'SNL 50': Maya Rudolph returns to Emmy-winning Kamala Harris role
Saturday Night Live (SNL), the legendary NBC sketch comedy show, has rolled out its lineup of actors for the 2024 political season. The big reveal happened during the cold open of SNL's 50th season premiere on Saturday night. The new cast features Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, and Andy Samberg as Douglas Emhoff.
'SNL' cast members to portray Trump and Vance
SNL cast members James Austin Johnson and Bowen Yang will be impersonating Donald Trump and JD Vance, respectively. Before Johnson, Alec Baldwin famously portrayed the former US President. Going with Johnson for a revamped impersonation was hinted at by SNL creator Lorne Michaels in a recent Hollywood Reporter cover story where he discussed the need for reinvention of the show's Trump impression. Michaels praised Johnson's portrayal of a "diminished Trump," but acknowledged that another reinvention was necessary post-debate.
Rudolph's return as Harris and Gaffigan's casting as Walz
Maya Rudolph, the former SNL cast member who nailed her Harris impersonation and won an Emmy for it, is officially back on the show. Once Harris announced her candidacy, Michaels reportedly didn't think of anyone else. Although the actor-comedian did try to throw off viewers by denying reports of her return. The internet suggested lookalike Steve Martin for Walz, Harris's running mate, but Michaels cleared things up by saying they both agreed Martin wasn't the right fit for the role.
'SNL' Season 50 premiere: A mix of politics and humor
The Season 50 premiere of SNL was a perfect mix of politics and humor. Rudolph, stepping back into her role as Democrats's presidential candidate, kicked off the show with a clever quip: "Well, well, well, look who fell out of that coconut tree." And of course, Johnson was back as Trump, adding his own twist with, "I see you trying to leave, but the doors are locked."
