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Maya Rudolph returns as Kamala Harris in the star-studded “SNL” cold open

“Saturday Night Live” returned for its 50th season over the weekend and brought back some “SNL” veterans for the premiere.

Jean Smart made her debut as host of the late-night sketch comedy show on the September 28 episode alongside Jelly Roll, her first musical guest.

The milestone season brought changes and additions to the series' cast and brought back some familiar faces to portray key figures in the upcoming election, including Maya Rudolph doing her impression of Vice President Kamala Harris.

The episode began with a cold open, following the competing campaign appearances of Harris and former President Donald Trump.

After a summer of online debate over who would portray Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on “SNL,” Jim Gaffigan took on the role alongside “SNL” alums Andy Samberg as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.

When Gaffigan joined Rudolph on stage as Walz, he joked that he had “BDE,” even though his definition of the slang term meant “big dad energy.”

“When Kamala Harris called me and asked me to be her vice president, I said, 'Uh, yeah!'” the comedian added. “This is personal for me. I love this country and as a former teacher I need the money. This suit is from Costco. It’s a Kirkland brand!”

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris and Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz against a blue background.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan loved Tim Walz's “big dad energy” during the “SNL” cold open.Will Heath/NBC

Samberg took the stage as Emhoff to the song “Teach Me How to Dougie” and talked about how happy he was to support his wife.

“I am proud to join the esteemed list of presidential spouses throughout history — women and men, but all women — who have stood by the president,” Samberg said. “And I for one can’t wait to decorate the White House for Christmas. The theme will be Hanukkah.”

The cold opening resulted in a switch from the Harris rally to the Trump rally, which was “entering its third hour.” Actor James Austin Johnson brought back his Trump impression for the occasion alongside Bowen Yang as JD Vance.

Johnson scoffed at criticism of Trump's vice presidential running mate, noting: “People say he was a bad choice, and in many ways he was.”

“How much do we love Donald Trump?” Yang said later in the cold open. “Just this afternoon he told me, 'JD, you're like a son to me because I don't like you and I'm stuck with you.'”


Bowen Yang as JD Vance and James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump are on stage.
Bowen Yang took on JD Vance, while James Austin Johnson brought back his impression of Donald Trump in the cold open of the season premiere.Will Heath/NBC

Carvey debuted his Biden impression toward the end of the cold open, feigning disorientation the entire time as he slowly walked toward the podium. He was later seen walking back and forth behind Rudolph as she resumed her place on the podium.

After Rudolph thanked Carvey's Biden for “putting the country first” and “handing over the reins,” he chimed in: “I didn't want that! They made me.”

Maya Rudolph is on stage with Dana Carvey.
Dana Carvey debuted on “SNL” as Joe Biden, years after portraying former President George HW Bush while he was still a member of the series.
Will Heath/NBC

After Walz was chosen as Harris' candidate in the upcoming election, the Internet had in mind the name of an actor to portray the governor on “SNL”: Steve Martin.

However, the Only Murders in the Building star told the Los Angeles Times in August that he turned down the role after it was offered by Lorne Michaels.

“I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin explained. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. “You need someone who can really nail the guy. “I was chosen because I have gray hair and glasses.”

Martin also noted that the role is “ongoing,” adding, “It's not like you do it once and get applause for it and never do it again.” Again, they need a real impressionist to do that. “

“You’re going to find someone who’s really, really good,” he said. “I would fight.”

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