Steve Martin Reacts to Calls for Him to Play Tim Walz on SNL

Steve Martin has become the focus of fervent requests from fans eager for him to impersonate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on the upcoming season of “Saturday Night Live.” This buzz emerged after Vice President Kamala Harris announced Walz as her running mate for the 2024 Presidential Election on Tuesday, August 6. Social media users swiftly proposed Martin, 78, as the perfect actor to humorously portrayal Walz.

The reason behind this enthusiasm is Martin’s glasses, white hair, and congenial smile, which closely resemble the Midwestern politician’s appearance.

Responding to the online chatter on Wednesday, the “Father of the Bride” star took to Threads and quipped, “I just learned that Tim Walz wants to go on the road with Marty Short.” This is particularly amusing given Martin is set to tour with his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Martin Short, 74, across the United States this fall.

Martin and Short have long shared the stage, having performed numerous live shows together. Their 2018 Netflix special, “An Evening You’ll Forget for the Rest of Your Life,” is a testament to their enduring partnership. The duo also co-hosted “SNL” together in 2022, delivering a memorable episode that became the most-watched of the season, drawing 5.1 million viewers.

Though Martin was never an “SNL” cast member, Short was a regular during its 10th season from 1984 to 1985. Martin, however, has hosted the show 16 times, trailing only Alec Baldwin, who holds the record with 17 hosting gigs.

Should Martin heed the calls to mimic Walz, he would join Maya Rudolph in reprising notable political impersonations for “SNL’s” 50th season. Rudolph is celebrated for her portrayal of Kamala Harris, a role she debuted in a 2019 episode. She won her first Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for this performance and returned as Harris for the show’s 46th season in 2021.

This all comes amid the backdrop of Harris and Walz making their first appearance together as the Democratic party’s official nominees. They addressed a crowd of 12,000 at Temple University in Pennsylvania, where Harris lauded Walz’s diverse background as a teacher, veteran, congressman, and governor. She highlighted his accomplishments, such as implementing free school lunches for kids and enacting policies to protect abortion rights.

Walz, in turn, delivered a rousing speech, calling for a return to joyful politics while taking aim at the GOP campaign. His spirited address included sharp criticism of figures like JD Vance, contrasting Vance’s Ivy League education and Silicon Valley backing with his own Middle American roots.

“I can’t wait to debate the guy… That is, if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up,” Walz remarked, drawing cheers from the audience.

As anticipation builds for “Saturday Night Live” season 50, premiering on NBC on September 28, fans are keenly optimistic about seeing Martin add another memorable impersonation to his storied career.

Source: Particle News