Tina Fey ‘Likely’ To Play Sarah Palin On ‘SNL’

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Politics,30 Rock,Tina Fey,Sarah Palin,Saturday Night Live,TV
 
 
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  • Tina Fey Talks ‘30 Rock’ Return, Part I
  • Life Magazine cover with Tina Fey and John McCain from Oct. 2004
  • Tina Fey shows off the SAG for best actress in a TV comedy for '30 Rock'
  • Tina Fey poses with her Peabody Award for the television series ‘30 Rock’

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  • Tina Fey Talks ‘30 Rock’ Return, Part I

  • Life Magazine cover with Tina Fey and John McCain from Oct. 2004

  • Tina Fey shows off the SAG for best actress in a TV comedy for '30 Rock'
  • AP

    Tina Fey poses with her Peabody Award for the television series ‘30 Rock’
 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: September 13, 2008 11:51 AM EDT
LAST UPDATED: September 13, 2008 12:01 PM EDT

NEW YORK, New York --

Tina Fey was “likely” to play Gov. Sarah Palin on “Saturday Night Live,” said a person close to NBC’s sketch comedy show.

Fey is “likely” to return to her former show Saturday to play the Alaskan governor and Sen. John McCain’s running mate, a person close to the show told The Associated Press on Friday night. The person requested anonymity because the decision has not been announced officially. No further details were available.

Since Palin’s entry onto the national political stage, speculation had been rampant over who might play Palin on the program. Many have commented that Fey resembles her.

In an interview earlier this week with The AP, “SNL” executive producer and creator Lorne Michaels said, “The whole world cast her in that role.”

The final decision went down to the last minute, apparently. “SNL” premieres Saturday evening with Michael Phelps as host. An appearance had been planned by Sen. Barack Obama, but his campaign said early Saturday that the Democratic nominee for president was canceling.

Fey was a cast member and writer — including a stint as head writer — for “SNL” for nine years before leaving in 2006 to star in “30 Rock,” which is also produced by Michaels. On Tuesday, Michaels said that should Fey play Palin, she was unlikely to remain in the part in the long-term, which depending on the election results, could be for four years or longer.

Fey’s publicist did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

Copyright 2009 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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