Vice President Kamala Harris surprised audiences by making a guest appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live just before the 2024 presidential election. The unexpected detour took place during Harris’ campaign travels and added a unique entertainment aspect to her busy schedule. Alongside actress Maya Rudolph, who has been portraying Harris on SNL since 2019, the vice president engaged in a mirror sequence filled with characteristic wordplay, showcasing variations of her name like “Dramala” and “Palmala.” The episode, hosted by John Mulaney and featuring an array of talented performers like Dana Carvey and Andy Samberg, continued SNL’s tradition of including political figures in its sketches.
SNL has a long history of involving politicians, with the first sitting president to appear on the show being Gerald Ford in 1976. Since then, political figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have made memorable appearances, using the platform to engage with the public through satire. The relationship between politicians and their SNL counterparts has often sparked public interest, as seen with Tina Fey’s portrayal of Sarah Palin in 2008, which won her an Emmy. Rudolph’s portrayal of Harris has also received critical acclaim, with the actress returning for special guest spots to maintain continuity in her depiction of the vice president during significant political moments.
Harris’ appearance on SNL was part of a star-studded episode that featured talented performers like Maya Rudolph, Dana Carvey, and Andy Samberg, providing viewers with an entertaining and humorous break from the intense election season. The sketches included Harris engaging in wordplay and mirror sequences alongside Rudolph, showcasing the vice president’s playful side. The show’s history of including political figures dates back to the 1970s, with SNL providing a unique platform for politicians to engage with the public through satire and humor, blurring the lines between political reality and entertainment.
The episode, which aired live on NBC, marked the show’s return to new episodes after a brief hiatus, allowing audiences to enjoy the comedic sketches and performances. The program will also be available for streaming on Peacock, offering viewers the chance to rewatch the episode and catch any moments they may have missed. Harris’ surprise appearance on SNL added a fun and unexpected element to her campaign travels, showcasing her willingness to engage with the public in unique and entertaining ways during a crucial time in the election season.
Overall, Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live brought humor, entertainment, and a touch of lightheartedness to the final episode before the 2024 presidential election. The sketches, featuring Harris engaging in wordplay and mirror sequences alongside Maya Rudolph, added a playful and comedic element to the show, providing audiences with a memorable and enjoyable viewing experience. SNL’s history of including political figures in its sketches continued with Harris’ surprise appearance, emphasizing the show’s unique ability to engage with the public through satire and humor, all while blurring the lines between politics and entertainment.
