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US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (R) and American actress Maya Rudolph attend the late-night comedy show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) at NBC studios in New York on 2 November 2024. (Photo by CHARLY

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live” during the show’s cold open, joining Harris’ character of Maya Rudolph and telling the audience to “Keep Kamala and Carry On Ala.”

Harris’ appearance took place in the final days before the presidential election. Earlier in the day, Harris was campaigning in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was scheduled to travel to Detroit. But once the plane was in the air, aides said it was actually heading toward New York.

The first lines spoken by the contestant as she sat across from Rudolph, their outfits identical, were drowned out by cheers from the audience.

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“It’s good to see you Kamala,” Harris told Rudolph with a wide smile that she kept throughout the sketch. “And I’m just here to remind you that you get it.”

In sync, the two said their supporters must “keep Kamala and carry on-ala,” said they shared “each other’s belief in the promise of America,” and signed “Live from New York , it’s Saturday evening!

Harris left immediately after the opening segment. She told reporters: “It was fun!” as she boarded the plane to leave New York. A campaign adviser to former President Donald Trump says the Republican presidential candidate was “probably not” invited to appear on SNL. The last time Trump appeared on the show was in 2015.

Host John Mulaney and musical guest Chappell Roan moved the show away from politics after the cold open. Neither addressed the election.

Some expected Roan, the 26-year-old singer who has become a major star in recent months, to make a political statement during her first appearance on the show. She has previously harshly criticized the Democratic Party and refused to support Harris, although Roan has repeatedly said she plans to vote for her.

But she played it straight, or as straight as the wildly theatrical performer does. She sang her hit, “Pink Pony Club,” on an all-pink set bathed in pink light.

Senator Tim Kaine also made a surprise appearance, in a game show sketch where the gag was that no one remembered him when he was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016.

“It’s been less than eight years. What’s my name?” he said, as the contestants remained silent and bewildered.

Rudolph first played Harris on the series in 2019 and reprized her role this season, doing a pitch-perfect impression of the vice president, including calling herself “Momala” — a reference to her stepchildren’s affectionate nickname for her. gave.

Fellow former cast member Andy Samberg appeared again Saturday night as Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, comic Jim Gaffigan played running mate Tim Walz, and longtime alum Dana Carvey once again played President Joe Biden.

Rudolph’s performance received critical and comedy acclaim, including by Harris herself.

“Maya Rudolph, I mean, she’s so good,” Harris said last month on ABC’s “The View.” “She had everything, the suit, the jewelry, everything!”

On Sunday, Harris will make another appearance on national television with a two-minute spot during NFL games on CBS and FOX, including the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions, two swing state teams.