Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise visit to “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend. The show was in the middle of a skit parodying a CNN newscast when Harris appeared on screen alongside comedian Maya Rudolph. Rudolph is well known for her impressions of Harris on the comedy show.
The cold open sketch began with cast members impersonating political figures like former President Donald Trump and author J.D. Vance. In the skit, Rudolph’s version of Harris imagined what guidance she might receive as the first woman and first person of color running for president. Rudolph as Harris wished for advice from someone who understood her unique experience as a “Black South Asian woman from the Bay Area.”
Kamala Harris talks to Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/AJuW7aO7VM
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 3, 2024
In an unexpected twist, the real Vice President Harris then appeared alongside Rudolph in a mirrored scene. Harris told Rudolph “You got this because you can do something your opponent cannot do.
You can open doors.” The two jokingly discussed Rudolph’s famous impersonation of Harris’s laugh. By the end, Harris and Rudolph delivered the show’s catchphrase “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” in unison.
Vice President Harris’ appearance marked the first time a candidate from a presidential ticket has shown up on “Saturday Night Live” since 2008. The episode, hosted by comedian John Mulaney, also included impressions of President Joe Biden and other political figures.
John Mulaney's monologue! pic.twitter.com/u3pyC5CVPN
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 3, 2024
However, some criticized the cameo for potentially violating equal-time rules for campaigns close to an election. When asked later, Vice President Harris simply said the experience was “fun.”
