Vice President Kamala Harris surprised everyone with an unannounced trip to New York to appear on “Saturday Night Live” just days before the election. She took a break from campaigning in battleground states and hopped on Air Force Two after a campaign stop in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although the plan was to head to Detroit, the aircraft changed its course to New York.
Harris’ appearance on SNL was kept under wraps, but three insiders confirmed the news. She was set to make her appearance on the final episode before Election Day. The role of Kamala Harris on the show has been played by Maya Rudolph, who first portrayed her in 2019 and continued this season with a spot-on impersonation, even calling herself “Momala.” Rudolph’s performance has received praise from critics and viewers, including Harris herself who commended Rudolph’s attention to detail in capturing her mannerisms.
SNL has a long history of featuring politicians, with former President Donald Trump having hosted the show in 2015. Other notable appearances include Hillary Clinton in 2008, Barack Obama in 2008, and Bob Dole in 1996. Tina Fey’s portrayal of Sarah Palin in 2008 was so iconic that she won an Emmy award for it. Palin even made an appearance on the show that season.
The tradition of politicians appearing on SNL dates back to the show’s early days, with Gerald Ford being the first sitting president to make an appearance less than a year after the show premiered. The show’s famous opening line, “Live from New York,” was declared by Ford during his appearance in 1976.
As SNL continues to be a platform for political satire and commentary, Harris’ appearance adds to the show’s legacy of featuring prominent political figures. Viewers can look forward to seeing how the show tackles the current political landscape in the lead-up to the election. Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights from the world of entertainment and politics. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news directly to your inbox.
