The highly anticipated premiere of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” on September 28 didn’t disappoint, delivering a cold open packed with comedic talent. Jim Gaffigan took center stage as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, while Maya Rudolph returned in her beloved role as Vice President Kamala Harris. Andy Samberg made a cameo as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, bringing his trademark humor to the role.

The sketch also marked the debut of Dana Carvey's impression of President Joe Biden, while cast member James Austin Johnson reprised his role as former President Donald Trump, joined by Bowen Yang as Trump’s running mate, JD Vance. Andrew Dismukes added a comedic touch playing journalist David Muir, humorously referring to the ABC News debate as “biased toward the Democrats, which … duh.”

Rudolph, who channels the fun-loving side of Harris, introduced the idea of bringing back America’s “fun aunt,” affectionately dubbed the “Funt.” She quipped, “The Funt has been rebooted: 2 Funt, 2 Furious.” Gaffigan, embodying Walz, delivered a memorable line about Minnesota, stating, “In Minnesota we have a saying: ‘Mind your damn business,’” alongside another punchline about the cold that hit home for many viewers.

Samberg's portrayal of Emhoff included a humorous take on White House decorations, playfully announcing that the theme for Christmas would be "Hanukkah." Carvey's Biden impression left the audience in stitches with his self-deprecating humor, saying, “A lot of people forget I’m president, even me!” This comedic nod to Biden's perceived confusion resonated well, showcasing Carvey's ability to capture the essence of the current political climate.

Speculation has been rampant about who would take on the roles of Walz and Emhoff since Harris announced her running mate. Although both Gaffigan and comedy legend Steve Martin were discussed, Martin revealed he turned down the opportunity, feeling more like a casting choice based on his appearance rather than performance capability.

Interestingly, Emhoff was previously impersonated by Martin Short in a Passover-themed sketch back in 2021, underlining the evolving nature of “SNL”'s portrayals leading up to the election. Emhoff humorously shared in an interview his thoughts on needing a “good Doug character” to represent him accurately — jokingly suggesting actors like Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds who fit the mold of a ‘perfect’ Emhoff.

Rudolph’s history with the show is impressive; she first brought her version of Harris to life in December 2019 and has become a fan favorite, winning an Emmy for her performance in a presidential debate sketch shortly after. Her return this season comes at a pivotal moment, especially following Biden's announcement to step back from his campaign.

As “SNL” celebrates its monumental 50th season, fans can expect more memorable performances and a live primetime special set for February 16, 2024. The show continues to air weekly on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET, with full episodes available for streaming on Peacock.