If all else fails, make ’em laugh. Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, in an attempt to bring some humor to her recent political difficulties, has been making appearances on popular television shows, trying to present her “lighter, more personal side,” according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Most recently, she poked fun at herself and potential GOP opponent Donald Trump in a satirical skit on NBC’s Tonight Show – which also gave her the opportunity to present her positions on a number of issues to a wider audience.
This Saturday (October 3rd), Ms. Clinton will be a featured guest on the long-running sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live. It won’t be the first time. Clinton appeared on the show in 2008, following the airing of a send-up of her debate with Barack Obama, in which she was played by Amy Poehler. Later that season, Poehler reprised her role as HRC, playing opposite Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, in a sketch clearly demonstrating that comedy is rooted in truth and realism.
It is not uncommon for SNL to invite prominent politicians on to the show. It’s even launched a political career or two, most notably that of Minnesota Senator Al Franken, who was one of the first writers on the show when it premiered forty years ago this month. In 2002, former Vice-President Al Gore appeared in an SNL skit entitled “Parallel Universe,” considered to be one of the show’s best political cameos. Other prominent politicians who have either hosted or appeared on SNL over the years include former New York City mayors Ed Koch and Rudolf Giuliani, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Senators John McCain and George McGovern, and presidential candidates Ralph Nader and Reverend Al Sharpton.
It’s not certain if Ms. Clinton’s appearance on SNL will help her falling poll numbers against Bernie Sanders when push comes to shove on the issues. However, HRC definitely has a sense of humor and is not afraid to poke fun of herself. It may not win her the nomination, but it could go a long way toward improving her public image and increasing her “likeability” factor – at least for awhile.
