Fans of Saturday Night Live, the legendary late-night sketch show, are undoubtedly at an extremely exciting moment right now. For starters, the recent release of Saturday Night, a movie that follows the hectic creation of the show’s first live transmission, in theatres has drawn a lot of attention to the original location of the venerable series. Furthermore, SNL is presently in the middle of its 50th season, which is a remarkable accomplishment for any television show.
This historic season has so far been filled with skits from the past and tributes to legendary singers. The issue of who else will return to Saturday Night Live by the end of the season is raised by the numerous visits made by well-known former cast members like Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey, among many others. Here are eleven artists who, because of the significant contributions they have made to the event throughout the years, deserve to triumphantly return to the iconic stage, with many surprise performances sure to follow.
10. Adam Sandler
Without a doubt, one of the most well-known figures to emerge from the SNL era of the 1990s is Adam Sandler. Despite his brief tenure on the program, he has had a major and enduring influence on the comedy series. During that period, he was able to continuously enchant audiences with both his singing abilities and the humorous roles he played, such as Cajun Man and Opera Man.
Sandler had a reputation for entertaining audiences with songs about everything from Chanukah to lunch ladies. Sandler has had a tremendously successful career after leaving Saturday Night Live. He has written and starred in several films over the years, including comedic classics like Grown Ups and Happy Gilmore.
Even more dramatic endeavours have been undertaken by him, such as the 2019 A24 movie Uncut Gems. The early years of Adam Sandler’s career, however, cannot be forgotten. It would be impossible to commemorate SNL’s history without this iconic comedian making an appearance.
9. Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell was able to establish himself as a formidable presence on Saturday Night Live, even amidst the dominant casts of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ferrell was a major cast member from 1995 to 2002 and has even hosted episodes five times since leaving the show.
Ferrell was well-known on Saturday Night Live for his amusing impersonations of famous people, such as former President George W. Bush and Jeopardy! presenter Alex Trebek. Ferrell even had the opportunity to play the lead in a feature film called A Night at the Roxbury, which was based on one of his characters. Ferrell has maintained a prosperous comic career in television and films outside of Saturday Night Live.
He is arguably most well-known for his leading parts in a number of comedic films, including the beloved Christmas classic Elf and frequently cited blockbusters like Step Brothers. Despite all of these accomplishments, Ferrell’s experience on Saturday Night Live continues to be a crucial aspect of his career. He did, after all, appear in one of the most famous SNL routines ever: “More Cowbell.”
8. Tina Fey
Few individuals were as crucial in bringing Saturday Night Live into the twenty-first century as Tina Fey. Fey started off as a writer but soon rose to prominence on the show, acting as both the head writer from 2000 to 2006 and a cast member. Fey’s tenure as Weekend Update’s co-anchor and her accurate portrayal of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin earned her the greatest recognition on the program.
One of the most highly regarded SNL alumni is undoubtedly Fey. Fey has earned a staggering nine Primetime Emmy Awards, along with multiple Golden Globes, SAG Awards, WGA Awards, and even the esteemed Mark Twain Prize for American Humour, as a result of her tenure on the show and her many outside endeavours.
She was highly praised for her roles in the 2004 comedy Mean Girls and the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. Fey deserves to perform in this historic season of Saturday Night Live because of her incalculable contributions to the show.
7. Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler, another legendary cast member of the 2000s SNL cast, frequently appeared alongside Tina Fey. From 2001 to 2008, Poehler was a regular cast member. After Jimmy Fallon left Saturday Night Live, Poehler co-anchored Weekend Update for a number of seasons, where she collaborated with Fey and then Seth Meyers in the esteemed position.
Poehler also made numerous sketches while on the show, playing bizarre personas and posing as Hillary Clinton and Madonna, among others. After her stint on Saturday Night Live, Poehler had a very successful career. In 2008, she departed the program to concentrate on her role as Leslie Knope, the lead in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.
Poehler’s career was further advanced by the series, which was a huge hit with both audiences and critics. She received an astounding 26 Emmy nods throughout the years for her work on a variety of projects. Poehler is undoubtedly the front-runner to make an appearance this season and helped define the 2000s era of Saturday Night Live.
6. Eddie Murphy
For the sketch show, the early 1980s were a tumultuous period. Viewers were unsure about what kind of future SNL will have because almost every member of the writing and cast was being replaced. Thankfully, Eddie Murphy was one of the series’ few conspicuous bright spots at this time.
From 1980 until 1984, Murphy was a well-liked cast member who played Mr. Robinson and Gumby in funny ways. His energy and contagious attitude kept SNL afloat during this uncertain time. Although his comedy helped make him famous, Murphy has had a varied and remarkable career that includes the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe.
His roles in the Beverly Hills Cop and Shrek franchises have made him famous outside of Saturday Night Live. Of course, it’s possible that if he hadn’t been on Saturday Night Live, none of this would have occurred. Over the years, Murphy has made a few appearances on the show again, but going back for the fiftieth season would be extra special.
5. Mike Myers
Without including Mike Myers, no list of SNL greats would be complete. Myers made more appearances in subsequent years and was a recurrent cast member from 1989 to 1995. He continuously tested his comedic abilities by playing quirky characters like Wayne Campbell, who even served as the inspiration for two feature films, and Linda Richman.
On the show, Myers also played a variety of personas, including Queen Elizabeth and Mick Jagger. The Emmy-winning actor’s reputation as a household celebrity was further cemented when he received fame outside of Saturday Night Live for his comedic roles in the Austin Powers and Shrek films.
Myers’ tenure on SNL is largely responsible for his career, as it is for many others. In addition to showing appreciation for his contributions to the program, having him return for the fiftieth season would be a fitting gesture to commemorate the venue where the well-known artist began his long career.
4. Bill Hader
Even though the cast of Saturday Night Live was packed with funny comedians in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Bill Hader was able to stand out. Between 2005 and 2013, Hader played a significant role in SNL. Hader has consistently developed new personalities and impressions while also retaining a stunning degree of chemistry with his co-stars, finding fascinating new ways to contribute to the program over the years.
He portrayed a variety of characters, including more accurate impressions than one could possibly count, but his most well-known performance was as the quirky New York tour guide Stefon. Few successful careers have gone on to be as varied as Hader’s, despite the fact that SNL has undoubtedly started many.
In recent years, he has effectively jumped into more dramatic roles, especially with the HBO series Barry, even if SNL gave him the opportunity to display his humorous talents. Barry also gave Hader the chance to showcase his abilities as a writer, director, and producer in addition to his acting abilities. It is impossible to overlook Hader’s comedic origins, of course. It would be a great joy to see him reprise some of his favourite performances on Saturday Night Live.
3. Dan Aykroyd
The show must be sure to highlight the origins of the cherished comedy program in order to appropriately commemorate Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary. Having a member of the original cast make a special appearance would be the most appropriate way to accomplish this. Dan Aykroyd is one of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players who would be ideal for a contemporary comeback.
From the very first episode of the series until 1979, Aykroyd was a cast member. During part of those years, he also wrote for the series. Aykroyd created a number of personas throughout the years that went on to become cherished icons of the early SNL era. Two of Aykroyd’s characters, Beldar Conehead and Elwood Blues, even served as the basis for their own feature films.
After SNL, Aykroyd played a variety of parts in other productions. He even received a nomination for an Academy Award for his supporting role in Driving Miss Daisy, the drama picture that won Best Picture. Seeing the gifted actor again after fifty years would be a treat. He was present when the series started.
2. Kate McKinnon
Even though SNL’s 50th season will undoubtedly honour its origins, it’s also critical to consider the show’s progress. The show is still a mainstay of weekend television after all these years. Kate McKinnon is one performer in particular who has contributed to the show’s continued relevance in recent years.
McKinnon started her stint on Saturday Night Live in 2012 and was a mainstay of the ensemble for ten years. McKinnon received an incredible 10 Emmy nominations during that time, including two wins, for her work on the series. During her more than 200 episodes on the show, McKinnon portrayed a wide range of characters, including real-life people like Ellen DeGeneres and Hillary Clinton, as well as a quirky alien abduction survivor named Colleen Rafferty.
She has already made appearances in a number of other productions, including the highly regarded Greta Gerwig movie Barbie, even if her post-SNL career is still in its early phases. McKinnon would be a great option to showcase the accomplishments of contemporary SNL.
1. The Cast of Saturday Night
A movie depicting the chaotic first broadcast of Saturday Night Live was released in theatres around the time the fiftieth season debuted. The popular comedy show’s original cast and creators are all portrayed by a sizable ensemble cast of contemporary performers in the movie Saturday Night. The movie features all of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players, including Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, and Garrett Morris.
The performers’ performances and the film’s casting have so far drawn overwhelmingly positive reviews. Both the actors and the viewers would find it fascinating if some of the Saturday Night cast members—like Dylan O’Brien, Cory Michael Smith, and Lamorne Morris—appeared on a legitimate Saturday Night Live episode. The potential applications of these contemporary depictions of the vintage comics are genuinely limitless, particularly if some of the original actors co-star with their contemporary counterparts.
