Dana Carvey makes triumphant return to 'SNL' with epic Joe Biden Impression
He's still got it.
The GOAT is back.
Once upon a time, Dana Carvey was practically synonymous with Saturday Night Live, a fixture of the show not only for his iconic original characters like Garth Algar and Grumpy Old Man, but his dead-on, uncanny and laugh-out-loud funny impressions. Not least of which being his incredible George H.W. Bush during the 1992 election.
In an epic return to SNL, Carvey proved he’s still got it in his portrayal of Joe Biden.
In a sea of truly masterful impressions–Maya Rudolph, as to be expected, nailed it as Kamala Harris, right down to the laugh, Jim Gaffigan brought delightful “Big Dad Energy” as Tim Walz, even Andy Sandberg held his own as Douglas Emhoff—Carvey’s meandering, rambling and at times completely unhinged performance stood out.
It was a brilliant reminder of what makes Carvey so special as a performer in the first place. Though each perfectly mimicked mannerism certainly poked fun, there was never any underlying mean spiritedness or forced political agenda. In fact, Carvey told David Spade on his Fly on the Wallpodcast that honoring humor over any political message was the “the true north star” to bring what even this master impressionist called a “trickier” character to life.
Seems like Carvey’s instinct is as impeccable as ever though, cause he even managed to do the impossible of making Biden’s now signature ““Guess what? And by the way . . .” line funny every. single. time.
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The whole thing made people fall in love with Carvey all over again.
“All impressions were great. But, Carvy’s Biden was a gut laugh and a half. He hasn’t lost it since the Church Lady (my fav) and his impression of George H.W. Bush in the 90’s.”
"’But guess what...and by the way…’ gosh Dana Carvey made that better than it was probably supposed to be”
“Dana Carvey was such a great surprise. He's a perfect Joe Biden.”
‘Awww, bringing a veteran like DANA CARVEY back to do Biden was genius!”
“I cannot believe they actually got Dana back for Biden! This cold open is the best group of impressionists they have had together in DECADES.”
“Everyone was so great here, but Dana Carvey? He is so great at just totally becoming the person he is impersonating! All of the mannerisms, the voice, the pacing, the physical traits...he is the GOAT!”
“DANA CARVEYS' STILL GOT IT!! (not that I doubted it for a minute!!)”
“Dana Carvey as always the GOAT SNL political impressionist.”
Here’s to an SNL season that’s just as delightfully entertaining as this Cold Open was.