Nonverbal Communication In Saturday Night Live

On Sepetember 27, 2008, Saturday Night Live (SNL) performed a cold open sketch of Katie Couric interviewing Sarah Palin during the presidential election of 2008. Tina Fey impersonates Sarah Palin, while Katie Couric is portrayed by Amy Poehler. The two comedians mock an actual interview done by the potential vice president and journalist that was performed a few weeks prior. The 7 minute cold open, which is longer than most of their sketches, contains a plethora of communication methods to better enhance the intended message. The extensive use of nonverbal communication, terministic screens, and the manipulation of context and noise in the September 27, 2008 Cold Open depict SNL as a true phenomenon in modern communication. The nonverbal communication that “Sarah Palin” demonstrates is one of the most important aspects of the skit that ultimately …show more content…
“Katie Couric” uses chronemics every time after “Sarah Palin” speaks, indicating that she is appalled or confused by the response that “Palin” has given. For example, “Sarah Palin” says: “I went to the movies to see a film called ‘The Bush Doctrine’, it was not about politics”. “Katie Couric” provides feedback to “Palin” with chronemics and regulators. After that statement, there is a long pause in conversation. “Couric” uses regulators such as tilting of the head, opening of the eye, intense eye contact, and movement of the eyebrows. She stares at “Sarah Palin” for a while, trying to make up what “Sarah Palin” has said. By doing so, it reveals that “Couric” was appalled and confused to the statements that “Palin” was saying. The nonverbal components of “Couric’s” communication indicate that “Palin’s” message was not clear and, along with the writers of SNL, “Couric” also doesn’t approve “Palin” as a candidate for vice