“Saturday Night Live” entered its 50th season ready to take on the 2024 presidential campaign, and it finally revealed who was tapped to play key figures, including Gov. Tim Walz, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Second Gen. Doug Emhoff.

During the cold open of the season premiere, former “SNL” cast member Maya Rudolph reiterated her widely reported take on Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential hopeful. She was joined by comedian Jim Gaffigan as Walz, Harris’ genius running mate and governor of Minnesota. “SNL” alum Andy Samberg appeared as Emhoff, and the Democratic side was rounded out by another alum – Dana Carvey as President Biden. Meanwhile, current cast members James Austin Johnson returned as former President Trump, while Bowen Yang took on the role of his running mate, 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 sketch began with cast member Andrew Dismukes as ABC news anchor David Muir, who co-moderated the recent presidential debate, addressing viewers before cutting to footage of rallies of each of the candidates.

At the Harris-Walz rally, Rudolph’s Harris joked within a second of reaching the podium, “Look who fell out of that coconut tree?” and finally burst into her remarkable laugh. At one point she stated, “My campaign is like the Sabrina Carpenter song, ‘Espresso’ – the lyrics are vague, but the vibe is right.” Gaffigan’s Walz added his own barbs, saying his decision to run on the Harris ticket was personal: “As a former teacher, I need the money.” … This suit is from Costco. It is a Kirkland brand.” Samberg’s Emhoff, meanwhile, called himself the ‘Second Gentle-mensch’. Later, with Biden stuttering and confused, Carvey took the stage and said, “A lot of people forget that I’m president. Even me!” When Rudolph thanked him for “putting the country first and handing over the reins,” Carvey’s Biden responded, “I didn’t want that!” They made me.”

Later in the skit, Johnson’s Trump stood behind a pane of bulletproof glass as he told the crowd, “I see you’re trying to leave, but the doors are locked.” When Yang’s Vance took the stage, he addressed the crowd by saying, “How much do we love Donald Trump? This afternoon he said: ‘JD, you are like a son to me. Because I don’t like you, but I’m stuck with you. ”

In the weeks that followed the announcement of the Democratic and Republican tickets, there was speculation about who “SNL” would bring in to impersonate the political figures. When Walz was selected as Harris’ running mate, Steve Martin’s name circulated quickly. But Martin told the Times this summer that “SNL” boss Lorne Michaels made him an offer, and he turned it down: “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist.’ You need someone who can really get 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 previously portrayed Emhoff in a Passover-themed sketch in 2021. And Rudolph, a former “SNL” cast member, played Harris for the first time on “SNL” in December 2019, helping her win the Emmy for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She repeated this impression 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.