OK: Who ya got?
Paul Giamatti? Maybe. He’s got the big-time acting chops.
Andy Richter? A super funny guy who has that Everyman appeal—and is a long-time player in late night alongside Conan.
Jim Gaffigan? He has to have the inside track on pure resemblance, and surely is a funny guy.
Jason Alexander (sans mustache and with glasses)? Comedy icon.
We know that Saturday Night Live‘s Tim Walz is not going to be portrayed by the people’s choice, Steve Martin, because he declined the formal invite from Lorne Michaels.
But just the idea that this decision is being followed avidly—that there is speculation afoot about which late middle-aged comedian-actor could step in and play Walz alongside Maya Rudolph’s Kamala Harris on SNL—only validates one more time the extraordinary role one television show has played in the crossover between American politics and American culture.
From the moment Harris named Walz as her running mate on the Democratic ticket, it was almost instantaneous. Question one: Who is this guy? Question two: Who will play him on SNL?
The immediate focus on Martin recalled at least two earlier instances when the audience got involved in the casting on SNL. Almost the minute that Bernie Sanders emerged as a serious contender during the Democratic primaries in 2016, the groundswell began: surely SNL would bring in Larry David to play Sanders, because he needed virtually no physical change nor work on his Brooklyn accent.
The result was a classic SNL parody: “Bern Your Enthusiasm,” with David’s Sanders playing out his Iowa candidacy as an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm (with Cecily Strong as an unforgettable Susie Greene).
The earlier and even more emphatic time viewers got involved with political stunt casting was in 2008. The story goes that Michaels emerged from his apartment soon after Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain’s running mate and his doorman piped up: “What a gift, huh? Now you get to put Tina Fey on as Sarah Palin.”
The public got so behind the casting that Michaels really had no choice. Nor did Fey, who was already rather busy, producing, writing, and starring in 30 Rock. But the people wanted it, and Saturday Night Live delivered—again with one of the most famous sketches of the show’s more recent century, including one immortal geographical joke.
How effective was Fey playing Palin? People still think it was Palin who said: “And I can see Russia from my house.”
The roster of exceptional political impressions pulled off by the show is so long, it’s impossible to recall all of them. On several occasions two separate performers spectacularly pulled off an impression of a single politician: Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton; Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton.
And, of course, at the top of any list of memorable political impressions are Will Ferrell as George W. Bush and the amazing Dana Carvey as both Bush Sr. and Ross Perot.
For sheer audaciousness, nothing tops the several extraordinary political impressions pulled off by female stars playing male pols. Aidy Bryant as Ted Cruz; Melissa McCarthy, who hosted and then returned to play her hilarious Sean Spicer; and the remarkable McKinnon who became physically transformed as both Jeff Sessions and Rudy Giuliani.
Notably most of the political performers have been regular cast members who stepped into the roles. Cameo cast additions were not routine (nor in the budget) in the show’s first decades. In the first season, Chevy Chase played Gerald Ford with almost no attempt at physical resemblance except for the propensity to fall down extravagantly.
Chris Farley didn’t look or sound much like Newt Gingrich, but Chris Farley as anybody was funny.
Beck Bennett didn’t really need wardrobe to play Vladimir Putin; he just took his shirt off.
The idea of a cameo player stepping in to handle a character on a steady basis became more or less codified when Alec Baldwin stepped in for a four-year (and Emmy-winning) run as Donald Trump beginning in 2016 after he had been elected. No fewer than four cast regulars had previously played then citizen-Trump: Hartman, Hammond, Jason Sudeikis, and Taran Killam.
If SNL does tap an outsider to play Walz, it has the potential to be a long gig—just as Rudolph may have signed up for an extended return as a frequent player when she returns in the fall as Harris.
Depending on the election returns (or the effectiveness of the next riot), there’s the possibility of a longtime need for Saturday Night Live‘s chosen version of J. D. Vance, too. That is another choice not yet locked in. Obvious suggestions from outside the cast: Zach Galifianakis and Kevin James—in a wig. But really, if the show wants to make another statement—especially given Vance’s alleged use of eyeliner as a cosmetic accessory—maybe Aidy Bryant could return for some guest appearances.
All of this seems imperative, especially as Trump (the real one, not James Austin Johnson’s dead-on double) announced Thursday that there may be a whole host of debates coming up beginning in September.
Nothing has brought out the political impersonations on SNL like presidential and vice presidential debates.
That is another concession Michaels has made to the viewers’ will. Debate sketches are virtually guaranteed to be represented in cold opens.
The pundits keep saying the new faces in the 2024 presidential election have yet to be fully defined in the public’s mind. To which SNL might reply: “yet.”
