Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Gov. Tim Walz
Sam Stroozas

Jim Gaffigan debuts as Walz on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live

Two people during a skit
Jim Gaffigan plays Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during Saturday Night Live on Saturday.
Screenshot via video

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Things to know about Minnesota according to Saturday Night Live: It’s cold, and we take the Menards rebate seriously. Even though we know it is 11 percent, not 10.

In the much-anticipated season premiere of Saturday Night Live, actor Jim Gaffigan debuted as Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.

In the cold open, Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris are at a Harris-Walz rally when he is introduced. Maya Rudolph returned to her role as Harris.

Gaffigan sports a Walz classic — a light blue dress shirt and navy suit jacket. He uses Walz’s now popular “weird” anecdote, says he got his suit at Costco and it is a Kirkland, where you can also get dog food (we already knew that).

But did Gaffigan sound like a Minnesotan? That’s the age old question. Despite controversy among Minnesotans over the accuracy in accents used in media to represent the state such as the classic film “Fargo,” Gaffigan shied away from the Fargo “aw jeez” sound and entered a new territory — extroverted, folksy Midwest dad.

Will Minnesota stay in the spotlight for the 50th season of the show? We’ll have to see, dontcha know.