By JAKE COYLE
AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – Appearing as President Bush on the primetime edition of “Saturday Night Live,” Will Ferrell offered his political “strategery” to Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin.

Ferrell reprised his famed impression of the president on the live “Weekend Update” special Thursday to give an “impromptu” evening address to the nation. He spoke about the election between John McCain and Barack Obama ó both candidates, he said, that are “heavily patriotized” and “display much characterization.”

He then gave his endorsement to McCain and Palin, something that they apparently didn’t want. Ferrell said he was unaware that his approval ratings were low because he had several months ago declared the Oval Office a “bummer free zone.”

Speaking to Fey again appearing as Palin, Ferrell informed her that her role as vice president was “the most important in the land” and that the “president can do nothing without checking with the vice president.” Fey corrected him that he had it backward.

Eventually Darrell Hammond as McCain turned up to reluctantly receive the endorsement.

The sketch between Ferrell and Fey was the meeting of the two of the most popular political impressions in the show’s history. It might have been complete only if Chevy Chase stopped by as Gerald Ford, Dana Carvey appeared as H.W. Bush and Amy Poehler joined as Hillary Clinton.

An alum to the NBC comedy show, Ferrell was the latest guest star to make an appearance on “SNL,” which has seen its ratings soar this election season. Fey has become a virtual cast member again, thanks to the popularity of her Palin impression, while other surprise guests have included Chris Parnell, Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and Queen Latifah.

Ferrell, a regular on “SNL” from 1995-2006, will in January begin a solo show on Broadway titled “You’re Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush.”

A regular episode of “SNL” will air Saturday with Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) hosting and musical guest Coldplay.

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