Franken Didn't Write McCain SNL Sketch

[Cherchez la Femme]

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/09/23/franken-didnt-write-mccain-snl-sketch/?icid=100214839x1210244342x1200611329


Contrary to reports on this and other sites, and even to the source article itself, Al Franken did not write the opening sketch of the September 20 episode of Saturday Night Live. This was a classic overreach by everyone involved.

The Politico article that's been used as a source for this story says that Franken, an SNL alum, "helped to craft" the sketch, which is like saying that the guy at the paint store "helped to craft" Guernica. The NY Times has a less hyperbolic take:

The skit, which opened the show on Saturday night, was written by Seth Meyers, the show's head writer, but had been spawned by a conversation between Mr. Franken and Lorne Michaels, the executive producer, who suggested the idea to Mr. Meyers. "Al has been friends with Lorne Michaels for over 30 years, and Lorne thought Al's personal experience was funny enough for a 'SNL' skit," Colleen Murray, a spokeswoman for Mr. Franken, wrote in a statement published on Politico.com. "Sure, Al keeps in touch with old friends, but unless the skit is about nonferrous mining on Minnesota's Iron Range, Al's not in the business of developing skits anymore."

Franken was probably the umpteen-thousandth person to observe that the supposed "Real" McCain, the one with all that honor and stuff, would have to wince at recording those "I approved this message" disclaimers for a raft of dirty ads.

SNIP


(Just posted today -- should this be in LBN or better placed here?)

[progressiveforever]

1. Well placed and well put--thank you

:_)

[rzemanfl]

2. I could tell, if Franken had written it, it would have been funnier. nt