'SNL' returns with Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Dana Carvey as President Biden

"Saturday Night Live" is back to take on the 2024 presidential election with a cavalcade of new impressions.

The NBC sketch show returned for its 50th season premiere on Saturday and kicked off with a packed opening sketch that featured Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.

Maya Rudolph was back as Vice President Kamala Harris, who held a campaign rally in a swing state in the spoof. The show had quite a bit of territory to cover, given that Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee during the "SNL" hiatus after Biden dropped out of the election.

"Well, well, well," Rudolph's Harris declared. "Look who fell out of that coconut tree."

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She continued, "My campaign is like the Sabrina Carpenter song 'Espresso.' The lyrics are vague, but the vibe slaps."

Gaffigan soon entered as Walz, ending the mystery about who would play Harris' running mate on the show after Steve Martin declined the role. "Folks, I haven't been this excited since I got a 10% rebate on a leaf blower from Menards!" he announced. "What can I say? I got that BDE: Big Dad Energy."

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"When Kamala Harris called me and asked me to be her vice president, I said, 'Uh, yeah!' " he said. "This is personal for me. I love this country, and as a former teacher, I need the money. This suit is from Costco!"

Another star wasn't far behind: Samberg, a former "SNL" cast member who debuted his impression of Emhoff, Harris' husband. Describing himself as "Charlie Brown if he was a grown-up," Samberg's Emhoff declared that he is proud to "join the esteemed list of presidential spouses throughout history, women and men ? but all women ? that have stood by the president's side," adding, "I for one can't wait to decorate the White House for Christmas. The theme will be Hanukkah!"

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When the sketch cut to former President Donald Trump's rally, James Austin Johnson's Trump introduced his running mate: Sen. JD Vance, played by "SNL" cast member Bowen Yang. "People are saying he was a bad pick, and in many ways, he was," Johnson's Trump said of Vance.

After taking the podium, Yang's Vance recalled Trump telling him, "JD, you're like a son to me, because I don't like you and I'm stuck with you."

The sketch soon cut back to Harris' rally as yet another star took the stage: "SNL" alum Dana Carvey, who played President Joe Biden. "A lot of people forget I'm president, including me," he said, also mocking Biden's tendency to frequently say "by the way" and "no joke." When Rudolph's Harris, mispronouncing Biden's name, thanked him for dropping out of the race, he responded, "I didn't want to! You made me!"

Jean Smart hosts 'SNL' premiere, jokes about her new Emmy for 'Hacks'

"Hacks" star Jean Smart hosted the "SNL" season premiere fresh off another Emmy win for best lead actress in a comedy series. "I haven't gotten all dressed up and had hundreds of people clap for me in days," she joked. Smart also sang a song about how much she loves New York and at one point quipped, "I saw Mayor (Eric) Adams in the news. I didn't read it. I'm sure it's for something good."

"SNL" will return next week with host Nate Bargatze and musical guest Coldplay.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'SNL' season premiere debuts new Walz, Vance, Biden impressions