According to The Washington Post, in a bid to engage voters beyond traditional political media, Vice President Kamala Harris made an unexpected appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL), airing this week in New York. Her cameo marked a climactic moment in a series of events designed to increase her visibility among voters who typically shy away from mainstream political content.
Harris joined the show’s “cold open,” a skit set in a dressing room ahead of a fictional Harris campaign event in Pennsylvania. As mentioned by The Washington Post, the sketch featured Maya Rudolph (Grown Ups, Big Mouth, Loot), a former SNL cast member known for her acclaimed portrayal of Harris, as she rehearsed lines in front of a mirror. Playing Harris, Rudolph lamented, “Gosh, I just wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes — you know, a Black, South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.” Cue the real Harris, who appeared to applause from the audience.
According to The Washington Post the two exchanged a series of witty remarks. Harris, encouraging Rudolph, said, “You’ve got this, because you can do something your opponent cannot do — you can open doors,” referencing former President Donald Trump’s recent difficulty opening the door of a garbage truck while campaigning. The duo continued with a playful exchange, making jokes about Harris’s first name. “Now Kamala, take my palm-ala,” Rudolph quipped, to which Harris responded, “And end the drama-la.” They closed their bit with, “Keep Kamala and carry on-ala.”
Rudolph declared, “I’m voting for us,” only for Harris to ask if she was registered in Pennsylvania — she wasn’t. Also mentioned by The Washington Post, this episode was part of SNL’s 50th season, was hosted by comedian John Mulaney (Big Mouth, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers) and featured musical guest Chappell Roan (Pink Pony Club, Casual, Hot To Go), who has refrained from making an endorsement in the upcoming election. SNL has drawn attention recently for its sketches parodying key figures from the presidential campaign, including James Austin Johnson (Better Call Saul, Inside Out 2, Fairview) as Trump, Dana Carvey (Wayne’s Worlds, Halloween II, The Master Of Disguise) as President Joe Biden, and Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Hot Rod, Lee) as Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff.
Johnson, Carvey, and Samberg all appeared in the night’s cold open before Harris’s reveal. Johnson, impersonating Trump, wore an orange vest as a jab at Biden’s criticism of Trump supporters—the sketch aimed to highlight the ongoing dynamics of the election, with humor targeting both sides.
According to The Washington Post, Harris’s stop in New York was a well-guarded secret, with many aides learning about the detour only when Air Force Two was redirected from North Carolina. Initially en route to Michigan for a campaign event, Harris’s team informed reporters mid-flight about the surprise landing. After her brief stint on SNL, Harris remarked to reporters that the experience “was fun” before heading off to campaign in Michigan on Sunday.
The vice president’s SNL appearance came in the critical final stretch of the election campaign, as both Harris and Trump have utilized nontraditional platforms to engage potential voters, as mentioned by The Washington Post. Harris has been featured on podcasts like Call Her Daddy and All the Smoke, which appeal to diverse and younger audiences. Trump has taken a similar approach, appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience and other platforms.
SNL has historically hosted political figures from both parties. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton made appearances while running for president, and Trump himself hosted the show twice, including once during his 2015 campaign. According to The Washington Post, Saturday’s episode also included a skit featuring Sen. Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 running mate, humorously highlighting the public’s fleeting memory of past political figures.
Harris’s SNL appearance underlines her campaign’s strategy to connect with voters in engaging and humorous settings, seeking to leave a lasting impact as the election nears.