SNL Cast - Round 2b

 

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!

Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood - Round 2

(1) Eddie Murphy v (8) Cecily Strong

Eddie Murphy is simply one of the greatest to ever do it. From his iconic Mr. Robinson to Gumby to his Stevie Wonder impression, Eddie Murphy owned comedy in the early 80s.

Cecily Strong is another cast member who could claim MVP after every episode. She shows up in just about every sketch, and she’s always hilarious. Her Melania Trump is legendary, and her guest spots on Update always kill.

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(12) Norm Macdonald v (4) Amy Poehler

Norm is the classic Weekend Update host. Dry-witted and irreverent, Norm pushed every button possibly, until it got him fired from the show. But he was more than an Update host, with classic characters like Turd Ferguson (well, Burt Reynolds) and Bob Dole.

Amy Poehler was everywhere on SNL. She hosted Update, she was on Bronx Beat, she did a killer Kaitlyn, and she did impressions of everyone from Hillary Clinton to Michael Jackson. She was the best kind of cast member.

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(6) Andy Samberg v (3) Bill Murray

Samberg gets kudos for essentially inventing the digital short on SNL. Lazy Sunday took the world by storm, and Samberg and The Lonely Island never looked back. He also did killer Nic Cage and Mark Walhberg impressions (say hi to your mother for me, ok?).

He may have only been a cast member for a couple of years, but Bill Murray made an indelible impression. Whether he was playing a nerd alongside Gilda Radner or simply chewing the scenery and exuding charisma as himself, Murray’s time on SNL was legendary.

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(10) Vanessa Bayer v (2) Dana Carvey

Appearing from 2010-2017 Bayer was somewhat quietly an MVP for the show. Rolling Stone Magazine even called her SNL’s “secret weapon.” She was Emmy nominated for her work on the show in 2014.

His movie Master of Disguise can’t be considered in this bracket, but he was a master of disguise on SNL too. With characters like the Church Lady, Garth, Hans (or was it Franz), Johnny Carson, and George Bush, it wouldn’t be prudent to overlook Carvey at this juncture.

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