Advocates of blind fault TV skit about NY Governor

By: The Associated Press

Monday, December 15, 2008 9:47 AM EST

ALBANY -- The National Federation of the Blind said it considers NBC's "Saturday Night Live" skit making fun of New York Gov. David Paterson an attack on all blind Americans.
The skit features SNL cast member Fred Armisen as Paterson, who must appoint someone to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton. Armisen said he has three criteria: economic experience, upstate influence and someone with a disability and unprepared for the job — like himself. He held up a chart illustrating the state's job losses upside down.

Federation spokesman Chris Danielsen said the portrayal on Saturday's television show suggesting Paterson as befuddled and disoriented because of his blindness is "absolutely wrong."

Paterson's office said that while the governor can certainly take a joke, the skit ridiculed people with physical disabilities and implied 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," Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield said in a statement. "Knowing the governor, he might even have some suggestions himself."

No one from NBC, which produces SNL, could be reached for comment early Monday morning.

The Citizens' Say

Post your comment - click here

There are 4 comment(s)

nature lover wrote on Dec 15, 2008 8:01 PM:

" It was tasteless IMO. "

pat wrote on Dec 15, 2008 3:38 PM:

" It is indeed time to lighten up...who among us doesn't have some sort of disability? There's that govenor out in the midwest who is truth and language disordered...my blind daughter made her girlfriends "breadcrumb coffee" this week and it was hilarous. Probably be an ongoing family joke. She laughed loudest. "

Marsha wrote on Dec 15, 2008 12:17 PM:

" No it is not time to lighten up. This was very disrespectful to anyone, let alone a governor. We need to stop defining people by their diasabilities. I have diabetes and am sick to death of people, including health care "professionals" referring to me as " a diabetic". If I had arthritis would they call me an "arthritic?" NO! People are way more than their diagnoses. "

childofthekorn1318 wrote on Dec 15, 2008 10:34 AM:

" People need to lighten up and take a joke. I personally thought it was hilarious. People get so up tight about any type of joke. I have ashtma, and i wouldnt be offended if someone pointed out the fact that I can't run for very long, and if they did it in a funny matter, even better. People take life too seriously... "

REGISTRATION IS FREE.
Registered users sign in here:
*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
 
Unregistered users can register here:

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
 
E-Citizen
E-Edition
Wheels Etc.
Find a vehicle
Hot Jobs
Find a Job
Homes Etc.
Find a Home
TV Week
Find a program
Search Classifieds
Find, Buy
Place a Classified Ad
Sell
Skaneateles Journal
The Journal
New! Halloween Central
Boo!!
New! Best Bridal
Here comes the bride. . .
New! Election HQ
Here come the politicos
Liven Up the Holidays
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaa
Logo HereNew! Off the Menu
Good Eatin'!
Newspaper Ads
See it again
CNY Boats Etc.
Achors aweigh!
Sections
Special Sections

Where to next?

Top Jobs

The Citizen Copyright ©2009
A division of Lee Publications, Inc.
25 Dill Street
Auburn, NY 13021

Contact Us

Add to My Yahoo!