Saturday Night Live Season 50 Premiere Delivers Political Humor

On the evening of September 28, 2024, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) made an attention-grabbing return for its 50th season premiere. The opening sketch took a comedic jab at the 2024 presidential elections, featuring a star-studded line-up of several SNL alumni.

The cold open cast Maya Rudolph reprising her well-known impersonation of Vice President Kamala Harris. It was Rudolph’s much-anticipated comeback to SNL, aligning with her previous hints at returning. Joining her was Dana Carvey, who humorously stepped back into the role of President Joe Biden, marking his first appearance on the show since 2016. This initial sketch was titled “Harris and Trump Rallies,” setting the stage for an evening of political satire.

Stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan made his SNL debut, portraying Minnesota governor and Kamala Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz. His performance as Walz touched on humorous personal anecdotes, including mentioning that his suit was from the Costco brand, Kirkland, linking the character to middle-class sensibilities. Andy Samberg also returned to the SNL stage, taking on the character of Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman, previously portrayed by Martin Short.

Bowen Yang, an SNL regular known for his versatility, took on the role of J.D. Vance, while Andrew Dismukes portrayed ABC anchor David Muir. The sketch cleverly depicted Muir broadcasting live from both Harris’s and Trump’s rallies in a bid for “fairness.” Meanwhile, longtime SNL cast member Darrell Hammond revived his impression of former President Donald Trump.

The portrayal of these political figures, especially Carvey’s rendition of Biden, was met with applause from the live audience, showcasing SNL’s ongoing ability to blend current political climates with humor. This opening reflects the enduring nature of the show’s comedic influence amid the complex and often tumultuous political atmosphere of the United States.

The episode, hosted by Jean Smart with musical guest Jelly Roll, seemed to resonate with audiences, providing much-needed levity as the U.S. approaches the next presidential election. The performance helped maintain the tradition of political satire for which SNL is renowned, particularly during election cycles.