After a huge backlash and calls for fairness, NBC filed an ‘Equal Time’ notice with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) late Sunday regarding Kamala Harris’ recent appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL).
Harris made an unbilled cameo on SNL for 1 minute and 30 seconds on November 2, sparking concerns over bias just days before Election Day.
The Equal Time rule requires NBC to offer equivalent airtime to all other qualified candidates, including former President Donald Trump.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a senior Republican, voiced sharp criticism of NBC’s decision to feature Harris without similar airtime for her opponents.
He argued that the move could signal a clear bias from the left-wing legacy media outlet and SNL leadership, warning that broadcasters hold a “special position of trust” and must operate in the public interest under federal licensing.
“This has all the appearances of NBC favouring one candidate,” Carr told Fox News Digital.
“That’s exactly why we have the Equal Time rule, so broadcasters aren’t free to sway elections.” Carr highlighted the urgency, noting that opposing candidates now have limited time to claim equal airtime due to the filing’s timing.
Trump’s campaign responded swiftly, with senior adviser Jason Miller stating that Trump was not invited to appear on SNL.
Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung characterised Harris’ SNL cameo as a sign of desperation as her campaign “spirals down the drain into obscurity.”
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who also made a brief appearance on SNL, triggered another Equal Time notice filing from NBC.
Kaine is running for re-election against Republican Hung Cao, meaning his appearance also demands balance under the rule.
NBC has yet to comment publicly, and it remains to be seen how the network will accommodate these requests with the election just days away.
Even her SNL skit was plagiarized 🤣 pic.twitter.com/EQDQMGgtGG
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 3, 2024
Does it really matter as SNL has not been relevant for decades, personally for ne after the original cast was all gone it became more about who the host was and who the musical guest was going to be, and sometimes even that was not enough to save SNL from mediocrity.
What little I have see since then has not changed my mind,