The Saturday Night Live Season 50 premiere opened on September 28, 2024, with a campaign-rally cold open featuring Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff and Dana Carvey as Joe Biden. It began with Andrew Dismukes playing ABC anchor David Muir, then brought together current and returning performers for a send-up of the 2024 presidential campaign.
Who appeared in the Season 50 cold open?
| Performer | Character | Role in the sketch |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Dismukes | David Muir | Opened the segment as the ABC anchor. |
| Maya Rudolph | Kamala Harris | Returned as the Democratic presidential candidate. |
| Jim Gaffigan | Tim Walz | Played Harris’s running mate. |
| Andy Samberg | Doug Emhoff | Played Harris’s husband, the Second Gentleman. |
| Dana Carvey | Joe Biden | Played the president, who had withdrawn from the race. |
| James Austin Johnson | Donald Trump | Played the Republican candidate in the surrounding political material. |
| Bowen Yang | JD Vance | Played Trump’s running mate in the surrounding political material. |
Carvey, Samberg and Gaffigan were surprise guest appearances, according to the Associated Press. These were performer impersonations; none of the real politicians appeared.
How the sketch opened and ended
Dismukes’s David Muir introduction gave way to a campaign-rally setup centered on Harris and her newly assembled ticket. The writing drew on the campaign’s recent developments: Walz joining the ticket, Emhoff’s public role and Biden’s decision to leave the race.
Rudolph’s Harris joked, “My campaign is like the Sabrina Carpenter song, ‘Espresso’ — the lyrics are vague, but the vibe slaps,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The same report described the cold open as running about 13 minutes; that is the outlet’s account, not an independently measured runtime.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The sketch also leaned into Biden’s changed political position. Carvey’s Biden said, “A lot of people forget I’m president, including me,” the AP reported. Rudolph’s Harris urged, “We’ve got to stay focused,” before adding, “If we win, together, we can end the drama-la and the trauma-la and go relax in our pajama-las.” These are lines delivered by performers in character, not statements by the real Harris or Biden; the reports are not an official transcript.
Rudolph and Carvey delivered the traditional “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night” to launch the season, according to the AP.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Where the cold open fits in the premiere
Jean Smart hosted the episode, with Jelly Roll as musical guest. In its September 29 recap, the Los Angeles Times called the cold open a very strong part of the episode and said regular sketches took a backseat. The premiere also introduced a new opening-credit sequence and three new cast members, whom the recap said received limited screen time that night.
This was the September 2024 Season 50 premiere, not the later Season 51 opener. The 50th-anniversary season went on to receive a three-hour primetime special on February 16, 2025, a separate event from the premiere cold open, as the AP noted in its report.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Where to watch
NBC’s Saturday Night Live page identifies Peacock as a streaming option. Episode availability can vary by territory, so check the service in your location.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
