree about "propaganda machine." I am sure Obama and Biden will take their share of hits on weeks when they are in the news the way Palin was this week. But it sure doesn't help Palin that they have one of the great comic talents of our time in Tina Fey and the two look so much alike. But I would urge you to give it a few weeks before concluding "no surprise." PS Love the Citizen X name. If we can find a Y, can I be Citizen Z? I'm serious. Yours truly, Citizen Z I like it. Thanks.

The show was pretty good, including the opening bit. But if you've been reading even a little bit, you'd be aware that there are at least 4 distinct so-called "Bush Doctrines" since he took office. And I'd be willing to bet even the great Charles Gibson didn't know that.

HI, I am aware. But the talk of four now seems so much like an after-the-fact campaign to try and minimize the damage. Why did that talk not surface until the weeken when the interview was on Thursday? And why didn't Palin simply say, "You know there are four doctrines, Charlie. Which one are you referring to?" Instead, she really did -- and I say this only as a TV critic -- sound liek someone who was trying to bluff her way through. That's the way it played on my screenm anyway. Thanks.

I thought Tina Fey's impersonation was very good but this show was just not funny. I actually felt sorry for Michael Phelps for having to appear in sooo many lame skits. I like satire when it's funny but this wasn't. Some of the satire was simply mean spiritedness wrapped in lame humor.

But doesn't satire often feel a little mean-spirited? That's why we often say "biting satire," no? Thanks. Z

I didn't see the whole show, only Weekend Update. And I have to say Andy Samberg's impression of the comic strip character Cathy was absolutely hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard at anything on SNL since "Lazy Sunday." I'll definitely catch the rerun.

Hi. Yes, the Cathy thing was bizarre, madcap, insane. I am sure some folkks hated it, but it was such a lonny and inspired concept. Z

After the first 20 minutes, my wife and I said, "enough." I was embarrassed for Phelps and the SNL cast. The swim team skit was awful and the second skit with the two "special" children was done in poor taste. I longed for the original SNL cast.

I laughed when Phelps sneezed in the beginning of the "Michael Phelps Diet" segment lol.
The part on Nicholas Fehn on Weekend Update was also good.

Funny show. Unlike X, I didn't find the humor to be anti-Palin at all. In fact, as usual SNL aimed it's barbs at both sides, in this case Palin and Clinton. As for "propoganda machine", are you kidding me? They aim the satire at just about everyone. Let's not forget that this is entertainment, not real life. Like talk shows on television and radio, it's about entertainment, ratings and advertising. Facts and truth aren't required.

Please read related article titled: "Be Careful What You Say While Campaigning…. God May Be Watching." at http://www.cliffyworld.com/blogs

Michael Phelps is a swimmer, not a comedian. For his first time ever doing something like that, I thought he did a really good job. So he made a few mistakes, he's human.

I agree. This was about having some fun, not him being the new Robin Williams. Thanks. Z

Hey! Is this SNL for some political show? This is suppossed to be a funny one. Anyway, I only watched the show bcuz of Phelps. He just did fine especially for a first timer like him...Yeah, Phelps u r still the best!!!

I guess I was not clear: Other than the opening segment, nothing on the show was funny. After the declaration: 'Live from New York ...' the show never rose above mildly amusing, and that was only the diet skip. I'm so glad I recorded it and could fast forward through most of it.

I should have add this to my last comment: the skits were funny? The coach skit was funny? The concept was interesting. It went no where. It was overly long. I can't believe I'm that much out of it that I should think it was not funny when it wasn't. Comments on Dinning@Large are more constantly funny. You and Alan Prell on the radio were always funny.

Again, except the opening bit that was wonderful. The news segment had a couple of funny lines, but ... The bit with the 'political comedian' was as forced and dull as the actual political comedians the MSNBC puts on.

Hi Robert, You made a believer out of me with the Alan Prell line. It's nice that someone remembers those days with Uncle Allie. I miss him. It was fun. And I agree about the wit and wisdom of Elizabeth Large as well. Thanks. Z

Appreciate the feedback. Perhaps SNL satirizes members of both parties equally. One thing that caught my attention though was this in the Chicago Tribune: 'Minutes after the Clinton-Palin sketch aired on "SNL," a spokesman for the show sent out a full transcript of the piece.' Is this normal for SNL? Maybe it's just me, but this sounds SNL acting as an extension of the Obama war room.

I have to say that the opening scene was funny as well as the "pepper" waiter. However, even though Phelps deserves his moment, I felt he could of been better. This can be seen through his monotonous delivery and his readings off the teleprompter, notably in the t mobile skit and Phelps diet.

I have been a longtime lover of SNL but in all honesty the show has been going downhill for quite awhile. For the past couple of seasons either the actors or the writers have been unable to perform at the quality many have expected of such a long-running show. This season looks to be like an actor's worst dream. The writers don't try for new ideas and this is only the opener! Phelps and co. did what they could with what the lame writing staff gave them. I feel for them, god knows it was painful enough to watch them recite crappily written lines and try to make sketches that were junk into something people could laugh at. I may just switch to MADtv. God help me!

I have to agree with many of the above comments. There was so much hype for this premiere and I think for the most part, it fell flat. The opening sketch was great--Poehler and Fey are funny, and great together. Michael Phelps did his best, and you could tell how nervous he was. Unfortunately not every host has perfect comedic skills or timing, but he tried. I agree with Robert, most of the sketches were mildly amusing at best. They have some fresh talent on the show---let's hope it gets better. And I hope both dems and repubs receive equal jabs.

This show is still on the air? It has only been mildly amusing since the original cast left and it jumped the shark about 10 years ago.

Z--it's not just Elizabeth Large who is funny--it's the people who hang out in her Sandbox.

So true. Could not agree more. Z

MP did good. I am sure it is much harder than it looks. As a huge fan, I thought he was funny and see he was nervous.I din't see a loss of concentration in the last skit. He sneezed, which is only human. But he seemed more relaxed in that one than the others. Like someone said, he did the best he could; he's not training to be the next Robin Williams. Way to go MP!

Hey Dave: Can you quit perpetuating one of the most egregious words in history--ie comedic. It's truly a wretched word. The word is COMIC--I sure hope you also don't say "orientated" or "conversate".

As someone whose words carry a lot of weight because you're in print media, please choose your words properly.

I don't know, I liked it, then again I'm a fan. Of Phelps and SNL and very political. But I think the opening sketch and the closing sketch were the best. But let's face it, Phelps isn't a comedian. He's a swimmer. It's sort of like the Wait Wait Don't Tell (The NPR News Quiz) segment "Not my Job." But I think that he did an okay job. My kudos to Fey and Pohler for their opening. It was hilarious.

Z - I agree 100% - Tina Fey is very talented, and her Sarah Palin skit was as good as anthing SNL has ever done. But to say the entire show ranked with the best in history is completely off the mark. Phelps (and I'm a big fan) was flat and un-funny, and the writing was dreadful. I am not a fan of hip-hop, but found Lil' Wayne's performance to be the ONLY redeeming event after the first five minutes. And is Tina Fey coming back weekly to re-create her Palin routine? SNL would be far better served, of I should say its fans would be, by simply re-running previous shows. The best comedians / writers / skits are ALL in the rear view mirror here.

Yipes, I don't think I said the entire show ranked with the best in history. I meant Fey and Amy Poehler's work in the opening monologue, though, I was also very impressed with the Weekend Update. Z

SNL needs to quit featuring the guest star in every skit. In the old days the guest wasn't in every skit. Think back to the classic performances, and you won't find the guest stars. It would be great if the guest star would do the opening and maybe two or three skits. In addition, the show should be cut down from 90 mins to an hour.

lil wayne was the best thing all night...fey and palin have exact replicate cheekbones....

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