The “SNL” season premiere features new impressions of Walz, Vance and Biden

“Saturday Night Live” is back to take on the 2024 presidential election with a flood of new impressions.

The NBC sketch show celebrated its 50th season premiere on Saturday, kicking off with a jam-packed opening sketch that featured Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.

Maya Rudolph was back as Vice President Kamala Harris, who held a parody-style campaign rally in the swing state. The show had a lot to cover, considering Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee during the “SNL” break after Biden dropped out of the election.

“Good, good, good,” declared Rudolph’s Harris. “Look who fell out of that coconut tree.”

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She continued: “My campaign is like the song 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter.” The lyrics are vague, but the mood is striking.

Gaffigan soon appeared as Walz, ending the mystery of who would play Harris' running mate on the series after Steve Martin turned down the role. “Guys, I haven't been this excited since I got a 10% discount on a leaf blower from Menards!” he announced. “What can I say? I have the BDE: Big Dad Energy.”

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

Another star wasn't far behind: Samberg, a former “SNL” cast member who first voiced his portrayal of Emhoff, Harris' husband. Samberg's Emhoff described himself as “Charlie Brown if he were an adult” and said he was proud to be added “to the esteemed list of presidential spouses throughout history, women and men – but all women – , who have stood at the president's side.” “I, for one, can't wait to decorate the White House for Christmas. The theme will be Hanukkah!”

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As the sketch showed former President Donald Trump's rally, James Austin Johnson's Trump introduced his running mate: Senator JD Vance, played by “SNL” cast member Bowen Yang. “People say he was a bad choice, and in many ways he was,” Johnson’s Trump said of Vance.

After taking the podium, Yang's Vance recalled Trump telling him, “JD, you're like a son to me because I don't like you and I'm stuck with you.”

The skit soon narrowed down to Harris' rally as another star took the stage: “SNL” alum Dana Carvey, who played President Joe Biden. “A lot of people forget that I'm president, myself included,” he said, also mocking Biden's tendency to frequently say “by the way” and “not kidding.” When Rudolph's Harris mispronounced Biden's name and thanked him for dropping out of the race, he responded, “I didn't mean to!” You made me!”

Jean Smart hosts 'SNL' premiere and jokes about her new Emmy for 'Hacks'

“Hacks” star Jean Smart hosted the “SNL” season premiere fresh off another Emmy win for best actress in a comedy series. “I didn't dress up and I had hundreds of people clapping for me within a few days,” she joked. Smart also sang a song about how much she loves New York, once quipping, “I saw Mayor (Eric) Adams on the news. I haven't read it. I’m sure there’s some good in it.”

The “SNL” season premiere features new impressions of Walz, Vance and Biden

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