'Keep Kamala and carry on-ala!': Harris tells comedy show SNL

SNL previously hosted Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton before the 2016 US polls. Joe Biden and Barrack Obama


AFP/News Desk November 03, 2024

US Vice President Kamala Harris wrapped a day on the campaign trail Saturday with a surprise appearance on "Saturday Night Live," mocking her presidential election rival Donald Trump on the sketch show.

Appearing in the long-running series's "cold open" -- the sketch before the opening titles -- Harris appeared as her own reflection in a dressing room mirror, joining in good-natured mockery of her laughter and playing on her own name for laughs.

Harris, who was appearing on SNL for the first time, has been portrayed by Maya Rudolph as "America's fun aunt' -- an interpretation that Harris herself has proudly shared on social media and gushed about on TV.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has previously featured Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton ahead of the 2016 US elections. The show has also hosted Deomcrats former President Barack Obama, incumbent President Joe Biden, and former Vice President Al Gore.

It had the real estate tycoon Donald Trump on as the host first in 2004 before he entered politics and was a Reality TV star at that time hosting 'The Aprentice'. He made another appearance again when he was a presidential candidate for the 2016 election, but he has since soured on the show.

The New York studio broke into raucous applause as Harris came onscreen and immediately began making fun of Trump's recent photo op in a garbage truck, after he almost fell over as he was trying to get into it.

"I'm here to remind you, you got this because you can do something you cannot do -- you can open doors," Harris joked.

The vice president giggled as Rudolph roasted her for her distinctive laugh, which Republicans refer to as a "cackle."

The pair got their loudest laugh though as Rudolph offered her hand to the real Harris and said, "Now Kamala, take my palmala. The American people want to stop the chaos."

And Harris replied: "And the dramala."

"With a cool new step-momala, get back in our pajamalas and watch a rom-comala," Rudolph went on, and Harris interjected: "Like Legally Blondala!"

"Keep Kamala and carry on-ala!" the women said in unison.

SNL show is seen as having a liberal bent, but mercilessly mocks both Democratic President Joe Biden and Trump

Last year, he called it a "bad product, not funny, Fake News" and a "campaign contribution to the Democrats" on his social media platform.

"Harris on SNL tonight is a bit like Trump on Fox & Friends this morning," said liberal media analyst Brian Stelter.

"Both are home team visits. The difference is that the VP's appearance will reach a much bigger audience."

The Trump campaign did not respond immediately to a request for comment but a spokesman was quoted by Fox characterizing the appearance as Harris "living out her warped fantasy cosplaying with her elitist friends."

'Word Salads' and non-answers

On October 13, in an episode of "Saturday Night Live," Vice President Kamala Harris was once again the target of comedic jabs, with sketches highlighting her penchant for "word salads" and evasive responses during interviews.

The skit poked fun at her difficulty in providing straightforward answers, a critique that has resonated even among Democrats.

The SNL segment featured cast members humorously reiterating Harris's frequently shared childhood stories, which have been mentioned multiple times in political discourse.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ