“SNL,” of course, kicks off its 50th season with a star-studded, cold frankness about politics

CNN
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“Saturday Night Live” kicked off its 50th season with an expectedly star-studded cold open that focused on the upcoming presidential election and lampooned the rallies of candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Maya Rudolph, reprising her role as Harris, joked that her campaign was not unlike Sabrina Carpenter's summer hit “Espresso” – “the lyrics are vague, but the mood is impressive.”

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

As Walz, Gaffigan emphasized the governor's strong reputation in Minnesota, joking at one point in his exuberant Midwestern accent, “That suit is from Costco.” It is a Kirkland brand. They make great dog food.”

Samberg, meanwhile, drew laughs with lines like, “I'm proud to join the esteemed list of presidential spouses throughout history, women and men – but they're all women.”

In the other half of the skit, James Austin Johnson reprized his role as Trump, speaking at a rally of his own in that role, while the crowd behind him slowly thinned as he entered the third hour of speeches.

Before introducing his running mate, Johnson, Trump quipped: “People say he was a bad choice, and in many ways he was.”

Actor Bowen Yang then appeared in the role of Senator JD 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, as did Vance.

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