Harris Mirrors Maya Rudolph on ‘Saturday Night Live’ Amidst Election Frenzy

NEW YORK (AP) — In a surprising appearance just days before the presidential election, Kamala Harris joined “Saturday Night Live” as a guest, playing herself alongside Maya Rudolph, who has become well-known for her impersonation of the Vice President on the show. This unexpected visit took place during the final days of the campaign and was part of Harris’s strategy to engage with a wider audience.

As the two women sat across from each other, clad in identical outfits, the audience erupted in cheers, nearly overwhelming Harris’s opening lines. With a broad smile, she recognized Rudolph, saying, “It is nice to see you, Kamala,” and added, “And I’m just here to remind you, you got this.”

In an amusing synchronized moment, both candidates encouraged supporters to “Keep Kamala and carry-on-ala,” proclaimed their shared belief in the “promise of America,” and delivered the classic, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” The segment aimed at energizing voters just before the crucial election.

Harris had made a quick trip from Charlotte, North Carolina, en route to Detroit, to show up on the NBC sketch show. Her campaign team only confirmed this appearance moments before it went live, highlighting the spontaneity of the visit.

Arriving at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan shortly after 8 p.m., Harris had enough time for a quick rehearsal before the live broadcast at 11:30 p.m. Notably, it was the last episode of “SNL” before Election Day. After the opening segment, she quickly left to continue her campaigning, casually telling reporters, “It was fun!” as she headed back to her plane for Michigan.

The show, hosted by John Mulaney, shifted its focus away from politics with musical guest Chappell Roan and did not address the election during the broadcast. Some anticipated Roan might use her platform to make a political stance, particularly since she has previously criticized the Democratic Party. However, she simply performed her song “Pink Pony Club” amid a vibrant all-pink set without any political remarks.

Additionally, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., made a surprise appearance in a comedic sketch where contestants struggled to remember him, despite his role as Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 election, humorously asking, “What’s my name?” as he received blank stares.

Rudolph, who first portrayed Harris on the show in 2019, continued to impress audiences with her impressions this season, including the affectionate nickname “Momala,” given to Harris by her stepchildren. Fellow former cast member Andy Samberg also made an appearance, portraying Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, while comedian Jim Gaffigan took on the role of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate. Dana Carvey, famous for his portrayal of President George H.W. Bush in the late ’80s, represented President Joe Biden.

Rudolph’s portrayal has received significant praise, even from Harris herself, who acknowledged, “Maya Rudolph — I mean, she’s so good. She had the whole thing, the suit, the jewelry, everything!”

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, expressed surprise at Harris’s “SNL” appearance, pointing out the likelihood of her less-than-flattering portrayal, while noting that it was unclear whether Trump was invited to join the show.

Politicians have a long-standing history with “SNL,” including Trump’s hosting in 2015, although making an appearance so close to Election Day is relatively uncommon. Hillary Clinton notably appeared during the 2008 Democratic primary with Amy Poehler’s impersonation and returned in 2016 amidst her campaign against Trump.

Historically, the show has hosted several political figures, including Gerald Ford, who was the first sitting president to appear on “SNL” in April 1976. Barack Obama made an appearance alongside Poehler’s portrayal of Clinton in 2007, while Bob Dole contributed to the humor just days after losing to Bill Clinton in 1996.

In summary, Harris’s unexpected “Saturday Night Live” cameo cleverly aimed to engage and motivate potential voters during a crucial campaign period amidst a playful and celebratory setting.

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Long, Miller, and Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed to this report.