Kamala Harris Isn't The First Politician Maya Rudolph Has Attempted On 'SNL'

Maya Rudolph knows its going to be a busy fall.

The comedian will be returning to Saturday Night Live for at least the first few episodes of the shows 50th season to portray Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

When the news broke of her return  to SNL in late July, Rudolph who lives in Los Angeles not only heard from friends, family and coworkers, but also various Big Apple real estate agents.

Its definitely going to impact my fall, Rudolph told Variety . I have already heard from a lot of realtors in New York. I think the day of the announcement that she was running, some lady yelled at me across the parking lot, Getting ready for New York?!

Rudolph won an Emmy in 2020 for her portrayal of Harris and said the key to it is emphasizing the vice presidents playful side.

I said, When I see her, I see her having fun, Rudolph said. And so the fictional Kamala that we created tapped into her fun. And then [SNL producer] Steve Higgins said to me that his wife called her a fun aunt, and we were laughing at how that sounds like funt. We just went from there. That was the moment where you realize, Oh, now I know how to do this.

But while playing a possible president will raise Rudolphs profile even higher, Harris isnt the first politician shes attempted to portray.

Back in 2007, she briefly attempted an impersonation of Barack Obama at the request of producers but it didnt make it onto the show.

There was a moment of asking me to step up and try, Rudolph remembered. And we did try for dress rehearsal.

The situation was awkward because Obama was actually on set for a cameo, and the two came face to face.

Sadly, Obama was there and had to see me dressed as him, she said. We both laughed heartily, and thank God that never made it to air.

You can watch Rudolph play Harris and definitely not Obama when SNL has its season premiere on Sept. 28.