FCC Commissioner Criticizes Kamala Harris' SNL Appearance as a Violation of Equal Time Rule
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Brendan Carr, the senior Republican commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), labeling it a “clear and blatant effort” to circumvent the FCC’s Equal Time rule. This rule mandates that broadcasters provide equal airtime to opposing candidates, particularly in the lead-up to elections.
Carr expressed his concerns in a statement on social media platform X, highlighting that the timing of Harris' SNL debut, which occurred close to Election Day, was strategically planned in a way that potentially evades the Equal Time requirements. He argued that by allowing Harris to appear on the show, NBC was using public airwaves to favor one candidate over others, thus undermining the impartiality intended by the Equal Time rule.
“This is a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule. The purpose of the rule is to prevent exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct,” Carr wrote. He further emphasized that unless NBC provided equal airtime to other qualifying candidates, the network was not complying with the established regulations.
During her surprise appearance on SNL, Harris faced off against her impersonator, Maya Rudolph, in a humorous cold open segment. The Vice President encouraged viewers to vote for her on November 5 and playfully acknowledged her distinctive laugh. In a light-hearted exchange, Rudolph remarked, “I’m gonna vote for us,” to which Harris responded with a joke about voter registration in Pennsylvania.
The segment, which lasted just under three minutes, raised questions about the implications of broadcasting regulations in the context of political appearances. As a licensed broadcaster, NBC is subject to stricter rules due to its access to the public airwaves, which are limited in spectrum.
In anticipation of these complexities, SNL's executive producer, Lorne Michaels, had previously stated in an interview that he would refrain from featuring major political candidates like Trump or Harris on the show. “You can’t bring the actual people who are running on because of election laws and the equal time provisions,” Michaels explained to The Hollywood Reporter. He pointed out that having the main candidates without offering equal representation to all candidates would complicate the show’s format, especially since there are several minor candidates on the ballot in only a few states.
As the election approaches, the debate surrounding the Equal Time rule and its application continues to gain traction, highlighting the challenges media outlets face in navigating political content while adhering to FCC regulations. Carr’s comments underscore the ongoing scrutiny of how media appearances can influence public perception and electoral outcomes, particularly in a highly charged political environment.
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