Sarah Palin Embarrassed By the Success of an Impersonator

Actress Tina Fey’s dead-on impression of Sarah Palin is better than the original on the successful show Saturday Night Live. Fey’s part is so convincing that she could even be confused with Palin herself.

Palin, the running mate of Republican candidate John McCain, could see her reputation and her ability of being a “vice-president” undermined by the extraordinary success of her impersonator. This piece of information was evidenced on Saturday, Oct. 11.

For several weeks, millions of viewers and Internet surfers have passionately been on the lookout for the appearance of Fey on Saturday Night Live, a weekly entertainment show that has been broadcasted for over 30 years on the American TV channel NBC. Those who missed the show flocked to the Internet to search for its videos.

Mistakes are not made up ones

“May I call you Joe? Because I have prepared two or three answers where I call you Joe,” launched the false Palin out to an equally false Joe Biden, Palin’s Democrat rival, triggering general laughter in the crowd during a perfect impersonation of the recent televised debate between both candidates.

If the caricature’s impact is so realistic, it’s because Fey barely exaggerates the characteristics of the Republican ultra-conservative candidate.

Completely unknown from the public two months ago, Palin has a colorful personality: a mocking accent, backcombed hair, winking and waving at a few acquaintances in the audience crowd, not to mention foreign policy blunders which are not even made up at all. And the resemblance between the two women is striking.

It’s excellent for the Democrats

“Trying to find out about Sarah Palin’s real identity wasn’t that clear, which allowed Tina Fey to become her alter ego, despite the imagine the candidate wanted to convey,” said Alan Schroeder, a professor in Journalism and a specialist in presidential discussions, also working for “AM New York.”

“It’s excellent for the Democrats,” adds John Leo, a sociologist and an expert in popular culture.

Naturally, the candidate had to react to such a successful impersonation. “I’m glad to provide work for Tina Fey,” she said during a meeting.

Palin could take part in the show

At 38, Fey is a writer, star and producer of the show “30 Rock”, which was recently rewarded by a Golden Globe. She was the first woman in the United States working as a main writer for the Saturday Night Live, and has won several prizes since 1999.

According to some press rumors, which have not yet been confirmed by NBC, Palin, 44, could take part in the show on October 18, and impersonate the actress in a commercial for American Express.

Satirical shows are part of the American TV culture. Consequences such shows have on the public generate various opinions. Some experts claim that President Gerald Ford’s impersonation cost him his re-election in 1976, whereas some people believe this was just one of many factors. However, these impersonations reinforce Sarah Palin’s populist approach, which is very appreciated by all conservative voters but tends to shock feminists and members of the intelligentsia.