SNL Writers Furloughed Until After Election

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New York, NY - October 13, 2008 - Saturday Night Live Executive Producer Lorne Michaels today announced that the SNL writing staff would be "given a vacation" until Saturday, November 8. Michaels noted that the last several weeks have brought a "huge spike" in SNL ratings, as the long-running comedy program has highlighted the presidential race.

"We don't need writers right now," Michaels said. "Every day brings new comedic gifts from the McCain campaign so I decided to give the writers a few weeks off and save us some money in the process."

An SNL spokesperson cited the following "comedic gems" dished up by the McCain-Palin campaign:

* Anything uttered by Sarah Palin that is not on a teleprompter or hasn't been memorized can be repeated, verbatim, by Tina Fey (impersonating Palin) and generate huge laughs.

* Just today, John McCain said in his "new and improved" campaign stump speech: "My friends, we have them right where we want them." This is comedy gold and Darrell Hammond has already sent a thank you note to McCain speechwriter Mark Salter.

* Also today, Sarah Palin introduced McCain at an event by saying that he has "confronted the abuses of power" in Washington -- just three days after a report concluded that Palin had "abused her power" as governor to try and get her former brother-in-law fired from his job with the state police.

Michaels queried, "Why pay writers when every new day brings real-life comedic genius like this?"

Michaels downplayed reports that McCain speechwriter, Salter, was angling for a job on the SNL writing staff.

"I am sure he is 100 percent focused on the campaign," Michaels said, barely suppressing a smile. "The fact that he sent Tina and Darrell a copy of his resumé should not be taken as an indication of Mr. Salter's commitment to the success of John McCain's quest for the presidency."

According to the SNL spokesperson, scripts for the next three shows (October 18, October 25 and November 1) will consist entirely of verbatim words of McCain and Palin, "along with a few words from Obama, Biden and related news stories."

Michaels predicted the show will save more than $180,000 in salaries and related costs during the writers' "vacation."

[Teacher Mark 53]

I bet the writers are thrilled with the $180,000.00 being saved.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Does anyone know why SNL was a repeat this saturday?? It was the season opener again??

[one...two...tree 2,762]

* Just today, John McCain said in his "new and improved" campaign stump speech: "My friends, we have them right where we want them." This is comedy gold and Darrell Hammond has already sent a thank you note to McCain speechwriter Mark Salter.

Darrell Hammond rocks!

[almaty 19]

lol..sounds like the onion..

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

"We don't need writers right now," Michaels said. "Every day brings new comedic gifts from the McCain campaign so I decided to give the writers a few weeks off and save us some money in the process."

An SNL spokesperson cited the following "comedic gems" dished up by the McCain-Palin campaign:

* Anything uttered by Sarah Palin that is not on a teleprompter or hasn't been memorized can be repeated, verbatim, by Tina Fey (impersonating Palin) and generate huge laughs.

* Just today, John McCain said in his "new and improved" campaign stump speech: "My friends, we have them right where we want them." This is comedy gold and Darrell Hammond has already sent a thank you note to McCain speechwriter Mark Salter.

* Also today, Sarah Palin introduced McCain at an event by saying that he has "confronted the abuses of power" in Washington -- just three days after a report concluded that Palin had "abused her power" as governor to try and get her former brother-in-law fired from his job with the state police.