November 3rd 2024.
On a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, Vice President Kamala Harris surprised viewers by making an appearance. It was the last episode before the highly anticipated Election Day, and Harris had some words of encouragement for her on-screen counterpart, played by Maya Rudolph. As the show's cold open began with a parody of a Trump rally, it quickly shifted to a behind-the-scenes look at a fictional Harris event in Philadelphia. After the actor portraying Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, left the set, Rudolph approached a dressing room table and expressed her wish to talk to someone who has walked in her shoes as a Black, South Asian woman running for president. She specifically mentioned someone from the Bay Area, where Harris hails from.
To Rudolph's surprise, the real-life Harris walked into the dressing room and sat across from her, dressed and styled almost identically. This was not the first time Rudolph had played Harris on the show, having first portrayed her in a Democratic primary debate skit in 2019. The two women engaged in a humorous yet inspiring conversation, with Harris reminding Rudolph that she has the unique ability to open doors that her opponent cannot. As they chatted in front of a mirror prop, Rudolph even imitated Harris' signature laugh, to which the vice president jokingly responded, "I don't really laugh like that, do I?" Rudolph replied with a playful, "A little bit."
The surprise appearance by Harris was part of the campaign's media strategy to reach voters through various outlets, including interviews with popular podcast host Alex Cooper and radio personality Charlemagne Tha God. Harris' appearance on SNL came just days before the election, as she continued to be in a tight race with former President Donald Trump. The show's host for the night was comedian John Mulaney, who had previously portrayed President Joe Biden in a sketch. The musical guest, Chappell Roan, had faced criticism for being unsure of who she would vote for, but she eventually announced her support for Harris.
Saturday Night Live has a long history of poking fun at politics, and this episode was no exception. In fact, the show's 50th season began with a sketch featuring Harris and Trump holding dueling campaign rallies. While the show often features impersonators of political figures, it is not common for actual politicians to make appearances. However, this episode also featured Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who is up for reelection this year. He appeared in a sketch parodying a game show called "What's the Name?" where he asked the contestants to identify him. Mulaney, playing a contestant, was unable to answer the question correctly.
But it's not just current politicians who have made appearances on SNL. During his 2016 campaign, Trump himself delivered a monologue alongside two impersonators. However, this appearance was met with protests due to his controversial comments about immigrants at the time. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, also made a cameo as a bartender in a separate episode. And even former President Barack Obama made an appearance during his 2008 campaign, playing himself as a candidate.
In the world of SNL, politics and comedy often go hand in hand. As the show continues to provide a satirical yet entertaining take on current events, it remains a popular platform for politicians to make their mark and engage with audiences in a unique way. And as the country eagerly awaits the outcome of the election, this surprise appearance by Harris was a welcomed comedic relief during a tense and historic time.
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