Harris opens ‘Saturday Night Live,’ urges US to ‘keep Calm-ala’ before election

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris appeared on the “Saturday Night Live” television comedy show on Saturday, adding a surprise jolt to the US presidential election just three days before her showdown with Republican Donald Trump.

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Harris portrayed herself, appearing in a mirror opposite the actor who plays her on the show, Maya Rudolph, who was nervously preparing for a campaign speech. Dressed identically in a black suit and pearls, the two traded variations on Harris’ first name, saying Americans want to “end the drama-la” in politics “with a cool new stepmom-ala.”

“Keep Calm-ala and carry on-ala,” they said in unison.

“I don’t really laugh like that, do I?” Harris asked, after Rudolph imitated her distinctive chortle.

“A little bit,” Rudolph responded.

Kamala Harris made a snap decision to appear on the show as her campaign tries to pitch itself to a national US audience. Photo: AFP
Kamala Harris made a snap decision to appear on the show as her campaign tries to pitch itself to a national US audience. Photo: AFP

Harris was making her first appearance on the show, which has had other presidential candidates over its decades-long run.

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