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

The cold open began with a parody of CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” showing viewers a parodied Trump rally before cutting to a backstage shot at a fictional Harris event in Philadelphia.

After Andy Samberg, who played second gentleman Doug Emhoff, left the set, Rudolph walked over to a dressing room table and mused, “I wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes, you know, a black, South Asian woman who is 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 2019 in a Democratic primary debate.

“Both you and me, sister,” the vice president replied.

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

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

“A little,” Rudolph replied.

Before the vice president made her surprise stop, numerous cast members and actors appeared, 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, echoes the media campaign in recent weeks, which aims to reach voters where they are — including friendlier interviews with Alex Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” and radio personality Charlemagne Tha God – as she remains in a dead heat race with former President Donald Trump.

Saturday’s show was hosted by comedian John Mulaney, who played President Joe Biden in an earlier performance, alongside musical guest Chappell Roan, who previously came under fire for dithering over who she would vote for before ultimately announcing she would be running for Harris would vote.

“SNL” has long waded into politics, satirizing events ranging from White House briefings to presidential debates. It began its 50th season in September with a sketch of campaign rallies held by Harris and Trump.

And while impersonators play political figures on the show, politicians themselves rarely make appearances. However, Saturday’s show also featured Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine present, who is up for re-election this year. He appeared in a mock show sketch called “What’s the Name?” During the segment, Kaine appeared and asked the participants to identify him.

“Hello, 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’s my name?”

Mulaney, who appeared as a contestant on the show, was unable to 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 around that time. His then-opponent, Clinton, also appeared in a separate episode as a bartender.

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