Harris makes a surprise appearance on SNL, giving advice to the fictional self, played by Maya Rudolph

CNN
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Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live,” making a surprise stop during the show’s final episode before Election Day to give her fictional self some advice ahead of the presidential election. “You got this,” Harris told her “SNL” alter ego, Maya Rudolph.

The cold open started with a spoof of CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” showing viewers a parody Trump rally before cutting to a backstage shot of a fictional Harris event in Philadelphia.

After Andy Samberg, who played second-in-command Doug Emhoff, left the set, Rudolph went and sat down at a dressing table and thought, “I just wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes, you know, a black, South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.

Rudolph — who has played the vice president several times this fall on Saturday Night Live — sat across from the real Harris, and the two women were dressed and styled almost identically. Rudolph first played Harris in 2019 in a Democratic primary debate sketch.

“Both you and me, sister,” replied the Vice President.

“It’s nice to see you, Kamala, and I’m just here to remind you that you have it because you can do something your opponent can’t. You can open doors,” the vice president said through a set piece designed to to look like a mirror.

At one point, Rudolph satirized the vice president’s laugh, to which the vice president replied, “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?”

“A little bit,” Rudolph replied.

Numerous cast members and actors appeared before the vice president made her surprise stop, including Samberg; Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.

Harris’ appearance, less than three days before Election Day, is consistent with the campaign’s media blitz in recent weeks, which aims to reach voters where they are — including friendlier interviews with Alex Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” and radio personality Charlemagne Tha God — as she remains in a dead heat with former President Donald Trump.

Saturday’s show was hosted by comedian John Mulaney, who played President Joe Biden during a previous appearance, along with musical guest Chappell Roan, who previously came under fire for ranting about who she would vote for before eventually announcing that she would cast a vote for Harris.

“SNL” has long waded into politics, throwing events ranging from White House briefings to presidential debates. It kicked off its 50th season in September with a sketch about campaign meetings held by Harris and Trump.

And while impersonators play political figures in the program, the politicians themselves rarely appear. However, Saturday’s show also featured Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who is up for election this year. He appeared in a sketch of a spoof show called “What’s in the Name?” During the segment, Kaine appeared and asked the participants to identify him.

“Hey, I was Hillary Clinton’s running mate,” Kaine says. “At that time you said it was the most important election in American history and that democracy was at stake. It’s been less than eight years. What’s my name?”

Mulaney, appearing as a contestant on the show, could not answer the question correctly.

As part of his 2016 campaign, Trump – who first appeared on the show before entering politics – delivered a monologue alongside two impersonators. The appearance sparked protests over anti-immigrant comments he made around the time. His opponent at the time, Clinton, also appeared in a separate episode as a bartender.

Former President Barack Obama also appeared as a candidate during the 2008 campaign cycle.