Look folks, it was already a gamble to have Donald Trump host SNL in the middle of a campaign. Many people still take him seriously as a candidate and it would seem that the equal times rule from the FCC would be in play. That means if one of the opposing candidates request the time, NBC might just have to let them. According to Variety, this happens plenty, but has a different shape when the candidate in question is the host:
“Unlike Hillary making a very short one-sketch appearance, this candidate is going to be hosting and on throughout the program. To me that has kind of crossed the Maginot Line in terms of triggering” the equal time rule, said Meredith McGehee, policy director at the Campaign Legal Center.
She adds, “The amount of time he will be on screen will be substantively different than a cameo. And given the dynamics of the race, where they are trying to humanize him and show that he is not just a bloviator, it is incredibly politically valuable to him.”
The equal time rules normally carry exemptions for late night shows and interviews, like The Tonight Show for example, but since SNL is a sketch show and not a legitimate news program, it might not be exempt from the rules. The candidates running against have to request the equal time, though, and they have to do it on a local station in the state where the campaign takes place.
Who knows what will happen there. The other problem rising for Trump and SNL is that other groups are seeking to have him removed as host all together. We heard some criticism of the show’s decision to have Trump host, namely from singer Miguel, but now there are two petitions to pull Trump away from his hosting duties according to Deadline:
A coalition of Latino groups and liberal online activist platform MoveOn.org are calling for NBC to disinvite GOP Presidential candicate Donald Trump from hosting Saturday Night Live on November 7, which happens to be exactly one year from Election Day 2016. MoveOn.org’s petition has climbed from 15,000 signatures Friday evening to 108,000 and counting as of very early Sunday…
Echoing criticism by the coalition of Latino groups, the MoveOn petition says, NBC “is providing a platform for Trump’s insulting attacks on immigrants and calling it entertainment — something we do not find funny.”
Now will this stop Trump from hosting? Will it take SNL off the air for that week? All is doubtful. According to Variety, the network is ready to take the hit from the equal times rule due to the possibly huuuuuuuge ratings Trump could bring to the show. It might backfire, but the network is betting on success despite the criticisms.
If this forces us to have to watch Mike Huckabee bring back Hee Haw or have Rand Paul show us how he fixes his hair every day, I think we all might regret letting it happen. If it involves a Chris Christie competitive eating contest, though, I say carry on. Make it happen, New Jersey.
