This got me to thinking who would be my SNL dreamcast.
After careful consideration, I think I would have:
Dan Aykroyd
Don Novello
Al Franken
Tim Kazurinsky
Eddie Murphy
Gary Kroeger
Billy Crystal
Rich Hall
Nora Dunn
Dennis Miller
A. Whitney Brown
Phil Hartmann
Jan Hooks
Jon Lovitz
Kevin Nealon
Mike Myers
Chris Farley
David Spade
Norm McDonald
Darrell Hammond
Colin Quinn
Ana Gasteyer
Some of the more popular cat members that have been conspicuously omitted from my list are funny, to me, at times, but are largely overrated and/or overused by the show, IMHO, so I have left them out.
I just never saw anything funny in anything John Belushi did. I know the SNL Gods may smight me for saying that.
Dana Carvey had a few funny characters and skits, but he was mostly irritating to me. The Church Lady was funny, but that chicken loving shop keeper? I just wanted to slap him. Dana Carvey is funniest as Dana Carvey, to me. I love to see him when he’s on a talk show, such as Politically Incorrect.
Of course, I realize YMMV, which is why I’d like to see everyone else’s opnions.
Phil Hartman (will always top my list)
Bill Murray
Dennis Miller (only for the news)
Norm Macdonald
Nora Dunn
Jan Hooks
Garrett Morris
Eddie Murphy
Darrell Hammond
Tim Meadows
Mike Myers
Al Franken
Jay Mohr
Rachel Dratch
Chris Kattan (limited use)
Horatio Sanz
Hosted by:
Steve Martin
Alec Baldwin (these two always do a great show)
I left a lot of very talented people off (Ben Stiller, Chris Elliot…) only because I prefer them doing their own things elsewhere. But let me state here and now, I left Chris Farley and Wil Farrell off on purpose, so there.
Jimmy Fallon - Celebrity Jeopardy, Weekend Update
Chris Farley (RIP) - Chippendale tryouts, Gap girls, motivational speaker
Will Farrell - Celebrity Jeopardy, Roxbury guy, Singing Duet, Spartan Cheerleaders
Tina Fey - Weekend Update
Ana Gasteyer - Singing Duet
Darrell Hammond - Bill Clinton, Celebrity Jeopardy, Nightline
Jack Handey - Deep Thoughts
Chris Kattan - Antonio Bandera Show, Roxbury guy
Norm Macdonald - Celebrity Jeopardy
Eddie Murphy - Alfalfa Sings, Mr Robinsons Neighborhood
Mike Myers - Scottish guy
Cheri Oteri - Spartan Cheerleaders
Robert Smigel - TV Funhouse
David Spade - Spade in America
I’m just shocked to see Colin Quinn in the first post. Here’s a complete list of all cast members.
Ok, let’s be reasonable. They average about 8 starring members and about 5 featured cast members.
Starring
Dana Carvey: So many great impressions
Phil Hartman: The master impressionist. His genius Reagan was the funniest piece SNL ever had
Jan Hooks: Very versatile, very funny. Marge Keister is her best character, keep her away from Nora Dunn and she can stay.
Victoria Jackson: Does sweet and slutty very well. And even though she never really had a recurring character still did a great job. I love her singing and dancingin on the news.
Jon Lovitz: If only for Mephistopheles. Another great impressionist able to bring unique twist to them.
Dennis Miller: News, news, news. This is the man who took a chain saw to Central America. I’ve always loved his sense of humor. And he was in the “Penis Song” sketch
Eddie Murphy: One of the few reasons to watch the shows from the early 80s, great range, great timing. He gets in especially for Little Richard Simmons and his James Brown.
Gilda Radner: The only one to beat the range played by Victoria. Gilda was just funny.
Featuring
A. Whitney Brown: “The Big Picture” was one of the highlights of the shows that ran during the years of Bush senior, which is remarkable since they were also some of the funniest shows.
Tina Fey: She’s just funny. And smart. The only person I could see sharing the desk with Dennis.
Al Franken: One of those guys could can show the absurdity of politics without resorting to buffooneristic impressions.
Tim Kazurinsky: Dr. Jack Badofsky was the best thing the news had going in the early 80s.
Anthony Michael Hall: Ok, this one’s probably the most surprising but you need some one to play a male teen and he did a good job in the mid-80s.
A Tippi Turtle cartoon: Sorry Mr. Bill, sorry Robert Smigel but I think I’d have to tip my hat to Tippi Turtle. I mean come on, he told people to go into banks, write “This is a stick-up” on the back of the deposit slips and then sit back and wait for the fun to begin. That cracks me up to no end.
Hosted by Tom Hanks: Alec Bladwin and Candace Bergen are both very funny and know how to be a great host, but Hanks just edges them out. Abe Lincoln calling him a pussy is forever embeded in my mind.
Hey Tippi Turtle walking down the street,
Tell us what you’re gonna do!
“First I’m gonna bother everybody I meet,
Then I’ll prob’ly go home and get drunk.”
How about an Ambiguously Gay Duo cartoon and 2 Deep Thoughts as well?
Phil Hartman
Dana Carvey
Kevin Nealon, Dennis Miller and Chevy Chase on Weekend Update
Al Franken and A. Whitney Brown as the Weekend Update Guests
Bill Murray
Eddie Murphy
Darrell Hammond
Dan Ackroyd
Gilda Radner
Jon Lovitz
Martin Short
Jan Hooks
Norm Macdonald
that cat that can drive
Hosts: Steve Martin, George Carlin, Christopher Walken
Musical Guests: the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa
Yes, yes, Toonces. I know he only had one gag, but he was still funny as hell. What drug is Toonces slang for again? (I’ve forgotten all about him except the basic premise)
