Heard this ? on Howard Stern Interview with Carvey and Spade. Top 5 SNL Actors

[Mr. Potter]

In no particular order here are mine:

1. Dan Ackroyd
2. Kirsten Wiig
3. Will Ferrell
4. Kate McKinnon
5. Phil Hartman

**If I had to take six it would be a tie with Eddie Murphy and Bill Hader.

If Murphy stayed longer he would have been in my top five because he did my favorite sketches. James Brown Hot tub and Mr. Robinson's neighborhood.

Anyone Agree?

Shalom

 

[Midnighter]

In no particular order here are mine:

1. Dan Ackroyd
2. Kirsten Wiig
3. Will Ferrell
4. Kate McKinnon
5. Phil Hartman

**If I had to take six it would be a tie with Eddie Murphy and Bill Hader.

If Murphy stayed longer he would have been in my top five because he did my favorite sketches. James Brown Hot tub and Mr. Robinson's neighborhood.

Anyone Agree?

Shalom

Solid Top Five. I wasn't around for the early years of SNL - my recollection begins around late 80's with Carvey, Hartman, Myers, Jackson, Miller, etc. Definitely an easier exercise to do by decade or gender, but my quick gut reaction is....

Hartman, Carvey, Myers, Ferrell, Farley.

Wait....

Poehler, Wiig, Gasteyer, McKinnon, Rudolph.

Wait....

Hader, Samberg, Hammond, Hooks, Thompson.

Sigh.

 

[PhillyBillyReprise]

No John Belushi? He was a wild and crazy guy, Samauri [fill-in the blank], “cheese burga, cheese burga, no coke, pepsi“, “Animal House”, “Blues Brothers”.

 

[Zenophile]

The beauty of this thread is that there are no wrong answers.


Steve Martin was never a part of the official cast, and yet IMHO he's a critical component to the show's success.

 

[TheBigUglies]

I guess I am showing my age but the original cast was the best.

1. Belushi
2. Radnor
2. Ackroyd
3. Curtain
3. Murray
4. Morris
4. Newman

If I had to choose from next gen casts
Carvey was my favorite
Murphy would be next

Not really anyone else after that. It just seems the following generations the better ones were the most animated in their acting(like Farley, Farrell, etc).

Maybe the humor just changed but the following generations were just not as funny as the first. Then again maybe it was because the humor on SNL was new to being broadcast on television when there were only 6 channels. The subject matter was probably never on TV during primetime but as the generations followed the general population became used to seeing certain things on TV. Cable didn't come until early 80s for me and also most of the 6 channels on TV played the national anthem at midnight or 2:00 AM and actually went off the air for a several hours.

Try to watch every now and then and just find it not funny and the musical acts boring. I know it is hard to keep comedy fresh but it just seems like same old same old every time I turn it on.

 

[Moogy]

In no particular order here are mine:

1. Dan Ackroyd
2. Kirsten Wiig
3. Will Ferrell
4. Kate McKinnon
5. Phil Hartman

**If I had to take six it would be a tie with Eddie Murphy and Bill Hader.

If Murphy stayed longer he would have been in my top five because he did my favorite sketches. James Brown Hot tub and Mr. Robinson's neighborhood.

Anyone Agree?

Shalom

I find Aykroyd, Wiig and McKinnon to be super annoying and unfunny, though McKinnon is great in the alien abduction sketches.

Give me Murphy, Ferrell, Farley, Carvey and Mike Myers.

Honorable Mention: Kenan Thompson, Sandler, Morgan, Hartman, Hader, Tina Fey

I really think SNL is the best it's ever been this season. It's genuinely funny most episodes ... all the way through. Historically, even in the best years, each episode would have a couple good sketches, a couple bleh, and then a couple terrible ones ... now a stinker is a rare exception.

Monkey Judge was awesome, in case anyone missed it.

 

[psuro]

Younger folks don’t know just how amazing this was….

 

[TheBigUglies]

Younger folks don’t know just how amazing this was….

And this:

 

[1995PSUGrad]

This is tough but I would have to include:

1. Murray
2. Akroyd
3. Chase
4. Sandler
5. Fallon

 

[Mr. Potter]

 

[Midnighter]

The beauty of this thread is that there are no wrong answers.


Steve Martin was never a part of the official cast, and yet IMHO he's a critical component to the show's success.

Oh - you mean *Mr.* Steve Martin….

He and Martin Short are touring; hoping to see them when they hit NoVA.

 

[WestSideLion]

And this:

If you haven’t read it, I can’t recommend “Live From New York” highly enough. It’s a written history of SNL as told by cast members. Each section/chapter covers a different aspect and weaves cast recollections together to present the story.

Belushi and his wife owned a dive bar (I think). It became a hole in the wall go-to for the cast, hosts and musical acts after the show. Lots of fun stories about the cast and celebs there.

 

[Midnighter]

I find Aykroyd, Wiig and McKinnon to be super annoying and unfunny, though McKinnon is great in the alien abduction sketches.

Give me Murphy, Ferrell, Farley, Carvey and Mike Myers.

Honorable Mention: Kenan Thompson, Sandler, Morgan, Hartman, Hader, Tina Fey

I really think SNL is the best it's ever been this season. It's genuinely funny most episodes ... all the way through. Historically, even in the best years, each episode would have a couple good sketches, a couple bleh, and then a couple terrible ones ... now a stinker is a rare exception.

Monkey Judge was awesome, in case anyone missed it.

Shades of ‘Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer’. Mulaney is always great on SNL.

I can’t find video but Seth Meyers doing a Pittsburgh accent in a skit about trying to pick up Paris Hilton in a bar is one of the all time most regionally specific things they’ve ever done. Awesome.

 

[cavic]

Shades of ‘Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer’. Mulaney is always great on SNL.

I can’t find video but Seth Meyers doing a Pittsburgh accent in a skit about trying to pick up Paris Hilton in a bar is one of the all time most regionally specific things they’ve ever done. Awesome.

I know Seth has family in Pgh & is a big Steeler fan. Presumably, his heart was in the right place. But I stilI thought it was a really lazy version of the accent

 

[cavic]

In no particular order here are mine:

1. Dan Ackroyd
2. Kirsten Wiig
3. Will Ferrell
4. Kate McKinnon
5. Phil Hartman

**If I had to take six it would be a tie with Eddie Murphy and Bill Hader.

If Murphy stayed longer he would have been in my top five because he did my favorite sketches. James Brown Hot tub and Mr. Robinson's neighborhood.

Anyone Agree?

Shalom

Great question. I'd go: Belushi, Ferrell, Murray, Radner, Hader. Murphy, Chase, Hartman, Akroyd & Fey would be my 2nd tier. Joe Piscopo isn't too far behind. The guy seems like a goof, but he was great on the show

 

[Midnighter]

I know Seth has family in Pgh & is a big Steeler fan. Presumably, his heart was in the right place. But I stilI thought it was a really lazy version of the accent

It was way overdone. I think he had a Cowher mustache too. My guess is most of the audience was like, WTF is this?

 

[cavic]

It was way overdone. I think he had a Cowher mustache too. My guess is most of the audience was like, WTF is this?

Geez, I forgot about The 'Stache. Yep, a very nice touch

 

[Zenophile]

Oh - you mean *Mr.* Steve Martin….

He and Martin Short are touring; hoping to see them when they hit NoVA.

Caught them at the Benedum Center in 2017. It's a pretty fantastic show.

 

[Midnighter]

Caught them at the Benedum Center in 2017. It's a pretty fantastic show.

Awesome. Can’t wait! They have amazing chemistry. Love their Hulu show ‘Only Murders in the Building.’

 

[Grant Green]

For fun, I'll go be decade:
Bill Murray (70s)
Eddie Murphy (80s)
Ferrell (90s)
Wiig (00s)
McKinnon (10s)

Thoughts, looking at the cast list.
I hate to sound old and out of touch, but the last decade or so really hasn't put out a ton of talent compared to previous years. I recall people complaining in the late 80s-00s about how bad SNL had gotten, but the talent in those years was still top notch.
The year after the original cast left (1980?) was weak. Looks like most got the axe after one season. I had totally forgotten about that cast.

Extra - best short - TV Funhouse, written by Robert Smigel (my relative was one of the cartoonists). Fun fact - Steven Colbert and Steve Carrell were the voice of the Ambiguously Gay Duo.

 

[Midnighter]

For fun, I'll go be decade:
Bill Murray (70s)
Eddie Murphy (80s)
Ferrell (90s)
Wiig (00s)
McKinnon (10s)

Thoughts, looking at the cast list.
I hate to sound old and out of touch, but the last decade or so really hasn't put out a ton of talent compared to previous years. I recall people complaining in the late 80s-00s about how bad SNL had gotten, but the talent in those years was still top notch.
The year after the original cast left (1980?) was weak. Looks like most got the axe after one season. I had totally forgotten about that cast.

Extra - best short - TV Funhouse, written by Robert Smigel (my relative was one of the cartoonists). Fun fact - Steven Colbert and Steve Carrell were the voice of the Ambiguously Gay Duo.

I like a lot of the recent stuff - but, it’s probably more sanitized than it used to be which makes it more difficult IMO. They’ve leaned a lot more into political humor than before when it was fairly limited (but still biting). McKinnon is far and away the best of the recent bunch but Keenan Thompson deserves a ton of respect. I can’t imagine this show without him.

I believe Robert Downey Jr lasted one season, as did Jenny Slate. Most current big time comedic actors are still SNL alums - Hader, Samberg, Sudeikis, Fey, Wiig, Poehler, etc.

 

[Midnighter]

I’ll add my favorite hosts are:

Emma Stone
Paul Rudd
Steve Martin
Tom Hanks
Soairse Ronan
Justin Timberlake
Alec Baldwin
Ryan Gosling
Tina Fey
Natalie Portman
Jon Hamm

 

[Nohow]

Kenan Thompson (see Black Jeapordy on YouTube if you want a laugh)
Bill Murray
Martin Short
Chris Farley
Jim Belushi
Will Farrell
Steve Martin

 

[Midnighter]

Kenan Thompson (see Black Jeapordy on YouTube if you want a laugh)
Bill Murray
Martin Short
Chris Farley
Jim Belushi
Will Farrell
Steve Martin

Was Short SNL? Man - so many great ones.

 

[ODShowtime]

I never like SNL casts until they leave.

It's a testament to how bad Eddie Murphy has bungled his career that he's not number one. He was sensational.

Phil Hartman was a sublime genius. He could just smile and I crack up.

Chris Farley another fireball.

I loved Mike Myers. Every sketch was amazing. Sprockets, Wayne's world, the weird little kid on the tether... What has been that funny in the 2020s?

Dana Carney also a comedic powerhouse.

 

[Midnighter]

I never like SNL casts until they leave.

It's a testament to how bad Eddie Murphy has bungled his career that he's not number one. He was sensational.

Phil Hartman was a sublime genius. He could just smile and I crack up.

Chris Farley another fireball.

I loved Mike Myers. Every sketch was amazing. Sprockets, Wayne's world, the weird little kid on the tether... What has been that funny in the 2020s?

Dana Carney also a comedic powerhouse.

Keenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, Weekend Update, Cecile Strong, Aidy Bryant…

 

[Nohow]

Was Short SNL? Man - so many great ones.

In the 80s I think.

 

[Midnighter]

Just threw on an episode from 2000 - Lucy Liu hosts with Jay Z as musical guest (she notes she’s the first Asian American female to host). She shows a video documentary of her time at SNL for the week and she’s taking pictures, giving massages, doing laundry, doing nails - basically a bunch of Asian stereotypes. Then tells everyone to save the phone calls and that she had a great time. The Jeopardy skit has Sean Connery tell Robin Williams he might be ‘legally retarded.’ Cold open was Bush and Gore eating at a Chili’s. Pre-2001 is very obvious….

 

[ODShowtime]

Keenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, Weekend Update, Cecile Strong, Aidy Bryant…

I'm gonna let it rip here, don't think I'm disrespecting you.

I think it was funnier when Hartman was murdered by his crazy wife than anything Keenan Thompson has ever done.

McKinnon was ok in Ghostbusters, but totally upstaged by Leslie Jones.

Cecile Strong was in a yogurt commercial once, I think. Not funny at all.

I've never even heard of the last one.

The only topic where I'm more jaded and elitist than music is comedy. It's hard to make me laugh.

 

[JWB389]

In the 80s I think.

Did Ed Grimley on SNL, though it looks like the character started on SCTV. For some reason I found those skits hilarious.

 

[Nohow]

I think it was funnier when Hartman was murdered by his crazy wife than anything Keenan Thompson has ever done.

The only topic where I'm more jaded and elitist than music is comedy. It's hard to make me laugh.

Obviously.

 

[Midnighter]

I'm gonna let it rip here, don't think I'm disrespecting you.

I think it was funnier when Hartman was murdered by his crazy wife than anything Keenan Thompson has ever done.

McKinnon was ok in Ghostbusters, but totally upstaged by Leslie Jones.

Cecile Strong was in a yogurt commercial once, I think. Not funny at all.

I've never even heard of the last one.

The only topic where I'm more jaded and elitist than music is comedy. It's hard to make me laugh.

Fair. But disagree. I love Murphy but his best skits were obvious derivatives of well known characters (Mr. Rogers, Gumby, Buckwheat, etc.). All good though!

 

[PSU87]

So many great ones, but admittedly haven't watched in many, many years.

I'll always be a fan of the original cast, but some that stood out to me other than the originals:
Dennis Miller. Loved his weekend update.
Dana Carvey
Tina Fey
Mike Meyers

 

[Midnighter]

Did Ed Grimley on SNL, though it looks like the character started on SCTV. For some reason I found those skits hilarious.

SCTV is legendary - Short, Moranis, Candy, Levy, O’Hara, Ramis…

 

[ODShowtime]

Fair. But disagree. I love Murphy but his best skits were obvious derivatives of well known characters (Mr. Rogers, Gumby, Buckwheat, etc.). All good though!

Remember I said I don't dig anything until it's at least 5 years old.

Good point about Murphy. I guess it takes a bit more to flesh out brand new characters and slay compared to coming up with old pop-culture parodies.

I wish I could laugh more. It's like pulling teeth.

 

[Zone-Blitz]

Lorne Michaels was on Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix show, “comedians in cars getting coffee”, and he said they’ve found that people tend to like SNL the most during their high school years and whoever was on the cast during this time period is who they end up liking the most. I think that’s very true. People who were in high school in the 70’s stay true to the original cast, myself growing up in the 90’s i like Hartmann, Spade, Sandler, Farley and co.

 

[Quint526]

I never like SNL casts until they leave.

It's a testament to how bad Eddie Murphy has bungled his career that he's not number one. He was sensational.

Phil Hartman was a sublime genius. He could just smile and I crack up.

Chris Farley another fireball.

I loved Mike Myers. Every sketch was amazing. Sprockets, Wayne's world, the weird little kid on the tether... What has been that funny in the 2020s?

Dana Carney also a comedic powerhouse.

I second your Phil Hartman comments. Everything he did made laugh. His characters on the Simpsons were killer.

 

[CVLion]

No love for Norm MacDonald? I enjoyed him.

“At number two… Ezra.” lol

 

[MrTailgate]

Gilda Radner was an amazing talent. She was as talented as anyone ever to appear.

 

[Quint526]

No love for Norm MacDonald? I enjoyed him.

“At number two… Ezra.” lol

His droll weekend update was great, but his constant slaying of OJ got him fired.