NY governor, who’s criticized SNL for mocking disabled, goes on show to mock cast right back

Often-mocked NY governor appears on ‘SNL’

NEW YORK — Mocked for years on “Saturday Night Live,” the governor of New York has appeared on the show to dish back.

Gov. David Paterson came on Saturday night during the show’s “Weekend Update” segment. He interrupted cast member Fred Armisen, who was in character as the governor. Armisen plays Paterson as a clueless blind man with a past of youthful drug use and womanizing.

Paterson joked that being governor is a lot like “Saturday Night Live.” He says “there are a lot of characters, it’s funny for 10 minutes and then you just want it to be over.”

Paterson has said the show’s parodies hurt disabled people who can’t fight back. He said Saturday that he has a good sense of humor but jokes about the disabled are “sophomoric and stupid.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — A person close to the governor of New York says he will appear on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” after lambasting the show for mocking his blindness.

Gov. David Paterson’s appearance on the show is scheduled for Saturday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the governor would not comment publicly. NBC has also refused to comment.

The governor has criticized SNL. He once said the late-night program’s parodies hurt disabled people who can’t fight back.

Cast member Fred Armisen has played Paterson as a clueless blind man with a past of youthful drug use and womanizing. In one skit, Armisen held up a chart illustrating the state’s job losses upside down.