Former Gov. David Paterson hosted on his radio show Tuesday the man who mocked him for years on "Saturday Night Live."
Fred Armisen was a guest on Paterson's radio show on WOR 710 AM, and despite Armisen's past spoofs of Paterson, the two kept up a warm conversation, with Paterson introducing Armisen as "my friend Fred."
It was a stark difference in attitude toward the actor, whom Paterson slammed in 2009 for his portrayal of him. He said the show's continued parodies hurt disabled people not in a position to fight back.
But Paterson was able to get in a jab of his own in September 2010, when he made a surprise appearance on the show's "Weekend Update" segment. He interrupted cast member Fred Armisen, who was in character as the governor, and joked that being governor is a lot like "Saturday Night Live."
He said "there are a lot of characters, it's funny for 10 minutes and then you just want it to be over."
Paterson and Armisen reflected on that cameo Tuesday.
"To be in any way associated with that TV show was a big thrill for me," said Paterson.
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"It was a thrill for everyone there," responded Armisen. "It was a delight."
He added later, "You did a great job. You won just by being there. The moment you rolled out there, you did it."
Armisen has backed off the Paterson parodies since the governor left office but the political sketches haven't stopped: in last week's episode of "SNL," Armisen impersonated Mayor Bloomberg, mock-touting the Occupy Wall Street protest gatherings as a perfect opportunity for tourists to visit.
Paterson and Armisen, too, remarked on the radio show that the gatherings, a short distance away from the radio station, have become something of an attraction.
