Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris surprised everyone by appearing on the iconic show Saturday Night Live (SNL). The episode tried to capture the lighter side of politics as Harris appeared opposite Maya Rudolph, who has famously impersonated her since 2019. This was the first time Harris appeared on the show and one of the final episodes before the election.
A Mirror Act: Harris and Rudolph in Perfect Sync
In a brilliant ploy, Harris and Rudolph shared a mirror moment. Dressed alike in black suits and pearls, they reflected on Harris’s reputation as a “joyful warrior” and joked about her approach to ending “the drama-la” in American politics. Their skit was full of witty wordplay, including lines like “cool new stepmom-ala” and “pajama-la,” which kept the audience laughing throughout. When Rudolph playfully asked if Harris laughed that way, she repeated a famous line from 2008, when Hillary Clinton said something similar about her laughter.
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A Campaign Trail Pep Talk
When Rudolph’s character was in the mirror, what she saw was Harris herself – which brought a lively studio audience to its feet. Harris gave a delicate reference to former President Donald Trump who had earlier recently missed the door of a garbage truck during his campaign stunt. The speedy response from Rudolph with her comeback was, “I see what you did there,” playing along with the joke.
Laughing with the Best of SNL’s Political Guests
From its 50 years of history, SNL has managed to host several politicians: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and even Donald Trump. The show has become an avenue through which politicians demonstrate a different side of themselves: down-to-earth, funny, and able to connect to the audience by using comedy. Harris followed in the footsteps of the likes of Gerald Ford, who set the record for the sitting president to grace SNL in 1976. Harris’s comedic timing as well as her ability to laugh at herself put her in the same class as past guests who’ve used the show to lighten their public image.
The Warm Welcome of Harris and Rudolph’s Chemistry
Throughout the skit, Rudolph and Harris showed their comedic chemistry. At one point, Rudolph reached for Harris’s hand, giving her a pep talk: “The American people want to stop the chaos … and end the drama-la.” They joked about going home to “watch a rom-com-ala” or decorate for Christmas with a cheerful “fa-la-la-la-la.” Together, they reminded the audience, “Keep calm-ala and carry on-a-la.”
A Classic SNL Moment for the Campaign History Books
For viewers, Harris’s appearance on SNL added a new page to the history of politicians as guest stars on the program. It showed them something about her that few see from voters. Maya Rudolph’s impression is certainly one of the most enjoyable of SNL’s more memorable political impersonations. For instance, Harris recently praised Rudolph for an amazing portrayal on The View. As Election Day is upon us, Harris’ cameo may have been just the ticket for viewers who otherwise find themselves caught up in all of the heat of the political campaign season.
