Dana Carvey reveals he knew Biden was mentally compromised during SNL skits

Comedian Dana Carvey has openly discussed his time portraying former President Joe Biden on the iconic sketch show Saturday Night Live during its last season. On his podcast, Fly on the Wall, which he co-hosts with David Spade, Carvey explained that throughout the 2024-2025 season, he recognized and had to address the sensitive nature of Biden's declining mental faculties while attempting humor in his skits. Carvey emphasized that he didn't want his portrayals to come off as mean-spirited, which made it a balancing act between humor and tact. Carvey shared that many comedians were hesitant to joke about Biden's condition, pointing out that people in the comedy world were aware of the potential risks involved in poking fun at the president's mental acuity. Even though they acknowledged that many signs signaled Biden's cognitive decline, the reluctance to make 'awkward' jabs remained apparent. Nevertheless, Carvey, who portrayed Biden alongside actress Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris, often mocked Biden and drew attention to the nuances of his speech and behavior. This complex interaction between humor and sensitivity made Carvey's experience both frustrating and fulfilling. He sought to make his impressions recognizable and relatable while avoiding any harshness. Carvey mentioned that when crafting his comedic material, he consciously left out certain traits that could be perceived as disrespectful, aiming instead to keep the jokes lighthearted and approachable. He encountered various phrases and reactions from Biden that became signature pieces of his impersonation, enhancing the comedic aspect of his portrayal. The conversation about Biden's mental decline escalated in volume following various public appearances and debates, particularly after a notably disastrous debate against Donald Trump in June 2024. This led to wider discussions regarding Biden's candidacy and his ability to function as president. In light of these ongoing conversations, the political landscape has shifted, resulting in calls for investigations into possible cover-ups regarding Biden's health by former White House officials. Following the publication of books attributing critical insights about Biden's condition to numerous insiders, it seems the portrayal of his health will continue to be an influential topic in political commentary. These developments add layers to the understanding of satire within today's political climate, showing how deeply intertwined humor, health, and public perception can be.