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 Jenagain

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Wow, there is a teen unwed mom AND a son-in-law? However did she manage that? Get your facts straight.

Wednesday 17 November

By winedog

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@Mike Rath
Did you check the punctuation at the end of your own sentence? Only one period is necessary. Let's see, which is worse i or..?

By cindyag

Oh Tina, why don't you find someone else to pick on for your laughs? Better yet try being funny on your own. We all know you're a talented writer and actress so we know you can do it. It would be ashamed for someone with all your talent and awards to find themselves fan-less.

By Mike L

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Actually KARE, you're mother is a pig and should have aborted you--the little piglet. In your case, I believe in after-birth abortions.

By ddan8719

P.B.S is treading every so lightly lately..afraid that they will be had buy the entire population..and loose the goverment dollars..

By kit

i used to love tina fey until she started using sarah palin as her own personal punching bag. it's just really disrepectful when women bash othee women, haven't we had enough of this from men? also, tina, don't stand next to sarah in person anymore because, dang, sarah is much prettier than you. you are pretty as well, but gal, sarah outshines you and she's what...6 years older than you, has had 5 children and been govenor of a state that has one of the nation's highest ROIs? you got some catching up to do!

By KARE

SARAH IS A WORTHLESS PIG. BAD GOVERNOR OF ALASKA, BAD MOTHER, DUMB AS A ROCK. WORTHLESS. SHE IS A JOKE.

By Maria

When Tina Fey says she looks sorta like Sarah Palin; she is so wrong. Sarah Palin doesn't look like she came out on the short end of a switch blade. How funny is that. Now just watch all the people who think it's funny for Tina Fey to tear Sarah Palin go nuts.

By Bob Joyce

Tina who?

By Ray

Her acceptance speech went on for over 15mins.The last thing she mentioned was Sarah Palin. Of course if they are going to cut the speech ,they would cut the stuff at the end. She says "politics aside.." and then goes on a political rant.

By mc

THIS REALLY GETTING BORING ENOUGH ALREADY .....IT DOSEN'T MATTER IF YOU LIKE SARAH PALIN OR NOT AFTER A WHILE JOKES ABOUT HER ARE GETTING OLD MOVE ON.....

By nikker

In terns of remembering... how many Americans remember James Stockdale vs. how many remember Will Rodgers

By hitch

Why doesn't she pick on other women like Pelosi or Murkowski? It all boils down to jealousy. Fey is just a jealous, miserable,lonely little dwarf.

By nac5660

Your correct, she's is a miserable little dwarf. I think she needs a man or a women to keep her happy.

By Sharonlyn

Anyone, who ridicules another human being for a living should not receive a prize. That is just another form of bullying. Political satire is one thing, but ridicule is not acceptable.

By Rich

You mean like Limbaugh, Hannity, Malkin, Coulter, and Beck ridicule the people they disagree with every day? Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot-- it's okay when conservatives do it.

By Enough Already

Tina Fey brings up Sarah Palin once again - YAWN! It was funny for 30 seconds 2 years ago. The neverending persecution of Palin from Fey and Behar now borders on creepy!

When was the last time you heard Fey so much as mention Palin before you saw this video? 2008? But seriously, why let facts stand in the way of your political rant?

By Linda

@Mike: Who are you? The grammar teacher with the red pen? Some people use lower case to make a point, others are simply bad typists. Is this the best you can do? If so, i despair.

By Dutchthunder

This censorship borders on being criminal. We know where PBS's money is.

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