Now that Kamala Harris has chosen her running mate, all eyes are turning toward Lorne Michaels and who he might cast as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz alongside Maya Rudolph’s Harris when SNL returns for its 50th season in September. Among the early picks: Nick Offerman, Steve Martin, and Jim Gaffigan.
“Rooting for Tim Walz for many reasons,” one X/Twitter user wrote before Harris’ VP pick was made public, “but mainly because I’d love to see Danny DeVito play him on SNL for the rest of election season.” That post has since become one of the most liked and reposted messages on the topic. That sentiment was echoed by a Reddit user, who posted side-by-side photos comparing the actor to the VP hopeful.
Danny DeVito for VP Candidate Tim Walz
byu/Astraeus323 inLiveFromNewYork
“With a lil makeup, I propose Jim Gaffigan” was another X/Twitter user’s idea.
Others suggested Jim O’Heir, who played the famously affable Jerry Gergich on NBC’s Parks & Recreation.
O’Heir’s Parks & Rec co-star Nick Offerman is popping up as another potential contender—and considering how he just appeared on the “Comics for Kamala” Zoom fundraiser last night, it’s safe to assume he’d be game for the gig.
Another suggestion was Conan O’Brien’s longtime sidekick Andy Richter. “If you listen to Walz talk, he genuinely kind of sounds like a more gravelly Richter,” one X/Twitter user explained. “And I mean that as a compliment.”
Quite a few Saturday Night Live alums have turned up in the chatter as well, including one with a Democratic political past: Al Franken, former SNL writer-turned-U.S. Senator-turned-Daily Show guest host. Other names bandied about have included former cast members Brian Doyle-Murray and David Koechner.
But for all these inspired suggestions, it seems the web is mostly rallying around one notoriously likable, white-haired comic who’s already familiar with the halls of Studio 8H: Steve Martin.
The buzz for Martin is not only strong, it would also make sense. Martin and frequent collaborator Martin Short have a new season of Only Murders in the Building to promote, and Short has already played Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff to Rudolph’s Harris once before. Perhaps this season will be the Only Murders meets Maya & Marty crossover we never knew we needed?
Some other suggestions? Tom Arnold and Wallace Shawn.
While the internet’s suggestions haven’t focused on current SNL cast members, stunt-casting a celebrity wouldn’t be totally out of the ordinary for the show. For the last election, the show recruited Alec Baldwin and Jim Carrey to play Donald Trump and Joe Biden, respectively. And just last week, Rudolph—who departed SNL in 2007—signed on to reprise her Harris impression next season following similar rallying cries from social media.
It also remains to be seen who Michaels enlists to play former Donald Trump’s running mate, J. D. Vance. Suggestions have included former SNL cast member Taran Killam and actor/comedian Zach Galifianakis. Regardless, as one person on X put it, “Tim Walz v JD Vance debate might just lead to the greatest SNL skit ever made.”
Saturday Night Live returns for its Season 50 premiere on September 28.
