Category: Let's talk
It's reported that David Patterson (I know I might have it spelled wrong but I gotta type fast.) will be making an appearance tonight. Amy Polar is your host (former cast member) and musical guest is Katie Perry.
Patterson who is legally blind in both eyes is not happy with SNL. Ever since he became Gov of NY SNL has been doing alot of blind jokes. Its said that Patterson is annoyed and somewhat offended by the jokes. Saying it's not right that they make the jokes where us blind people can't defend ourselves.
3 questions for tonight's show.
1: Are you going to watch.
2: Do you agree w/Patterson on the blind jokes being too sensitive.
3: New Yorkers what do you think of Patterson as Govenor?
Can't wait, hope if this lil rumor that was posted on the 11:00 news is actually true. If I do see him I'll try and remember what skit he was on and what he said.
1. No, I probably won't watch. But I might read up on what he said if it is posted here.
2. If it was a normal celebrity or just a person on the street I wouldn't agree that these jokes are sensitive. I often make jokes about my own blindness and laugh when others do the same. But because this is a man of power, I'd say it would be more advisable to treat him with respect. Then again, we're talking about the media. I'm sure that if he had a strange accent, a crooked nose or any other piculiarity, they'd make fun of it. It takes alot to offend me but he actually did when he said that we can't defend ourselves. I didn't know being blind necessarily makes one mentally incompetent and unable to speak and that only sighted people who are teased and/or slandered can speak up. This show may be taking it a bit to far, seeing as they've been doing it for awhile now, but I say in such cases, if you can't beat them join them. Make fun of yourself and laugh at their jokes and they'll eventually quit. There's no point teasing someone who enjoys it.
3. I live in New Jersey and don't really follow American politics. But I'm sure that this negative attention isn't helping The Governor when it comes to people taking him seriously and that must be difficult for him.
I have a tiny bit of vision left. I have RP and will be going totally blind some day. I took my diagnosis real hard but within the 1st 2 years of learning I had it, I learned not to be serious about it. There is a right way and a wrong way in poking fun at a disability. I joke about my disability all the time - thats how laid back I am. Had I not I don't think my soul mate (serving overseas in the military) would've fall in love for me. I am strong enough to take the jokes - any jokes but thats just me. However, I agree with you: because he is a man of power others should treat him like they would any other govenor - with respect. But to defend SNL: SNL has done alot of skits about political officers in the past (some funny some not funny.). First I've ever heard a political offical of any kind get annoyed by it. I mean look at Jay Leno: He pokes fun at EVERYTHING political. He even pokes fun of his own gov (California) with the forgien accent and everything. Oh trust me, the Govenator got pay back. He used a bazooka on Leno's car when Leno was racing a car (This happened when Leno moved to the 10 pm slot. To get audience buzzing he had celebs take turns racing a track. Fastest time won a car.) and had a ball doing it (Leno wasn't harmed).
They saved Patterson's spot for Weekend Updates with Seth Myers (with Amy Polar as co-anchor). Towards the end Seth brought in a actor (the guy who plays Patterson but with a grainy voice.) who was melding jokes about the blind with his skit. I'd have to google it to remember what Patterson said because it happened so fast. But he stormed in, raised his voice and started off strong. He then tried his hand at acting (it had to have been scripted - 99% of the show is scripted.) and comedy and it kinda went south from there. He did ask Myers (Myers is one of the lead writers for the show.) to stop writing skits about the blind in his skit or any skit. I think after he leaves office they'll cool down. Cause when they didn't sound serious when they told Patterson they wouldn't do anymore jokes about the blind. Hey how can you get through a disability without humorizing it? I thought some of the jokes they've done throughout his term were dry humor but a bit funny at times.
I didn't watch the show, but in general, I just think people need to realize what type of show SNL is and deal with it. They make fun of everyone and everything and can be quite irreverent at times. So people too sensitive just shouldn't watch.