Full Description
The debut of Saturday Night Live and the 1976 presidential election between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter had enduring effects on American culture. With its mix of sketch comedy and music, SNL grabbed huge ratings and several Emmys in its first season. President Ford's press secretary, Ron Nessen, was the first politician to host SNL. Ford also appeared on the show, via video tape, to offer a comic counterpunch to Chevy Chase's signature line, "I'm Chevy Chase and you're not." Since then, it has become a rite of passage for national politicians to appear on SNL, and the show's treatment of them and their platforms has a continuing impact on political discourse.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface: "I'm Gerald Ford and You're Not."
1. SNL, Live Theater and Politics
2. Ford's Image Problem Began Before SNL
3. Live from New York, It's Saturday Night!
4. Chase-ing Ford
5. Ron Nessen Discovers SNL
6. The Episode
7. "Hello! My Name Is Jimmy Carter, and I'm Running for President"
8. Jimmy and Jerry Debate While Dan and Chevy Do the Same
9. The Final Days (of Campaign '76) Through the Looking Glass of SNL
10. SNL in Campaign '76—What Was Their Intent and What Difference Did They Make
11. Post '76, SNL Marches On
Chapter Notes
Selected References
Index
