NEW YORK (AP) -- The National Federation of the Blind said it considers NBC's "Saturday Night Live" skit making fun of New York Gov. David Paterson an attack on all blind Americans.
The skit features SNL cast member Fred Armisen as Paterson, who must appoint someone to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton. Armisen said he has three criteria: economic experience, upstate influence and someone with a disability and unprepared for the job - like himself. He held up a chart illustrating the state's job losses upside down.
Federation spokesman Chris Danielsen said the portrayal on Saturday's television show suggesting Paterson as befuddled and disoriented because of his blindness is "absolutely wrong."
Paterson's office said that while the governor can certainly take a joke, the skit ridiculed people with physical disabilities and implied that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities.
"The Governor is sure that 'Saturday Night Live,' with all of its talent, can find a way to be funny without being offensive," Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield said in a statement. "Knowing the governor, he might even have some suggestions himself."
No one from NBC, which produces SNL, could be reached for comment early Monday morning.
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