mascan42
12-07-2003, 09:54 PM
Here's another 4 hours of O&A material we'll never hear.
Many Viewers Miss Sharpton's 'SNL' Act
Sun Dec 7, 9:14 PM
Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton busted some James Brown moves on his "Saturday Night Live" debut, but many viewers didn't get the chance to see them.
Several NBC affiliates refused to carry "Saturday Night Live" with Sharpton as host for fear it would activate federal "equal time provisions" and compel them to offer air time to the eight other Democrats running for president.
Sharpton, a former tour manager for the soul star, sang a few verses of Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and even imitated some of his fancy footwork.
"For me, it's a wonderful opportunity," Sharpton said in his opening monologue. "Maybe tonight, people can finally get to know the real Al Sharpton. President Al Sharpton."
Comic Tracy Morgan appeared next to him dressed as the "old" Sharpton, with wilder hair, purple track suit and gold jewelry.
"I never looked that bad," Sharpton protested.
"Think again," Morgan replied.
NBC said 23 of its 230 affiliated stations had said they were considering not running "SNL" because of equal time rules. The network did not have a final count Sunday on how many stations did not air it.
All four NBC affiliates in Iowa, where the Jan. 19 caucus represents the first major test of the Democratic nomination battle, said last week they wouldn't air the show. NBC's Boston station - seen in much of New Hampshire, site of the first presidential primary - also didn't show it.
"Saturday Night Live" frequently has political content and occasional guest appearances by politicians, but this is the first time in memory stations bailed out for this reason.
Given that the job of an "SNL" host requires a week's worth of rehearsal time, it's unlikely any of the other Democrats would take the same opportunity as Sharpton, even if offered.
"SNL" alluded to the missing stations in two separate skits on Saturday. In the show's opening, Jimmy Fallon portrayed NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker, announcing other opportunities for Democrats to allay equal time concerns.
For instance, Gen. Wesley Clark will be made over on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and Howard Dean will eat camel rectum on "Fear Factor," Fallon said.
Later, he and Tina Fey held up a map showing NBC affiliates they said weren't airing the show. They mocked many of the cities, calling Des Moines, Iowa, "snoozeville, USA."
Sharpton, meanwhile, kept busy changing costumes for a variety of roles. He portrayed lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Michael Jackson's father and one of the three wise men searching for Jesus.
In one skit, Sharpton pretended he was opening a sushi restaurant to fund his presidential campaign, even though he was repelled by the food.
"I hope tonight America laughed together," Sharpton said at the night's conclusion. "Maybe we can learn how to live together."
I didn't see the show, but the description alone provides enough material to fill an entire O&A show.
Many Viewers Miss Sharpton's 'SNL' Act
Sun Dec 7, 9:14 PM
Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton busted some James Brown moves on his "Saturday Night Live" debut, but many viewers didn't get the chance to see them.
Several NBC affiliates refused to carry "Saturday Night Live" with Sharpton as host for fear it would activate federal "equal time provisions" and compel them to offer air time to the eight other Democrats running for president.
Sharpton, a former tour manager for the soul star, sang a few verses of Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and even imitated some of his fancy footwork.
"For me, it's a wonderful opportunity," Sharpton said in his opening monologue. "Maybe tonight, people can finally get to know the real Al Sharpton. President Al Sharpton."
Comic Tracy Morgan appeared next to him dressed as the "old" Sharpton, with wilder hair, purple track suit and gold jewelry.
"I never looked that bad," Sharpton protested.
"Think again," Morgan replied.
NBC said 23 of its 230 affiliated stations had said they were considering not running "SNL" because of equal time rules. The network did not have a final count Sunday on how many stations did not air it.
All four NBC affiliates in Iowa, where the Jan. 19 caucus represents the first major test of the Democratic nomination battle, said last week they wouldn't air the show. NBC's Boston station - seen in much of New Hampshire, site of the first presidential primary - also didn't show it.
"Saturday Night Live" frequently has political content and occasional guest appearances by politicians, but this is the first time in memory stations bailed out for this reason.
Given that the job of an "SNL" host requires a week's worth of rehearsal time, it's unlikely any of the other Democrats would take the same opportunity as Sharpton, even if offered.
"SNL" alluded to the missing stations in two separate skits on Saturday. In the show's opening, Jimmy Fallon portrayed NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker, announcing other opportunities for Democrats to allay equal time concerns.
For instance, Gen. Wesley Clark will be made over on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and Howard Dean will eat camel rectum on "Fear Factor," Fallon said.
Later, he and Tina Fey held up a map showing NBC affiliates they said weren't airing the show. They mocked many of the cities, calling Des Moines, Iowa, "snoozeville, USA."
Sharpton, meanwhile, kept busy changing costumes for a variety of roles. He portrayed lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Michael Jackson's father and one of the three wise men searching for Jesus.
In one skit, Sharpton pretended he was opening a sushi restaurant to fund his presidential campaign, even though he was repelled by the food.
"I hope tonight America laughed together," Sharpton said at the night's conclusion. "Maybe we can learn how to live together."
I didn't see the show, but the description alone provides enough material to fill an entire O&A show.