NBC to restore SNL bailout skit

NBC is going to restore a Democrat-skewering "Saturday Night Live" sketch to its Web site Tuesday after yanking it down due to content concerns.

The sketch mocked Golden West Financial founders Herbert and Marion Sandler for their role in the subprime mortgage market meltdown, as well as featured an unflatteringly portrayal of philanthropist George Soros. The sketch was embraced by conservatives for appearing to blame Democrats for the Wall Street meltdown.

At one point in the sketch, President Bush (played by SNL regular Jason Sudeikis) says, "Wasn't it my administration that warned about the problem six years ago and it was Democrats who refused to listen?"

NBC's removal of the sketch without explanation Monday caused uproar among some viewers, who flooded the network with calls and e-mails, believing the sketch's right-leaning stance must have prompted the media outlet to censor its message.

But sources say the real reason for the removal was a faux C-SPAN ticker line that ran across the bottom of the screen during the skit reading "people who should be shot" and listed the Sandlers. Needless to say, network lawyers prefer that shows refrain from making on-air death threats.

"Upon review, we caught certain elements in the sketch that didn't meet our standards," an NBC statement said. "We took it down and made some minor changes and it will be back online soon."

The edited version after the jump.

Edited:

Comments

[Johnny]

That is entertainment.

[Ray]

The alphebet news is filled with liars and are in the tank for the abomination they own. Content concerns?? Ha NBC can;t live with the truth about their puppits

[mike]

Spot on, SNL! You are much funnier when you take equal shots at both sides. I especially enjoyed seeing your 'George Soros" character. It's about time someone outs him for what he is. And yes, we are all in a world of trouble here, both sides are responsible, so keep the laughs coming, we need them!

[Jeff]

It's entertaining alright - and highly accurate.

[Michael Shinteel]

I'd say the "Right" was right, eh? It WAS taken down at the behest of some angered billionaire lefties who made vast fortunes with the help of certain already named democrats.

well, well, well....

The only solution would appear to be to ignore all facts, vote Obama, let Pelosi, Reid, Franks, and Schummer keep their jobs, and give them control over that 700 billion.

[FRed States]

Google "S.190" and the truth shall piss you off!
http://www.UpYoursObama.com

[Michael Shinteel]

"both sides are responsible"

And just how are Republicans responsible? Both times the regulation bills came up, the vote was split down party lines, Republicans for better regulations, Democrats against. Both times, it was Bush that pushed for regulation, and the second time the bill was actually introduced by McCain. It's all a matter of public record, which you can look up for yourselves.

Both times it was Democrats who vehemently opposed any regulation. Both times, Democrats roundly accused the regulators and Republicans of trying to stir up trouble against Fannie/Freddie. Both times the Democrats said again and again that Fannie/Freddie are sound and people should stop saying otherwise.

So just what evil thing did Republicans do to take partial responsibility for this? The only thing I can think of is to not try harder to fight the Democrats.

[Britton Russell]

I agree with mike. SNL is much funnier when you take equal shots at both sides. The Bush, Perot, Clinton, Gore, and W parodies have all been hilirious in the past. No one likes to watch a liberal or conservative SNL. We just want to laugh at orginial and unbiased comedy. Personally, I thought Fey's comment of not wanting to play the role of Palin much longer was a bit disheartening. I think the best thing that could happen to SNL is another GOP administration. They are so much easier to make fun of.. Hammond does a great Job acting like McCain, and Fey is a spot-on Palin. The Obama/Biden parodies are a lot less funnier.

Keep it balanced SNL, and it will help you return to the good old days of having truly funny comedy. It hasn't been here for a while, but I'm starting to see it come back.

[Rob]

"philanthropist"???????????????????????????????

[Dante Dupree]

Terrific.....awesome.....GREAT times.....enjoy the next 30 days of pre-election entertainment. Oh and Palin's newest motto is Burn Baby Burn....

http://www.theweeklydonut.com/index.php/2008/10/06/you-betcha/

[TLewis]

AND NOW FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
This alteration in the Saturday Night Live Skit, is not a breach of "FREEDOM OF SPEECH" this is simply and efficient television technological doublespeak made available and as a courtesy (for the benefit of a few Democrats) by NBC, to help protect the innocent (George Soro's, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and many more) so that SNL and Congress can get on with more important matters.

We are doing this for your own good - Just Trust US! Hey it's Just Words, Just Speeches! Just Remember what Mr. Obama said - sticks and stone will break you bones, but words "WILL NEVER HURT YOU."

[Hey Congressman Frank did you get that gag order for the SNL actors? ]

[John]

Since when has SNL have had any concerns as to what it sends out on the air waves?

[Sean]

Weren't the Republicans in control of the House of Representatives six years ago? If so, wouldn't they be the one responsible for ignoring any such warning?

I guess that is not relevant if you're a Republican looking for something to feel good about, eh?

[Mike]

The Republicans had congress, but by a thin margin. So thin in fact the democrats could block any serious moves by the majority.

[Pat]

Clearly the use of the name SANDLER is a veiled reference to Adam Sandler. Adam Sandler is a conservative, former actor on SNL. Of course the liberal loons at SNL take any cheap shot they can, including burying messages like this, denigrating who they view to be turncoats, such as Sandler. Funny thing is, SNL has NOT BEEN FUNNY ever since Sandler and others from his era left.

[bob burns]

Can you say "In the tank"?

[Scott Stiller]

I bailed myself out, without the help of congress.

I just settled my $120,000 of credit card debt for just $24,980.

I did it all by myself.

You can too. It was really easy and quite painless in the end.

I know that people searching this site would be interested to read my story:

http://sites.google.com/site/settleyourcreditcards/

Thanks so much,
Scott Stiller
scottchopchop@gmail.com

[Andy]

"Clearly the use of the name SANDLER is a veiled reference to Adam Sandler."

Um, or you're an idiot. The Sandlers referenced in the skit are real people who sold subprime mortgages to Wachovia. The skit was slightly altered so it no longer described them as "people who should be shot."

They're still the very real primary villains in this mess. Despite my loathing for SNL, I can actually understand why they would edit something that basically advocates violence against a private citizen.

[Mike]

SNL does NOT take equal shots at both sides, they make fun of Dems for little stuff, nothing that matters then attempt to make the other side look completely stupid, its a tactic they use and have for a while.

[Irene Flick]

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-190

[irene Flick]

There is no evidence that Obama/Biden know anything whatsoever about the economy. Because they just blew half a billion dollars trying to get him elected does not mean he will know how to handle any real economic entity, including the McDonald's down on the corner.

500 million and I bet his brother still lives in that box.

[Kelly]

I loved this sketch! And I'm glad they're bringing it back, as it seemed rather biased (what, the major networks biased??) to pull it.

It will never cease to amaze me how liberals attempt to rewrite history, especially in regards to their own records. The average Joe American needs to wake up & really look at what's going on. Watch C-SPAN, find the video records, do something to see what has really happened in these instances & don't just take the bilge that's spewed by the "alphabet" (cute!) networks as fact.

[Trish]

NBC is a hard Left organization that doesn't believe in freedom of expression. Toe the party line, or else.

[Doug]

Honey bunches, there are a load of folks in Washington who need to go home and find something more constructive to do with their sweet, sweet and precious time.

One little vote is all it takes. Won't you be so kind and help them all come home? I'm sure their mamma's miss them something awful.

[Concerned Citizen]

SNL should know that it has the legal protection of being a comedy show. When have they done such an edit before? It seems like they were only intimidated in this one specific instance.

[anorm]

Still not enough to get me to watch SNL again after being a fan since it's inception. Grow some NBC and SNL.

[Sean Leistico]

My guess, simple as it is, is that the folks at the National Barack Channel caved in to pressure from two distinct but ideologically similar groups: Barack Obama's Official Barack Supporters, and Independent Democratic Ideologues Of The Streets. These are the two main activism groups showing themselves and their political largess throughout the Democratic Party over the past several years. One could say, in fact, that they're responsible for the bulk of the far-left thought in this country.

So, remember, when you think of the Far Left, think B.O.O.B.S. and I.D.I.O.T.S.

[Jack Kennedy]

Now the media is afraid of the rabid liberals just as they are the muslims.

Real Americans are screwed and freedom in this nation is in serious trouble

[Lynn]

Finally, the other side of the coin has been shown. Too bad it too late. I'm ready for heads to roll in Congress when the story gets out. Americans are mad.

[Bret]

Umm, weren't the Republicans in control of Congress six years ago when Bush's administration "warned about the trouble"???

[LT]

Never hear about the greedy, rich white billionaire Dems, do we? Good for SNL to do a little balanced satire, bad for NBC to edit. Any first yea law student will tell you that satire is protected under the First Amendment, and nobody takes their "advocates violence toward the Sandlers" as a serious problem.

[Scott Johnson]

Notice that now that Obama's probably going to win, CNN NOW releases that Obama had extensive contacts with Bill Ayers, and the NYT too. And all the coverage of AIG, but none of Freddie and Fannie, fanning the class warfare flames. Freddie and Fannie are 10000x the impact of Enron, but totally ignored, but totally ignored, because it was Democrats who were responsible for messing it up. Unfairly smothering stories to help "their guy". I'm sick of the MSM. Well you're going to get your chance, both houses of Congress and Presidency, spend away! Did anyone notice Obama mentioned his "first term"! He's actually started running for his second term, just like Clinton, no leadership, just perpetual campaign, and governing from polls. Almadinijad and Kim Jong Ill see right through him, just like they did Clinton.

[Bill]

This seems to imply that the "people who should be shot" banner was the only item edited out of the video but that's not entirely true.

Also removed was the segment where Mr. Sandler thanks "congressman Frank as well as many Republicans for helping block congressional oversight of our corrupt activity."

The banner was not being displayed at the time. I suspect it was a bit too embarrassing for Barney Frank. His portrayal in the skit was absolutely outstanding though ... great work.

[rocky22]

This is the result of the loss of a free press. There is no longer an unbiased press left to question the actions of these leftest goons who are taking our country from us like you, George Soros, you're pond scum.

I have no idea how we get a responsible, unbiased, press. Our democracy is in serious trouble when our first look is to the government for help. Congress is the single largest collection of worthless trash in this Nation.

[Phillip Lee]

America's crisis is more than financial. It's also moral and cultural. Is this the beginning of the end of the greatest country in history? How will this country of opportunity, prosperity and freedom ever recover if Obama is elected?

[Not Interested]

I no longer watch SNL. It's just another biased media.

[Makaveli]

Where are all the free speech advocates?

SNL has been garbage for about a decade now.

[Gabrielle]

I'm still waiting on just 1 skit that ridicules Obama.

[David Rooney]

A skit that ridicules Obama? Why? The premise for his presidency is as ridiculous as any skit SNL writers could conjure.

If you want to know where the dollar is going just look into the Grand Canyon. Those who still have investment capital should plan on NOT taking capital gains for the next four years.

Payback means no payout to the IRS. They can't tax unrealized gains.

[HARRY EVANS]

I AM AWFULLY TIRED OF ILLITERATE IGNORAMUSES PRETENDING TO BE JOURNALISTS. THE WORD HE WAS LOOKING FOR BELOW IS "refrain" RATHER THAN "restrain."

THIS ALSO APPLIES THE THE COPY EDITORS, IF YOU STILL HAVE ANY.

". . . network lawyers prefer that shows restrain from making on-air death threats."