Dana Carvey's Return to SNL

In a delightful surprise, comedian Dana Carvey made an unexpected return to “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) last weekend, taking on the role of President Joe Biden for the show's Season 50 premiere. Carvey’s comeback featured him alongside a star-studded cast, including Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff, Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Bowen Yang as JD Vance, and James Austin Johnson reviving his role as Donald Trump. The cold open brilliantly parodied the campaigns of the 2024 election candidates.

Behind the Scenes of Carvey's Impression

In an episode of his podcast “Superfly,” Carvey revealed that he had been under strict confidence about his appearance. He received the call to impersonate Biden from the legendary SNL creator, Lorne Michaels, leading to this much-anticipated performance.

“I didn’t see many Biden impressions out there,” Carvey explained. “There are a ton of great Trump impersonators—like Shane Gillis and James Austin Johnson— but Biden is trickier. Capturing the high-energy moments took time, but it really emerged around six months into his presidency when he expressed his frustration during a press conference.”

Evoking Laughter

Carvey emphasized that the goal of his impersonation was to evoke laughter rather than to deliver a political agenda. His portrayal elicited roaring laughter from the audience, especially when he inserted the unexpectedly humorous line, “Can’t believe it’s not butter!” while discussing Biden’s Build Back Better Plan. He noted, "I hadn’t planned for that moment at all—it just happened in the flow."

Creative Process and Evolution

Delving deeper into his creative process, Carvey recounted a conversation with fellow comedian Al Franken, where he discussed how his interpretation of Biden has evolved. He shared his impressions of Biden’s softer side, mimicking a comedic version of Biden saying, “My father lost his job—no joke,” illustrating how he finds humor even in serious subjects.

Reflecting on Communication Styles

Reflecting on Biden’s communication style, Carvey said, “He was very whispery and gentle until the press began to challenge his energy. That’s when we started to see a louder Biden emerge. This change in rhythm really shaped how I approach the impression.”

Personal Touch and Previous Impressions

Throughout his performance on SNL, Carvey drew on personal memories of his father, saying, “That whispery tone of ‘Don’t you get it folks?’ is something my dad used to do.” As he skillfully displayed the different "rhythms" of Biden, Carvey humorously referred to his own iconic impression of former president George H. W. Bush from the 1990s, saying, “That’s my ‘Not gonna do it’ for Biden.”

Carvey's Impact on SNL

Carvey, who was part of the SNL cast from 1986 to 1993, hadn’t graced the stage in Studio 8H since a cameo in 2016. While Biden has been portrayed by various comedians throughout the show’s history—including the likes of Jim Carrey and SNL cast members like Johnson, Alex Moffat, and Mikey Day—Carvey’s return has set a new standard.

With a fantastic lineup ahead, SNL is set to return on October 5 with host Nate Bargatze and musical guests Coldplay. Fans are already buzzing about what’s next for the iconic sketch comedy show!