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“SNL,” of course, kicks off Season 50 with a star-studded candor about politics

“SNL,” of course, kicks off Season 50 with a star-studded candor about politics

Vaseline 2 weeks ago



CNN

“Saturday Night Live” kicked off Season 50 with a predictably star-studded cold open that focused on the upcoming presidential election, making fun of the rallies of candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Maya Rudolph, reprising her role as Harris, joked that her campaign wasn’t unlike Sabrina Carpenter’s summer hit “Espresso”: “the lyrics are vague, but the atmosphere pops.”

Rudolph was joined on stage during the skit by three major guest stars: Jim Gaffigan as Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.

As Walz, Gaffigan played up the governor’s reputation in Minnesota, at one point joking in his buoyant Midwestern accent: “This suit is from Costco.” It is a Kirkland brand. They make great dog food.”

Samberg, meanwhile, laughed off statements like: “I am proud to be part of the esteemed list of presidential spouses throughout history, women and men – but they are all women.”

The other half of the sketch saw James Austin Johnson reprise his role as Trump, speaking in the piece at a rally of his own, as the crowd behind him slowly thinned out as he entered his third hour of speaking.

James Austin Johnson as Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, right, and Bowen Yang as vice presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance during the cold open of 'Saturday Night Live' on September 28.

Before introducing his running mate, Johnson said, as Trump joked, “people say he’s a bad choice, and 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 don’t like you and I’m stuck with you,'” Bowen joked.

Jean Smart hosted the season premiere with musical guest Jelly Roll.