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Kamala Harris’ “SNL” cold opener is more than funny

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Kamala Harris’ “SNL” cold opener is more than funny

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The October surprise came in November.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, made a somewhat surprising appearance on “Saturday Night Live” three days before the election. It was less surprising when the New York Times, Associated Press, NBC and other media outlets reported Saturday evening that it would appear.

And it was pretty cool, made even more so by the clearly emotional reaction of Maya Rudolph, a former “SNL” cast member who returned to play Harris in the show’s 50th season. Rudolph is a professional; She never broke character, but she smiled through apparent tears as she sat across from the vice president, visibly moved.

Kamala Harris (the real one) appeared in the “SNL” cold open

The appearance took place during the show’s cold opening with the usual cast of political characters – James Austin Johnson played Donald Trump, who lost the plot at a rally in Pennsylvania, Bowen Yang played JD Vance, Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden, Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz and Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff. Rudolph’s Harris was preparing to give a speech and told Samberg’s Emhoff she needed a moment to herself to prepare.

She sat down in front of a mirror and said, “God, I just wish I could talk to someone who was in my shoes, you know? A Black South Asian woman running for president — preferably from the Bay Area.”

The camera changed angles and there was the real Harris staring back at her. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause that lasted several seconds, and Rudolph grinned from ear to ear and took a deep breath to calm himself. When the applause died down, Harris said, “You and me both, sister.”

Maybe it will get some votes for Harris, maybe not. But it was a really nice TV moment.

The two made a few jokes, after one of which Rudolph laughed like Harris.

“I don’t really laugh like that, do I?” Harris said.

“Hahaha. “Uh, a little bit,” Rudolph said.

Later, Rudolph and Harris stood together. “I’ll vote for us,” Rudolph said.

“Great!” Harris said. “Is there any chance you are registered in Pennsylvania?”

Together they sang the show’s opening line: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”

You could practically hear Trump fuming.

Harris’ “SNL” appearance was more important than funny

Harris campaigned in North Carolina and Georgia earlier Saturday. But the appearance on “SNL” was another example of both candidates embracing non-traditional media, particularly podcasts. Trump appeared on “The Joe Rogan Experience” and Harris was a guest on “Call Her Daddy,” among other shows.

It’s not the first time a presidential candidate has appeared on the show. It’s not even the first time that one of this year’s two candidates has appeared. Trump hosted in November 2015, but at the time he was one of several Republican candidates announced a year before the 2016 election. Hillary Clinton also appeared that year when she was one of the Democratic presidential candidates. Barack Obama appeared in 2007.

None of these appearances took place three days before an election. It was a major coup for Harris. Trump and his supporters will almost certainly complain that “SNL” isn’t funny anymore (which everyone has been saying since the show started), that no one is watching anymore (5.6 million in the October 12 episode), that the election is manipulated (knee-jerk reaction). ).

Was it funny? Something. It seemed more important than humor, another avenue for candidates to pursue in a race that was too predictable. Here too, the effectiveness is questionable; We’ll find out on Tuesday.

But if nothing else, it showed that you could certainly do worse than have Maya Rudolph by your side.

Opinion: The wildest moments of a chaotic, often vulgar presidential election

Reach Goodykoontz at [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X: @goodyk. Subscribe the weekly film newsletter.

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