Surprise Appearance by Kamala Harris Energizes Saturday Night Live

Democrats enjoyed an excellent Saturday night. Firstly, a Selzer poll revealed an ideal scenario showing Vice President Kamala Harris leading former President Donald Trump by three points in Iowa, of all places. Following this, it was announced that Harris would make a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live, likely causing some irritation for Joe Rogan.

 

In the episode's cold open, Maya Rudolph, portraying Harris, expressed a desire for guidance as her campaign approached its final stages. "I wish I could talk to someone who's been in my shoes," she said, before sitting in front of a "mirror" reflecting the smiling vice president. The audience's laughter overshadowed Harris' initial line delivery, and both women sat there, admiring one another, as they endured nearly a minute of applause from the audience.

 

If the fictional Harris needed a motivational boost, she certainly received one. "I'm just here to remind you that you've got this," said the real Harris. "Because you can do something your opponent can’t: you can open doors." (For women, for history, for garbage trucks.) The two shared a hearty laugh. “Now, Kamala, take my palm-ala…” Rudolph said. There was a genuinely tender and warm connection between the two during their delightful exchange, as if Rudolph was channeling all her energy and positivity into the 60-year-old candidate for this final stretch. "Keep Kamala and Carry On-ala," they promised each other. Then Harris joined Rudolph on stage, and the two women stood side by side, dressed in matching black blazers with loose curls and tasteful, delicate two-strand necklaces. Rudolph couldn’t have asked for a better role, and Harris couldn’t have found anyone more fitting to portray her.

NL had an abundance of opportunities to highlight the energetic joy of Harris' campaign in contrast to Trump’s increasingly chaotic final days. James Austin Johnson portrayed Trump in his signature orange vest, rambling at a MAGA rally about his supposed right to protect women from their own choices. “That’s right, when you’re famous, they let you protect them,” he remarked. Johnson effectively conveyed Trump’s disdain for his work, his crowds, his schedule, the Midwest, and the microphone he couldn’t decide whether to take to bed or throw away. “The last time I hated a mic this much, I tried to have him killed. Pence!” he shouted. “Who cares, you don’t care, nobody cares.”

 

 

As election anxiety has everyone on edge, John Mulaney’s monologue provided a lighthearted, if forgettable, escape. Our six-time host is now a father of two young kids, surrounded by little ones and feeling the weight of his 42 years. “My brother called me in April. ‘Mom fell.’ I fell too! It hurt. I also tripped at an outdoor restaurant, and I’ve got a band-aid on my hand.”

 

The highlight of the night was the sketch “What’s That Name?”, featuring an unexpected star performance. Michael Longfellow took on the role of a stoic game show host, challenging Mulaney’s smug liberal contestant. Mulaney quickly named Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Special Counsel Jack Smith, explaining that the urgency of these unusual times informed his answers. However, he blanked when it came to Hillary Clinton’s running mate. (Honestly, when Tim Kaine first appeared, I momentarily thought he was Emhoff sporting a bit of campaign weight.) “You once said this was the most important election in American history, and that democracy was at stake,” Kaine remarked. “It’s been less than eight years.” His appeals took on an almost existential tone: “My name is still Tim. I exist. I’m a senator from Virginia.” Longfellow replied sweetly, “Of course you are.” If nothing else this Sunday, let’s take a moment to #remembertheirnames.

 

In a star-studded episode—looking sharp, Pete Davidson—Chappell Roan managed to shine brilliantly. Sporting a striking red wig reminiscent of Bride of Frankenstein, she began not with her popular single “Good Luck, Babe,” but with an earlier anthem marking her farewell to her old life in Tennessee. Initially, she appeared a bit nervous while performing “Pink Pony Club,” but she gained strength with each verse. By the final chorus, the studio audience was singing along, and she seized the moment to proclaim, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” Then, this vibrant performer premiered a new country song, which the internet affectionately dubbed “cuntry.” “All you country boys think you know how to treat a woman right. Well, only a woman knows how to treat a woman right!” What was the title of Roan’s new song on this final episode before the most important election in American history? “She Gets the Job Done.”