On October 13, it was announced that Donald Trump will host “Saturday Night Live” on the evening of November 7. As this story mentions, that likely means that NBC will be required to give equal time to other Republican presidential candidates. “Equal time” is still in the law, although it doesn’t apply to “bona fide news programs”. However Saturday Night Live doesn’t really qualify as a news show; it is entertainment. As the story explains, NBC doesn’t need to give other candidates a chance to be on Saturday Night Live; it just needs to give some free time. Thanks to Paul Weich for the news.
Ballot Access News
Edited By Richard Winger
I’m surprised that NBC would have Trump host after they just had to commit to offering other candidates 3 minutes of time because of Hillary’s appearance on SNL.
After excluding commercial time and the segments that Trump doesn’t appear in, Trump will still probably be on screen for half an hour of the episode. So they might have to give each of his opponents a free half-hour if they want it.
So who qualifies as a qualified candidate? Would that be any Republican candidate that has registered with the FEC?
The Equal Time rule applies to all candidates, and is not subject to qualifications imposed by the Republican national committee or anyone else. Right now it would be as you say. But in a few months these candidates could be excluded if they haven’t qualified for the presidential primary in any state. But in some states a relatively modest filing fee puts people on that ballot. In New Hampshire in 2012 there were 30 candidates on the Republican presidential primary ballot. Candidates need $1,000 to get on a NH presidential primary ballot.
When will Rand Paul host “SNL?”
I thought Rand was a cast member!
When will Howie Hawkins host “SNL”?
Point/Counterpoint was not a bona fide news program?
You could have Donald Trump play Dan Akroyd, and Hillary Clinton play Jane Curtin.
Based on the ideological position of Saturday Night Live, Rand Paul will host it either when hell freezes over or when the owners of NBC News and Saturday Night Live are tried and executed for treason. It is an excellent idea and I wish we lived in a free, rational country where such an event could actually occur. Gary Johnson, the 2012 Libertarian candidate for president, would also be an excellent host.
That SNL should be very funny since Trump is already the biggest joke of a candidate.
No equal time rule in the debates, though, apparently.