close
close

Maya Rudolph returns as “fun aunt” Kamala Harris with Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz

Saturday Night Live kicked off the premiere of its 50th anniversary season with a mix of political satire and star power, thanks to host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll.

The fans were eagerly waiting to see how SNL would address the upheaval among Democrats following President Biden's July 21 exit from the 2024 presidential race. The answer was blunt: Maya Rudolph's anticipated return as Vice President Kamala Harris and Jim Gaffigan's debut as Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, brought a perfect dose of Midwestern witty humor.

While the episode didn't focus on that too much SNLThere were nods and nods during the monologue for the 50th anniversary Weekend updatewhich also covered the biggest news of the summer – from the famous hippopotamus Moo Deng and New York Mayor Eric Adams' legal drama to the Harris-Trump debate and the Diddy criminal case.

But no need to worry, SNL Fans! You can expect a more extensive celebration with a three-hour primetime special set on February 15, while a biopic of the show starring Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase and Dylan O'Brien as Dan Aykroyd hits theaters this weekend.

In the meantime, here's a recap of last night's episode.

The 13-minute cold open introduced a new group of political figures: Maya Rudolph reprized her role as Harris, Jim Gaffigan debuted as Walz, Dana Carvey returned as Biden and Andy Samberg played second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Meanwhile, actors James Austin Johnson and Bowen Yang portrayed Donald Trump and JD Vance, respectively.

Andrew Dismukes, as ABC News anchor David Muir, kicked things off by watching each candidate's rallies.

“Well, your funny aunt has returned,” Rudolph’s Harris announced at the beginning. “I'm so happy to be campaigning in every swing state I'm in, which I'll just call Wisconsin-Pennsylv-Georgia because I'll protect your Va-Georgia.”

She added: “This election is about moving forward. You see, Donald Trump is stuck in the past, but it's like me saying to my husband Doug when he left his phone at Chili's, 'We're not going back!'”

Leaning into his “Big Dad Energy,” Gaffigan's Walz quipped, “I haven't been this excited since I got a 10% discount on a leaf blower from Menards.”

Rudolph always made people laugh: “My campaign is like the song 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter,” she joked. “The lyrics are vague, but the mood is striking.”

Samberg's Emhoff delivered a memorable line aimed at Republicans who have questioned his masculinity: “If supporting my wife means being a little spoon, then you can kiss my little butt.”

Johnson's Trump, meanwhile, lamented Biden's absence and said: “Oh, Joe, we miss Joe Biden.” What we wouldn't give if he was standing next to me and was old. We had it in the bag, but then they made a change.”

Yang's Vance chimed in with jokes about Trump's relationship with his children: “Trump told me, 'JD, you're like a son to me because I don't like you, but I'm sticking with you.'

The skit ended with Carvey's Biden mocking his lame-duck presidency, saying, “A lot of people forget that I'm president, myself included.”

On Weekend update At the desk, Colin Jost and Michael Che jumped straight into the 2024 presidential election and the indictment of Adams.

Jost highlighted Trump's recent rally, where the former president insulted Harris and quipped, “I can't believe Trump admitted he lost a debate to a mentally disabled person.”

The segment also featured Devon Walker as Adams, who defended himself against accusations of accepting lavish gifts by saying, “New York City needs me in first class.”

Bowen Yang starred as Moo Deng, a viral baby pygmy hippo from Thailand who laments the pressures of newfound fame. Jost compared Moo Deng's complaints to those of singer Chappell Roan, with Yang's hippopotamus character cheekily replying: “I'm 10 weeks old, Colin. Of course I know Chappell Roan.”

Che later mentioned rapper Diddy's charges of sex trafficking and extortion. Diddy's lawyer, Che, said he wasn't sure he could keep his client away from the trial if his case went to trial.

“Because you can’t stop a man from wearing so much baby oil,” Che joked. Jost then commented on how Diddy's lawyer tried to distance his client from R. Kelly, who was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking in 2021, adding: “First of all, it's never a good sign if you settle your client first. “ is R. Kelly. I have to agree, it's true: Diddy has nothing to do with R. Kelly at all. I mean, R. Kelly’s songs are good.”

“Ghost Halloween”

A commercial highlights Spirit Halloween's talent for taking over empty storefronts in low-income communities.

“100,000 Dollar Pyramid”

Walker shined as Michael Strahan, hosting a parody $100,000 pyramidwith Kenan Thompson's Mark Robinson taking the spotlight.

“I love Lucy”

Smart plays a dramatic actress who almost played the lead role I love Lucywhich hilariously shows how the 1950s sitcom would have faltered without Lucille Ball's comedic touch.

“Talk Talk”

Yang's Charli XCX hosts a bizarre, hilarious boiler room show with topical humor and Sarah Sherman as Troye Sivan.

Musical guest Jelly Roll performed “Liar” and “Winning Streak” from his upcoming 10th studio album. Beautifully broken. He was introduced by Smart and her Hacks Co-star Hannah Einbinder.

Oct. 5: Nate Bargatze with musical guest Coldplay

Oct. 12: Ariana Grande with musical guest Stevie Nicks

Oct 19: Michael Keaton with musical guest Billie Eilish

November 2nd: John Mulaney with musical guest Chappell Roan

You may also like...