Tina Fey's Sarah Palin Remarks Cut by PBS

By Zach Dionne Posted Nov 16th 2010 01:43PM

In a taped ceremony of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday, PBS chopped recipient Tina Fey's remarks regarding Sarah Palin. Now an executive producer of the broadcast tells the Washington Post the move had nothing to do with politics.

"It was not a political decision," Peter Kaminsky says. "We had zero problems with anything she said."

Kaminsky says the 90-minute show ran almost 20 minutes over time. "We took a lot out. We snipped from everyone."

The specific "snips" Fey's speech incurred are apt to raise eyebrows, though. Read on.

Tina Fey thanked Sarah Palin for her own comedic success, referencing a recurring, dead-on impression on 'Saturday Night Live' during the 2008 election (pictured, below right). "I would be a liar and an idiot if I didn't thank Sarah Palin for helping get me here tonight," Fey said. "My partial resemblance and her crazy voice are the two luckiest things that ever happened to me."

Tina Fey Sarah Palin

Then she forged ahead to more brazenly anti-Palin territory: "Politics aside, the success of Sarah Palin and women like her is good for all women ... unless you're a gay woman who wants to marry your partner of 20 years -- whatever. But for most women, the success of conservative women is good for all of us. Unless you believe in evolution. You know, actually, I take it back. The whole thing's a disaster."

Those remarks were trimmed significantly, leaving PBS viewers with a tamer, less potentially offensive bit from Fey: "I'm so proud to represent American humor, I am proud to be an American, and I am proud to make my home in the 'not real' America. And I am most proud that during trying times, like an orange [terror] alert, a bad economy or a contentious election that we as a nation retain our sense of humor."

Tina Fey is the third woman to win the Mark Twain Prize since its inception 12 years ago; at 40, she is also the youngest honoree.

See Fey's full, uncut acceptance speech:

Watch the full episode. See more Mark Twain Prize.

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Tags: PBS, Sarah Palin, Tina Fey

Comments

(363)

Tuesday 16 November

By hughjazoul

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But if they ran the left leaning View 24 hours a day with the coven of loud mouthed witches,you would go back to donating?

By Greg

Sad thing is, Tina blew her monologue by doing the Palin/Conservative Women bit. It was quite funny up to that point. But you could hear the awkwardness in the room while she insulted half of America with the usual left-wing "I'm so superior to you fly-over hicks" banter. Kind of a shame, really. For my money, PBS was smart to cut it.

By pr1nter3

I agree. I was happy with the way it was presented on PBS, but was saddened to read what was cut. She should have been gracious and said a quick "thank you". I don't understand the hate and bitterness. What a disappointing decision by Fey.

By Bryan

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Intelligent women are generally bitter towards Sarah Palin for the obvious reason that she makes women look like fools.

By So&SO

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The awkwardness was the actual roar of spinelessness. You could hear the hesitance in the crowd, as if they'd be shot to go with the humor. They were actually afraid to laugh, and PBS was actually afraid to lose your little dollar.

By Linda

Tina Fey is intolerant of all women who are not her. Sarah Palin has far more supporters and will be remembered long after the snips of Tina's babbling have turned to dust on the floor.

By BK

Ditto

By Colleen

Thank you. Ditto on your thoughts. It seems opinion and choice are only important to Liberals when you are agreeing with them.

By gchad2003

I agree. Totally.

By texas joe

The Liberals build her up ,when all they had to do was ignore her after the election and she would have gone back to Alaska and still be an anonymous Governor, but they were so afraid of an intelligent and beautiful conservative ,they couldn't keep their mouths shut.

By William Bischoff

Anyone who claims that Sarah Palin is "beautiful" and "intelligent" has already lost credibility for any other remarks they might make.

Wednesday 17 November

By Lee A. Paquet

Right ON! Sarah has so much more going for her than Tina. On so many levels. The Libs went nuts within five minutes of hearing that she was nominated. They knew NOTHING about her as a person but immediately demonized her because they were threatened by a beautiful and intelligent CONSERVATIVE. Watch out for Sarah. She may not run for office again but she will hurt the Libs plenty.

By AMom

Intelligent???!?!?! You need to go to youtube and type in Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, and find any other interview she ever gave during the election campaigns. Attractive...ok, I'll give you that one....intelligent, I think not!

By katydid579

How could we forget about her when she is in our face day after day after day? I guess her handlers don't think she has been overexposed yet. They are soooooo wrong.

By George

Either that or they are doing everything they can to shed light on the idiocy that Palin represents. People should ignore Palin at their own peril, unless that is, they want her as president starting world war III and bringing back the draft. Oh, I forgot, you and your kind will be fine if that happens because the rapture will occur and you'll all be in heaven.

By ddan8719

Odd the liberal press in general panned "sarah palins alaska" on t.l.c..as being boring..T.l.c reports the highest ratings of any of there programs..gee i wonder who could be right?

By Mike Rath

Anyone who doesn't know enough to capitalize the word "I" when referring to themselves needs to stay off quasi-political blogs..

By john wallace

guess what? when geraldo opened al capone's vault, it also made ratings history. jerry springer has been on tv for 20 years. what in god's name is your point? the wacko parents, the unwed teen mom, the son-in-law in playgirl..... y'all would tear the pelosi's apart for exactly these same things. but with the palins, it's A-OK!!!!!

By john

@ Mike Rath, So should wanna be spelling teachers.

Tuesday 11 January

I just saw footage of some fox anchors panning her show also. Are they part of the "lame street media" as Sarah is so fond of saying.

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