Chris Matthews: Tina Fey's Sarah Palin 'The Greatest Impression Ever'

May 10th, 2011 12:01 AM

As NewsBusters previously reported, NBC's Tina Fey once again impersonated former Alaska governor Sarah Palin while guest hosting this weekend's "Saturday Night Live."

The Palin-hating media were as usual enthralled by Fey's performance, with MSNBC's Chris Matthews actually saying on Monday's "Hardball," "This has got to be the greatest impression ever" (video follows with transcript and commentary):

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Up next: Tina Fey brings Sarah Palin back to "Saturday Night Live." This has got to be the greatest impression ever. I mean, sometimes -- I’m not going to talk about it anymore. It’s -- she’s so good.

You’re watching HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.

MATTHEWS: Back to HARDBALL. Now to the "Sideshow." First up: She’s back.

On this weekend’s "SNL," Tina Fey returned to her role as frontierswoman/presidential candidate Sarah Palin

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE")

TINA FEY, ACTRESS: It is just so great to be back on FOX News, a network that both pays me and shows me the questions ahead of time.

(LAUGHTER)

FEY: And I just hope that, tonight, the lamestream media won’t twist my words by repeating them verbatim.

(LAUGHTER)

FEY: As for boning up on experience and policy, I’m planning a trip to the Middle East, where I will be filming a cameo in "Hangover 3," the third "Hangover."

(LAUGHTER)

FEY: The fellows go to bar, and I’m there.

(LAUGHTER)

FEY: I also recently purchased Rosetta Stone English.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

FEY: I want to acknowledge that, this week, we finally vanquished one of the world’s great villains. And I for one am thrilled to say good riddance to Katie Couric.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEWS: Wow, one of the great send-ups in TV history, I would say.

Greatest evuh?

Better than some of Rich Little's fabulous impressions? Or Dana Carvey's? Or Frank Caliendo's? Or Frank Gorshin's?

I think not!

As for Fey, she shouldn't find Matthews' praise all that flattering. Earlier in the show he said last week was the greatest week ever for the country.

The "Hardball" host appeared full of totally meaningless superlatives Monday - amongst other things, that is.