Political Impressions Shine in SNL Season Premiere
Everyone anticipated Maya Rudolph would reprise her role as Vice President Kamala Harris in the season premiere of Saturday Night Live. However, the identity of Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz, was less expected. When Jim Gaffigan strolled onto the stage, his face illuminated with a broad, open-mouthed grin reminiscent of a genial jack-o’-lantern, it became evident that no one else could have filled that role quite as effectively. Gaffigan’s comedic persona is deeply rooted in the relatable and affable Big Dad Energy that Walz embodies, despite Gaffigan often portraying himself as more inclined to lounge in his pajamas, devouring Hot Pockets, than scaling rooftops to clear out gutters. There’s a remarkable harmony between them, a captivating vibe match that resonated with the audience.
The episode featured a range of intriguing pairings, including Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff and James Austin Johnson alongside Bowen Yang as Donald J. Trump and JD Vance, respectively. Yet, the standout performances were not from these well-known figures. In a surprising twist, the night was stolen by a portrayal of President Biden that was so astoundingly accurate that for a fleeting moment, I wondered if Lorne Michaels had actually summoned the president to make a guest appearance.
This impressive Biden was none other than Dana Carvey, the former cast member renowned for his legendary impersonation of George H.W. Bush. Carvey’s rendition of Biden featured trademark squints and chuckles, frequent use of the word “folks,” and a tendency to insist he’s “being serious right now.” Even when delivering statements like, “I’ve passed more bills than any president in history, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” which would hardly be mistaken for humor, Carvey captured the essence of Biden’s current mood and demeanor.
Judging by the vibrant discussions on social media and the parade of impressions showcased in the season premiere, it’s clear that political impersonations have become increasingly fascinating, even for those who typically don’t tune into S.N.L. There’s an intriguing novelty in watching one type of celebrity don the persona of another, a phenomenon that fuels much of the awards-season buzz surrounding films where prominent stars aim for accolades by embodying other famous figures. Consider productions like The Apprentice, which features Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan portraying Roy Cohn and Donald Trump respectively.
Interestingly, the earliest stars of S.N.L. have now themselves become subjects of impersonation, as evidenced in Jason Reitman’s new film, Saturday Night. While some performances are more successful than others, what stands out from the commendable portrayals—such as Cory Michael Smith’s interpretation of Chevy Chase and Dylan O’Brien’s Dan Aykroyd—is an essential truth evident in Carvey’s portrayal of Biden: effectively capturing real individuals transcends mere imitation of their physical traits. The ultimate objective should not solely be to elicit gasps of admiration for an astonishing likeness, but rather to convey the deeper nuances of their character and essence.
