SNL: Another big-name cameo could join Maya Rudolph thanks to Kamala Harris
By Matt Moore
Saturday Night Live season 50 was going to be special long before it was announced Maya Rudolph will return as Kamala Harris. But thanks to the election shake-up, another big-name star could be back in Studio 8H this year.
Deadline confirmed that Rudolph will reprise her version of Vice President Kamala Harris through the election. After December, someone else will likely have to pick up the mantle if the Democratic nominee defeats Donald Trump.
But that should leave at least a half-dozen episodes for Rudolph to play Harris, campaigning and (maybe) debating James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump. It also means that another comedy star could cameo.
Martin Short played Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff during season 46. His cameo appearance came in a sketch alongside Rudolph, Alex Moffat as Joe Biden, and Aidy Bryant as Senator Ted Cruz.
Unsurprisingly, the Saturday Night Live crowd gave Short a loud ovation when he appeared on screen. Hopefully, that wasn't the first and only time we get to see the comedy legend as Emhoff.
The timing couldn't be better for Short and Saturday Night Live. The comedian's Hulu series Only Murders in the Building returns for season 4 beginning August 27. That's just about a month before SNL season 50 premieres, meaning that Short could start playing Emhoff just as OMITB is nearing its finale.
Short is likely to jump at any opportunity to make an SNL return. He has made cameo appearances eight times in the past 10 years. Plus, he has incredible comedic chemistry with Maya Rudolph; the pair co-hosted the variety show Maya & Marty in 2016.
Saturday Night Live should pull out all the stops for season 50. And while the current cast is stuffed with talented performers, election season is a different animal. Audiences have come to expect cameos and stunt casting, especially when the cast strength is in the sum of its parts rather than a standout star.
Bringing back Martin Short to pair with Maya Rudolph is a winning recipe and one that SNL would be wise to cook up for season 50. We'll find out when the season premieres on September 28.