Al Franken as Tim Walz and Colin Jost as J.D. Vance? A Speculative Casting of the VP Candidates for ‘SNL’

Al Franken as Tim Walz and Colin Jost as J.D. Vance? A Speculative Casting of the VP Candidates for ‘SNL’

As a dedicated follower and admirer of Saturday Night Live, I must say that the potential castings for this upcoming season are nothing short of intriguing! One name that stands out to me is Al Franken. He was a former U.S. Senator and SNL player, so his return to the stage as Governor Walz would be an unparalleled blend of politics and comedy.


As a long-time political observer with over two decades of experience, I can confidently say that this election year is shaping up to be one for the history books. With so much media hype and speculation surrounding the upcoming elections, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing an influx of new faces in the national political arena.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) kicks off its 50th season on September 28, with the presidential election scheduled for November 5. This means that SNL will have six episodes to fine-tune their depictions of our country’s upcoming leaders. It was announced last week that SNL veteran and comedy powerhouse Maya Rudolph will be back to play Harris (and honestly, who else could we imagine in this role?). With his involuntary manslaughter charge being dropped, Alec Baldwin is free to reprise his Emmy-winning portrayal of Donald Trump. Alternatively, current cast member James Austin Johnson, who has been portraying the former president for the past few years, might take on the role again.

The comic roles for J.D. Vance and Tim Walz, the potential vice president nominees, have not been filled yet. As soon as their affiliations with the Republican and Democratic parties were revealed, discussions about possible choices started online. Within two days, one of the likely candidates openly expressed his disinterest (more details below). So, who would fit these roles best? To nail an impression, you need to capture the subtleties of their speech, any quirks or habits, and definitely, their signature phrases. Here are some suggestions from The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting the top contenders for the 2024 presidential race.

Tim Walz

Al Franken as Tim Walz and Colin Jost as J.D. Vance? A Speculative Casting of the VP Candidates for ‘SNL’

Steve Martin

Steve Martin, known for his distinctive hair and glasses, is unmistakably Steve Martin – a beloved comedic actor who often hosts SNL and belongs to the 16-Timers Club. While many may not know this, he was never a regular cast member on the show. An iconic figure of SNL, with his legendary “King Tut” performance celebrating its 46th anniversary this year, it seemed fitting that Martin would satirize a potential vice presidential candidate. However, Martin has declined Lorne Michaels’ invitation to take on the role. He confirmed this in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

“Martin shared that he wished to decline, and incidentally, that’s what Lorne wanted him to say. He expressed, ‘I’m not good at mimicking people, you need someone who can truly capture the essence.’ Martin mentioned that he was chosen for the role because I have gray hair and glasses.”

Bradley Whitford

they are both around the same age (Whitford is 4 years older), have similar hair color and receding hairlines, and share political leanings as Democrats with a dry sense of humor. Recently, Whitford delivered one of the best lines during the White Dudes for Harris Zoom call when he commented on the “rainbow of beige” in the video conference filled with white men.

Al Franken

As someone who has spent years observing the world of politics and entertainment, I find myself intrigued by the idea of Al Franken making a return to public life through a role on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Having followed his career since his days as an SNL player and later as a U.S. Senator, it’s fascinating to see how his life has come full circle.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve often pondered who could step into the Walz role, and Chris Farley was a name that frequently popped up in discussions online. However, sadly, he’s no longer with us, so we can only dream about it. Danny DeVito, a comedy icon, is always an excellent choice in my book. He brings a unique charm to any role he takes on. John Goodman also received some attention; his extensive history with Saturday Night Live (remember his Linda Tripp character?) makes him a strong contender. Just like DeVito, Goodman should always be invited to join the discussion.

Al Franken as Tim Walz and Colin Jost as J.D. Vance? A Speculative Casting of the VP Candidates for ‘SNL’

J.D. Vance

Colin Jost

If Colin Jost assumes the role of J.D. Vance this season at Studio 8H, where he currently shares the head writer position with Tina Fey, the mantle of the skilled satirist could potentially be passed to him. Trump’s controversial choice for a GOP Vice Presidential candidate has faced challenges in the campaign, providing ample material for satire. Given the public knowledge of his background and personal life, Jost would have rich resources to draw from. Preparing for such a role might require him to temporarily put aside his golfing hobby, but it would be exciting to see him take center stage on “Weekend Update,” apply some makeup, and satirize Vance in a way that could bring both parties together in shared laughter.

Jason Sudeikis

Jason Sudeikis, famed from SNL and currently adored for Ted Lasso, might consider aiming for another role if he’s looking ahead. The popularity of Ted Lasso won’t last forever. Throughout his nine-season tenure at SNL, he brought to life a host of hilarious original characters and impersonated three significant political figures: President George W. Bush, the current President Joe Biden, and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Why not revisit this platform, Jason? After all, dedicated SNL viewers, or those who watch it very closely, may remember that he previously played a character named Vance on the popular “What Up With That?” series of sketches.

Shane Gillis

If Shane Gillis delivers an exceptional impression of Vance that audiences are eagerly anticipating, there could be a chance for redemption in the story surrounding his departure from SNL. In 2019, Gillis was let go from the show following the resurfacing of ethnic slurs in his past. Since then, he has gained significant popularity through his podcast, “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” and returned as an SNL host during season 49. Although his performance was less than stellar, there were still moments that elicited laughter. Lorne Michaels has expressed remorse about the circumstances surrounding Gillis’ casting on the show. However, this potential redemption may not sit well with those who continue to be hurt by Gillis’ past language and tone. Whether or not this is too convenient for some remains debatable.

The rest: Current SNL cast member Mikey Day has got the look and would totally work as Vance. Ditto for former castmember Taran Killam — although it seems his departure was less than amiable, and he was certainly upset that Trump was allowed to host the show amid his first presidential campaign. Maybe the show should do some meta-casting and go with Gabriel Basso, the actor who portrayed Vance in Hillbilly Elegy, Ron Howard’s widely panned Netflix adaptation of his memoir? 

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2024-08-09 01:27