‘SNL‘ Skewers NYC Mayoral Debate, Teller Impersonates Cuomo
New york City’s recent mayoral debate was the target of sharp satire on Saturday Night Live, with Miles Teller delivering a portrayal of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Bowen Yang as candidate Maya Wiley. The sketch,which aired during the show’s cold open,lampooned the debate’s participants and moments,including repeated mispronunciations of candidate Yusuf Saleem’s name.
The sketch’s humor centered on the often-contentious dynamics of the mayoral race and the personalities of the candidates.SNL mocked Curtis Sliwa’s tendency toward anecdotal stories, referencing his account of being shot while in a taxi. The program also took aim at Saleem’s campaign strategy, with a parody suggesting an appeal to voters experiencing “white guilt” over gentrification.
Kenan Thompson played the role of the debate moderator, posing the question, “You’re all running to be mayor of New York City.So my question is, why would you want the worst job in the world?” Teller, as Cuomo, responded, “As we all no, as soon as you are elected mayor, everyone in the city immediately hates you. And in that way, I’m already one step ahead of the game.”
The cold open also featured a surprise appearance from James Austin Johnson as former President Donald Trump, who declared his interest in possibly adding “New York mayor” to his list of duties. Trump, through Johnson’s impersonation, commented on the fictional fate of the Phantom of the Opera.
The sketch is available to view online.
