As a longtime fan and observer of Saturday Night Live, I must say that the choice for J.D. Vance’s impersonator is a fascinating conundrum. The show has always been known for its clever casting decisions, and this time seems no different.
For many years, the political impressions on Saturday Night Live were mainly performed by cast members. Over time, these impressions have ranged from utterly forgettable (like Mark McKinney’s Al Gore during the 1996 election) to iconic (such as Dana Carvey’s George Bush and Will Ferrell’s George W. Bush). However, Tina Fey’s portrayal of Sarah Palin in fall 2008 marked a turning point. This impression is considered one of the best political satire performances ever, and its significance lies in the fact that it was the first major political impersonation on SNL by a non-cast member. Since then, Lorne Michaels has consistently returned to successful formats, which led to more celebrities playing politicians in 2016 and even more during the Trump administration. This shift resulted in Saturday Night Live going from not casting anyone for Joe Lieberman until after the 2000 election to now, where as soon as a nominee is announced, potential celebrity roles start trending online and become topics of discussion on cable news.
In anticipation for the star-studded lineup of SNL‘s 50th season, with Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris and possibly James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, viewers are eager to contribute their suggestions for potential Vice President characters, Tim Walz and J.D. Vance. However, not all predictions carry the same weight. Here’s our take on who likely won’t be cast, who might, and our top picks.
Tim Walz
Who definitely won’t play him:
Tim Walz, the tall, white-haired man with glasses, is often viewed as kind due to his progressive governance of Minnesota. This friendly demeanor reminds some, including Vanity Fair, of beloved family-friendly comedian Jim Gaffigan. Other suspects for the sketch comedy show include Parks and Recreation’s Jim O’Heir, who can convey a homespun energy, and New Yorker writer Michael Schulman’s X post suggested Tracy Letts, a dramatic actor, although his work seems unrelated to a comedy setting. Drew Carey’s glasses also sparked some speculation among fans.
As a seasoned movie critic, let me share my thoughts on this peculiar case. It seems these suggested candidates might not fit the traditional mold of an SNL host – a role often bestowed upon individuals who have a connection with the show, either as former hosts or cast members. Jim Gaffigan, for instance, made a brief appearance in 1996 before his Hot Pockets fame, but none of these gentlemen share such a bond with Lorne Michaels.
The internet’s preferred and persuasive choice for the role was Steve Martin, but just a day after Walz’s announcement, he declined the offer. In conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Martin explained, “I wanted to decline the part, and by the way, I was asked to decline it.” He added, “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can truly embody the character.’ I was chosen because I have gray hair and glasses.”
Who could play him:
Darrell Hammond, who’s already the show’s announcer and just seven years older than Walz, is an impressionist and could make a great throwback for the show’s 50th season because he can impersonate anyone. Al Franken might not be as known for his impressions, but he’d bring nostalgia and has ties to Minnesota politics. However, since people now expect big names like Matt Damon and Melissa McCarthy in even minor political roles, it’s hard to envision either making a significant impact by being cast as a surprise choice.
In discussion for a potential role on X, John Goodman’s name has been suggested, and his presence might generate more audience excitement. Notably, he hosted the show 13 times and portrayed Linda Tripp in five episodes during the late ’90s. He also appeared as Rex Tillerson on “Weekend Update” in 2018. Goodman has a knack for playing authoritative roles such as a former high-school football coach, although he is somewhat older (73 compared to Walz at 60). However, age might not be a significant factor in this case. The main concern about Goodman is that his larger-than-life persona could overshadow Walz.
An alternative choice could be Mike Myers, known for his round face and now white hair. Unlike Walz, who maintains a more understated, midwestern persona, Myers is an exceptionally talented character comedian. As we approach the 50th-anniversary celebration, having him on board would add a delightful touch. Similar to Goodman, Myers isn’t based locally, but given that the Vice President typically appears in just two episodes, travel won’t pose much of an issue.
As a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live and its impressive impersonation cast, I find it intriguing to see how the show’s creators are making decisions for the upcoming election season. With Biden and Trump being prominent figures in politics today, it’s important that SNL delivers top-notch impressions to keep up with the times.
Who we think will play him:
We understand Steve Martin’s recent statements to the L.A. Times, but we find them hard to believe. It could be that he’s setting us up for a surprise, or perhaps he’s still hesitant about it. Regardless, based on his past roles, it seems highly probable that he will indeed play Roger Stone in 2019, given his white hair and glasses.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Sld27PfAF3M
It’s highly probable that the role of Walz will be given to someone within the SNL family, and there isn’t anyone more fitting than Martin. Apart from the fact that it’s the show’s 50th season and Martin has a season of “Only Murders in the Building” to publicize, it was very likely that he would host an episode regardless.
J.D. Vance
Who definitely won’t play him:
In simpler terms, Vance is a white man with brown hair and a beard, and there’s a vast array of potential candidates for this role. Paul Walter Hauser has been suggested by several sources due to his recent success in comedy on shows like “I Think You Should Leave” and the world of professional wrestling. Similarly, Vanity Fair has proposed Haley Joel Osment as another possibility, given his impressive comedic performances on shows such as “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Robot Chicken.” However, neither of these actors have hosted SNL before, so it’s unlikely that they would be contacted by Michaels. Furthermore, while both are talented award-winning actors, their level of fame might not elicit the desired reaction from a live audience, which is crucial for this particular role. The goal here is to use new faces to excite the audience!
Who could play him:
Considering Vance’s relatively young age (40 years old), several cast members could potentially fit the role. James Austin Johnson might not be an option due to his portrayal of Trump and, theoretically, Walz. Mikey Day currently holds the second spot among white cast members, and given that Lorne Michaels tried to have Day play Biden last year for this season, it appears he was planning on featuring Johnson and Day in the 50th episode. Colin Jost is the top white cast member and might be able to pull off the role with a fake beard. His primary impression on the show has been Pete Buttigieg in 2019 and 2020, which he seemed to get due to both attending Harvard. (Perhaps Yale’s similarity to Harvard could land him the part?) Michael Longfellow and Andrew Dismukes are also possibilities, but neither seem to have the right feel for the role, especially when compared to Steve Martin, who remains our top pick for the role.
There have been suggestions in media outlets such as the Daily Beast that certain previous SNL cast members could play the role of Vance on the show’s upcoming season. Among them, Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis have been mentioned, with Aidy Bryant being a strong contender if the show decides not to go with a current cast member or former host. Forte has a larger audience appeal, but may not be well-suited for political impressions, while Sudeikis was successful in portraying Biden during Obama’s term, but his impersonations were more lighthearted than satirical. On the other hand, Bryant excels at satirizing unpopular figures within Trump’s circle, such as William Barr and Ted Cruz, making her a strong choice for the role.
Zach Galifianakis is being considered as a potential host for some shows and has been mentioned in The Daily Beast, primarily due to his distinctive beard. However, it’s not immediately clear why he’s being considered beyond his facial hair. In addition, Galifianakis can be seen on the latest season of “Only Murders” alongside Martin. Yet, since his last appearance on SNL in 2015 during the 40th-anniversary special, there have been no reports of him being tapped for cameos or guest spots.
Who we think will play him:
Martin Short is not at all like Vance in appearance and is much older, but having him join the cast could be a compelling factor for Martin to accept the role of Walz. Whether this decision comes from Martin himself, Michael, Short, or even us, getting Short onboard would make it more likely that Martin will agree to play the part.
Marty is prone to do some normie political comedy from time to time and has a history of playing annoying characters with odious personalities. Sure, it wouldn’t extend post-election, but it’s hard to imagine Maya Rudolph making weekly appearances as Kamala Harris after November too. Right now, Michaels isn’t looking for a J.D. Vance for a long time, but a good time, which in this case would literally be a Short time. While presidential elections happen every four years, 50th seasons of television shows happen only once. Politics aside, Michaels will always support nostalgia, self-reference, and casting his friends.
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2024-08-08 19:55