‘SNL’: Maya Rudolph in Star-Studded Cold Open as Kamala Harris, James Austin Johnson Makes Debut as Trump for Season 50
Saturday Night Live returned for its 50th season this week with a political cold open and loads of guest stars. During the sketch, which addressed the upcoming presidential election as well, Maya Rudolph returned to her long-running VP role of Kamala Harris and James Austin Johnson portrayed former President Donald Trump.
If you can get a hold of it, the true highlight is Maya Rudolph playing Kamala Harris.
The standout of the night was Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris, nailing both wit and classic lines. Her biggest punch would be poking fun at Harris was under “how low energy her campaign was” set to Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song “Espresso,” jesting that its lyrics are vague, but the vibes slap.”
Guest-starring as Harris’s running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was Jim Gaffigan, this week. Gaffigan went as hard as he could into dad jokes and Midwest charm, going so far as riffing on his character to tell the audience, “This suit is from Costco. It’s a Kirkland brand. They make great dog food.”
SNL welcomed Andy Samberg back to introduce Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff. Samberg even roasted Emhoff on his continued respect for Harris: “I am honored to be the 2nd gentleman in American history, but not the last – second gentleman,” he joked.
With Dana Carvey also in the mix (as POTUS Joe Biden), it was a good ol’ comedy free-for-all. “Thank you, Joe… ” Harris began before Carvey-as-Biden interjected, “I didn’t want to do it, but they made me.
James Austin Johnson Destroys At Trump Impression
Meanwhile, James Austin Johnson brought back his Donald Trump impersonation, with all the characteristic hyperbolic intonation one would expect from such a character on the other side of the political spectrum. The sketch featured Trump appearing on stage at a rally — paroding his speeches that go on forever and comments about Harris’ race. Johnson, as Trump, replied: “They say that me blaming Democrats for violence is the pot calling the kettle black. I did not know the kettle was Black, but to be frank; I only knew recently. I was thinking it’s an Indian kettle and then she chose to play Black.
Bowen Yang appeared in the sketch as Trump’s vice president pick, Sen. JD Vance. In a hilarious sketch, Donald Trump announced Vance — courtesy of Johnson — in typical backwards fashion… “Some people are calling him a horrible choice, which is absolutely correct. JD, come on up.”
Yang, as Vance, joked: “Are we fans of Donald Trump yet? He said to me this very afternoon, ‘JD, you’re like a son to me because I don’t like you and I’m stuck with you.’ ”
Huge Special Guest Stars and Musical Acts
SNL brought in some major FaceTime on its season premiere. Obviously, comedian Jim Gaffigan, SNL alum Andy Samberg and comedic icon Dana Carvey have all helped revive this punchy cold open for their own satirical endsurrets.
Hacks and Mare of Easttown star Jean Smart hosted. The season premiere, which featured country singer Jelly Roll as musical guest, kicked off an electric first season.
Conclusion
Saturday Night Live kicked off its 50th season with a high-energy, politically charged cold open. Meanwhile, Maya Rudolph and James Austin Johnson were hilarious as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with guest stars popping in for added fun. As we enter an election year, one thing is certain: SNL will have no shortage of political sketches in the weeks to come.