Watch Kamala Harris on SNL: “Leave Kamala and Carry On”

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live” to open the show, joining Harris’ Maya Rudolph character and telling viewers, “Leave Kamala and carry on-ala.”

Harris’ appearance came in the final days before the presidential election. Harris had campaigned in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier in the day and was scheduled to travel to Detroit. But once the plane took off, aides said it was actually headed to New York.

The first lines uttered by the candidate, when she sat opposite Rudolf in identical clothes, were drowned out by the applause of the audience.

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“It’s great to see you, Kamala,” Harris told Rudolph with a big smile that she maintained throughout the sketch. “And I’m just here to remind you: You got this.”

At the same time, the two declared that supporters should “keep Kamala and carry on-ala,” said they shared “each other’s faith in the promise of America,” and captioned it, “Live from New York, Saturday Night!”

Harris left immediately after the first segment. She told reporters: “It was fun!” as she boarded the plane to leave New York. An adviser to former President Donald Trump’s campaign said the Republican presidential nominee “probably wasn’t” invited to appear on SNL. Trump last appeared on the show in 2015.

Host John Mulaney and musical guest Chappell Roane steered the show away from politics after the cold open. None of them addressed the election.

Some expected Roan, a 26-year-old singer who has become a major star in recent months, to make a political statement during her first appearance on the show. She has previously been a sharp critic of the Democratic Party and has refused to support Harris, although Roane has said several times that she plans to vote for her.

But she played it straight, or as straight as a wild stage performer can. She sang her hit “Pink Pony Club” on an all-pink stage bathed in pink lights.

Senator Tim Kaine also made a surprise appearance in a game show sketch, where the gag was that no one remembered him despite him being Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016.

“Less than eight years have passed. What’s my name?” he said, while the participants were silent and confused.

Rudolph first played Harris on the series in 2019 and reprized her role this season, doing her exact impression of the vice president, including calling herself “Momala” — a reference to the affectionate nickname her adopted children gave her.

Her former castmate Andy Samberg reappeared Saturday night as Harris’ husband second gentleman Doug Emhoff, stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan played sidekick Tim Waltz, and longtime alum Dana Carvey reprized her role as President Joe Biden.

Rudolph’s performance received acclaim from critics and comedians, including Harris herself.

“Maya Rudolph — I mean, she’s so good,” Harris said last month on ABC’s “The View.” “She had everything: a suit, jewelry, everything!”

Harris will make another national television appearance Sunday, filming a two-minute spot during NFL games on CBS and FOX, including the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions, two swing teams in the state.