Home : Prez Election 2008 : "SNL" Creating Sambo-Obama?

"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."

See Also



Tags: SNL

Comments [137]
SHARE |
4ie6

Relevant Posts

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 10) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. ====================================================================================================
OH HOW STUPID!

Posted at 12:10PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Steven

32. To #19: Learn English before you try to insult someone

Mouthbreather

Posted at 12:15PM on Mar 1st 2008 by allegictoidiots

33. This is such a crock! Billy Crystal played Sammy Davis Jr. and Darrell Hammond played Jesse Jackson. Obama's mother was white as were the grandparents that helped raise him. What's the fuss??

Posted at 12:21PM on Mar 1st 2008 by hannyhill

34. Gee, I guess we should have been marching in the streets all those times Eddie Murphy put on white face and acted out all the Jew stereotypes for everyone's viewing enjoyment. Get off the high horse. Besides, Barak's only 1/2 black anyway.

Posted at 12:25PM on Mar 1st 2008 by SchaumburgGuy

35. This is a big SO WHAT? Fred did a good job as Obama., and who would believe a big fat guy as Barry Hussein "the new Messiah" Obama?

Jump all over Eddie Murphy for portraying white Jews in "Coming to America," why dontcha?

Posted at 12:28PM on Mar 1st 2008 by LaReina

36. Maya Rudolph is white her mother was Black but her father was White. and #27 you do know that the person who wrote the article was WHITE right? you wouldn't be calling Black people whining babies because you really are racist? truth is most articles concerning race in the mainstream media are written by White people, but other Whites find it so hard to believe that people other than Blacks can sense racism they assume that the writer is Black.

Posted at 12:29PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Mike

37. Can we please spend our energy on things that really matter. For God's sake....this is a comedy skit!!

Posted at 12:30PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Voice of Reason

38. Isn't this why it's called *acting*??????

Posted at 12:31PM on Mar 1st 2008 by The Haphazard Gourmet Girls

39. Hey , it's comedy - what does it matter.? I love the idea of a black lady playing Hilary- that would make a great sketch, with the two of them in reversed color order!! Some critics get too uptight about TV programs ... for God's sake, it is supposed to be FUNNY!!!

Posted at 1:13PM on Mar 1st 2008 by rocky

40. Obama is 1/2 white. Let's not forget that. If he was a quarter black would the person impersonating him need to be 100% black. This is stupid. The only thing that matters is if the impersonation is funny. It wasn't, I find that offensive.

Posted at 12:33PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Tim

41. So the Wayan Bros can become white sluts and the blacks do not complain. They insulted the white girls but the blacks were delighted because that went ok with the inferiority complex they all have. They better get off the crack and see when satire is satire. Blacks have turned so uptight they probably have a problem going to the bathroom. Maybe it has to do with their color and their insecurity. The most ridiculous thing is to see black women (Oprah, Beyonce and all the rest) with long flowing white women hair. And worse, when they go blond. By the way, cornrows used to be worn in Europe in celtic times, centuries and centuries ago. They are not an exclusive african invention. I really believe that if black women want to represent their race they should let their hair go natural, which is stiff, very curly(not to use the n**py word). The woman that raise me use to use the hot comb to style her hair and she was beautiful as a black because she was REAL.

Posted at 12:46PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Oscar

42. And so it begins... can we really deal with 4 years of people saying everything is racist?? Think about it people.. we need someone to run our country who won't stir up drama for being partly black. It's a comedy skit... and look what is happening!!

Posted at 12:44PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Pissed off

43. What's the problem? Obama isn't all black either....check his ancestors.

Posted at 12:52PM on Mar 1st 2008 by samanthaD

44. To#27: I want to see you call a caucasian Jew a "whining baby"

Hypocrite

Posted at 12:48PM on Mar 1st 2008 by allergictoidiots

45. also why is everybody saying Barack is half White like that justifies it. Fred Armisen is Asian and Hispanic. does that add up to White or something or are people just looking for a reason to use their favorite term "Reverse Racism"

Posted at 1:01PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Mike

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments