Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live” alongside Maya Rudolph during the last episode before the election. In the opening sketch, Rudolph, who regularly portrays Harris, lamented the chaotic state of the country before Harris appeared in the mirror, dressed identically, and reassured her that she could open doors that her opponent could not. The two continued to riff on Harris’ first name and shared a moment of camaraderie as they encouraged the American people to “keep calm-ala and carry on-ala.” The audience cheered as the two shared a laugh, and Sen. Tim Kaine also made a surprise appearance during a game show sketch where contestants had to name a famous person.
Harris’ cameo on “Saturday Night Live” brought her to New York, away from the battleground states she had been visiting in the final stretch of the campaign. Earlier that day, she had held a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, commented on Harris’ appearance on the show, remarking that “SNL” had been critical of her throughout the season. He also noted that Harris going on the show was a bold move, given its potential to be risky. When asked if Trump had been invited to appear on the show, Miller responded that he was unsure.
Harris has expressed admiration for Maya Rudolph’s portrayal of her on “SNL,” praising her mannerisms and depiction of Harris’ appearance. Both major party presidential candidates have made appearances on the show in recent years, with Trump hosting the show in 2015 and sparking protests from those opposed to his comments on undocumented immigrants. Hillary Clinton also made a cameo and impersonated Trump in a previous episode. Barack Obama made a cameo in 2007 during his run for the Democratic nomination, and Sarah Palin appeared just weeks before the election as the Republican vice presidential nominee.
“Saturday Night Live” and NBC News share the same parent company, NBCUniversal. The show has a long history of featuring political figures and creating parody sketches based on current events. Harris’ appearance on the show served as a moment of levity during the tense final days of the election campaign, providing an opportunity for her to connect with a wider audience and showcase her comedic side. Despite the potential risks of appearing on a popular television show, Harris’ cameo on “SNL” allowed her to engage in a lighthearted exchange with Rudolph and highlight her relatable qualities to voters.
