Maya Rudolph set to brush up on Kamala Harris impression

Melissa Hank
Aug 12, 2020  •  August 12, 2020  •  2 minute read
Larry David, left, as Bernie Sanders, Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris and host Will Ferrell as Tom Steyer during the SNL Democratic Debate sketch on Nov. 23, 2019. Photo by NBC

When U.S. presidential hopeful Joe Biden announced Tuesday that his vice-president pick was Kamala Harris, Saturday Night Live fans’ thoughts likely leaped to actress  Maya Rudolph, who played the California senator on the sketch show last year.

Would she be willing to commit to a minimum of four years playing Harris? Look at Alec Baldwin — his pursed-lip impression of Donald Trump likely started as a lark but he got roped into the role for a full presidential term. A person can pretend to suck a lemon for only so long, don’t you think?

Rudolph’s actual reaction to the news, however, seemed optimistic — if not stunned at first.

“Oh, s—,” she said during a panel discussion that just so happened to be in session with Entertainment Weekly at the time of the announcement.

“That’s spicy. I love going to the show any excuse I can get … I just didn’t really anticipate travelling during this pandemic. But if there’s anyone who can work it out I’m sure Lorne (Michaels) has some kind of invisible helicopter that can get me there.”

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Rudolph is currently nominated for an Emmy for her portral of Harris, in the category of outstanding guest actress in a comedy series. She made her first appearance last September, in the cold open for the season 45 premiere, as Harris was revving up her own presidential campaign.

“I’m also America’s cool aunt,” Rudolph-as-Harris said. “A fun aunt. I call that a funt. The kind of funt that will give you weed but then arrest you for having weed.”

She was back in November, spoofing the Democratic debate and trying to hard-sell Harris as a meme.

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

Her most recent appearance was in December, during the PBS Democratic debate cold-open — by then Harris had dropped out of the race.

Rudolph-as-Harris unexpectedly strolled in, waving around a martini glass.

“Ohh, this is a debate? Honestly, I had no idea. I was just in the neighbourhood. But while I’m here, I just want to show you how good you could’ve had it, America,” she said, before referencing Lizzo’s breakup anthem Truth Hurts in a saucy farewell.

“You withheld your donations, and I got tired of waiting, so I walked my fine ass out the door. You could’ve had a bad b—-!”

Rudolph has appeared in more than 150 episodes of the NBC sketch show as a cast member from 2000 to 2008, and has made regular guest appearances ever since. SNL has yet to comment on Rudolph’s possible return.