“Saturday Night Live” kicked off a historic 50th season by having beloved show veterans join its contemporary talents to present a satirical view of the reenergized election season.
For the cold open, Maya Rudolph reprised her role as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. James Austin Johnson returned for his version of Republican foe and former President Donald Trump.
The sketch was a spoof of ABC News’ “World News Tonight With David Muir” as Muir, portrayed by Andrew Dismukes, attempted to redress his self-admitted bias during a presidential debate widely seen as a win for Harris.
“Is it just me, or is it handsome in here,” he said at the opening of the sketch.
Before introducing Harris, Muir said he’d give equal time to live coverage of rallies held by each candidate.
“The fun has been rebooted,” Rudolph’s Harris said. “Too fun, too furious.”
She reiterated one of her campaign’s slogans: “This election is about moving forward. See, Donald Trump is stuck in the past.”
Harris continued, “Like I say to my husband Doug when he leaves his phone at the Chili’s: We’re not gong back.”
Comedian Jim Gaffigan was introduced as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate.
After proclaiming his “big dad energy,” Walz explained why he wants to be vice president.
“I love this country, and as a former teacher I need the money,” he said, name-checking a big-box generic brand. “This suit is from Costco. It’s Kirkland brand.”
Show veterans Andy Samberg (as Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff) and Dana Carvey (as President Joe Biden) shared the stage with Rudolph.
Samberg’s Emhoff, who’s Jewish, said he will be proud to decorate the White House for Christmas, a tradition for spouses of presidents. “The theme will be Hanukkah,” he declared.
Bowen Yang portrayed Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio. He said the former president told him he reminds Trump of his own children.
“J.D., you’re like a son to me because I don’t like you and I’m stuck with you,” Yang’s Vance quoted Trump as saying.
Carvey’s Biden appeared senile, with sight and memory issues.
“A lot of people forget I’m president, including me,” he said.
Johnson’s Trump griped about Democrats changing their assumed nominee from Biden to Harris mid-race.
“I miss Joe Biden. Oh, Joe,” he lamented. “They did a switcharoo … and now everything is chaos. They’re eating the dogs,” he said, echoing a baseless claim about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Before joining Carvey’s Biden to announce the show-opening phrase “Live from New York …” together, Rudolph’s Harris expressed some hope that the chaos of election season will lead to benevolent calm.
“If we win, together, we can end the dramala and the traumala and go relax in our pajamalas,” she said.
The show’s political satire wasn’t limited to the White House.
Repertory player Devon Walker portrayed New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal corruption and bribery charges stemming from allegations that he took $100,000 worth of free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from wealthy Turkish nationals and at least one government official to favor Turkish interests in municipal government.
Adams has steadfastly denied the allegations. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, criticized prosecutors for bringing what he characterized as an unserious case to court, and he vowed to file for dismissal next week.
Walker’s Adams joined the “Weekend Update” news segment spoof and its co-anchor Michael Che for a conversation about the case.
“I am an innocent man,” he said. “What was once a swag-less dump is now a swagtropolis — with significantly more crime than before. I got crime off the streets and onto the sidewalk and the subway.”
Confronted with the allegation he may have traded favor with Turkish interests for lavish travel arrangements, Walker’s Adams said, “I love me some turkey, man. Have you ever had a Turkish delight? It’s a brief case with $100,000 in it. It’s delicious.”
The show was hosted by Jean Smart, who recently won a third Emmy for the Max comedy “Hacks,” with musical guest Jelly Roll performing.
“SNL” and NBC News are both owned by NBCUniversal.