The Season 50 premiere of “Saturday Night Live” reflects a revitalized election season

“Saturday Night Live” kicked off its historic 50th season with beloved show veterans joining contemporary talent to present a satirical look at the revitalized election season.

At the cold opening, Maya Rudolph reprized her role as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. James Austin Johnson returned for his version of Republican foe and former President Donald Trump.

The skit was a parody of ABC News’ “World News Tonight With David Muir” as Muir, portrayed by Andrew Dismukes, attempted to make amends for his self-admitted bias during a presidential debate that was widely viewed as a win for Harris.

“Is it just me, or does it look pretty here,” he said at the start of the skit.

Before introducing Harris, Muir said he would devote equal time to live coverage of each candidate’s rallies.

“The fun has been restarted,” said Rudolphs Harris. “Too funny, too angry.”

She repeated one of her campaign slogans: “This election is about moving forward. You see, Donald Trump is stuck in the past.”

Harris continued, “As I say to my husband Doug when he leaves his phone at the Chilis: We’re not coming back.”

Comedian Jim Gaffigan was introduced as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate.

After proclaiming his “Big Dad energy,” Walz explained why he wants to be vice president.

“I love this country and as a former teacher I need the money,” he said, mentioning the name of a major generic brand. “This suit is from Costco. It’s the Kirkland brand.”

Show veterans Andy Samberg (as Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff) and Dana Carvey (as President Joe Biden) shared the stage with Rudolph.

Emhoff von Samberg, who is Jewish, said he was proud to decorate the White House for Christmas, a tradition for spouses of presidents. “The theme will be Hanukkah,” he explained.

Bowen Yang portrayed Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio. He said the former president told him he reminded Trump of his own children.

“JD, you’re like a son to me because I don’t like you and I’m holding on to you,” Yang’s Vance quoted Trump as saying.

Carvey’s Biden appeared senile and had vision and memory problems.

“A lot of people forget that I’m president, myself included,” he said.

Johnson’s Trump complained that Democrats switched their adopted candidate from Biden to Harris midway through the race.

“I miss Joe Biden. Oh, Joe,” he complained. “They made a change… and now everything is chaos. They eat the dogs,” he said, repeating an unfounded claim about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.

Before joining Carvey’s Biden to jointly announce the show’s opening set, “Live from New York…”, Rudolph’s Harris expressed hope that the chaos of election season will lead to benevolent calm.

“If we win together, we can end the dramala and the traumala and relax in our pajamalas,” she said.

The show’s political satire wasn’t just limited to the White House.

Repertory player Devon Walker portrayed New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who pleaded not guilty Friday to corruption and bribery charges stemming from allegations that he provided wealthy Turkish nationals and at least one government official with free airline tickets and luxury hotel stays worth Stolen $100,000 to promote Turkish interests in local government.

Adams has steadfastly denied the allegations. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, criticized prosecutors for bringing what he said was a trivial case to trial and vowed to file a motion to dismiss next week.

Walker’s Adams joined the parody of the “Weekend Update” news segment with his co-host Michael Che to talk about the case.

“I am an innocent man,” he said. “What was once a waste dump with no loot is now a Swagtropolis – with significantly more crime than before. I took crime from the streets to the sidewalks and the subway.”

When confronted with accusations that he had traded the favor of Turkish interests for lavish travel arrangements, Walker’s Adams said: “I love turkey, man. Have you ever eaten a Turkish delicacy? It’s a briefcase with $100,000 in it. It’s delicious.”

The show was hosted by Jean Smart, who recently won a third Emmy for the Max comedy “Hacks,” with musical guest Jelly Roll.

“SNL” and NBC News are both owned by NBCUniversal.