FCC Commissioner blasts Harris’ SNL appearance as ‘clear and blatant effort’ to evade Equal Time rule

SUMMARY

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr condemned Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, calling it a “clear and blatant effort” to circumvent the FCC’s Equal Time rule. The Equal Time rule requires broadcasters to provide equal airtime to all qualified political candidates when one receives coverage, ensuring balanced media access. Carr argued that NBC structured Harris’s cameo with Maya Rudolph specifically to evade these requirements, which are meant to prevent a licensed broadcaster from favoring one candidate over another, especially on the eve of an election. Carr stated, “This is a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule,” emphasizing that the rule exists to prevent broadcasters from using public airwaves for partisan purposes. The appearance featured Harris urging viewers to support her on Election Day, intensifying Carr's criticism that NBC’s action could unfairly influence voters without offering equal time to opposing candidates.