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"SNL" Creating Sambo-Obama?

Posted Mar 1st 2008 11:26AM by TMZ Staff

Either "SNL" came back from the writer's strike completely color blind or extremely one-sided. The show debuted their new Barack Obama character, which as a surprise to many -- is played by someone who isn't African-American.

A columnist at the ChicagoTribune.com has called out SNL on their choice to have Fred Armisen, who is Hispanic and Asian, portray Obama -- saying the show may be marginalizing African-American performers.

Perhaps "SNL" had their hands tied, because Kenan Thompson, the only African-American male on the cast, isn't exactly in the same weight class as Barack. Seriously, he played "Fat Albert."

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Tags: SNL

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16. So they should hire a whole new cast member just to play one character? I don't think so. How ridiculous.

Posted at 11:47AM on Mar 1st 2008 by Get real

17. This guy was pretty good. Obamas Lips are more purple and his face has that ugly thing about him.

Posted at 11:48AM on Mar 1st 2008 by jrpickles

18. Did anyone ever think maybe Fred does the best impression of him. Who cares? It's sketch comedy! They go with the best impression, who will do it the funniest! I'm pretty sure if Barack had time to see it, he was laughing his ass off because it was funny, and wasn't even thinking "oh no, the guy who plays me isn't black".

Posted at 11:48AM on Mar 1st 2008 by Nikki

19. Thats what snl does.....remember eddie murphy potraying the white guy and got all that free stuff....classic!!!! This story is rediculous

Posted at 11:49AM on Mar 1st 2008 by shawn

20. Thats what snl does.....remember eddie murphy potraying the white guy and got all that free stuff....classic!!!! This story is rediculous

Posted at 11:49AM on Mar 1st 2008 by shawn

21. Didn't Billy Crystal play Sammy Davis Jr. on SNL for years and Daryll Hammond as Jesse Jackson? I don't see what the problem is.

Posted at 11:50AM on Mar 1st 2008 by The Dirty Chinese Restaurant

22. I think I remember just around the time the writers strike was resolved that SNL was looking for someone to play Barack. Keep in mind he was not the the national figure he is today when the strike began. I'm black and have no problem with their choice. It has to be funny though. Someone mentioned the guy who plays Jesse Jackson on there. The impression is spot on and really funny and the guy is white. No precedent was set with Barack's portrayal on SNL. Each of the performers on there are versatile, playing men, women, black, white or whatever. It's a dumb article and wreaks of a hometown paper trying to superimpose itself into the news by "creating" news out of nothing.

Posted at 11:58AM on Mar 1st 2008 by simonesdad2008

23. The title of this story is on to something. It's interesting to realize what anagram one can make with the name, "Obama's"

Coincidence?

Posted at 11:58AM on Mar 1st 2008 by ophelia2112

24. News flash. Barack is half white.

Posted at 11:59AM on Mar 1st 2008 by james

25. Gee, now it comes out. Many people have not taken shots/digs at Obama because they don't want to be accused of being racist. Well, here it comes, everytime someone say something not in favor of Obama, and yes even him say it is becasue he is black. So if the glove does not fit we must aquite??? In a normal race no one treads lightly, the jokes etc sure have been going around about Hillary, McCain and all the rest, but because of fear, no one says things in public about Obama. That is a shame. He is not suited for the job, not because of color, he does not have the experince. He is being voted for because he is black and of course Oprahs hearts desire. People are voting against Hilliary because she is a women, I don't hear womens rights yelling... So shut up. He is not ready for such big responsiblity. And yes, I am a women of mixed race. We currently have a man, young when he went in, and look what that got us. Now I am not saying vote for Hillary or MCCain, just vote open mindedly.

Posted at 12:01PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Surprise Surprise

26. Why does this even matter? Who cares about Barack Obama anyway? He's nothng but an arrogant pompous tightly wrappd media spun package. And when you open him up on the inside, there is nothing there. He's half black half white. So who the hell cares if an asain hispanic plays him.

Posted at 12:03PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Josie

27. Hey DONNA.

Last time I checked, they regularly have a black cast member play white characters. Just on Maya Rudolph's resume alone: Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera, Teresa Heinz Kerry, and - even though she certainly looks black from all the tanning - Donatella Versace.

Posted at 12:13PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Donna needs to check her facts

28. .

If you remember, the character of "Pat" was... gender, ah... "neutral"... and a woman ultimately played "Pat."

Belushi played the (Japanese) Samurai Chef...

Steve Martin and Dan Ackroyd played "Two (heavily accented Eastern-European...) Wild and Crazy Guys..."

So, what's the fuss??????

Posted at 12:05PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Kate

29. SNL marginalizing black cast members? Big shocker. HAVE YOU NOT NOTICED THAT THEY ONLY PULL OUT THE BLACK ACTORS WHEN THEY HAVE TO PLAY FEMALE ROLES?! They dress them up like clowns and it's NEVER funny to me. Of course they marginalize black actors. Glad someone FINALLY picked up on it.

Posted at 12:06PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Vaun

30. If a man played Hillary Clinton there would be no controversy

Black people need to stop acting like such whining babies over everything and get over themselves already

Black people are not the only group that are subject to prejudice

This is the scary thing about having a black Pres. - anything you say or do will be called racist. This suppresses free speech and our freedom to speak out against government.

Posted at 12:06PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Get over yourselves

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