See? I'm Not the Only One!

As you know, the first time I saw Sarah Palin, the first thing I thought was "Tina Fey."
The world apparently agrees with me:

By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Tina Fey was "likely" to play Gov. Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live," said a person close to NBC's sketch comedy show.

Fey is "likely" to return to her former show Saturday to play the Alaskan governor and Sen. John McCain's running mate, a person close to the show told The Associated Press on Friday night. The person requested anonymity because the decision has not been announced officially. No further details were available.

Since Palin's entry onto the national political stage, speculation had been rampant over who might play Palin on the program. Many have commented that Fey resembles her.

In an interview earlier this week with The AP, "SNL" executive producer and creator Lorne Michaels said, "The whole world cast her in that role."

The final decision went down to the last minute, apparently. "SNL" premieres Saturday evening with Michael Phelps as host. An appearance had been planned by Sen. Barack Obama, but his campaign said early Saturday that the Democratic nominee for president was canceling.

Fey was a cast member and writer — including a stint as head writer — for "SNL" for nine years before leaving in 2006 to star in "30 Rock," which is also produced by Michaels. On Tuesday, Michaels said that should Fey play Palin, she was unlikely to remain in the part in the long-term, which depending on the election results, could be for four years or longer.

Fey's publicist did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

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A Star is Born

I'm not a political creature. More than a quarter century in the media has me trained not to take a public stand on any race. I don't do bumper stickers or yard signs. I don't blog about my political views. As the presidential election approaches, I am listening to both sides and will hopefully make a smart decision.
So, no one should infer any kind of endorsement or declaration of allegiance when I say I had a fabulous time watching Sarah Palin speak to the Republican convention.
She brought all the tools: intelligence, eloquence, presence, confidence, swagger and beauty. Does one speech a potential president make? No. But it does make you want to hang around with Todd Palin.
The governor of Alaska, the Republican vice presidential nominee, had me transfixed. She spoke for about forty minutes and left me wanting more. Her sarcasm was biting, which may be a detriment. Surely the Democrats will latch on to that (at the risk of sounding like a bunch of thin-skinned whiners). They have to be careful, because the Republicans can always pull out tape of Texas governor Ann Richards' smarmy attack on the first President Bush in 1988: "Poor George. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." I will never forget it, because it was so mean and so personal. Governor Palin never mentioned her opponents by name. She didn't once attack them personally. She only spoke to the Democratic presidential nominee's experience or lack thereof.
She also took a swipe at what some perceive to be the Democrats' emphasis on style over substance, referring to Senator Barack Obama's stage setting when he accepted the Democratic nomination. “We’ve all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers,” she said. “But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed, when the roar of the crowd fades away, when the stadium lights go out and those styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot — what exactly is our opponent’s plan?"
A couple of the best moments were apparently unscripted. Television cut away to a shot of her young daughter just as she licked the palm of her hand and used it to smooth the hair of her infant brother. That was a laugh-out-loud moment. Palin also referred to herself as a "hockey mom," and spoke of others like her in the crowd. “You know what they say is the difference between hockey moms and pit bulls? Lipstick.” Delivered with impeccable timing and a subtle gesture, it brought down the house.
A lot of Americans are infatuated with Sarah Palin today. Some are threatened. Some are scared. Win or lose in November, she and her family will be fascinating to watch in the years ahead. If she's not elected, I just hope to be invited over to Todd and Sarah's for dinner one night.

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Smile a While for Me

Over the last couple of days, I've become fascinated with the McCain - Palin ticket. I'm not prepared to reveal my political tendencies, but I have to admit Senator McCain showed a flair for the dramatic with the selection of Alaska's governor as his running mate. I'm grateful for her, because at least now people around here are talking about something besides Haynesville Shale.
I cannot wait for Saturday Night Live to premier. They must do whatever it takes to get Tina Fey back in the fold to play Sarah Palin. The first time I saw a photo of "the next Vice President of the United States," the first thing I thought was "Tina Fey." I'm not the only one. Jon Stewart put up side-by-side photos Friday night on The Daily Show.
The first campaign graphic I saw looks like something SNL would have generated. This is going to be a wild ride. President Palin? It could happen sooner than you think. BattleStar Galactica fans are already prepared for it. If you don't watch the show, you don't get that, so sorry.
I don't know if Governor Palin will help the Republicans retain the White House, but I do know this: The presidential campaign is now significantly more interesting, and it was already pretty doggone compelling. And, It's a great time to be a late night comedian.

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