People: Must a black play Barack?
Forget that debate we brought you yesterday about who should play Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in a movie.
The real controversy is over who’s actually playing him now on “Saturday Night Live.”
When new “SNL” shows resumed last weekend following the writers’ strike, Obama was portrayed by Fred Armisen, who’s of white/Asian heritage, in darker makeup.
While there’s precedent for white cast members playing black characters – most notably Darrell Hammond as the Rev. Jesse Jackson – some critics contend this is different.
Says Chicago Tribune columnist Maureen Ryan: “Obama’s candidacy gives us solid proof of the progress that African-Americans have made in this country. I guess ‘SNL’ still has further to go on that front.”
In Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Hannah Pool wrote: “The moment anyone starts reaching for `blackface,’ they are on extremely dodgy territory.”
Executive producer Lorne Michaels, who says Armisen will continue in the role, insists it’s not about race.
“Fred just had best take on Obama,” he says.
Does Chris love anybody?
At a stand-up show in Philadelphia this week, black comic Chris Rock offered his own take on the candidates:
“John McCain: “How you gonna make decisions about the future if you ain’t gonna be here?”
“Hillary Clinton: “I think America is ready for a woman president, but does it have to be that woman?”
“Obama: “He doesn’t let his blackness sneak up on you. You hear ‘Barack Obama,’ you expect one of the Commodores to come through.”
Like peas in a pod
Meanwhile, will.i.am appears to be angling for a job in an Obama White House.
The Black Eyed Peas frontman Friday released another star-studded music video in support of the campaign, “We Are The Ones.”
Backed by a refrain of “O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!,” stars such as Jessica Alba, Ryan Phillippe, Kerry Washington and George Lopez explain why they support the Illinois senator.
My Michelle amour …
Speaking of Obama and celebrities, the candidate himself says his two daughters, ages 6 and 9, are fans of Hannah Montana and Beyonce, but think anything to do with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton is “yuck.”
As for wife Michelle, he tells Us Weekly, she has a crush on Stevie Wonder.
Treading on shaky ground
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked an Ohio museum to return his Austrian army tank because he was concerned about the upkeep and he wants to give rides to kids.
Schwarzenegger plans to offer the rides to inner-city children in the L.A. area as a reward for staying in school and avoiding drugs.
The birthday bunch
Singer Harry Belafonte is 81. Actor Robert Conrad is 73. Singer Roger Daltrey is 64. Actor Alan Thicke is 61. Actor-director Ron Howard is 54. Actress Catherine Bach is 54. Actor Tim Daly is 52. Actor George Eads is 41. Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar is 34. “Blues Clues” host Donovan Patton is 30. Singer Sammie is 21.