NBC News/Saturday Night Live Synergy: ‘Problem’ Is Lack of Action on Gun Control

NBC synergy in action. Saturday Night Live opens with a skit hitting President Barack Obama from the left for celebrating picayune progress on gun control and, the next morning, Meet the Press host David Gregory uses that clip to illustrate his liberal point about how the “problem” is insufficient action on gun control.

After playing a bit of that comedy video, in which an “Obama” impersonator trumpets “I am so excited to announce that this week the Senate voted 68-31 to begin debating the idea of discussing gun control,” Gregory fretted: “Isn’t that really the problem? Despite all the emotion, despite the push, despite the public opinion polls, not a lot is about to be accomplished here.” 

Audio: MP3 clip

From the Sunday, April 14 Meet the Press:

DAVID GREGORY: We’re talking about immigration, we’re also talking about the gun debate this weekend. Saturday Night Live had a pretty pointed, with a laugh, criticism at what is being debated about the background checks. Here’s a portion of their open last night.

“PRESIDENT OBAMA” ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: Good evening, my fellow Americans. As you know, over the past few months I have made gun control legislation a top priority for my administration. Which is why I am so excited to announce that this week the Senate voted 68 to 31 to begin debating the idea of discussing gun control. Let me say that again. They’ve agreed to think about talking about gun control. Amazing.

GREGORY: Senator [Kirsten] Gillibrand, isn’t that really the problem? Despite all the emotion, despite the push, despite the public opinion polls, not a lot is about to be accomplished here.

-- Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow Brent Baker on Twitter.