Joe Biden’s historical choice of sen. Kamala Harris as his running for vice-presidential candidate has raised voters in the United States. Harris is the first Black woman and the first Asian American person to be named after a main party card, and if elected, she would be the first woman to hold the office of vice president. Lykas sen. Harris, actress and cabaret artist Maya Rudolph comes from a mixed background background herself and knows how to command a room once she walks into it. Given her similarities – and similar appearance – Rudolph was a natural fit around Harris in a Saturday Night Live skit last year parodying the Democratic presidential primary debates.
It was hardly the first personification of a Vice President as a Candidate Vice President that SNL has done. The sketch comedy show has been on the air for almost 50 years years, providing countless opportunities for actors to enjoy the second-in-command.
Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris
The personification of Maya Rudolph from Kamala Harris last year was a hit because it marked what many people thought of sen. Harris at that moment, and perhaps still do. While she has charisma and relativity, it sometimes feels more compelling than when it came naturally to President Obama.
In both the DNC City Hall kit and Democratic presidency debate, she describes herself as America’s ‘cool aunt’, declaring that she intends the debate to try to splash out on social media. “I’ll just have fun and see if I can get some viral moments,” she says, “Momma needs a GIF.” Rudolph’s focal infections in delivering “upright” lines that Harris would probably say (“I’ll really be with you; you scare the hell out of me”) are almost identical to what the California senator sounds like.
Woody Harrelson as Joe Biden
Joe Biden impersonations are not new to SNL, and his most recent incarnation at the show’s Democratic “debate” in 2020 in the form of Woody Harrelson capitalized on many of the views that voters of the former vice president have today. Harrelson’s characterization hammered at Biden’s creepy uncle’s vibes and cheerful memories at times, with effortless lenses like “Let me tell you a story from my youth … or, maybe from a movie or comic book …” and “Nobody in America Wants that I will be the nominee, but I’m sure I can win the 2016 election. “
Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
The takeover of Tina Fey over Sarah Palin is probably the funniest and most accurate personification of the former Alaska show and The masks sing competitor. Fey first appeared as Palin during the 2008 election cycle, continuing in debates against then-Senator Joe Biden (played by Jason Sudeikis), sitting for a recap of her infamous Katie Couric interview, and appearing alongside Hillary Clinton (played by the incomparable Amy Poehler) and even John McCain himself. Fey’s characterization of Palin is virtually flawless, depending on her manners and all-important accent.
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Jason Sudeikis as Joe Biden
Before Woody Harrelson took him on to personify Joe Biden, the role belonged SNL cast member Jason Sudeikis. Sudeikis played Biden in the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, as he belligerently accepted “Sarah Palin” and “Paul Ryan” in a series of debates.
While Harrelson ignored the more subtle nuances of Biden’s character – his penchant for long stories, his rocky relationship with the truth, his touchy-feely personality – Sudeikis highlighted Biden’s character as he rejuvenated in debates, with his signature sly voice and dumb delivery.
Darrell Hammond as Dick Cheney
SNL took on President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney several times throughout her years in office, and each time Darrell Hammond Cheney was adopted there was a laughter. He often shone on Cheney’s shot of his friend in a hunting accident and the violence of the Bush administration, even conducting an interview while sitting on a moving rocket that read “Hello there, Saddam.” His subtle takeover of Cheney’s behavior is what made Hammond’s imagination so believable.
Taran Killam as Paul Ryan
It turns out from the first shot of Taran Killam’s fake widow’s highlight that SNLTaking on former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan would be good. Taran Killam does so much with so little as he loves the Cheshire Cat-esque smile that Ryan was known for and speaks for in his traditional nasal delivery. He even drank from the water bottle of a hamster mid-debate.
Darrell Hammond as Al Gore
Darrell Hammond’s ability to communicate such a little character with such a little extravagance is what made him such a talent SNL player. The way he took Al Gore’s understated persona in debates and appearances alongside George W. Bush (played by Will Ferrell), had audiences who simply laughed at him, speak slowly.
