‘Why are they vibing?’: SNL roasts Vance-Walz debate in brutal late night cold open

Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night Live mocking American democracy!

Specifically, the NBC late night comedy show Saturday night took a jab at the vice presidential debate just a month before Election Day on Nov. 5.

The cold open saw Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg returning as Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff watching a debate they seemed less than please with.

"Why are they vibing?" Spoof Harris demands to know of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN). In disgust, faux Harris squirts red wine out of her mouth.

In the fake debate, phony Vance and Walz quoted almost directly comments that came out of the mouths of the politicians at the actual debate, then reached out to touch hands.

"I'm a knucklehead," says SNL Walz.

"We said no fact-checking," says SNL Vance.

Comedian Nate Bargatze hosted for the second time since October, 2023, and the musical guest was the British rock band Coldplay.

This was SNL’s second show of it’s 50th season and arrived on the heels of a star-studded opening night that made national headlines.

Trump was played by James Austin Johnson who begged fans not to flee his rally as Rudolph’s Vice President Kamala Harris boasted her "vibe slaps."

Samberg played her husband Douglas Emhoff and Jim Gaffigan portrayed Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz.

Emhoff later gave Samberg two thumbs up, saying, “the second gentlemensch line was pretty good.”

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Rumors circulated last week about which actors and comedians would play the big name politicos who did not appear in the opening night show.

Vulture noted on Wednesday that Barron and Melania Trump, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Harris’ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff remained up for grabs.

Creator Lorne Michaels has told viewers not to expect two people to make appearances on the show before Election Day: Harris and Trump.

At least, not in actuality. As Saturday’s cold open showed, their characters will likely feature prominently.

Watch the cold open below or click here.