For those of us who actually watched several decades of SNL

[SunnyD]

Subjective list is subjective. Each actor/comic had good roles and bad roles in the various skits thanks to the writers who put them in those roles. Face it, there were just some skits that no matter how hard they tried, the various actors just couldn't save. Then there were some skits where they could quite literally throw just about anybody into the characters and the writing carried the laughs.

I can't really "rank" any of them against each other based on their work on SNL because of this. Especially during the late 80's/early 90's. That's just not fair.

 

[phreaqe]

Technically I think it's NewsRadio. :awe: One of my all time favourite sitcoms. Loved that show.

KT

Touche :$

 

[Homerboy]

Subjective list is subjective. Each actor/comic had good roles and bad roles in the various skits thanks to the writers who put them in those roles. Face it, there were just some skits that no matter how hard they tried, the various actors just couldn't save. Then there were some skits where they could quite literally throw just about anybody into the characters and the writing carried the laughs.

I can't really "rank" any of them against each other based on their work on SNL because of this. Especially during the late 80's/early 90's. That's just not fair.

I agree Subjective list is subjective.

However, there's just no argument that could be made to put some of these people in the order that they are in.

 

[Nashemon]

I agree Subjective list is subjective.

However, there's just no argument that could be made to put some of these people in the order that they are in.

I think the argument would be that it's one writer's opinion. It's no more definitive than some random IMDB user making a list of who they think should play their favorite comic book heroes. There's no need to get offended by one person's taste in comedy.

 

[SunnyD]

I agree Subjective list is subjective.

However, there's just no argument that could be made to put some of these people in the order that they are in.

True. There were some guest hosts that were miles better than the entire cast of SNL some weeks.

 

[SamQuint]

This list is the biggest pile of shit.

I get everyone has their own opinions and something like this is complete subjectivity, but it's COMPLETE troll-bait and/or utter stupidity to put people like Norm McDonald at 135, Collin Quinn at 136... I mean Ellen Cleghorne is at 70.

Those were exactly the ones that pissed me off. Especially Norm. Hell Norm would be in my top 20 easy.

 

[Homerboy]

Those were exactly the ones that pissed me off. Especially Norm. Hell Norm would be in my top 20 easy.

There were/are probably more that would piss me off -- but to put those 2 at the virtual bottom of the list? This writer is freaking nuts. Even if you don't personally like McDonald or Quinn etc, you have to respect that TONS of other people likely did -- both of them held the Weekend Update desk. A position SNL never really gave to anyone that was one of THE WORST on the show ever.

Stupid list is stupid.

 

[Homerboy]

I think the argument would be that it's one writer's opinion. It's no more definitive than some random IMDB user making a list of who they think should play their favorite comic book heroes. There's no need to get offended by one person's taste in comedy.

Kate McKinnon is #34.

Think about that.

I understand that this is "his taste" but there has to be some common sense mixed into it. There's no known universe where even 1% of the population would but Kate McKinnon ahead of MANY of the people ranked below her.

 

[Insomniator]

I almost feel sorry for anyone that has actually watched SNL for that long.

 

[zinfamous]

If you like Hartmann, I like Hartmann, watch the series 'Talk Radio', maybe my favorite sitcom ever.

News Radio was awesome (but was it really your favorite? )

As happens with most shows, though: Lovitz shows up and send it straight to the shitter. Not really his fault, I guess--the show never could recover from Hartman's murder.

 

[zinfamous]

Norm at 135 is bullshit and they put all of these other people ahead of him who were barely even on (or not on at all). Ridiculous.

I also think Nealon should be higher. Love that guy. Carvey should be in Meyers' spot.

KT

I didn't appreciate Nealon when he was current, but when I would watch reruns years later, he was so awesome. Probably because Miller was my baseline Weekend Update guy when I started watching regularly, and he was the first to replace him, so I just didn't want to like him, perhaps.

But he was great in everything on the show, and he's an all-around funny dude.

"Hey, nice penis there, Brad!"

 

[zinfamous]

Hands down the best SNL skit. Murphy was amazing. Only the Buzz Off Bees comes close.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ0up_MjsLk

One of my favorites, but I also like this one just as much--the only video I could find:

http://wpdh.com/the-greatest-snl-skit-of-all-time-video/

Martin Short and Harry Shearer: Synchronized Swimming. I think this was written by Christopher Guest (I actually recalled it being Short and Guest as brother. Guest is the coach, though. Probably his first version of Guffman)

"I don't swim."

 

[zinfamous]

Subjective list is subjective. Each actor/comic had good roles and bad roles in the various skits thanks to the writers who put them in those roles. Face it, there were just some skits that no matter how hard they tried, the various actors just couldn't save. Then there were some skits where they could quite literally throw just about anybody into the characters and the writing carried the laughs.

I can't really "rank" any of them against each other based on their work on SNL because of this. Especially during the late 80's/early 90's. That's just not fair.

It's not just about the writers putting them in the sketches that actually make the broadcast. The cast members generally write their own characters and their sketches, and are responsible for lobbying their asses off to make the broadcast.
When the show goes on air, there is roughly 2-2.5 hours of content on the schedule, based on work throughout the week. The actual sketch lineup is mostly determined on the fly, with large sketches and breaks pre-determined--like the opening, first 1 or 2 sketches, and Update.

It really is up to each individual cast member to fight for their own participation in the show. That's why personality and range have a lot to do with tenure. Wiig had tons of characters (I didn't really like many of them, but whatever), and she busted her ass to make sure she was always slotted in as a quick option. Hartman and Hammond could play any fill-in character on the spot, if needed, so you would see them in most sketches just because they were easy to put into any sketch at the last second.

 

[KeithTalent]

News Radio was awesome (but was it really your favorite? )

As happens with most shows, though: Lovitz shows up and send it straight to the shitter. Not really his fault, I guess--the show never could recover from Hartman's murder.

I actually don't mind the Lovitz run now. At the time it was impossible to watch due to the loss of Hartman, but I can actually watch and enjoy them now.

I didn't appreciate Nealon when he was current, but when I would watch reruns years later, he was so awesome. Probably because Miller was my baseline Weekend Update guy when I started watching regularly, and he was the first to replace him, so I just didn't want to like him, perhaps.

But he was great in everything on the show, and he's an all-around funny dude.

"Hey, nice penis there, Brad!"

He is so understated; I think that's why I love the guy. Just fantastic delivery too.

KT

 

[MrPickins]

Technically I think it's NewsRadio. :awe: One of my all time favourite sitcoms. Loved that show.

KT

Same.

I actually don't mind the Lovitz run now. At the time it was impossible to watch due to the loss of Hartman, but I can actually watch and enjoy them now.

Lovitz does a passable job filling the void left by Hartman, the problem with the final season was the writing (much of it due to demands from the studio).

Nobody could replace Phil, though:

 

[Muse]

I have watched it in the past with some pleasure but I tried within the last year and found it utterly repugnant. I think that people who watch a lot of TV get inured to its offensiveness. If you've watched it for decades you have no doubt developed a gland that makes it impossible for you to be objective.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.hulu.com/watch/273996

Notice the background? Thats larry david, who worked there for years and only got one of his sketches on the show.


http://www.hulu.com/watch/272445 (I bet you guys forgot there used to be a time when Eddie Murphy was still funny)

 

[zinfamous]

http://www.hulu.com/watch/273996

Notice the background? Thats larry david, who worked there for years and only got one of his sketches on the show.


http://www.hulu.com/watch/272445 (I bet you guys forgot there used to be a time when Eddie Murphy was still funny)

I thought David wrote long enough to have more than one sketch, no? I do recall him being a somewhat regular presence in the audience, like when they would do those bits during the host monologue.

Conan wrote a lot of great stuff, too, and was often seen in the audience, as well as some of the ads.

What was the ad about Irish Christmas Pub songs? something like that...

 

[dainthomas]

Not having Hartman at number one is a travesmockery. That guy was always solid. Everyone else had weak points, but I never saw a skit that he didn't nail.

And Dennis Miller should be top twenty at least just for Weekend Update. It was at it's peak when he did it, followed closely by Norm McDonald (loved his deadpan, Fallon should have taken note).

 

[DrPizza]

I'm not sure how Belushi is #1 instead of Eddie Murphy. He had so many memorable characters that were all hilarious, without having to rely on the exact same shtick for the character to make it funny. E.g., Samurai Delicatessen was funny only because something was getting cut in half.

 

[KeithTalent]

I'm not sure how Belushi is #1 instead of Eddie Murphy. He had so many memorable characters that were all hilarious, without having to rely on the exact same shtick for the character to make it funny. E.g., Samurai Delicatessen was funny only because something was getting cut in half.

Agreed. I liked Belushi, but Murphy was way better and deserved #1.

KT

 

[GasX]

Can't decide which Murphy skit I liked better...

Mr Robinson's Neighborhood or Kill My Landlord

James Brown Celebrity Hot tub!

 

[Carson Dyle]

Belushi _defined_ SNL. Murphy was probably the most talented player the show ever had, but he too wore out a lot of his characters. He also had the benefit of being maybe the _only_ genuine talent on the show in the early 80s.

 

[master_shake_]

I'd swap 1 and 2, Ferrell was better than Chevy, and Fey shouldn't even be anywhere in the top 10 (strictly from an SNL viewpoint), but overall they got pretty close.

One of my favorite sketches: Eddie Murphy's White Like Me.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10356

this tina fey isn't even memorable besides her weak performance at weekend update.

colin quinn and norm macdonald held it on their own you co-hosting failure.

 

[KeithTalent]

I'd swap 1 and 2, Ferrell was better than Chevy, and Fey shouldn't even be anywhere in the top 10 (strictly from an SNL viewpoint), but overall they got pretty close.

One of my favorite sketches: Eddie Murphy's White Like Me.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10356

Fey did a lot of writing, so she is probably getting credit for that as well.

KT