Al, Tipper Gore Campaign for SNL Laughs

AP | 12/15/02 | FRAZIER MOORE

[kattracks]

NEW YORK, Dec 15, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Al and Tipper Gore may have logged TV's longest screen embrace during their opening bit on "Saturday Night Live."

Reunited in an NBC corridor after a few painful moments apart, the Gore lovebirds went into a clench while cast member Jimmy Fallon and executive producer Lorne Michaels looked on uneasily.

"Maybe we should get them to stop," Fallon said, moments before someone zapped the former vice president with a stun gun. Total smooch time: 2 1-2 minutes.

Gore included the "Saturday Night Live" host gig in his monthlong television blitz to promote a pair of new books and, perhaps, promote himself for a possible 2004 presidential bid.

During a busy 90 minutes, during which he was seldom absent from sight, the Democrat made sporting fun of his unsuccessful White House run in 2000.

With wife Tipper, he had a session with positive-thinking guru Stuart Smalley (played by Al Franken), who counseled him not to be sad about his election loss.

"All I have to do is be the best Al I can be," said Gore, reciting in a mirror the famous Smalley affirmation, "because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and, doggone it, people like me."

Earlier, Gore told the audience how he went about choosing his vice presidential running mate: Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and other hopefuls had to vie for his favor on a TV series similar to "The Bachelor." (Lieberman, of course, got the proposal and the rose.)

In a spoof of the MSNBC talk show "Hardball," Gore portrayed Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, who in recent days has repeatedly apologized for remarks he made that seemed to support racial segregation.

"I meant no disrespect to any white people," insisted Gore-as-Lott. "As long as I am in office, we will leave no white person behind."

Then, in a spot taped while visiting the Oval Office set of "The West Wing," Gore took his seat behind fictional President Bartlet's desk and began fantasizing it was his.

With production wrapped for the day, Martin Sheen, who stars on "The West Wing" as Bartlet, invited Gore out for dinner.

"Can't I just stay here?" Gore asked.

"Well, he DID win the popular vote," said Bradley Whitford, Sheen's co-star.

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On the Net:

By FRAZIER MOORE AP Television Writer

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[kattracks]

The Algores are pathetic.

[weegee]

No barf alert?!!!

[2rightsleftcoast]

I couldn't agree more. Was watching Soprano's rerun and switched over to SNL in time to see Al pretending to be President. DISGUSTING. Now I remember why I never watch NBC. Martin Sheen and co. made me sick.

[weegee]

Albert Gore Junior reminds me of the episode of the Simpsons where Homer briefly becomes famous and then wanders through different events to do a "walk on" and stay in the public consciousness. Algores days are fading fast and he's long past the point of self-parody.

Richard Nixon did not do this and could argue more effectively that the national election was stolen from him.

Deluded rats prefer to pull the wool over their own eyes.

[weegee]

If I had written this episode, I would have done the normal cast skits and had Albert looking in the set windows. Occasionally he might interact, say ringing the doorbell trying to sell his book (with an obvious remaindered sticker on it).

Maybe get Leonard Nimoy to do an In Search Of Algore's Dignity program.

David Spade made many an enemy on the newscast on SNL telling celebrities when their 15 minutes were passed.

[Sally II]

I watched the first part. Those 8 years of Clinton were torturously annoying. I don't know how I could have handled 4 years of Gore. He was so annoying on SNL! Anyone see the begining, where he stated something to the effect of "In the 2000 election I was accused of being too stiff. I sighed too much, and was condescending. Now condescending means to talk to people like they're stupid." (laughter from the audience) So, if we don't agree with his politics we're stupid? That's real mature.

Thank you God for giving our country George and Laura!!!!

I was also irritated by that West Wing skit. And did anyone wonder if some people in the Hispanic community might be offended by that one skit where they poked fun at Hispanic television? I have to admit I only caught part of the skit, but I thought if the Dems didn't have a way of getting away with everything some people could find that skit offensive.

[kcvl]

This is what passes for "news" at the AP? They must miss their "friends" the Clintons, Gores, etc. to keep them in the spotlight.

We have people who want to KILL us and this is what is "reported"? GAG!

[martin_fierro]

IMO, SNL hasn't been funny in over 20 years.

Gore's appearance just confirms my decision not to tune in.

[MeekOneGOP]

Gore kisses and sells on 'SNL'

12/15/2002

By PAUL LIEBERMAN / Los Angeles Times

Excerpt:

NEW YORK – Poking fun at his reputation for stiffness, not to mention his narrow loss of the presidency, former Vice President Al Gore completed a string of appearances on comedy shows Saturday by hosting Saturday Night Live, which for years won laughs at his expense.

Mr. Gore made light of his lingering public kiss with his wife, Tipper, during the 2000 Democratic convention, compared the process of picking a running mate to the reality TV show The Bachelor – bonding with Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., over a glass of champagne in a hot tub – and got to play president with the cast of The West Wing, enviously trying out Martin Sheen's oval office chair.

"The good news about not being president is that I have my weekends free," Mr. Gore declared in his opening monologue. "The bad news is that my weekdays are also free."

Former Vice President Al Gore portrays an apologetic Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., in a skit on Saturday Night Live.
(AP)

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/stories/121502dnnatgoresat.2bed6.html

[weegee]

So, if we don't agree with his politics we're stupid? That's real mature.

This from the party of adolescent minds that gave us "Bush is a chimp" websites and "Bush is a moron" petitions.

Always taking the low road, Al.

[weegee]

What was Albert Junior doing dressed as Leon Penetta?

[Vinnie]

Al, Tipper and Al Franken. Now there is a trifecta. All losers.
At least Tipper used to have some moral standing, until the clintons turned her.

Al Franken doesn't even qualify for my Andy Kaufman award. Andy had one funny gig as Latka on Taxi. Franken never has risen to amusing.
Algore, well no sense even going there.

Glad I intentionally missed it.

[Caipirabob]

"because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and, doggone it, people like me."

No, no they don't Al.

[Northern Yankee]

I don't think I can imagine a worse way to spend a Satuday night... Oh wait... Gore could have won, and George W. Bush might have been on SNL.

Damn... should have watched it. *Grins*

[Oldeconomybuyer]

SNL Executive Producer Lorne Michaels and cast members attempt to revive Gore after zapping him with a stun gun in the show's opening bit.

"I meant no disrespect to any white people," insisted Gore-as-Lott. "As long as I am in office, we will leave no white person behind."

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL ! Very close resemblance !

[weegee]

They still broadcast SNL???

[weegee]

SNL Executive Producer Lorne Michaels and cast members attempt to revive Gore after zapping him with a stun gun in the show's opening bit.

If Algore wanted to show how "edgey" he could be, he should have been zapped with a real stun gun like Johnny Knoxville did on an episode of Jackass.

[hattend]

Now that he's not running does this mean he will vanish again like after the election?

We can always hope and pray.