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Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph returned to play Kamala Harris on the premiere of Saturday Night Live (SNL)'s 50th season on September 28, 2024. The episode kicked off with a cold open featuring Rudolph's Harris, who was joined by her running mate Tim Walz, played by Jim Gaffigan.
"Well, well, well. Look who fell out of that coconut tree. Well, your fun aunt has returned," Maya began.
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As Maya's cold open went viral, internet users were quick to praise her performance. One person said on X (formerly Twitter):
"Her vocal impersonation is scary accurate wtf."
Many commented on the uncanny resemblance between the two, one even stating she's the GOAT (greatest of all time).
"That's not Maya Rudolph. That's Kamala Harris of the Alternate Universe," one person commented.
"Maya Rudolph really a GOAT at this comedy thing lol," another person wrote.
"this is so uncanny like if you close your eyes it's literally her," another person wrote.
Despite the many praises, there were a few who found the skit a "cheap attempt at comedy."
"Maya Rudolph’s acting abilities will never not amaze me," another fan stated.
"The voice, the intonation, the mannerisms… gagged," another person added.
"I watch every SNL clip with a pure heart and an open mind but time and time again I am unmoved by their cheap attempts at comedy," one X user commented.
"This election just got more annoying," one person said.
In addition to Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, and Dana Carbe were part of the skit
The recent episode of SNL featured Golden Globe-winning actor Jean Smart as the guest host, with Tennessee-born singer Jelly Roll serving as the evening's guest musician.
As the Democratic presidential candidate, Maya Rudolph joked:
"I am so happy to be campaigning in whatever swing state I’m in, which I will just refer to as Wisconsin-Pennsylv-Georgia because I am going to protect your Va-Georgia."
Rudolph is referencing Harris' political stance about abortion laws and women's right to their own bodies. She also quipped about the current Vice President's Republican opponent, Donald Trump, stating he's stuck in the past. She added:
"It’s like I say to my husband Doug when he leaves his phone at the Chili’s... ‘We are not going back!’"
Maya welcomed Jim Gaffigan on stage as her running mate, Tim Walz, and later brought on Harris' husband Doug Emhoff, played by Andy Samberg, on stage. Samberg's Emhoff joked that they call Kamala, Mamala at home. He also expressed his excitement to decorate the white house for Christmas, stating that the theme would be Hanukkah.
James Austin Johnson returned to his role as Donald Trump, with Bowen Yang playing the latter's running mate, JD Vance. Dana Carvey portrayed President Joe Biden.
"Thank you for putting country first and call handing over the reins," she told Biden.
To which he replied that he "didn't want to" and that "they made him do it." This is not the first time SNL featured an impersonation of various politicians. This includes Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Sarah Palin.
Maya Rudolph's SNL episode is currently streaming on NBC.
