Zohran Mamdani Shines in SNL Cold Open, Urges Voters to Engage

During a recent episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL), the stage transformed into a mock New York City mayoral debate, reflecting the chaos of current events. This episode featured playful banter, political satire, and an unexpected appearance by former President Donald Trump.

Star-Studded Political Comedy

Actor Miles Teller reprised his role as Andrew Cuomo, delivering sharp lines with a trademark New York flair. Ramy Youssef portrayed a polite and amusing Zohran Mamdani, while Kenan Thompson took on the role of host Errol Louis.

The debate scene soon veered off-course when James Austin Johnson’s Trump made a colorful entrance, asserting his place as the *real* candidate. He humorously interacted with the actors and quickly became the focal point of the sketch.

Witty Exchange and Memorable Jokes

• Teller’s Cuomo introduced himself as a “born, bred New Yorker.”
• Youssef’s Mamdani expressed concern over mispronunciations of his name and lightheartedly addressed voter apprehension about a young socialist Muslim candidate.
• In a comedic twist, Mamdani stated, “Hey, girl, I know you got a little white guilt for gentrifying that Spanish neighborhood. Why don’t you vote for me?”

As the debates unfolded, each candidate tackled questions about the challenges of leading New York. Johnson’s Trump humorously claimed, “It’s me!” when discussing the biggest problem facing the city.

Emotional Opening Monologue

Teller opened the show with a personal story of losing his home in the Los Angeles wildfires earlier in the year. He shared his gratitude for having multiple places to call home despite this hardship.

Who Else Joined the Show?

The episode marked Teller’s second time hosting SNL, following his debut in October 2022. He is the fourth host of Season 51, with upcoming hosts including Nikki Glaser and Glen Powell.

As the season progresses, musical guests Sombr and Olivia Dean are set to perform on November 8 and 15, respectively. Earlier episodes featured Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, and Sabrina Carpenter.

With its blend of humor and timely political themes, SNL continues to engage viewers while encouraging political participation, especially among younger audiences.