The video above features the incredibly hilarious, spot-on Tina Fey plying Sarah Palin in her now infamous interview with Katie Couric. The sketch was supremely funny, mainly because it didn’t stray too far from the actual interview transcript. For instance check out this exchange on Russia:

POEHLER AS COURIC: “On foreign policy, I want to give you one more
chance to explain your claim that you have foreign policy experience
based on Alaska’s proximity to Russia. What did you mean by that?”

FEY AS PALIN: “Well, Alaska and Russia are only separated by a narrow
maritime border. (using her hands to illustrate) You got Alaska here,
this right here is water, and this is Russia. So, we keep an eye on
them.”

POEHLER AS COURIC: “And how do you do that exactly?”

FEY AS PALIN: “Every morning, when Alaskans wake up, one of the first
things they do, is look outside to see if there are any Russians hanging
around. And if there are, you gotta go up to them and ask, ‘What are you
doing here?’ and if they can’t give you a good reason, it’s our
responsibility to say, you know, ‘Shoo! Get back over there!’

POEHLER AS COURIC: “Senator McCain attempted to shut down his political
campaign this week in order to deal with the economic crisis. What’s
your opinion of this potential 700 billion dollar bailout?”

FEY AS PALIN: “Like every American I’m speaking with, we’re ill about
this. We’re saying, ‘Hey, why bail out Fanny and Freddie and not me?’
But ultimately what the bailout does is, help those that are concerned
about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy
to help…uh…it’s gotta be all about job creation, too. Also, too,
shoring up our economy and putting Fannie and Freddy back on the right
track and so healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reigning in
spending…’cause Barack Obama, y’know…has got to accompany tax
reductions and tax relief for Americans, also, having a dollar value
meal at restaurants. That’s gonna help. But one in five jobs being
created today under the umbrella of job creation. That, you
know…Also…”

POEHLER AS COURIC: “What lessons have you learned from Iraq and how
specifically, would you spread democracy abroad?”

FEY AS PALIN: “Specifically, we would make every effort possible to
spread democracy abroad to those who want it.”

POEHLER AS COURIC: “Yes, but specifically what would you do?”

FEY AS PALIN: “We’re gonna promote freedom. Usher in democratic values
and ideals. And fight terror-loving terrorists.”

POEHLER AS COURIC: “But again, and not to belabor the point. One
specific thing.”

(several seconds of FEY and POEHLER staring at each other)

FEY AS PALIN: “Katie, I’d like to use one of my lifelines.”

POEHLER AS COURIC: “I’m sorry?”

FEY AS PALIN: “I want to phone a friend.”

POEHLER AS COURIC: “You don’t have any lifelines.”

FEY AS PALIN: “Well in that case I’m gonna just have to get back to you!”

See, no real parody required…Palin’s actual words are hilarious enough.