Bob McCarty Writes

One would have expected NBC to boost its ratings tonight by capitalizing on Tina Fey’s ability to impersonate Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin like they’ve done before.  But, alas, no.  Instead, Saturday Night Live’s WEEKEND UPDATE THURSDAY election special did something more valuable — it tackled at least one issue the second presidential debate at Belmont University did not.

The special opened with a reenactment of the debate in Nashville during which “Tom Brokaw” chose the “eight least-interesting questions” submitted by audience members and rarely gave either “Barack Obama” or “John McCain” enough time to answer.  Unlike the actual debate, however, the SNL version also featured Obama admitting that unrepentant domestic terrorist William Ayers was his best friend and, because “I’m so far ahead, it doesn’t matter.”

SNL alum Bill Murray made a guest appearance as a member of the audience and asked a question about the Chicago Cubs losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  It was funny, but not memorable.

Predictably, the SNL cast used the Weekend Update segment to poke fun at President George W. Bush, Palin, Bollywood and O.J. Simpson.  In addition, they through a global warming bit into the mix, but it wasn’t funny.

Next, SNL financial expert “Oscar Rogers” appeared as guest during the Weekend Update.  He was supposed to talk more in depth about the economic crisis.  It wasn’t funny either.

Jokes about salmonella chicken and cat surgery followed.  Then it was back to the financial crisis and a slew of one-liners bashing American International Group (a.k.a., AIG), recipient of billions in taxpayer dollars, courtesy of the Democrat-led Congress.  That lead to a new segment of the “newscast” called, “OH MY GOD, ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!  REALLY!?!” That was funny!

A few more shorts followed, but I missed part of ‘em as my viewing was interrupted by a robo-call from the Missouri for Obama Headquarters.  Wow, did they pick the wrong guy to call.  I hung up after 30 seconds.

“Hall and Oats” showed up to perform an election parody that was very funny except for the fact that it ridiculed McCain throughout.  Though no one would expect as much from SNL, it’s too bad they couldn’t put the same effort into a bipartisan attempt at humor.

After the last of several commercial breaks, the special ended — without Fey’s impersonation ever being shown.  Hmm?