Staff Reports
The spectacle of the Al Smith charity dinner was somewhat overshadowed this year by the glaring absence of Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead of bringing her vibrant personality to the stage, she opted for a pre-recorded video, perhaps aware that a live appearance might expose her comedic chops—or lack thereof. Instead of charm, viewers were treated to an awkward skit featuring actress Molly Shannon reprising her old Saturday Night Live character, the clumsy Mary Katherine Gallagher. This choice must have left many scratching their heads, wondering if the decision-makers behind Harris actually believed this would resonate with the audience.
In the video, Harris opened with a serious tone, speaking about the importance of setting aside partisanship. But before she could finish her somber introduction, things took a turn for the strange as Shannon’s character barged in, doing her best impression of someone perpetually surprised by life. The result was painfully awkward, akin to watching someone attempt stand-up comedy in front of a brick wall. Harris, seemingly incapable of playing along, delivered her lines with all the charisma of a sleeping sloth, which is perhaps not the best approach when humor is supposed to be on the agenda.
Kamala’s bit for the Al Smith dinner is so cringe i couldn’t even watch the full thing 🤢 pic.twitter.com/BTCo4YK70h
— foundingfathersknewbest (@exposingtheWEF) October 18, 2024
Shannon’s character, in a transparent bid to wring some laughter from the situation, threw out a bizarre line about Catholicism and the significance of the evening’s dinner. However, the humor fell flat faster than a lead balloon, and many likely wondered if this was their cue to check their phones for something more entertaining, like watching paint dry. The comedic possibilities appeared particularly limited, as Kamala herself tried to sprinkle some humor into her speech about election integrity and the Ten Commandments. The joke, if it could even be called that, seemed like a desperate attempt to weave a narrative that was simply not connecting with anyone.
The awkwardness reached its peak as Harris pressed on, seemingly oblivious to the bemusement around her. Instead of a clever quip or a witty recollection, there was only a stilted conversation that made everyone question if any actual comedy was even happening at the charity dinner. By the time it ended, the audience members likely regretted not investing their time in an actual comedy show instead of the poor propulsion of nostalgia combined with cringe.
The official excuse for Harris’s video appearance was a “scheduling conflict,” but anyone who witnessed the train wreck that unfolded could clearly sense the underlying truth. It’s no secret that humor is an elusive art form, and Harris, with her impressive ability to give a speech off a teleprompter, failed to bring the laughs. Even seasoned comedians like Jim Gaffigan struggled with the material laid out for them that evening, showcasing how challenging it can be to deliver pre-scripted jokes. In comparison, former President Donald Trump was likely polishing his comedic gold while the vice president’s team was scrambling to sift through the rubble of a failed skit.
In the end, Kamala Harris’s failed attempt to inject humor into her video feels like a reflection of her overall political presence—clumsy and disconnected from her audience. If the intent was to endear herself to the public through comedy, it missed the mark completely. Rather than winning over hearts with laughter, she instead left viewers with an unforgettable reminder of why many Americans aren’t laughing alongside her. What started as an effort to showcase humor turned into a masterclass in how not to engage an audience.
