Post by K-Box on Nov 6, 2008 2:23:39 GMT -8
'SNL' cast member John McCain dies at 76
War hero, former congressman found 'third act' as beloved comic performer
November 2012 — After his presidential bid suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of then-Senator Barack Obama four years ago, a number of pundits wondered what would become of John McCain, whose campaign had come under sharp criticism from members of both sides of the political aisle. After spending five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and serving for decades as an Arizona senator who had earned the respect of many fellow politicians in both parties, several commentators wondered whether McCain's once-distinguished reputation could ever be salvaged.
McCain's redemption came from an unexpected source, when Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," asked the then-72-year-old McCain to consider coming on board "SNL" as a full-time cast member. McCain's previous guest appearances on the show had scored both high ratings and rave reviews, and Michaels saw potential in McCain's genial, spirited on-air performances, which even the majority of McCain's critics agreed had easily outclassed his on-air performances during his presidential debates against Obama.
And with that, McCain made history, by becoming the oldest active "SNL" cast member in the show's history. His first few episodes were limited mostly to appearances as Seth Myers' co-anchor on the show's "Weekend Update" segments, where his mischievously-delivered bipartisan jabs at the government earned him goodwill from the audience, even in New York, a state that had voted overwhelmingly against him. McCain eventually become so popular behind the "Weekend Update" desk that Jon Stewart, a long-time friend of McCain's, tapped him to serve as a temporary correspondent and color commentator for "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" during the 2010 congressional elections.
However, even within his first season on "SNL," McCain's roles on the show soon extended well beyond political commentary, as he proved himself to be a surprisingly enthusiastic and energetic, albeit occasionally physically stiff, performer. Indeed, among younger viewers of "SNL," McCain might be less well-known as a former Navy pilot or long-time congressman than he is as the man who played a number of recurring fan-favorite characters, including "Sad Grandpa," "Jake the Geriatric Love Machine," and "Nursing Home Luthor." A spin-off movie for "Jake the Geriatric Love Machine," a character whose cheesy come-ons inexplicably attracted women of all ages (his catchphrase was "Viagra powers, active!"), was planned for next year, but will likely be scrapped in the wake of McCain's death.
Tina Fey, one of McCain's most frequent onscreen collaborators, praised his willingness to throw himself into his parts with abandon, even when the demanding schedule of "SNL" took a physical toll on the war-wounded veteran. In 2010, Fey was elected to the Arizona senate seat once occupied by McCain.
McCain passed away peacefully in his sleep, barely hours after the taping of this week's "SNL" episode. His widow, Cindy, was last seen mourning in the arms of a buff, 20-something swimming instructor identified only as "Chad."
War hero, former congressman found 'third act' as beloved comic performer
November 2012 — After his presidential bid suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of then-Senator Barack Obama four years ago, a number of pundits wondered what would become of John McCain, whose campaign had come under sharp criticism from members of both sides of the political aisle. After spending five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and serving for decades as an Arizona senator who had earned the respect of many fellow politicians in both parties, several commentators wondered whether McCain's once-distinguished reputation could ever be salvaged.
McCain's redemption came from an unexpected source, when Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," asked the then-72-year-old McCain to consider coming on board "SNL" as a full-time cast member. McCain's previous guest appearances on the show had scored both high ratings and rave reviews, and Michaels saw potential in McCain's genial, spirited on-air performances, which even the majority of McCain's critics agreed had easily outclassed his on-air performances during his presidential debates against Obama.
And with that, McCain made history, by becoming the oldest active "SNL" cast member in the show's history. His first few episodes were limited mostly to appearances as Seth Myers' co-anchor on the show's "Weekend Update" segments, where his mischievously-delivered bipartisan jabs at the government earned him goodwill from the audience, even in New York, a state that had voted overwhelmingly against him. McCain eventually become so popular behind the "Weekend Update" desk that Jon Stewart, a long-time friend of McCain's, tapped him to serve as a temporary correspondent and color commentator for "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" during the 2010 congressional elections.
However, even within his first season on "SNL," McCain's roles on the show soon extended well beyond political commentary, as he proved himself to be a surprisingly enthusiastic and energetic, albeit occasionally physically stiff, performer. Indeed, among younger viewers of "SNL," McCain might be less well-known as a former Navy pilot or long-time congressman than he is as the man who played a number of recurring fan-favorite characters, including "Sad Grandpa," "Jake the Geriatric Love Machine," and "Nursing Home Luthor." A spin-off movie for "Jake the Geriatric Love Machine," a character whose cheesy come-ons inexplicably attracted women of all ages (his catchphrase was "Viagra powers, active!"), was planned for next year, but will likely be scrapped in the wake of McCain's death.
Tina Fey, one of McCain's most frequent onscreen collaborators, praised his willingness to throw himself into his parts with abandon, even when the demanding schedule of "SNL" took a physical toll on the war-wounded veteran. In 2010, Fey was elected to the Arizona senate seat once occupied by McCain.
McCain passed away peacefully in his sleep, barely hours after the taping of this week's "SNL" episode. His widow, Cindy, was last seen mourning in the arms of a buff, 20-something swimming instructor identified only as "Chad."