SNL

SNL Season 50: Kamala, Chaos, and Comedy with a Star-Studded Return!

Saturday Night Live kicks off its 50th season with Maya Rudolph and a cavalcade of stars tackling the wild 2024 election race!

Saturday Night Live made a riotous return for its landmark 50th season, and it had a guest-studded cold open that had viewers roaring with laughter and nostalgia. The episode, hosted by the fabulous Jean Smart, sees none other than Maya Rudolph slip back into her iconic role as Kamala Harris, bringing the sass and snark that fans adore. Alongside her, SNL alumni Andy Samberg, Dana Carvey, and Jim Gaffigan popped up dressed as Doug Emhoff, Joe Biden, and Tim Walz respectively. Talk about a reunion!

The cold open kicked off a heightened sense of comedy, as the show cleverly tuned into the impending 2024 elections and the ridiculousness that comes with it. The sketch featured James Austin Johnson as former President Donald Trump, hilariously channeling Trump’s signature bravado while Bowen Yang portrayed JD Vance, complete with his own witty jabs. The political satire ran thick, making nods to the absurdity of current events while keeping audiences in stitches.

Of course, what’s SNL without some musical flair? Enter Jelly Roll, who performed as the night’s musical guest, adding another layer to the evening’s atmosphere while juxtaposing the comedic chaos. Jean Smart didn't hold back during her opening monologue; her playful jabs at NYC Mayor Eric Adams had the crowd cheering, especially when she declared that "lesbians are obsessed with me!" A classic SNL moment that showcases Smart’s comedic genius, and one that echoes the show’s long-standing tradition of balancing humor with social insights.

As SNL embarks on this monumental season, it also challenges itself to stay relevant in an increasingly bizarre political landscape. With election season just heating up, SNL is poised to tackle relevant issues while making audiences laugh at the absurdity of politics and public figures. Here’s hoping Rudolph stays around longer than a campaign promise!

**Fun Fact:** SNL has been a political satire powerhouse since it first aired in 1975, giving birth to memorable characters like Chevy Chase's Gerald Ford and Tina Fey's Sarah Palin! **Did You Know?** This season marks 50 years of hilarity for SNL, making it one of the longest-running sketch comedic shows on television!