Now that Mitt Romney is the presumptive Republican candidate for president, you'll probably be seeing a lot more of him. And if not more, because I know that seems like an impossibility, then you'll certainly be seeing in him more varied places. He spent the last eight months winning over dyed-in-the-wool Republicans (sorta), but now he has to win over the rest of us, and finally being allowed in the Fox News offices isn't going to help with that. What might help is a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live, and luckily for Mittens, he just might get one:
Lorne Michaels, the show’s executive producer, has offered a guest spot to Romney, who is considering it.
"He was funny on Letterman, giving the Top Ten list," [writer Jim] Downey said.
Of course, in the same articles, the SNL writers admit that it would be hard to top the skits that came out of the 2008 race, in which Tina Fey's impressions of VP nominee Sarah Palin were so masterful (and hilarious) they became their own news story. (Then again, almost everything became its own news story. It was a weird time.) Maybe, though, the show should worry about inviting the actual guy who inspired lackluster skits about a lackluster personality to host? It will probably be a ratings win no matter how he does — Lord knows I'd watch — but it won't make good comedy. It just can't.
As for Romney, I actually think Michaels has screwed him just a bit with this offer. If he refuses, it plays into the narrative of a candidate who is robotic, out-of-touch, and generally blah. If he accepts and fails, it plays into the narrative of a candidate who is robotic, out-of-touch, and generally blah. If he accepts and does well, however, that's a different story. It's also one that will never happen. Maybe he should bring some of his sons along as insurance; if nothing else, we'll have eye candy.