The 7 most memorable candidate appearances on 'Saturday

The 7 most memorable candidate appearances on 'Saturday Night Live'Political parody made Saturday Night Live must-see TV for political junkies — and, occasionally, must-appear television for politicians.

In light of Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s SNL hosting gig on Saturday — a month after Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton made an appearance on show the as “Val,” a sympathetic bartender listening to the woes of Kate McKinnon’s Clinton — we’re re-upping our list of the highlights of SNL’s political history:

GERALD FORD

Jane Curtin as Betty Ford, Chevy Chase as President Gerald Ford and Al Franken as Henry Kissinger during SNL’s “Rancho Houso” skit. (Alan Singer, NBC)

After Saturday Night Live’s debut in 1975, Chevy Chase became the show’s first breakout star in part because of an “impression” of President Ford that involved a lot of bumbling and falling down. The Ford administration, perhaps concerned  that Chase’s impression was undercutting the president’s re-election bid, began reaching out to SNL. Ford’s press secretary, Ron Nessen, hosted the program on April 17, 1976, a show that included a filmed appearance by Ford himself.

BOB DOLE

Dennis Rodman throws a feather boa around the shoulders of Norm MacDonald, playing Bob Dole, during a dress rehearsal for SNL on May 11, 1996. (Mary Ellen Matthews, AP)

The 1996 Republican presidential nominee appeared on Saturday Night Live shortly after losing the election to President Bill Clinton. The idea: The losing candidate spoke with SNL cast member and Dole impersonator Norm Macdonald, who had looked forward to four years of gainful employment with his man in the White House. The former Kansas senator mocked his tendency to refer himself in the third person, while comforting Macdonald (“Bob Dole feels your pain”).

AL GORE

Al Gore is surrounded by Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen during the SNL broadcast on Dec. 14, 2002. ( Mary Ellen Matthews, AP/NBC)

The former vice president hosted SNL in 2002. One bit had Gore commiserating over his agonizingly close 2000 election loss in a session with faux therapist Stuart Smalley — portrayed by SNL veteran and future U.S. Sen. Al Franken.
Gore also did SNL in 2006, appearing in a “parallel universe” sketch in which he had won the 2000 election and discussed his accomplishments. “We have been able to stop global warming,” the imaginary President Gore said, but with a cost: “Renegade glaciers.”

JOHN MCCAIN

The Arizona senator delivered a monologue in 2002, pointing out he was the first sitting senator to host the show — and taking the opportunity to poke at his 2000 Republican primary rival George W. Bush. “They asked President Bush to do it, but apparently he doesn’t like to work on weekends,” McCain said.

McCain also hosted the weekend before his 2008 election loss to Barack Obama. A skit in which McCain sought to sell his campaign on the QVC network included Tina Fey’s celebrated portrayal of McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin.

SARAH PALIN

Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler and Sarah Palin appear on the Oct. 18, 2008, SNL episode.
(Dana Edelson, NBC)

Just as Chase did with Ford, and Poehler did with Clinton, Fey contributed immortal impression to SNL’s political pantheon after Palin became the Republican veep nominee. It also inspired an SNL appearance by the Alaska governor herself in 2008.

In one gag, Palin is mistaken for Fey. Another setup: Palin at the last minute declined to follow through with a prepared skit. In stepped Poehler, who delivered a classic performance of Palin Rap: “My name is Sarah Palin/And you all know me!/vice president nominee/of the GOP!”

BARACK OBAMA

Still a senator from Illinois, Obama appeared in a 2007 SNL skit about a Halloween party hosted by Democratic primary opponent Clinton (as played by Poehler). A man wearing a Barack Obama mask removes it to reveal he is Obama himself.

“You know, Hillary, I have nothing to hide,” Obama told Clinton/Poehler. “I enjoy being myself.”

HILLARY CLINTON

Amy Poehler and Hillary Clinton on SNL’s March 1, 2008, episode. (Dana Edelson, AP/NBC)

The former first lady’s previous appearance also came during the 2008 election. She gave an “editorial response” to a skit about one of the debates she had with Obama.

Clinton also found time to say she “adored” Poehler’s impression, prompting an appearance by her doppelganger. “My ears are ringing!” said Poehler/Clinton.