Not long after Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, social media users began lining up candidates to play Walz when “Saturday Night Live” returns in the fall.
Topping the list is Steve Martin, who, with his thinning white hair, glasses and affable fatherly demeanor, bears a passing resemblance to Walz. Martin reached out to the group on Tuesday, posting on Threads: “Just found out Tim Walz wants to tour with Marty Short.”
“Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels must have been listening because he called Martin Wednesday morning with an offer.
The comedian politely and promptly declined.
“I wanted to say no, and by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin told The Times. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impersonator. You need someone who can really get the guy.’ I was cast because I have gray hair and glasses.”
Maya Rudolph will reprise her portrayal of Harris, whom she first played on “SNL” in 2019 during the Democratic presidential primaries and later when Harris was named Joe Biden’s running mate. (Jim Carrey played Biden.) According to Deadline, Rudolph moved production on the third season of her Apple TV+ series “Loot” from August to January in order to play Harris during this year’s election cycle.
Martin, who turns 79 next week, was not prepared to make that kind of commitment.
“It’s something that lasts over time,” Martin says. “It’s not something you do once and get applause and never do it again. Again, they need a real impersonator to do it. They’re going to find someone really, really good. I would have a hard time.”
The 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” will premiere on September 28.
