Will Rogers said, “Everything is funny as long as it's happening to somebody else.”
Kamala Harris' presidential campaign can attest to the truism after the vice president appeared on "Saturday Night Live" three days before the presidential election.
Make no mistake, there is nothing funny about an apparent violation of federal law by NBC and "SNL."
With Harris and Trump locked in a close race, the appearance was a bonanza for the campaign. It also was presumptively unlawful.
Lorne Michaels said candidates wouldn't appear on SNL
A month ago, The Hollywood Reporter quoted "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels saying it was implausible that either Trump or Harris would appear on the show given the clear federal rules: "You can’t bring the actual people who are running on because of election laws and the equal time provisions. You can’t have the main candidates without having all the candidates, and there are lots of minor candidates that are only on the ballot in, like, three states and that becomes really complicated."
The "SNL" cast and crew appeared to take the opposite meaning from Michaels' warning. They decided to broadcast a virtual campaign commercial for Harris and later ask for forgiveness rather than permission.
The skit was hardly subtle in jettisoning comedy for sycophancy. Former "SNL" cast member Maya Rudolph, impersonating Harris, said she wished she "could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes. You know, a Black, South Asian woman running for president. Preferably from the Bay Area." Harris responded, "You and me both, sister."
"SNL" used a faux comedic skit to echo the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign themes. Harris assured her doppelgänger, "I'm just here to remind you, you got this. Because you can do something your opponent cannot do. You can open doors."
Rudolph even mouthed the campaign theme for Harris, declaring, "The American people want to stop the chaos and end the drama-la." Both then espoused their "belief in the promise of America."
NBC lawyers were clearly among the viewers who were not laughing Saturday night.
On Sunday, Trump was given a chance to speak on NBC after a NASCAR race.
FCC's rules try to ensure equal time for candidates
Since 1934, the Federal Communications Commission's equal-time rule has required radio and television broadcast stations to give competing political candidates the same amount of time.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a Republican, denounced NBC's move as a premeditated and gross violation of the equal-time regulation. He said that the federal rules were designed for this very purpose, and that NBC discarded the rules to trawl for undecided voters for Harris, particularly young voters who have been a challenge for the vice president.
"NBC has structured this in a way that's plainly designed to evade the FCC's rules," Carr told Fox News on Sunday. "We're talking 50 hours before Election Day starts, without any notice to other candidates, as far as I can tell."
The Trump campaign has confirmed that an offer was not extended to appear.
Tell me again how the major networks (specifically NBC) isn't biased.
Doubtful this infraction changed many minds but, that's not the issue. NBC should face some major fines over this.
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
and the media is opposed to rape theft of secrets tax dodgers and fascist dictators who love putin
all thing your rump did do or wants to do
maybe that is why ?
or ;;Figured Trump as a racist, after the turbulent race tensions of the 50s and 60s, then in the early 70s reading about the Orangeman's housing discrimination federal lawsuit, in a 3-month old WSJ in the Islands, then over the coming decades proved he was a conman with a long list of equally as bad or worse listed faults above - but what did you expect from a conman who liked rubbing elbows with the Mob. Trump was never a viable candidate nor businessman. Just a conman running similar scams repeatedly.
As another celebrity said yesterday; "When dozens of former members of the Trump administration are sounding alarms, saying, ‘For God’s sake, don’t do this again,’ you have to pay attention. They’re telling us something important. These aren’t soft people. They’re governors, generals, standing up against the leader of the party they spent their lives advocating for. For many of them, this will be the first time they’ve ever voted for someone who doesn’t have an ‘R’ next to their name. Because they know this really matters.”
It is more than just bias. They flat out lie. The latest example is the whole Liz Cheney warhawk quote. They took him saying she should hold a rifle, go to war, get shot at and turned it into she should be executed in front of a firing squad.
While refraining from any personal attacks, if the situation and bias was for DJT and not Harris and all the negative coverage was for Willie Brown's former "friend", I feel quite certain some of Willie's girlfriend's supporter would be screaming about how this was unfair and demanding equal opportunity for their candidate. This has nothing to do with anything other than fairness and following the FCC rules. SNL and NBC did this intentionally knowing it goes against the rules.
But, there's no doubt Trolls will try to distract from what the real issue is with this.
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
Originally posted by blackrams: ... This has nothing to do with anything other than fairness and following the FCC rules. SNL and NBC did this intentionally knowing it goes against the rules.
But, there's no doubt Trolls will try to distract from what the real issue is with this.
I think NBC ought to face a stiff fine. Edit - or maybe a license suspension for about a week. That ought to send a message.
Yeah... trolls gonna troll.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-05-2024).]
THE BOTH FAIRNESS DOCTRINE AND SO CALLED EQUAL TIME
here are several exceptions to the equal-time rule;
If the airing was within a documentary, bona fide news interview, scheduled newscast, or an on-the-spot news event, the equal-time rule does not apply. Since 1983, political debates not hosted directly by a station or network are considered "news events," and as a result, they are not subject to the rule. Usually, these debates are coordinated through a third party such as the Commission on Presidential Debates, a state broadcaster's association, a newspaper independent of a television station/network, or the League of Women Voters. Consequently, these debates usually include only major-party candidates without having to offer airtime to minor-party or independent candidates, or inflammatory candidates who intend only to disrupt the proceedings. Talk shows and other regular news programming from syndicators, such as Entertainment Tonight, are also declared exempt from the rule by the FCC on a case-by-case basis.[3] Advertisements: if a candidate has more money than an opponent, they can still get more time on the public airwaves without their ads counting towards the equal time rule.
The equal-time rule should not be confused with the now-defunct FCC fairness doctrine, which dealt with presenting balanced points of view on matters of public importance.
BOTH ARE FINE NOT PERSONAL JAIL BASED CRIMES NOTE UNLIKE THE TRUMP 'S CRIMES
Some are blinded by hate and apparently don't give a damn about future generations. But, continuing this is a waste of time, no one will be changing their minds on this seeing or taking an unbiased view.
Rams
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 11-05-2024).]
as in 16 he claim to win the vote [except for illegals voting and or cheating] and reran the claim when he lost the electoral gimmick vote [that was all he won in 16] in the 2020 post vote riot/rebellion on 1-6-2021
so he will lose the peoples vote again as before will he reclaim the illegal BS votes scam yet again ? will the Gop revolt again ?
never mind the electoral votes just the rerunning of the old lies about the votes of the people for the third time
or have a brand new set of BS to dazzle
[This message has been edited by ray b (edited 11-05-2024).]
Ray, if Trump loses the electoral vote but wins the popular vote, can we scream and yell like you about the sham of the electoral college.
very unlikely national polls say 49 vs 47 and due to the 52 senator from very low pop states almost no way a rump vote total can lose the state bingo scam
but it never has happened and never will happen he lost to her by 3 million but won the state bingo in 16 he lost to joe by 7 million in 2020 and will lose by 10 million this time lesson is do not pisoff off the women
[This message has been edited by ray b (edited 11-05-2024).]
very unlikely national polls say 49 vs 47 and due to the 52 senator from very low pop states almost no way a rump vote total can lose the state bingo scam
but it never has happened and never will happen he lost to her by 3 million but won the state bingo in 16 he lost to joe by 7 million in 2020 and will lose by 10 million this time lesson is do not pisoff off the women
Originally posted by randye: He also has to amp up his hate for his neighbors.
Trump wins FL, but Miami / Dade counties, (usually a Dem "fortress"), went for Trump +11
(ray will blame all of his Cuban-American neighbors)
He needs to throw in there Jews and black males too. All of those pro-Palestinian Democrats shows which side the Democrats are on. Black males just don't like Harris.
Gosh, Cananda has enough issues just having Trudeau, I'd hate to saddle them with all those losers but, if that's where they want to go, please take former Rep Chaney with them. Her personal hatred with the new President Elect should propel her across our northern border. Ironically, I have several Canadian military friends and I don't wish them to have any more problems than Trudeau already presents.
Edited: As I looked at that picture, I remembered the vast wealth those pictured have and while they promote the Harris/Biden agenda which makes us (the taxpayers) support all kinds of giveaway programs, those pictured appear to still want the taxpayers to foot the bills. Funny how some folks are so determined to spend other people's money.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 11-07-2024).]
Gosh, Cananda has enough issues just having Trudeau, I'd hate to saddle them with all those losers but, if that's where they want to go, please take former Rep Chaney with them. Her personal hatred with the new President Elect should propel her across our northern border. Ironically, I have several Canadian military friends and I don't wish them to have any more problems than Trudeau already presents.
Edited: As I looked at that picture, I remembered the vast wealth those pictured have and while they promote the Harris/Biden agenda which makes us (the taxpayers) support all kinds of giveaway programs, those pictured appear to still want the taxpayers to foot the bills. Funny how some folks are so determined to spend other people's money.
But I do hope he's ok. I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in on ANY of the threads yet.
Most Democrats I know aren't that shocked or upset. But the YOUNG ones... the ones who don't actually remember a Trump presidency, they are the ones who seem totally devastated. The people in their 30s and 40s, etc... they already know what a Trump presidency will look like, so I suspect they're more upset at a loss of Harris, than a win of Trump... though many Democrats view politics as their identity (it is not for me, it's just another thing in my life). So many people view this as a direct and personal loss (which it shouldn't be).
I suspect Ray is pissed, and likely taking a chill from politics and going about his business. He'll be back to talk about Nixon and the BIG LIE, but I'm sure he's totally fine.
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: Most Democrats I know aren't that shocked or upset.
Remember, I'm in California. Out here the Dems are having convulsions, hemorrhaging, sitting in a closet rocking back and forth, curled up in fetal position on the floor, etc.
and that's what will happen to 99% of America if the WWW ever goes down for more than a few hours....
It would be the best thing for everyone... haha.
My wife is pissed when we lose power during a hurricane. I PRAY for it... I love not having power... it means we get to do stuff as a family that has nothing to do with electronics. Monopoly by candlelight, or even just reading a book.
We've already got too many immigrants flocking here driving up home prices. Plus I believe the Hollywood "elite" will stay put, as tax breaks for the wealthy are probably far better in the States than they are in Canada.
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: It would be the best thing for everyone... haha.
My wife is pissed when we lose power during a hurricane. I PRAY for it... I love not having power... it means we get to do stuff as a family that has nothing to do with electronics. Monopoly by candlelight, or even just reading a book.
. See, the problem for the elite marxist sympathizers is the price to pay to leave their nation behind. Yep, Bernie Sanders' 9/10 exit tax, payable at the LAX departure lounge, the IRS desk has them all lined up. Bill Gates, photographed with young 'uns on Epstein Island, a terrible end, ruin and defamation, a pariah on Earth, doomed, January 21. Robert De Niro, 500 M X 0.9 = 450 M exit tax.. ' For 450 M, I can tolerate a D.J.Trump Republican administration for a few years. ' Banff National Park
[This message has been edited by Valkrie9 (edited 11-09-2024).]
Technically, there are a lot of American sympathizers in that province, so we would be doing them a favor... I think Noneofit is there, and they want to be American anyway. Plus, there's a lot of oil production, and it's connected to us underground so it's really ours anyway.
(this is a joke, it's what Putin said about Crimea)
