TV

The spoof spot is a split screen dividing the two candidates' faces down the middle so that you see a face made up of half Barack and half Hillary. The recurrent joke of this one-minute bit is the differences between what he's saying and what she's saying, such as when they both talk of waiting until "all the superdelegates have voted" and Obama adds "in accordance with the mandate of the people" while Hillary says "having made up their minds independently."

Here's the thing. While the spot presents the image of even-handedness and impartiality -- the screen is literally split down the middle and, at least, superficially, the spot is making fun of both of them -- it is the latest in a series of shots the show has fired squarely at Hillary. This spot drops any pretense of impartiality with its closing and crowning laugh-line when the two candidates conclude "No matter who wins we can all stand behind one idea" and Barack says "Democracy" and Hillary says "I deserve this."

It's very funny and clever and with impressive concision and clarity demonstrates what separates these two candidates in the minds of many voter-viewers. But it is also the latest salvo in what seems like a calculated campaign to reclaim the SNL brand's maverick status after it seemed to get swept up in some pro-Hillary hype. It all started at the end of February when the show returned with its post-strike premiere, hosted by alum Tina Fey. There was a skit staging a presidential debate in which all the journalists asked Obama dreamy-eyed, crush-struck questions like they were a bunch of adolescent girls interviewing the Jonas Brothers band. And then Tina came out during Weekend Update to deliver a pro-Hillary rant that was kind of funny but also so pointedly political as to seem like a Hillary Clinton endorsement.

In the days after, the show's seeming support and in particular, that skit spoofing the media's Obama-ffair, became hot talking points with Hillary herself citing the show as proof of the media's pro-bama bias.

Since then, SNL seems to have gone out of its way to show that the show is not a pro-Hillary platform. There was a follow-up debate skit in which Hillary is skewered again and again -- at one point explaining that she would be the better president because she's such an unpleasant person that special interests would decide "that life is too short to deal with this awful woman" and give into her demands. And there have been a couple of "messages" from Hillary, such as the one in which a yellow-suited Amy Poehler lists the reasons why she should be the nominee, including "I am a sore loser," "My supporters are racist," and "I have no ethical standards."

This turnaround may be simply a matter of practicality -- Amy Poehler does a really funny Hillary Clinton so let's run with it. But it sure seems like the show felt stung by suddenly finding itself drafted by Hillary Clinton and a pack of media commentators as a supporting player in the New York senator's drive to turn the tide on Barack Obama. I think the lesson to political media advisors is don't ever attempt to co-opt a late-night comedy show for your cause. It may just turn your candidate into a pinata it beats on week after week.