As a lifelong SNL enthusiast who’s watched every episode since its inception (and yes, that includes the occasional late-night rerun), the 50th season premiere was nothing short of exhilarating! The return of Dana Carvey as Joe Biden was an absolute treat and brought back memories of the golden age of SNL.
Over the weekend, the much-awaited debut of Saturday Night Live’s 50th season took place, making it a highly anticipated event on our 2024 TV lineup for multiple reasons. Not only was this episode historic because it coincides with an election year, but we’re also eager to see fresh portrayals of the president and the candidates vying for the role. This time around, SNL legend Dana Carvey made a comeback to embody Joe Biden in a dead-on and side-splitting manner. Now, a video of him dissecting his impression of the current president is becoming increasingly popular online.
Over the weekend, I felt like I was back at Studio 8H, where nostalgia hit me hard as Maya Rudolph stepped into the shoes of Vice President Kamala Harris once more, and Andy Samberg, a fellow alumnus, played her husband Doug Emhoff. Jim Gaffigan also made an appearance, hilariously embodying VP candidate Tim Walz, but the real shocker was none other than SNL legend Dana Carvey appearing as Joe Biden!
In the video, Carvey breaks down his impersonation of the leader into phrases and rhythms observed in the president’s speeches. Using these mannerisms as a foundation, he creates his rendition of Biden, incorporating comedic elements of his own. The internet was particularly amused by the “And guess what? And by the way…” joke, as well as the “No joke. I’m being serious” part, which Carvey mentioned they found humorous too.
We both found it ironic that he’d say something so unfunny given the situation, especially since losing one’s job is generally not considered amusing. However, despite the gravity of the situation, he felt compelled to clarify, “I’m not trying to be funny here. I’m not a comedian. My father actually lost his job, it’s no joke.
In terms of background, nobody could have been more suited than Al Franken, a past writer for Saturday Night Live and a former U.S. Senator, to assist the Master of Disguise actor in developing his Biden impersonation.
On the chilly opening of last Saturday’s show, we got a glimpse of two sides of Joe Biden: the affable grandfather figure and the firm-minded one. In a video he shared on X, Franken encouraged Carvey to discuss why he chose to portray both a gentle Biden and a more vocal Biden in his impression.
Initially, it was incredibly soft and mild. However, at one point, the media seemed to become more aggressive towards him, which I perceived. They began discussing his ‘viga’, repeatedly mentioning it. This prompted him to transition from a near-whisper to a forceful shout, apologizing for being too loud. He declared, “I wrote the bill and did the things people discuss,” speaking loudly and at a higher pitch. This was an unexpected dynamic for me as I had never witnessed him speak so loudly before.
As a gaming enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on this: I’ve seen Wayne’s World star, Dana Carvey, do presidential impressions before, with Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and even Donald Trump falling under his comedic talent. But his recent surprise appearance as Joe Biden has got to be one of the best! It’s like he’s been missing from our screens for the past 4 years. I can almost hear Lorne Michaels wishing he had asked Carvey to return sooner. Don’t miss out on his impression from last Saturday’s show below.
@nbcsnl
j’biden
♬ original sound – Saturday Night Live – SNL
Although some members of the Saturday Night Live (SNL) team may not be enthused about recurring roles being given to visiting comedians, I find the fresh twist of assigning political roles to revered former cast members and comedy greats an enjoyable shock for viewers. Let’s keep this entertaining tradition alive on the late-night program. Moreover, both candidates on the Republican ticket were portrayed by current actors James Austin Johnson (Donald Trump) and Bowen Yang (JD Vance).
What matters most to me is ensuring we see at least one additional appearance by Joe Biden (or Dana Carvey) this season before his term ends. The brief 30 seconds in the cold open was great, but I’m certain there’s more to come! To catch another possible cameo, tune in for a new episode of SNL every Saturday on NBC, or with a Peacock subscription.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-02 21:07