Kamala Harris: Here are Maya Rudolph’s best ‘SNL’ impressions of Joe Biden’s new VP pick

Kamala Harris will make history as the first Black woman and first Asian American person to be on a major party’s presidential ticket. USA TODAY

California Sen. Kamala Harris made history Tuesday by becoming the first Black woman on a major party’s presidential ticket after Joe Biden tapped her as his vice president running mate.

And one actress quickly began trending on Twitter after the news broke.

“Congrats Maya Rudolph on getting the SNL gig back,” tweeted TV critic James Poniewozik shortly after Biden’s announcement. Roxane Gay added: “The real winner today is Maya Rudolph.”

Why? Like Sarah Palin and scores of many politicians before her, Harris will likely get the “Saturday Night Live” treatment during the 2020 election.

Harris already has. Maya Rudolph, who has appeared in over 150 episodes of the NBC sketch show as a cast member from 2000–2008 (and has continued to make guest appearances), is currently nominated for an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of Harris during the Democratic Presidential debates.

That’s the ticket: Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris as his 2020 vice presidential running mate

Could we see more of Rudolph’s Harris on “SNL” as Biden’s VP candidate? “SNL” declined to comment, but that hasn’t stopped social media speculation that Rudolph will be back on NBC this fall. USA TODAY also reached out to Rudolph’s rep for comment. 

In the meantime, here are some of Rudolph’s most memorable Harris impressions:

(l-r) Larry David as Bernie Sanders, Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, and host Will Ferrell as Tom Steyer during the “Democratic Debate” sketch on “Saturday Night Live” on November 23, 2019.

 (Photo: NBC, Will Heath/NBC)

Impeachment Town Hall

Aired Sept. 28, 2019

Rudolph’s Harris, who at one point slipped on shades and sipped on a frozen drink, described herself as a “smooth talkin’ lady lawyer” and a “walkin,’ talkin’ TNT show” who is “America’s cool aunt. A fun aunt, I call that a ‘funt.’ “

What kind of funt, no one asked? “The kind of funt that will give you weed but then arrest you for having weed.”

Rudolph also echoed one of Harris’ most viral lines from the first round of Democratic primary debates, when Harris confronted Biden in July 2019 about his opposition to school busing in the 1970s.

“Now, Erin,” Rudolph’s Harris said when introduced by Cecily Strong’s Erin Burnett. “That little girl you just introduced? That little girl was me.”

‘SNL’: Maya Rudolph’s cool Kamala Harris faces off against Larry David’s Bernie Sanders

Rudolph quickly got Harris’ seal of approval. “That girl being played by @MayaRudolph on @nbcsnl? That girl was me,” Harris tweeted in September 2019. 

Rudolph replied: “YESSSSSSSSSSENATOR!!! An honor to attempt to be as cool as you.”

More: Kamala Harris has a cheeky response to Maya Rudolph’s ‘SNL’ impression

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris of California at the Democratic debate in 2019 in Houston.

 (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

2020 Democratic Debate

Aired Nov. 24, 2019

“America’s fun aunt” returns! Rudolph’s Harris attempted to beat out the other Democratic presidential candidates by way of a meme-able moment.

“Tonight I’m not going to worry about the polling numbers,” Rudolph’s Harris said. “I’m just going to have fun and see if I can get some viral moments. Mama needs a GIF.” 

During the sketch, Rudolph’s California senator desperately attempted to boost her popularity at the polls by creating a trending bit. She danced to the smash hit “Old Town Road” and recreated popular cat memes.

More: Zelda Williams chastises Eric Trump for using Robin Williams clip to further ‘political agenda’

PBS Democratic Debate 

Aired Dec. 21, 2019

Harris may have dropped out of the presidential race in December 2019, but that didn’t mean the end of Rudolph’s Harris on “SNL.”

Rudolph’s Harris stopped by the Democratic debate with a martini glass in hand to drop an iconic Lizzo lyric from 2017 song “Truth Hurts.”

“I just want to show you how good you could have had it, America,” Rudolph’s Harris said. “You withheld your donations, and I got tired of waiting, so I walked my fine (butt) out the door… you could have had a bad (expletive)!”

‘SNL’: Maya Rudolph’s Harris, Alec Baldwin’s Trump crashes Democratic debate

More: Kamala Harris ends bid for president

Contributing: Erin Jensen, Charles Trepany

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/08/11/kamala-harris-maya-rudolph-joe-biden-saturday-night-live/3348877001/