New York ? A monthlong promotion blitz for two new books and a “Saturday Night Live” host gig couldn’t keep Al and Tipper Gore apart for long.

After a few painful moments apart, the lovebirds went into a 2 1/2-minute clench in an NBC corridor as cast member Jimmy Fallon and executive producer Lorne Michaels looked on uneasily.

“Maybe we should get them to stop,” Fallon said, moments before someone zapped the former vice president with a stun gun.

During the 90-minute show in which Gore was seldom absent from sight, the Democrat made sporting fun of his unsuccessful White House run in 2000.

He announced later Sunday that he would stay out of the 2004 race.

With wife Tipper, he had a session with positive-thinking guru Stuart Smalley (played by Al Franken), who counseled him not to be sad about his election loss.

“All I have to do is be the best Al I can be,” said Gore, reciting in a mirror the signature Smalley affirmation, “because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and, doggone it, people like me.”

Earlier, Gore told the audience how he chose his vice presidential running mate: Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and other hopefuls had to vie for his favor on a TV series similar to “The Bachelor.” (Lieberman, of course, got the proposal and the rose.)

Former Vice President Al Gore is surrounded by Latin talk show host character Rebecca, played by Maya Rudolph, her Chihuahua Gary and comedian character Poco

In a spoof of the MSNBC talk show “Hardball,” Gore portrayed Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, who in recent days has repeatedly apologized for remarks he made that seemed to support racial segregation.

“I meant no disrespect to any white people,” insisted Gore-as-Lott. “As long as I am in office, we will leave no white person behind.”

Then, in a spot taped while visiting the Oval Office set of “The West Wing,” Gore took his seat behind fictional President Bartlet’s desk and fantasized it was his.

With production wrapped for the day, Martin Sheen, who stars on “The West Wing” as Bartlet, invited Gore out for dinner.

“Can’t I just stay here?” Gore asked.

“Well, he DID win the popular vote,” said Bradley Whitford, Sheen’s co-star.