Dec 15, 2008 7:19 pm US/Eastern
Gov. Paterson Not Amused By Mocking 'SNL' Skit
Late Night TV Bit Makes Fun Of Governor, Blind People, Drugs & New Jersey Residents
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Governor Paterson's office called Saturday Night Live's mocking skit 'nothing more than cheap ridicule.'
AP
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The National Federation of the Blind says it considers the Saturday Night Live skit making fun of New York Gov. David Paterson an attack on all blind Americans.
Paterson himself had some strong words of criticism for the bit, which could easily be viewed as a bit mocking the governor, blind people, drug abuse and New Jersey residents.
Federation spokesman Chris Danielsen says the portrayal on Saturday's television show suggesting Paterson as befuddled and disoriented because of his blindness is "absolutely wrong."
The skit features SNL actor Fred Armisen as Paterson, who must appoint someone to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Armisen says he has three criteria: economic experience, upstate influence and someone with a disability and unprepared for the job -- like himself. He holds up a chart illustrating the state's job losses upside down.
Paterson says he can take a joke, but also released these words:
"This particular SNL skit unfortunately chose to ridicule people with physical disabilities and imply that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities…"
His spokeswoman, Risa Heller, tells The New York Times the skit was "nothing more than cheap ridicule."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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