Just three days before the presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on stage unannounced. Saturday Night Live On my way to a series of rallies in Michigan, It will take place on Sunday. The cameo pitted the Democratic presidential candidate against Maya Rudolph, who portrayed Harris for five weeks and has portrayed her ever since. sparked debate About the Federal Communications Commission’s equal time rule.

John Mulaney returns to hosting SNL For the sixth time, he keeps his monologue more or less apolitical, touching on everything from his grandfather’s dairy farming roots in Wisconsin to the possibility of future hip replacement surgery.

Chappell Roan, who joined Mulaney as a musical guest for the first time, performed the country-inspired lesbian song “The Giver” for the first time after performing the song “Pink Pony Club” from her 2023 album. The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess.

Another surprise cameo, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, popped up during the “What’s That Name: Election Edition” game show sketch. In this episode, Mulaney and actress Sarah Sherman were tasked with identifying famous political figures; It was a challenging task.

“I was Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential candidate,” Kaine said, introducing himself. “You said at the time that this was the most important election in American history and Democracy was at stake. It’s been less than eight years. What’s my name?

A visibly stunned Mulaney tried to find an excuse and said, “It’s not my fault there (isn’t) a more memorable guy like Tim Walz,” referring to Harris’ running mate.

A side-by-side image of Kaine and Walz then appeared on screen, highlighting the uncanny resemblance and provoking laughter from the audience.

Cold open: Kamala gives herself a pep talk

In the final cold open before the election, Rudolph reprized her role as Harris while watching clips from a chaotic Trump rally.

Actor James Austin Johnson, who reprises his role as Trump, said during the rally: “Where am I? It stinks in here.” He then handed it to his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance (played by Bowen Yang), who asked the crowd, “Where are my regular gay guys?” A comment by Vance On Joe Rogan’s podcast last week.

Also reprising their roles were Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and Dana Carvey as President Biden; all of whom attempted to offer support to Harris before the Vice President saw them leaving the locker room.

When Rudolph’s Harris was finally alone, she wanted to chat with someone who had been in her shoes: “A black, South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.”

When he looked in the mirror, the real Harris was staring back at him. After a thunderous applause, the two said to each other: “It’s so nice to see you, Kamala.” before Harris gives Rudolph a pep talk.

“You get it because you can do something your opponent can’t do: You can open doors,” Harris said. a clip of the real Trump He appeared to be having trouble opening the garbage truck door at a press event in Wisconsin last week.

Reacting to Rudolph mimicking her own laugh, the real Harris said, “I don’t really laugh that way, do I?” “Well, kind of,” Rudolph replied.

Rudolph then asked Harris to “take my palm” to continue her pep talk: “The American people want to stop the chaos,” Rudolph said, and Harris followed, “And they want to end the drama.”

“What do we always say?” Rudolph asked, prompting them both to say at the same time: “Keep calm and carry on.”

FCC’s response

This minor role by the Vice President drew criticism from Trump-appointed FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who described Harris’ appearance as “A clear and obvious effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule.”

The equal time rule, created to ensure fairness in broadcasting, requires licensed broadcasters to offer equal airtime to all legally qualified political candidates if they are given airtime. The rule aims to ensure that no candidate benefits from disproportionate media exposure.

However, the FCC said in a statement: Hollywood Reporter “We have not made any findings regarding political programming rules and have not received any complaints from interested parties.”

Who will host next?

9 November: Bill Burr with musical guest Mk.gee

16 November: Charli XCX will serve as both host and musical guest