The 'End The Dramala' Effect: 5 Ways SNL's Kamala Harris Portrayal Defined The 2024 Election Cycle

The relationship between Vice President Kamala Harris and Saturday Night Live (SNL) reached its most consequential and viral moment in the final days of the 2024 presidential election, solidifying the show’s role as an inescapable cultural barometer. As of December 10, 2025, the conversation is dominated by her surprise on-stage cameo, a move that went far beyond typical political parody and ignited a fresh wave of debate about media bias and political access. This deep dive explores the history of the portrayal, the genius of its star, and the lasting impact of the show’s comedic lens on the Vice President’s public image.

The core of the SNL’s take on Harris rests almost entirely on the shoulders of one performer: the legendary former cast member, Maya Rudolph. Her impression, celebrated for its blend of distinct vocal mannerisms and an almost unnerving physical accuracy, has become the definitive comedic representation of the Vice President, evolving from a running joke into a crucial part of the 2024 political comedy landscape.

The Definitive Profile: Maya Rudolph’s Iconic Portrayal

Maya Rudolph’s impersonation of Kamala Harris is widely considered one of the most successful and beloved political impressions in Saturday Night Live history. Her recurring appearances, which began during Harris’s 2020 Vice Presidential campaign, have earned her critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

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• The Impersonator: Maya Rudolph
• First Appearance as Harris: September 28, 2019 (during the Democratic primary debates)
• Signature Elements: The distinct, often high-pitched laugh; the use of the word "Mom-ala" (a reference to how her stepchildren refer to her); a tendency to over-explain simple concepts; and a slightly exaggerated, confident walk.
• Key Supporting Player: The role of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff has been played by multiple actors, most notably former cast members Andy Samberg and, more recently, Martin Short, who often portrays Emhoff as an overly enthusiastic, supportive husband.
• Awards: Rudolph won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020 for her portrayal.
• Evolution of the Sketch: Initially focusing on her debate performances and political ambition, the sketches evolved to center on the dynamics of the Biden-Harris White House, her relationship with Doug Emhoff, and her efforts to connect with the American public, often parodying her perceived stiffness or attempts to appear relatable.

The 2024 Cameo: The Mirror-Image and ‘End the Dramala’ Moment

The most significant and talked-about event in the history of SNL’s relationship with Kamala Harris occurred on November 2, 2024, just days before the presidential election. In the show’s signature Cold Open, Vice President Harris made a surprise, unannounced appearance, playing herself opposite Maya Rudolph’s impression.

The Sketch: A Meta-Comedic Twist

The sketch, set in a political debate or interview context, featured Rudolph’s Harris trying to articulate a complex policy point. The real Vice President then appeared as a 'mirror-image' of Rudolph's character, essentially playing her own reflection or doppelgänger. This meta-comedic device allowed Harris to directly engage with the parody of herself, a highly unusual move for a sitting Vice President.

The highlight of the skit, which immediately went viral, was an exchange where the two "Kamalas" discussed the intense political drama of the election cycle. The real Kamala Harris delivered the now-famous line, "Let's end the dramala," a clever, self-aware play on her name that was instantly embraced by her supporters and dissected by critics.

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The Political Firestorm and Equal Time Controversy

While the audience and many mainstream media outlets reacted positively to the cameo, viewing it as a sign of the Vice President’s good humor and relatability, the appearance quickly ignited a political firestorm. Critics, particularly those aligned with the MAGA movement and the Republican party, immediately demanded "equal time" for the opposing candidate, Donald Trump.

This controversy brought the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) "Equal Time Rule" back into the spotlight. The rule generally requires broadcasters to offer equivalent opportunities to political candidates. However, it has specific exemptions for news interviews, documentaries, and, crucially, bona fide news events—a category that SNL’s Cold Open often skirts. The debate centered on whether a last-minute, surprise appearance on a late-night comedy show constituted an unfair political advantage so close to Election Day. This intense scrutiny highlighted the immense political power and topical authority that Saturday Night Live still holds in the American political sphere.

The Evolution of SNL's Political Parody and Key Entities

SNL has a long history of shaping public perception of political figures, from Dana Carvey's George H.W. Bush to Tina Fey's Sarah Palin. The Kamala Harris portrayal fits into this legacy, but it also reflects a modern political reality where the line between news and entertainment is increasingly blurred.

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Key Recurring Sketch Entities

Maya Rudolph’s Harris sketches often feature a rotating cast of political figures, creating a rich tapestry of topical comedy:

• Joe Biden: Often portrayed by Dana Carvey or Woody Harrelson, frequently depicted as elderly, prone to gaffes, or overly nostalgic.
• Donald Trump: Portrayed by James Austin Johnson or Alec Baldwin, providing a constant foil for the Democratic administration.
• Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff: As noted, played by Andy Samberg and Martin Short, his character is typically a source of comedic relief, often shown as being intensely in love with his wife and slightly bewildered by the political spotlight.

The Comedy of Critique: What SNL Mocks

The show’s parody of Kamala Harris has not been uniformly positive, a key factor in maintaining its comedic edge and topical authority. Sketches have targeted several aspects of her public persona and political biography:

• The ‘Middle-Class’ Controversy: SNL has repeatedly poked fun at Harris’s description of her upbringing as "middle-class," a statement that has been scrutinized by critics who point to her family’s professional background. This was a central joke in the "Family Feud Election 2024 Cold Open."
• The Policy Stance: Sketches frequently highlight her perceived difficulty in staking out a clear, consistent political position, often showing her attempting to be all things to all people.
• The Laugh: The exaggerated, theatrical laugh is a consistent element of Rudolph's impression, a subtle critique of a mannerism that has sometimes been criticized as inauthentic by opponents.

The 2024 surprise cameo, particularly the "End the dramala" moment, will likely be remembered as the definitive SNL moment of the election cycle. It showcased the power of a political figure to reclaim their own narrative through comedy, while simultaneously demonstrating the persistent, often controversial, influence of Saturday Night Live on the national political discourse. As the 50th season of *SNL* continues, Maya Rudolph’s portrayal of Vice President Harris remains one of the most essential and talked-about elements of the show, proving that in modern politics, the parody is often as important as the reality.