Philadelphia, PA – A Surprise Cameo from Vice President Kamala Harris on SNL
In a surprising turn of events, Vice President Kamala Harris made a special appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) during the show’s last episode before Election Day. This unexpected visit allowed Harris to give her fictional counterpart, played by comedian Maya Rudolph, some encouraging advice as the presidential election looms closer. “You got this,” Harris reassured her SNL counterpart.
The cold open kicked off with a humorous take on CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” parodying a Trump rally. The sketch swiftly transitioned to backstage, where it depicted a fictional Harris event in Philadelphia. After Andy Samberg (playing second gentleman Doug Emhoff) exited the scene, Rudolph, embodying Harris, went to a dressing-room table and reflected, “I just, I wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes, you know, a Black, South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.”
This season, Rudolph has donned the role of Harris multiple times, first making her debut in the skit during a Democratic primary debate in 2019. When the real Vice President Harris entered the scene, the two women appeared almost identical in their attire and styling. Harris replied, “You and me both, sister,” embracing the comedic moment. “It is nice to see you, Kamala, and I’m just here to remind you you got this because you can do something your opponent cannot do. You can open doors,” she continued from a set piece resembling a mirror.
The vice president later addressed a playful mimicry of her signature laugh by Rudolph. “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?” Harris asked, to which Rudolph humorously replied, “A little bit.”
Before the Vice President’s arrival, the episode included numerous cast members and guest appearances, including Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Dana Carvey portraying President Joe Biden. The appearance comes just days before the election and is part of Harris’s efforts to reach voters through relatable and engaging platforms. This strategy aligns with the campaign’s recent media blitz, which highlights her presence in less formal settings, like interviews targeted towards younger audiences.
Hosted by comedian John Mulaney—who has impersonated President Biden on prior shows—the episode also featured Chappell Roan as the musical guest. Roan stirred some controversy earlier concerning her voting decision, which she ultimately clarified by stating she would support Harris in the election.
SNL has a longstanding history of engaging with politics and has portrayed various political characters and events over the years. This season kicked off with sketches related to both President Biden and Trump. While impersonators often depict politicians on the show, real politicians don’t frequently make live appearances. However, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine also made a short guest appearance in a segment called “What’s the Name?” where he humorously asked contestants to identify him as Hillary Clinton’s former vice-presidential running mate.
During the sketch, Kaine playfully noted, “Hi, I was Hillary Clinton’s vice-presidential running mate. At the time you said it was the most important election in American history, and that democracy was on the line. It’s been less than eight years. What’s my name?” Neither Mulaney nor the contestants could offer a correct answer, showcasing the comedic nature of the skit.
In 2016, Trump also appeared on the show before officially entering politics, delivering a comical monologue alongside impersonators. This past Saturday’s episode not only highlighted Vice President Harris but also served as a reminder of the intersection of politics and entertainment as Election Day approaches.
