In a surprising move, days before the presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on November 2, 2024, joining her impersonator, Maya Rudolph, in a comedic yet pointed sketch. Opening with Rudolph portraying Harris at a campaign event, only to be joined by the real Harris in a mirror-image setup, sparking enthusiastic applause. The two traded lines and jokes referencing recent political events, including a jab at a mishap involving her opponent, Donald Trump.
Senior Jenifer Guadalupe-Juarez enjoyed the approach, stating, “I thought it was funny, especially at the end when they both finished their words with ‘ala.’”
The cameo, lasting under three minutes, generated both praise and criticism. New York Post journalist Ryan King reported that FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr condemned the appearance as a “clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC ‘Equal Time’ rule,” arguing NBC’s decision to feature Harris so close to Election Day gave her an unfair advantage.
In response, NBC offered equal airtime to the Trump campaign, airing a 60-second message from Trump after a NASCAR event and during Football Night in America. Despite this, the appearance fueled debate over media bias during election seasons.
SNL has a longstanding tradition of featuring political figures in sketches, especially leading up to major elections. However, the timing of Harris’s appearance has reignited discussions about media fairness and the impact of entertainment on political perceptions. With Election Day nearing at the time of the episode, such appearances are under scrutiny, emphasizing the interplay between entertainment and political influence.