Gov. Paterson on 'SNL' blasts blind jokes as 'stupid'

Sitting alongside Fred Armisen, governor David Paterson took to the stage on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" last night,  the very show he's criticized for mocking his blindness.

During the show's "Weekend Update" segment -- hosted by Seth Myers and guest host and former SNL cast member Amy Poehler -- Armisen launched into a clownish take on the New York governor's race.

"It's like ordering at the Olive Garden. No matter what you get, it's going to be a greasy mess," he said of the two candidates, before segueing into a crack about New Jersey and then Paterson's driving.

He was interrupted with a cry of "Stop! Stop! Stop!" from Paterson, who came onto the set, slapping the desk, amid cheers from the audience.

"Albany is just like Saturday Night Live,' quipped Paterson. "There are a lot of characters and it is funny for ten minutes. But then you just want it to be over."

During his appearance Paterson talked briefly about what he has accomplished as governor.

The governor has been a critic of SNL in the past. He once said the late-night program’s parodies hurt disabled people not in a position to fight back.

Cast member Fred Armisen has played Paterson as a clueless blind man with a past of youthful drug use and womanizing. In one skit, Armisen held up a chart illustrating the state’s job losses upside down.

Paterson addressed the issue during his appearance, as he said he has a good sense of humor but jokes about the disabled are "sophomoric and stupid."

But Paterson held his own with Armisen and cast member Seth Meyers, poking fun at Armisen for playing Paterson with a beard. The governor said he'd shaved his a year ago. "Are you blind?" he asked Armisen, getting a laugh from the audience.

Armisen and Meyers later apologized for the show's parody of the governor and promised to be more respectful of the disabled.

"Blind Americans are incredibly capable and we also rely on our other senses as well," the governor said.

Meyers asked whether it was true that other senses are heightened for the blind, setting up Paterson for one more jab.

"Just by sense of smell, I can tell that there are 15 people in this audience from New Jersey," the governor joked.