Staff Reports
The cold open of Saturday Night Live’s 50th season premiere didn’t waste any time jumping into the political fray, thanks to the comedic talents of Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey. In a sketch designed to poke fun at the current administration, Rudolph took on the role of Vice President Kamala Harris while Carvey channeled the befuddled President Joe Biden. The result was a juicy roast that served as a much-needed reminder of the absurdity taking place in the upper echelons of American politics.
Rudolph’s take on Harris kicked off with a campaign-style speech, complete with a Harris-Walz banner and all the awkwardness one might expect from the real-life vice president. As the scene unfolded, she chided the confused Biden—Carvey shuffled onto the stage with all the confidence of a man stumbling out of bed at noon. Carvey’s portrayal wasn’t just a caricature; it was a masterclass in how the leader of the free world sometimes seems utterly out of his depth.
Holy shit Dana Carvey crushed this two minute Joe Biden bit on SNL pic.twitter.com/TdGDIH36EC
— James Lynch (@jameslynch32) September 29, 2024
His impersonation highlighted Biden’s notorious pauses and stuttering speech patterns, mixing in a few lines that only a seasoned political comic could pull off. Carvey’s Biden lamented how people often forget he’s president, implying that this might not be as surprising as it sounds given the current state of affairs. Carvey cleverly transformed factual statements into a hilarious string of verbal hiccups and confused interjections, drawing laughs over the ridiculousness of modern governance.
Amidst his ramblings about passing more bills than any president in history—and let’s be real, does anyone actually keep tabs on those?—Carvey’s Biden dropped the classic line about the rich not paying their fair share, a trope that’s as cliché as it is contentious. He finished off with a throwaway punchline about building back better, an echo of Biden’s overused slogan that makes one question whether the administration is running a nation or just a really bad comedy routine.
When Rudolph pounced back into the spotlight to close the sketch, she continued mocking Harris with her exaggerated nervous laughter, effectively illustrating the vice president’s awkwardness during speeches. Carvey’s retort about “not wanting” to take over the presidency was pure gold, reflecting how the Democrats might just be regretting their choices as they watch the public’s approval ratings plummet faster than a lead balloon.
Overall, this SNL sketch was not just another skit; it was a sharp critique wrapped in comedy, demonstrating how even the brightest comedians can’t hide the dark humor of a struggling administration. Rudolph and Carvey managed to shine a spotlight on the very real concerns of the American public while also giving audiences a much-needed laugh at the clumsy antics of their leaders.
