Tonight’s presidential debate on CNN stirs memories of Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) famous sketches. A scene from SNL’s sketch on the 2016 presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is particularly unforgettable. The anticipation for tonight’s debate has brought back a flood of memories of memorable SNL skits over the years.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be tuning into this election’s first presidential debate tonight. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be chewing your nails in anticipation. This is why we need comedy, and over the years, Saturday Night Live has delivered.
I brought up the subject of the debate in our weekly editorial meeting yesterday, and my colleague Erik Chalhoub joked that the only reason he watches debates is so he can understand the subsequent sketch on SNL. This made me realize—most of my debate memories aren’t from the debates themselves but from their SNL facsimiles. So, I’m here now to share some of those memories, because I’m sure many of us could use a laugh.
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Memorable SNL Debate Sketches
Though I was only 13, I recall SNL’s depiction of a George H.W. Bush vs. Michael Dukakis debate. One of the things that stuck most was Jon Lovitz, playing Dukakis, using a button to raise a platform behind his lectern to make him appear taller (it doesn’t go well). The most singular moment was when he looked at the camera, after some Bush gibberish (Bush was being played by Dana Carvey, legend), and said, “I can’t believe I’m losing to this guy.” America listened, four years later.
Another distinct memory was from the G.W. Bush vs. Al Gore debates. Comedian Will Ferrell, great at playing Bush, was asked to sum up his vision for his presidency in one word: “Strategery,” he said. That checks out.
But for me, the most memorable was the 2016 town hall debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, where he stalked behind her. It cut at the reptilian nature of Trump—it was creepy to watch in real life and even creepier to reflect on through comedy.
The Joe Biden vs. Trump debate carries less fun. In a send-up of their second debate in 2020 (Trump attended the first one Covid-positive and nearly killed his debate prepper Chris Christie because of it), Maya Rudolph, playing NBC’s Kristen Welker, said (unrelated to Trump’s Covid status), “Tonight we have a mute button, because it was either that or tranquilizer darts.” It’s hard to laugh, but it’s either that or cry.
The Importance of Tonight’s Debate
That about sums up how I feel about tonight’s debate. I don’t necessarily think it will sway the all-important swing voters in the handful of swing states—many may not even be tuning in—but I’ll be watching because American democracy, and our economy, hovers over a knife’s edge, and I can’t look away.
The writers at SNL can’t either, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with—comedians are truth-tellers, and their interpretation will likely be the one I remember.
The Role of Comedy in Presidential Debates
As we gear up for tonight’s presidential debate, it’s hard not to reminisce about the comedic brilliance that Saturday Night Live (SNL) has brought to these political spectacles over the years. From memorable sketches depicting George H.W. Bush vs. Michael Dukakis to the more recent showdowns between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, SNL has consistently found humor in the often tense and serious world of presidential debates.
The anticipation for tonight’s debate on CNN has already sparked discussions and reflections on past SNL skits. During our editorial meeting, my colleague Erik Chalhoub humorously remarked that his main reason for watching debates is to fully appreciate the subsequent SNL parody. This sentiment resonates with many of us who find ourselves chuckling at SNL’s uncanny ability to lampoon political figures and their debate performances.
Reflecting on SNL’s Classic Moments
SNL’s portrayal of Jon Lovitz as Michael Dukakis using a platform to appear taller during the debate with George H.W. Bush remains a standout moment. The comedic genius of Dana Carvey as Bush, responding with nonsensical remarks, captured the absurdity of political theater. Lovitz's deadpan line, "I can’t believe I’m losing to this guy," became a memorable critique that echoed through subsequent elections.
In the Bush vs. Al Gore debates, Will Ferrell’s rendition of Bush delivering "Strategery" as his presidential vision epitomized SNL’s knack for turning political jargon into comedic gold. These sketches not only entertained but also offered a satirical lens through which viewers could reflect on the candidates' public personas.
The Evolving Satire of Political Debates
More recently, SNL tackled the 2016 town hall debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, portraying Trump's intimidating posture behind Clinton. This sketch underscored SNL’s role in highlighting the surreal and sometimes unsettling dynamics of real-world political events.
Tonight’s debate between Joe Biden and Trump carries a different tone. The shadow of COVID-19 and its impact on previous debates adds a somber note, reflected in Maya Rudolph’s SNL sketch where she joked about the necessity of a mute button or tranquilizer darts. It’s a reminder of how SNL navigates between humor and sobering commentary on the state of American politics.
Looking Ahead
As we anticipate tonight’s debate, it’s clear that SNL will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping public perception and discourse around these crucial events. While debates themselves may sway undecided voters, SNL’s comedic interpretations often leave a lasting impression, offering a blend of entertainment and critical reflection.
Whether you watch tonight’s debate for political insights or comedic relief, SNL’s legacy reminds us of the power of satire in scrutinizing our leaders and the democratic process. As the nation tunes in, we await SNL’s next comedic take, knowing it will likely capture the essence of tonight’s debate in a way that only comedy can.