Tina Fey Bringing Palin Back?

Tina Fey is set to host Saturday Night Live (SNL) in April. The big buzz brewing appears to be whether Fey will bring back her Sarah Palin impression. According to that bastion of journalistic integrity, PerezHilton.com, Fey will, in fact, reprise her role. Fey seems less committed to the idea, sharing, "It's inevitable that we'll try it, at least. We'll see if it makes it to air." It's hard to imagine that the sketch gods at SNL would let this Fey get away without the Palin impression. When one considers that since the election SNL has been suffering through one of its awkward seasons which can be compared to that awkward point in a hairstyle. That point when it doesn't look right no matter what you do to it. Add to that the fact that people have been clamoring for Fey's faux Palin and it seems that the sketch gods at SNL would be crazy to let the opportunity pass. Fey's appearances as Sarah Palin on SNL have been ratings gold for the network, garnering some of the best ratings since the shows heyday back in the 80's and 90's. One of the highlights has been Fey's dead on impression of Sarah Palin. In recent years SNL has struggled to find it's footing and remain relevant. The obvious money says go with a sure thing and Fey has proven that she's a sure thing. Fey has appeared on SNL four times previously, in the guise of Palin, even earning an Emmy in September for her role. She was also voted as the Associated Press, "Entertainer of the Year" in 2008.

Can't Make it Up

While Palin has made no definitive remarks regarding a run for the White House in 2012, there seems to be every indication that she will, in fact, toss her hat in the ring. In a series of speeches she has sounded more and more like a prospective candidate. According to the Huffington Post, when asked by a Fox affiliate if she would consider a run for President, Palin shared, "I would, I would if I believe that is the right thing to do for our country and the Palin family. Certainly I would do so." In a brief aside the optimism of a global apocalypse does not fill this writer with as much dread. This writers personal proclivities aside, there seems to be every indication that Palin has her sights set on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. However, Palin's political aspirations aren't what has her nestled squarely in the crosshairs of pundits, SNL and comedians everywhere. It is her stance on the word retards and the people who use it. While calling for Rahm Emanuel to be fired and summarily executed, for calling liberal groups, 'f---ing retards', she has all but praised Rush Limbaugh for his use of the same term. While Palin's call for Emanuel's execution is a bit of hyperbole on my part, I'm pretty sure she thought about it. Palin indicated that while Emanuel was "indecent and insensitive" for his remarks, Limbaugh same phraseology was somehow protected because of his role as a political humorist. When read the statement where Limbaugh is alleged to have used the same pejorative, Palin said, "They are kooks, so I agree with Rush Limbaugh. Rush Limbaugh was using satire ... . I didn't hear Rush Limbaugh calling a group of people whom he did not agree with 'f-ing retards' and we did know that Rahm Emanuel, as has been reported, did say that. There is a big difference there." The obvious difference being that kooks is not an offensive term. While one understands that Palin, who herself has a child with learning disablilities might be offended by the use of the term retarded, one notes that her allegiance seems to have more to do party affiliation than any real emotional upheaval caused by the use of the phrase 'f-ing retards'.

Momentum

Despite her enormous success first as head writer for SNL and now as Producer for 30 Rock, Tina Fey understands the limitations of live TV, so her reticence to discuss Palin's return is understandable. For those of us on the outside looking in, it seems a shame not to capitalize on Sarah Palin's notoriety. However, sketches can fall apart or not come together for a variety of reasons so perhaps Fey is right to be reticent. However, Fey a superstar in her own right, will also be promoting her latest star turn, opposite Steve Carell in the high concept comedy, "Date Night", which opens on April 9. Reprising a character takes energy and one understands the need to keep one's career momentum moving forward but this writer hopes that Tina Fey will give Palin one more go around. Well that is until 2012.

Sources:

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081006/tina-fey-039-039-palin-039-impersonation-boosts-nbc-ratings-once-again-tina-fey-portrayed-republican.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/tina-feys-sarah-palin-snl_n_467378.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/07/palin-considering-2012-ru_n_452602.html

http://perezhilton.com/2010-02-18-tina-fey-to-reprise-sarah-palin-impression-on-snl