CNN —
‘Saturday Night Live’ kicks off Season 50 with a predictably star-studded cold opening, focusing on the upcoming presidential election and mocking candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and a rally held by former President Donald Trump did.
Maya Rudolph, who reprises her role as Harris, joked that her campaign was not unlike Sabrina Carpenter’s summer hit “Espresso,” saying, “The lyrics are vague, but the vibe is slap.”
Rudolph was joined in the skit by three big-name guest stars: Jim Gaffigan as Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden. I went up on stage.
Gaffigan, who plays Waltz, touts the governor’s Minnesotan reputation, at one point joking in a cheerful Midwestern accent, “This suit is from Costco.” Kirkland brand. They make great dog food. ”
Samberg, on the other hand, drew laughter by saying, “I’m proud to join a list of respected presidential spouses throughout history, including both women and men, all of whom are women.”
The other half of the sketch featured James Austin Johnson reprising his role as Trump. Trump was speaking at his rally, and the crowd behind him gradually thinned out three hours into his speech.
Before introducing his running mate, Johnson said Trump jokingly said, “People say he was a bad pick, but in many ways he was.”
Cast member Bowen Yang then appeared, playing Senator J.D. Vance.
“How much do we love Donald Trump? Just this afternoon he said to me, ‘JD, you’re like a son to me, because I love you. Because I don’t like you and I’m stuck with you,” Bowen said, as Vance joked.
Jean Smart hosted the season premiere with musical guest Jelly Roll.
