NEW YORK (Oct. 5) - It's starting to feel like Tina Fey is running for vice president.
Fey again returned to "Saturday Night Live" to play Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin as the sketch comedy show continued to pull out all the stops in its election year season. Queen Latifah dropped by to portray Thursday's debate moderator, PBS's Gwen Ifill, and cast member Jason Sudeikis stepped into the role of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.
The "SNL" take on the week's political events has become a dependable part of the news cycle this fall, offering near-immediate parodies of the presidential candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, and their running mates. The show ? particularly the opening sketches ? have resonated with higher ratings for the NBC program and increased traffic on its Web site where early-to-bed viewers catch the talked-about sketches in the days after.
Saturday night's opening sketch of the VP debate appeared likely to garner similar buzz thanks to Fey's popular Palin impression. Winking and giving answers not always directly related to Queen Latifah's questions, Fey's Palin said that if she was elected, her decisions would be guided by considering "what would a maverick do?"
At the end of the segment, she asked with flute in hand, "Are we not doing the talent portion?"
Palin was runnerup in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest.
Sudeikis, with hair slicked back and a tight-fitting suit, portrayed Biden as conflicted in his feelings for McCain, whom he called "a raging maniac and a dear, dear friend."
Saturday's "SNL" concluded the opening run of four straight shows ? including three with guest appearances from Fey, a former cast member and head writer for "SNL" whose day job is starring in, producing and writing for NBC's "30 Rock." The network has said her appearances on "SNL" are being decided on a week-to-week basis.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Thursday. Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses a rally on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Thursday. Oct. 2, 2008. Obama said Thursday that his rival John McCain is out of touch with the economic struggles of Americans and doesn't understand that there's nothing more fundamental than a job. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Thursday. Oct. 2, 2008. Obama said Thursday that his rival John McCain is out of touch with the economic struggles of Americans and doesn't understand that there's nothing more fundamental than a job. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Thursday. Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., holds ups an Obama 2008 Michigan State jersey before speaking at the university in East Lansing, Mich., Thursday. Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is pictured on stage during a campaign rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, October 2, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
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Television reporters assemble outside the site of a scheduled vice presidential debate between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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Students demonstrate in support of the Republican ticket outside the site of a scheduled vice presidential debate between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) cheer during his speech during a campaign rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing October 2, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
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Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks during a campaign rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, October 2, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
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The show has shown its willingness this fall to cast from beyond its current lineup. Last week, former cast member Chris Parnell returned to play Jim Lehrer, the moderator of the first presidential debate.
"SNL" ? which was hosted Saturday by Anne Hathaway with the Killers performing ? will get its first weekend off this week. But it will still capitalize on election campaign fodder with the first of three prime-time "Weekend Update" specials beginning Thursday.
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