"Saturday Night Live and Presidential Politics"

With Lorne Michaels, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, and James Downey in person.

Monday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. At The Times Center, 242 West 41 Street, Manhattan

Saturday Night Live has been an irreverent and influential commentator on American presidential politics since its debut season in 1975. The show has played an undeniable role in shaping and reflecting the public perception of our leaders and would-be leaders. SNL's founding producer Lorne Michaels, "Weekend Update" co-anchors Seth Meyers (also head writer) and Amy Poehler, and James Downey (veteran SNL writer) will discuss SNL’s approach to presidential politics.

The program is in honor of the 2008 edition of The Living Room Candidate, the Museum’s acclaimed website about the history of presidential campaign commercials, made possible with support from the Verizon Foundation.

Tickets: $15 Museum members / Free for Sponsor-level members and above / $30 non-members / $20 IFP members. Order tickets online at www.movingimage.us or by phone at 718.784.4520. Here is the eagerly awaited opening sketch from the season opener on September 13, with Tina Fey impersonating Sarah Palin, and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton:

Chevy Chase, who impersonated Gerald Ford during SNL's first season, appeared on the MSNBC show "Morning Show" on September 15. He praised Tina Fey's performance and then launched into a strong attack on Sarah Palin:

UPDATE: Barack Obama compared the McCain campaigns alleged gaffes on the economy to a Saturday Night Live routine.