“SNL” Cold Open: Andy Samberg, Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvey Join Maya Rudolph

“Saturday Night Live” kicked off its 50th season ready for the 2024 presidential campaign and finally revealed who was tapped to play key figures, including Gov. Tim Walz, Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

In the season premiere's cold open, former “SNL” cast member Maya Rudolph reiterated her view of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, as was widely reported. She was joined by comedian Jim Gaffigan as Walz, Harris' genius vice president and governor of Minnesota. “SNL” alum Andy Samberg appeared as Emhoff, and the Democratic side was completed by another alum — Dana Carvey as President Biden. Meanwhile, current cast member James Austin Johnson returned as former President Trump, while Bowen Yang took on the role of his Vice President Vance.

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1. Jim Gaffigan was Tim Walz. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 2. Andy Samberg played Doug Emhoff. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 3. Dana Carvey was President Biden. (Kevin Wolf/Associated Press)

The skit began with cast member Andrew Dismukes as ABC News anchor David Muir, who co-hosted the recent presidential debate and addressed viewers before cutting to footage of each candidate's rallies.

At the Harris Walz Rally, just a second after reaching the podium, Rudolph's Harris quipped, “See who fell out of that coconut tree?” and finally began her remarkable laugh. At one point she declared: “My campaign is like the song 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter – the lyrics are vague, but the mood is striking.” Gaffigan's Walz added his own contradictions, saying his decision to join the Harris ticket , was personal: “As a former teacher, I need the money. … This suit is from Costco. It’s a Kirkland brand.” Meanwhile, Samberg’s Emhoff dubbed himself the “second gentleman.” Later, Carvey took the stage as a stuttering and confused Biden and said, “A lot of people forget I'm president. Even me!” as Rudolph thanked him for “putting the country first and handing over the reins.” , Carvey's Biden replied: “I didn't want that! They made me.”

Later in the skit, Johnson's Trump stood behind a bulletproof glass panel and told the crowd, “I see you trying to leave, but the doors are locked.” As Yang's Vance took the stage, he addressed the crowd with the words, ” How much do we love Donald Trump?” Just this afternoon he said, “JD, you're like a son to me. 'Cause I don't like you, but I'm sticking with you.'”

In the weeks following the announcement of the Democratic and Republican nominees, there was speculation about who “SNL” would recruit to impersonate the political figures. When Walz was selected as Harris' running mate, Steve Martin's name quickly began making the rounds. But Martin told the Times this summer that “SNL” boss Lorne Michaels made him an offer and he declined: “I said, 'Lorne, I'm not an impressionist.'” “You need someone to really nail the guy “I was chosen because I have gray hair and glasses.”

Martin's friend and “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Martin Short had already portrayed Emhoff in a Passover sketch in 2021. And Rudolph, a former “SNL” cast member, first played Harris on “SNL” in December 2019. helped her win the Emmy for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She repeated that sentiment during the 2020 election alongside Jim Carrey as Biden.

The season premiere of the long-running sketch comedy show was hosted by “Hacks” star Jean Smart and featured musical guest Jelly Roll.