The 50th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) kicked off with a bang, delivering a side-splitting cold open that pitted former President Donald Trump against Vice President Kamala Harris in a parody of the beloved game show “Family Feud.” This comedic sketch, a highlight of the evening, immediately grabbed viewers’ attention with its sharp political satire and stellar impersonations.
Instead of another presidential debate, SNL imagined a different kind of face-off between Trump, played by the ever-impressive James Austin Johnson, and Harris, brought to life by the returning Maya Rudolph. Trump, in the sketch, opts for the lighter, less policy-focused arena of “Family Feud,” much to the amusement of the audience. The stage was set for a hilarious clash of political titans, trading barbs and comedic jabs instead of debate points.
Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey as Kamala Harris and Joe Biden in SNL's "Family Feud" cold open.
Harris’s team was rounded out by a cast of equally comical characters: Andy Samberg as Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Dana Carvey reprising his role as President Joe Biden. On the Republican side, Mikey Day took on Donald Trump Jr., and Bowen Yang portrayed Senator JD Vance, creating a dynamic ensemble ready for comedic warfare.
Kenan Thompson expertly played “Family Feud” host Steve Harvey, setting the stage for the political showdown. Rudolph’s Harris, in character, quipped about Steve Harvey’s “Black job,” and boasted about her campaign fundraising efforts, only to be hilariously confronted by Harvey about why she wasn’t leading by a larger margin. Her nervous laughter and confession of screaming into her pillow every morning perfectly captured the sketch’s satirical tone. The sketch didn’t miss the opportunity to poke fun at Harris’s increased media appearances, with Emhoff (Samberg) lamenting being left out of the interview circuit.
Yang’s JD Vance delivered a memorable line, contrasting the family-centric values of “Family Feud” with the Democrats, whom he comically accused of turning “our hero, the Joker,” into a gay character obsessed with Lady Gaga. This witty remark added another layer of political humor to the sketch, resonating with current cultural conversations.
The “Family Feud” game itself provided ample opportunities for laughs. When asked about items kept in a glove compartment, Rudolph’s Harris delivered a verbose, rambling answer before finally stating, “A glock, Steve. A big old glock.” Emhoff, comically impressed, echoed the same answer, which, to everyone’s surprise, was indeed on the board – twice! This running gag about gun ownership added a layer of unexpected absurdity to the political parody.
Carvey’s Biden was a masterclass in portraying the president’s perceived gaffes. Mistaking Harvey for Regis Philbin and asking to buy a vowel, Biden’s portrayal leaned into the narrative of his age, while also delivering self-aware humor, noting, “I’m not the old one now, Trump is.” His punchline about knowing “when to walk away: about six months too late!” landed perfectly, highlighting the sketch’s sharp writing. Johnson’s Trump concluded the game with a rambling, nonsensical answer, prompting Harvey to exclaim, “Show me dementia!” – a biting and topical punchline.
Beyond the political cold open, the episode was hosted by Ariana Grande, who showcased her impressive impersonation skills, taking on Britney Spears, Jennifer Coolidge, and Celine Dion. Musical guest Stevie Nicks delivered powerful performances of her new song “The Lighthouse” and classic hit “Edge of Seventeen,” adding musical depth to the show.
This SNL episode, particularly the “Family Feud” cold open featuring Snl Family Feud Trump Harris, successfully blended political satire with pop culture references, offering a hilarious and memorable start to the show’s 50th season. The sketch’s success lies in its clever writing, timely jokes, and the cast’s exceptional comedic timing and impersonation skills, making it a must-watch moment for political comedy enthusiasts.
