On Saturday, Saturday Night Live (SNL) debuted a satirical parody sketch featuring the New York City mayoral candidates as they engaged in a mock debate. The sketch spotlighted comedian Ramy Youssef as Zohran Mamdani, described as the frontrunner in the race, alongside actor Miles Teller portraying former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa. The humorous take on the political race included comedic commentary on the candidates’ past controversies, such as Cuomo’s resignation from governorship in 2021 amid multiple scandals and allegations of mishandling the COVID pandemic. The sketch also depicted the candidates’ heated exchanges, with Mamdani joking about the ways his name might be pronounced by his opponents and Sliwa referencing his past experiences with organized crime.
Kenan Thompson played the role of debate host Errol Louis, beginning the mock debate with opening statements from the candidates. Teller’s portrayal of Cuomo emphasized the former governor’s claim of navigating the city through the pandemic, despite his controversial legacy. The sketch also featured a surprise appearance by James Austin Johnson, who took on the persona of President Donald Trump, providing a satirical interjection with his own brand of political musings. Johnson quipped about Sliwa’s age, suggesting he was too young to lead, and humorously claimed his cognitive test results warranted an MRI. These comedic elements highlighted the broader political tensions and the candidates’ strategies as they prepare to appeal to New York voters.