In a surprise appearance, Vice President Kamala Harris made her first cameo on Saturday Night Live (SNL) for the pre-election special, sharing the spotlight with Maya Rudolph, who famously impersonates her. This was after weeks of savage Kamala Harris roasting by SNL, which many considered surprising and a thumbs down from SNL for the Democratic Candidate. The comedic exchange between Harris and Rudolph, celebrating SNL’s 50th season, was packed with witty references, providing a rare and humorous look at Harris’s public image as she embraced her “joyful warrior” persona.
Maya Rudolph, dressed identically to Harris in a sleek black suit and pearls, began the sketch by preparing to address an audience, only to glance in a mirror and find herself face-to-face with the real Kamala Harris. The live studio audience applauded as the two “Kamalas” exchanged playful quips and supportive words.
Throughout the scene, Kamala Harris and Maya Rudolph riffed on Harris’s nickname with a line that resonated with the audience: “Americans want to end the drama-la in politics.” Rudolph quickly added, “With a cool new stepmom-ala,” emphasizing the light-hearted approach SNL often takes toward politics.
Harris playfully addressed her infamous laugh ‘Kamala Cackle’, asking, “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?”—a nod to Rudolph’s exaggerated, trademark laugh that has become a fan-favourite since she first took on the role in 2019. The moment drew comparisons to a similar SNL scene in 2008 when Hillary Clinton, running in the Democratic primary, questioned Amy Poehler’s portrayal of her laugh. The show’s tradition of hosting politicians has long been an avenue for them to showcase their human side, and Harris’s cameo was no exception.
During the sketch, Harris encouraged Rudolph’s character, reminding her that she could “open doors” in a subtle dig at Donald Trump’s recent viral moment where he fumbled with a garbage truck door—a clear illustration of SNL’s penchant for turning political moments into satire. Rudolph responded with her signature laugh, prompting Harris to respond, “I see what you did there—like to a garbage truck, right?”
The two then linked hands, symbolizing unity, and delivered a playful “pep talk” for the nation, aiming to “keep calmala and carry on-a-la.” They closed with the classic SNL phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” which Harris joined with enthusiasm.
The episode highlighted Harris’s growing public persona as a relatable leader while showcasing her ability to laugh at herself. “It was fun,” Harris told reporters before departing for Michigan, an important battleground state in the upcoming election.
Harris’s appearance continues a longstanding tradition of politicians making memorable cameos on SNL. From Barack Obama’s scene with Amy Poehler’s Clinton to Donald Trump’s 2015 episode, the show has served as a strategic platform for political figures to connect with audiences beyond traditional media.
With her cameo, Harris leaned into humour and camaraderie, signalling a desire for a lighter, more optimistic political climate. The playful banter with Rudolph was a clever reminder to voters of Harris’s unique voice, with a dash of humour as the election season heats up.
