Harris makes a surprise appearance on SNL, giving advice to the fictional character played by Maya Rudolph

CNN
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Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and made a surprise stop in the show's final episode before Election Day to give her fictional self some advice ahead of the presidential election. “You got this,” Harris told her “SNL” alter ego, Maya Rudolph.

The cold open began with a parody of CNN's “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” which showed viewers a parodied Trump rally before switching to behind-the-scenes footage of a fictional Harris event in Philadelphia.

After Andy Samberg, who played second gentleman Doug Emhoff, left the set, Rudolph walked to a dressing table and mused, “I wish I could talk to someone who was in my shoes, you know, a black guy,” South Asian Woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.”

Rudolph — who played the vice president several times on “Saturday Night Live” this fall — then sat across from the real Harris, and the two women were dressed and styled almost identically. Rudolph first played Harris in a skit about the Democratic primary debate in 2019.

“You and me both, sister,” the vice president replied.

“It's good to see you, Kamala, and I'm just here to remind you that you have this because you can do something your opponent can't. “You can open doors,” the vice president said through a set piece designed to look like a mirror.

At one point, Rudolph mocked the vice president's laughter, to which the vice president responded, “I don't really laugh like that, do I?”

“A little,” Rudolph replied.

Numerous performers and actors appeared before the vice president made her surprise stop, including Samberg; Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.

Harris' appearance less than three days before Election Day is consistent with the campaign's media campaign in recent weeks aimed at reaching voters where they are – including friendlier interviews with Alex Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” and the Radio host Charlemagne Tha God — as she continues to find herself in a dead heat with former President Donald Trump.

Saturday's show was hosted by comedian John Mulaney, who played President Joe Biden in a previous appearance, along with musical guest Chappell Roan, who previously came under fire for waffling about who she would vote for before finally announcing that she would vote for Harris.

“SNL” has long delved into politics, lampooning events from White House briefings to presidential debates. The 50th season began in September with a skit about Harris and Trump campaign events.

And while impersonators play political figures in the series, politicians themselves rarely appear. However, Saturday's show also featured Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who is up for re-election this year. He appeared in a fake show skit called “What's the Name?” During the segment, Kaine appeared and asked contestants to identify him.

“Hi, I was Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential running mate,” Kaine says. “At the time, you said it was the most important election in American history and that democracy was at stake. It's been less than eight years. What is my name?”

Mulaney, who appeared as a contestant on the show, couldn't answer the question correctly.

As part of his 2016 campaign, Trump – who first appeared on the show before entering politics – delivered a monologue alongside two impersonators. The appearance sparked protests over anti-immigrant comments he made at the time. His then-opponent Clinton also appeared as a bartender in a separate episode.

Former President Barack Obama also made a cameo appearance as a candidate in the 2008 campaign cycle.