SNL Cast - Round 2a

 

SNL Cast Members

It's been in our lives for almost 50 years now, and it's more than just a cultural institution. It's part of the very fabric of pop culture. And over the years, we've seen some amazing comedians come through the cast (we've also seen some pretty lame ones, but that's for another bracket). But who is the best of the best? There's only one way to find out! Let's vote!

Suck it, Trebek - Round 2

(1) Will Ferrell v (9) Jimmy Fallon

Ferrell joined SNL in 1995 and stayed until 2002 and has gone on to host 5 additional times. Whether it was his impressions of George W. Bush, Harry Carey, Robert Goulet, Alex Trebek, or original characters like Cheerleader Craig or music teacher Marty Culp, Ferrell shined on SNL and has earned his place as one of the best to ever do it.

 On SNL from 1998-2004, Fallon is equally remembered for his inability to keep a straight face in his many sketches with Will Ferrell. But he added many memorable characters of his own, and was always spot on with celebrity impressions. He also ably sat at the Weekend Update Desk with Tina Fey.

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(5) Kate McKinnon v (4) Kenan Thompson

The longest tenured female cast member in SNL’s history has no shortage of memorable characters or impressions. From Justin Bieber and Hilary Clinton to originals Olya Povlatsky and Sheila Sovage, McKinnon has staked her claim to not only longest tenured but also most versatile and dynamic female cast member of all time.

From All That to What Up With That?, here’s the longest-running cast member in SNL’s history! Watch any SNL clip in which he appears, and the comments will specifically praise his timing, expressiveness, and overall talent.

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(11) Tim Meadows v (3) Tina Fey

One of the longest tenured cast members, Meadows appeared on SNL for 10 seasons from 1991-2000. One of the best “glue guys” the show has ever seen, Meadows only had one recurring character (The Ladies Man) but would often, and hilariously, play a fictionalized version of himself in sketches and Weekend Update.

Fey joined SNL in 1997 as a writer, and went on to become its first female head writer, Weekend Update co-anchor with Fallon and then Poehler, and pretty much the candidate for Vice President of the United States.

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(10) Cheri Oteri v (2) Dan Aykroyd

Oteri excelled at creating duos with Will Ferrell like the cheerleaders and the hosts of Morning Latte. More of an original character creator than impressionist, Oteri used her talents to make “Simmer Down Now!” a national catchphrase.

Originally hired as a writer Dan was added to the cast even before the first episode of SNL debuted. Super Bass-O-Matic, “Jane, you ignorant slut”, Half of the Blues Brothers, Aykroyd had a knack for smart, eccentric comedy both as a performer and a writer, being Emmy nominated for each.

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