Nobody knows comedy better than Saturday Night Live producer and creator Lorne Michaels. And according to him, Republicans can take a joke much better than Democrats can.
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In an interview published Sunday on Vulture.com, Michaels addressed the show’s propensity to poke fun at Republicans. The show’s long-time producer revealed that it’s easier for SNL‘s writers and comedians to make a joke at the GOP’s expense, as Republicans tend to take the jesting a bit easier than their political counterparts.
“Republicans are easier for us than Democrats,” Michaels said. “Democrats tend to take it personally; Republicans think it’s funny.”
Though it’s not uncommon to see SNL’s Jay Pharoah take his place at the presidential podium while portraying President Barack Obama, Republicans such as Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and, of course, 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin are comedy gold for Michaels and his team.
The show has recently capitalized on Christie’s “Bridgegate” scandal and often takes cues from the hottest stories of the week. But Michaels said his writers have backed away from things like Obamacare, the constant gridlock on Capitol Hill and the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
“We’re doing more of that kind of thing than stuff about Benghazi or the new budget agreement,” he said. “The country has lost interest in it. I can’t tell you why. It’s no less important, but in some way you can’t do health care more than twice, at which point there’s just nothing left.”
Though Saturday Night Live has been accused of taking it easy on Democrats and promoting a liberal bias, many of its past cast members have conservative leanings.
Journalist Lane Brown noted SNL alumni Victoria Jackson, Adam Sandler, Dennis Miller and Colin Quinn, among others, who support the GOP, and prodded Michaels on why his comedy show has produced so many conservatives.
“Our job — and it sounds too grand to say and none of us ever say it — is speaking truth to power. I’m registered as an Independent, not because everything that we do would be undermined if we were partisan — Jon Stewart has that role. Us? Theoretically, whoever it is in power, we’re against them,” Michaels said.
Though the SNL creator identifies as an Independent, he has given thousands of dollars to Democratic lawmakers, according to the Federal Election Commission, including more than $2,000 to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the party’s national committee. He contributed $5,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2002 and more than $4,500 to Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.). However, Michaels donated more than $4,000 to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
