The “SNL” alums are starting their 50th season with Trump and Harris cold

(The Hill) — “Saturday Night Live” kicked off its 50th season this weekend with an episode full of references to the upcoming election.

Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph returned to the cast to play Vice President Kamala Harris, and James Austin Johnson took on the recurring role of former President Donald Trump in a cold open that mocked their campaign rallies.

Rudolph referenced Harris’ “coconut tree” lyric that went viral early in her campaign, and joked that her pitch is similar to Sabrina Carpenter’s hit “Espresso” in that “the lyrics are vague, but the vibe is awesome.”

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Rudolph was joined on stage by several notable guests who now play political figures.

Jim Gaffigan played Harris’ running mate, Gov. Tim Walz (R-Minn.), who fell for his dad jokes. Andy Samberg played Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, and Dana Carvey played President Joe Biden.

Gaffigan, like Walz, called Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), “weird.” Walz popularized the remark this summer and gained national fame for openly calling out the other side before becoming Harris’ pick for vice president.

Samberg joined Rudolph on stage to play Emhoff, the original Second Gentleman, to counter Republican attacks about his undying support for his wife.

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“I am proud to join the respected list of spouses of presidents throughout history, women and men – but all women,” Samberg said.

Rudolph thanked Biden for stepping aside and allowing her to run, and Carvey, like Biden, said he “didn’t want to” but “they made me.”

The cold open also visited Trump, played by Johnson, at a rally. He referred to the recent assassination attempts against the Republican Party candidate and Trump’s comments about Harris’ race.

“They say blaming Democrats for inciting violence is a black kettle,” Johnson said. “But to be honest, I only recently found out that this kettle is black. I thought the kettle was Indian but then she decided to change the color to black.

Before introducing his running mate, Johnson, Trump said, people said his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), was a bad choice and said that “in many ways he was.” JD, come upstairs.

“How much do we love Donald Trump? Just this afternoon he told me, ‘JD, you’re like a son to me because I don’t like you and I’m stuck with you,'” Bowen said, playing Vance.

The episode was hosted by Jean Smart and the musical guest was Jelly Roll.

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