Kamala Harris Appears on 'SNL' with Maya Rudolph in Pre-Election Cold Open

Kamala Harris Appears on SNL with Maya Rudolph in Pre-Election Cold Open

Kamala Harris Appears on 'SNL' with Maya Rudolph in Pre-Election Cold Open

Vice President Kamala Harris surprised audiences with a cameo on the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), joining the cast just days before the upcoming election. In a lively cold open, Harris appeared side-by-side with her famous SNL counterpart, Maya Rudolph, whose impression of Harris has been a staple of the show. This moment was greeted with excitement by the live audience, marking a humorous yet politically charged moment as Election Day nears.

The skit played on the theme of Harris coming face-to-face with herself, with Rudolph as Harris saying, “I wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes—a Black, South Asian woman running for president. Preferably from the Bay Area.” With perfect comedic timing, the real Harris appeared across the table, leading to a loud cheer from the audience. The two "Kamala Harrises" shared humorous banter, with Harris expressing her support for herself with lines like, "You got this." This supportive moment humorously contrasted with Rudolph’s playful exaggeration of Harris’s iconic laugh, prompting Harris to ask with a laugh, “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?”

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In typical SNL fashion, the skit also poked fun at Harris’s political opponent, former President Donald Trump. Through exaggerated scenarios, such as portraying Trump struggling to open the door of a garbage truck, the writers aimed to spotlight recent political exchanges. Rudolph’s character encouraged Harris to “stop the chaos” and “end the drama-la,” weaving a playful rhyme around Harris's name that quickly became a highlight of the sketch. This back-and-forth between the two comedians delivered a unique blend of humor and political messaging, something SNL has often leaned into during election seasons.

Throughout the skit, Rudolph and Harris played off each other’s lines, even joking about the campaign’s uphill battles. With Rudolph concluding, “I’m going to vote for us,” Harris added her own quip by asking, "Any chance you’re registered in Pennsylvania?"—a subtle nod to the importance of swing states in this election. Rudolph’s character replied, “Nope, I am not,” capping the skit with SNL's classic line, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”

Harris’s appearance on SNL was not without controversy, however. Critics argued that it was a thinly veiled attempt to gain media attention just before Election Day, with some raising concerns about the fairness of her appearance on a public network so close to the election. Supporters of the Trump campaign were quick to criticize her SNL cameo, calling it a distraction from her record, while Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission suggested it might violate the Equal Time Rule, a regulation designed to ensure equal broadcast time for all political candidates.

This episode of SNL follows a long tradition of politicians making appearances on the show. Over the years, figures like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and John McCain have all made cameos, often adding a touch of humor to the political scene. Former President Donald Trump himself appeared on SNL in 2015 and even hosted an episode in 2004, underscoring SNL’s role as a satirical stage where comedy and politics collide.

With the election just days away, Kamala Harris’s SNL appearance added an extra layer of media presence, merging humor with subtle messaging. Whether seen as a lighthearted gesture or a strategic move, her cameo will likely be remembered as a memorable moment in the 2024 campaign season.

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