Palin, and Fey, drop in on 'Saturday Night Live'

By Chris Michaud
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin put in a widely anticipated appearance on "Saturday Night Live," sharing the stage with a host of top stars including Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and of course Tina Fey, the former SNL star whose impression of Palin has garnered almost as much attention as the Alaska governor herself.
The TV show opened with a mock press conference in which Palin's spokesman requested that the press "don't write anything down."
Fey then appeared as Palin and tossed off a few remarks skewering the vice presidential candidate, such as "I am looking forward to a portion of your questions," a reference to her occasional practice of answering questions by addressing her own chosen topics.
Asked if her recent remarks about patriotic states meant there were any unpatriotic ones, Fey-as-Palin rattled off a list of Democratic-leaning states such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California. Listing swing states such as Ohio, she remarked that they could be either "pro or anti-American ... it's up to them."
The scene then switched backstage to the real Palin and the show's producer Lorne Michaels who were accosted by outspoken, left-leaning actor Baldwin, who said "Hey Tina" before proceeding to trash Palin.
The skit played off Fey's remarkable resemblance to Palin and seeming ability to channel her voice and manner, with Baldwin appearing to think he was talking to Fey while insulting Palin repeatedly. Informed by Michaels he was speaking to Palin herself, he quipped, "You are way hotter in person."
Baldwin, who co-stars on hit comedy TV show "30 Rock" with Fey, then left to whisper to Fey, at the press conference, that the real Palin was on hand. "What? The real one? Bye!" she said, fleeing. Palin then took her place.
"I'm not gonna take any of your questions," Palin said, "but I do wanna take this opportunity to say "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!" -- the show's trademark opening line. Continued...