<p>With the launch of Saturday Night Live Season 50, fans are actively celebrating the casting choices for the 2024 U.S. presidential candidates depicted on the show.
As the United States gears up for the 2024 presidential election season, finding humor and common ground can be a challenge. Thankfully, SNL has returned to the screen to address this need.
The series kicked off its first episode of Season 50 on September 28, introducing audiences to its cast who will portray key political figures throughout the season during its cold open.
The skit featured the return of SNL alum Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, alongside Andy Samberg making his first appearance as her husband Douglas Emhoff. One fan even claimed it was the “greatest casting in #SNL history.”
Rudolph has portrayed Harris on SNL since 2019, and fans commended her for perfectly capturing the vice president’s tone. One viewer noted on X/Twitter, “Oh my word… Maya Rudolph’s voice work of the @VP has gotten INCREDIBLE. I did a double take on some of those lines because it sounded SO much like her. #SNL.”
The cold open also showcased fellow SNL alumni Dana Carvey portraying current U.S. president Joe Biden, comedian Jim Gaffigan as Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, and current SNL cast members James Austin Johnson and Bowen Yang as Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, respectively.
While Samberg’s return to SNL generated significant buzz, many viewers applauded Yang’s casting, with one fan writing, “Whoever at SNL suggested Bowen Yang play J.D. Vance deserves a f**king raise.”
Similar to Rudolph, Johnson is also reprising his role as Trump, having taken over from actor Alec Baldwin, who portrayed the president during his time in office.
However, Johnson’s impression of Trump for this election cycle will differ significantly from past performances. SNL creator Lorne Michaels told The Hollywood Reporter, “James, who I think is brilliant, played Trump as the sort of diminished Trump. The guy at the back of the hardware store holding court, and that played because it felt relevant. But we are going to have to reinvent it again because, well, you saw the debate.”
All six actors will continue portraying these characters in upcoming episodes of Saturday Night Live leading up to the U.S. Election on November 5, 2024.
Leave a Reply