‘SNL’ season premiere debuts cast of 2024 presidential election characters

Saturday Night Live returns for its 50th season, and the premiere introduced some heavy hitters who will be fighting the 2024 US presidential election.

Maya Rudolph and James Austin Johnson returned to their roles as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. But the biggest reveal of the cold open was who would get vice presidential candidate Tim Walz as America’s dad. No, it wasn’t Steve Martin, as some had hoped due to the uncanny resemblance, but comedian Jim Gaffigan, who perfectly captured Walz’s “oh, he pisses off” energy to anyone who buys his suits at Costco.

Andy Samberg returns as Doug Emhoff with uncompromising support for his wife and plans to decorate the White House for Christmas (“the theme will be Hanukkah”). However, the rally did not end by SNL legend Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden walked onto the stage looking a little lost, but with his characteristic tough-guy expression.

During Trump’s rally, the former president reluctantly introduced his running mate, J.D. Vance, played by none other than Bowen Yang. He did SNL choose the right casting? Watch the cold open and see for yourself.