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October 19th, 2008
07:41 PM ET
Candidates on TV Shows
On Monday, we show you another way in which candidates are trying to reach voters: through TV shows. Like video games, you probably don't think of Saturday Night Live as a serious news outlet. But an appearance on the program gives candidates the chance to show that they don't take themselves too seriously - or to show a side to themselves that we don't normally see.
So what do you think: Should candidates who are serious about elections put themselves on programs that are anything but?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
There are both some pros and cons to that situation. A pro would be that it would show the average american that the canidate is more human than you see on the elections. It would make them more relateable and show that they like to have fun too. Plus it would help in their popluarity with the voters. On the otherhand, one possible con is that if they aren't that good on TV shows, like Saturday Night Live, then they probably won't be any better in the office.
you watch SNL because it's funny. not because it's serious.
If that is the way that they want to put themselves out there then good for them. They have the choice to do anything they want. They could get voters or lose voters depending on how they are on the T.V. show that they are on. This could also offend the regular viewers of the shows becasue the wouldn't want to see Obama or McCain on Saturday Night Live. I sure wouldn't.
TV shows could be a good place for candidates to launch their campaign. But I think their humor should only be used on their addresses, speeches, or interviews. That will show their humor and humanity in a proper way. A TV shows like Saturday Night Live might be too casual for candidates. I think I would like to see hopefuls are serious, not humorous.
I think having candidates on TV shows is a great idea. I gives a chance for the voters to feel closer with them and to understand how they are really like. It would show that these candidates are not always serious and unamusing, but can be very similar to us.
It's very funny and I think the candidates should be in those programs because its gives me this feeling that they are friendly.
I think it is a good way to let those who do not want to watch a debate who is running, and it is always nice to see that someone who is running in the election has a good sense of humor. Though i think Sarah Palin may have been trying too hard.
I think candidates should go on shows like Saturday night live, because it shows that in a serious situation they can find humor in it. And since most politicle ads on tv are negative it's nice to hear something funny or positive come from them.
Hmm, a canidate such as Sara Palin should not go on a tv show such as SNL because she already has been percieved as someone who is not very smart.....adding SNL might be a bad idea
yes, I think that is good to the predeint beacuse a lot of kids wachis t.v.
I think if they want people to take them serious than they need to act serious or if they want people to see the real them than they need to act like themselves.
Yes I think they should because it is a good idea.
I completely agree with Melody, you don't watch SNL to be educated and if you do, then wow....
We see enough of Palin on the news. Why'd she have to ruin SNL?
From personal experience, when playing a video game, I'm not looking for anything in the screen other then the main goal. I also doubt that other teenagers are worrying about an Obama Bulletin Board on the street in a car-game. We are too focused on a high score to stop and say 'Hey! Was that Palin or Fey on that poster?' of a store that we just crashed our car into.
I don't think that it's a good idea. I think I would vote for someone that takes Politics more seriously than as a show like SNL. Funny but not serious.
A potencial vise president on Saturday Night Life in my opinion connects government to everyday lifes. Since she has already done the debates why not have a little fun? seroulsly what will it hurt? You go Sara Palin!!!!!!
I think that Palin as well as other political canidates should participate on talk shows. It shows America that they have a funny side, they can relate to us. Only good should come from Palin's appearance.
SNL was funny for me because 1.) It showed me Sarah Palin dances like a fool 2.) It's alright to have some fun after you do the things that need to be taken seriously and 3.) Im gonna pay attention to the campaign trail some more and blog on this website some more becuz I'm startin to like it. Sarah Palin you rock but...my heart is with OBAMA / BIDEN 08!!!
Arn't there way more important things to do? I think it was kind of fun, but is that really going to make people think that is a good thing? Mabey they might find it a little ireasponsible.
I agree with chris it gives us a chance to see what sarah palin is like.nobuddy is going to vote is she is stuck up and some people will vote because she is fun and still cares about the election
Dear Mr. Azuz,
I'm a sophomore in high school and my teacher and i were having a debate on whether or not you wrote your puns at the end of each show or someone writes them for you. It would be great to hear back from you about this asap
thanks
If I were to see Obama or McCain on a television program that was not so serious, it would slightly change who i support. If a candidate wants to be on a television program to show voters that he is not a completely serious guy, let him do it. I just think that it is just hurting his chances of becoming president. I would not care if the president was a fun guy or not, all i would care about is if he got his job done or not. If i were to vote for someone, i would rather pick the person who is completely up tight about everything, who would get 100% of the problems fixed, rather than someone who is serious (but knows how to have fun) about their job, and gets 95% of the problems fixed. I have not yet seen any of the presidential candidates on a television program yet. If i do, it will only change the way i think of them by about 1% because who i support is based on facts, not television shows.
dear Mr. Azuz'
from experince i'm not looking at the surrounding, i'm looking at what i'm suppoed to be doing. but every once and a while i see a candidate and it distracts me! some people might think it's annoying to see a candidate in a video game because they see their faces all over tv anyway. it just gets plain annoying.By doing this,it might make voters like that candidate even less than before they saw the ad.
i think that candidates in video games is a good idea becuase some kids just play videogames all day and dont no what is going on in there country, and it might be more interesting and apelling to see what is going on and find out more about the candidates. by the way Carl Azuz you have amazing Hair!!!!
I thought it was a good idea because I shows that she's not all politics she has a life too and do some fun things.
No, I think that candidates should not put themselves on TV shows. I think this because they are suppost to be worry about the Presidential race and nothing else but thats what I think. Although being on the show it shows everyone a different side of the candidate, I think that it doesnt help them out in the race.
i do not think that that candidates who are serious about elections should put themselves on programs that are anything but serious, i think that it is unprofessional & it makes me think that this election is a joke to them. when sarah palin appeared on saturday night live i thought it was rediculaus & annoying, people are already having doubts about her qualifications to be vice presidant, i dont think that appearing on a comedy show like SNL is making people anymore sure of her. all in all i think that it is a bad idea to go on comedy shows when you are running in a serious election, especially a presidential election
I think they should continue to go on shows like SNL. Because its entertaining and shows us another side of the canidates. It makes a tense situation feel light, and it gives us a good laugh
I think that having the candidates on SNL is a good idea because it gives them a chance to not be so serious for once and shows us there friendly funny side
I think it is pretty cool if they are on the TV shows. Sarah Palin was so funny on Saturday Night live. She really knew how to take all of the negitive feed back that was coming at her. Like rose O'donal said, I think Sarah should get a real job someday on SNL. She would be really good at it. It may tere their campain down though. Yet, it might build them up. SO it really depends on what they are doing on the TV show.
Yes. i think that candidates who are serious about the elections should do this. I thinks so because it will show a side of them we have never seen before and it will show us that you can be serious but also have a fun side. I also believe that it will show people that they are humans too.This is why i think that they should be able to show themselves on t.v. programs.
I think canidates should put themselves out there, show the people that they are not just a strong person to lead our country but also a normal person who can relate to us in different ways. Showing us that they too can have a funny outlook on any situation
I think candidates on SNL are hilarious. I saw a SNL weekend update last night with a funny skit about George Bush Praising McCain. "A vote for McCain is a vote for George W. Bush." He really said that while McCain was trying to leave the room. Good way to make the election easier, like it isn't as important.
No I think not. Because how are people suposed to take you seriosly if your not acting like it?
i think it's a good idea but not to often. if it's once in a while, people can see they have a lighter side. on the other hand, if it happens to frequently, people might not take the candidates seriously.
I think that they should because people watch advertisements so they would obviously see it.
i think its awesome that sarah palin decided to go on snl and show of some of her humor!!
Putting advertisements on Games just isn't fair to kids. Some adults play videogames, but not most! Why make kids suffer when they aren't voting!
Watching Saturday Night Live gives me the feel that all of the candidates are friendly so i think it is a good idea.
i think it is kind of funny; they ussualy make it really funny. i like funny stuff
Candidates are on the television every single night they are getting ready for the election the election is on November the 4th, depends on who is going to win. They are on Saturday night live. They don’t take themselves seriously about this election. Voting is coming up
there on tv almost every night because they think there going to get more voters there just wasting money with the campaign trails
GO OBAMA
i think that they could go on tv shows if they dont advertise for thier campagine
I think that is a good idea, they can show there real side to try and get more votes, and still say some stuff about there selfs and not make the show so boring
I don't think that candidates should be able to put themselves in kids video games. Kids play games to escape the real world and they can't do that with adults putting the real world in their games. It's not like they can vote anyway so why should candidates try to influence them like that? It shouldn't be allowed and I think it's wrong.
If the candidate doesn't feel comfortable in that area, I don't think he should go for it. I mean, if he said something wrong, things could blow up big in his face. But I do think that a serious and humorous side to a candidate is very important.