Saturday Night Live aired its first of three Thursday night specials last night, and the results were pretty good. A skit making fun of Tuesday’s debate was enjoyable, even if it didn’t reach the instant-classic levels of last Saturday’s vice presidential sendup. Plus, a double segment of Weekend Update was for the most part funny, despite another tiresome Will Forte singing piece. In case you missed any or all of the special, check out the video above. It’s the whole episode for your viewing pleasure.

In a campaign littered with ridiculous controversies, here’s one that ranks near the top of the pack in terms of sheer silliness. The issue at hand: Newsweek’s un-retouched cover of Sarah Palin. According to Republican media consultant Andrea Tantaro, the brutal close-up image is a “clear slap in the face at Sarah Palin,” especially when compared to some of the more glowing, halo-filled covers of Barack Obama. She may have a point that Newsweek has a liberal bent, but when complaining about it on Fox News of all places, she kind of loses her right to cry media bias. Nevertheless, it’s a fun vid to watch, if only to see Andrea get so steamed in the face of the most idiotic debate of the day.

Saturday Night Live has been on a much publicized role with its coverage of this fall’s campaign season, and that’s mostly thanks to Tina Fey’s instant classic take on Sarah Palin. Last night’s episode proved no exception with a razor-sharp opening skit that skewered not only Palin, but Joe Biden and even Gwen Ifill (played gamely by Queen Latifah). And as an added bonus, the writers brought their A-Game the entire episode, with almost every skit being very funny (there were a few duds, but even those brought some laughs). Hopefully now we can finally extinguish that regrettable Michael Phelps installment…

Well, the political conventions of 2008 are coming to a close tonight, and as we speak, John McCain is addressing his followers. Fun times had by all, especially The Daily Show…