Kamala Harris finds herself amid calls to 'end the drama-la in US politics' on 'Saturday Night Live' | US elections 2024

“I don’t really laugh like that, do I?”

“Uhhhhh, a little.”

Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, dropped out of the campaign and embraced her reputation as a “joyful warrior” with a surprise appearance on the television variety show Saturday Night Live.

Harris portrayed herself appearing in the mirror opposite actress Maya Rudolph, who first played her on the series in 2019 and has reprized the role this season.

The two wore identical black suits and pearls and exchanged variations of Harris' first name. They said Americans wanted to “end the drama-la” in politics “with a cool new stepmother-ala.”

Filmed in New York and celebrating its 50th season. “Saturday Night Live” has become a popular venue for politicians to show viewers — and voters — that they can overcome their own pomposity and laugh at themselves. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have all appeared in previous episodes.

This week's “Cold Open” featured Rudolph as Harris preparing for a speech in Philadelphia and chatting with his Vice President Tim Walz (Jim Gaffigan), Joe Biden (Dana Carvey) and husband Doug Emhoff (Andy Samberg).

Then, left alone with her thoughts, Rudolph said, “Gosh, I wish I could talk to someone who was in my shoes. You know, a black South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.”

She turned to what looked like a makeup mirror and saw the real Kamala Harris sitting across from her. The studio audience erupted in wild cheers and the two women laughed for half a minute.

Harris said with folded hands, “You and me both, sister.”

Rudolph said: “Nice to see you, Kamala.”

Harris responded, “It's good to see you, Kamala, and I'm just here to remind you: You got this.” Because you can do something your opponent can't do. You can open doors.”

This was a reference to Trump reaching for and seemingly missing the door of a garbage truck during a recent stunt. “I understand what you did,” Rudolph said. “Like a garbage truck, right?”

The actor then burst into an exaggerated laugh. Harris asked, “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?”

It was almost a repeat of a line from a 2008 episode when Hillary Clinton, running in the Democratic presidential primary, appeared alongside Amy Poehler, who played her with an exaggerated chuckle. The real Clinton asked, “Am I really laughing like that?”

Then Rudolph reached out, grabbed Harris' hand and gave her a pep talk. “Now Kamala, take my palm ala. The American people want to stop the chaos…”

Harris concluded: “And end the drama.”

Rudolph: “With a cool new stepmother. Get back in our pajama laser and watch a romantic comedy.”

Harris: “Like Legally Blonde-ala.”

Rudolph: “And start decorating for Christmas, fa-la-la-la-la. Because what do we always say?”

The couple then said in unison, “Stay calm and keep doing what you're doing.”

Rudolph added: “We know each other so well that we even finish each other…”

They said together, “Believe in the promise of America.”

Rudolph and Harris then stood together. Rudolph said, “I’ll vote for us.”

Harris replied: “Great. Is there any chance you're registered in Pennsylvania?” – referring to a crucial swing state in Tuesday's election.

Rudolph admitted, “No, I’m not.”

Harris mused, “Well, it’s worth a try.”

Together they then delivered the show's signature line: “And live from New York, it's Saturday evening!”

Harris made her first appearance on the show. “It was fun,” she told reporters on the tarmac before flying to Detroit, in the embattled state of Michigan.

Saturday's episode also featured Tim Kaine, a senator for Virginia who was Hillary Clinton's nominee in 2016, appearing in a skit in which a candidate couldn't remember who Kaine was. Musical guest, Chappell Roan, announced in September that she would vote for Harris.

Rudolph's performance was met with critical acclaim, including from Harris herself. “Maya Rudolph – I mean, she's so good,” the vice president said on ABC's The View last month. “She had the whole thing, the suit, the jewelry, everything!”

Harris follows a long line of politicians who want to show a looser side on Saturday Night Live, which airs on NBC. The first sitting president to attend was Republican Gerald Ford, who made his cold open debut in April 1976.

Then-Senator Barack Obama appeared alongside Poehler, portraying Clinton, in 2007, and Republican Bob Dole was on the show in November 1996 – just 11 days after he lost that year's election to Bill Clinton.

In 2008, Tina Fey shared a commemorative photo of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and joked, “I can see Russia from my house.” Palin herself appeared on the show in the weeks leading up to the election.

Trump hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 2015, sparking protests outside the studio and mocking his tendency to exaggerate and steer clear of political details. He also performed in 2004.