No One is Laughing at SNL's Skit of Governor Paterson

Posted by Carl Augusto on 12/16/2008 3:24:19 PM

As you may have seen in the news this week, Saturday Night Live (SNL) featured a skit on Governor Paterson that many people, including the Governor, found offensive. You can watch the video on the SNL web site.

Here's what we had to say about it. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the skit.

No One is Laughing at SNL's Skit of Governor Paterson

Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Fred Armisen spent more than four minutes mocking Governor David Paterson for his blindness on Saturday night—a skit that is being criticized by Governor Paterson himself, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), and blindness organizations across the country. Using elementary, offensive humor, the skit derides Governor Paterson for his vision loss and portrays him as a bumbling leader. It also suggests that people with disabilities are from the "freak bin."

Governor Paterson, who has had an impressive academic and political career, is known as a witty politician who brings people together. He has accomplished many firsts in his life, becoming the first non-white New York State Senate legislative leader in 2003, the first visually impaired person to address the Democratic National Convention, and the first African American Governor of New York. As a legally blind public figure, Governor Paterson has challenged public perceptions about what it means to have a disability and shown the world that people with vision loss can be great political leaders.

"Governor Paterson, who was unexpectedly called on to fill the role of Governor last spring, has proven to be an accomplished political leader who is respected and liked by New Yorkers," said Carl R. Augusto, President & CEO of AFB.

It is difficult to understand why SNL, a show known for its clever, political satire, would take cheap shots at people with disabilities instead of coming up with better material—especially when mimicking a politician known for his sense of humor. Next time, we hope SNL judges Governor Paterson the way we do all politicians, based on his political record and not his disability.

Re: No One is Laughing at SNL's Skit of Governor Paterson
Posted by Jake Joehl on 12/30/2008 8:28:12 PM

I didn't see the skit when it first aired, but I listened to it on Youtube. Unlike a lot of people who are visually-impaired, I don't find something like this that offensive. As a matter of fact, I think people need to enjoy a bit of humor. I don't mean to sound whiny and complainy, but this is exactly why organizations such as the ACB and the NFB don't want to advocate as they should. I just find it very difficult to understand why something such as an SNL skit, or Mr. Magoo, should get in the way of advocacy efforts. Sorry to be so blunt, but this kind of stuff really makes me mad. I have been blind all my life, and I learned long ago to have a sense of humor about my blindness. I vividly recall reading that Governor Paterson himself simply laughed off the SNL skit, and just went on with his business. That's what we all should do.

Re: No One is Laughing at SNL's Skit of Governor Paterson
Posted by Joey Nemati on 12/19/2008 4:56:16 PM

I am a sighted person and typically a fan of Saturday Night Live, but I have to say I was deeply offended by the skit on Governor Paterson. I found it juvenile and appalling. Making fun of Sarah Palin or George Bush based on their POLICY is one thing. But making fun of someone's impairment is not only distasteful, it's just not funny. Why would anyone other than a third-grader think we would find it humorous to make fun of someone with a disability? SNL better look for some new writers.

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