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| Phil Hartman |
This show has been such a big part of my life since childhood and most of my favorite comedic stars have either written for the show, starred on it or made frequent appearances as hosts. Sure, this is a movie blog -- but SNL's impact on films has been enormous.
Ever since the 1970s, most of the biggest American comedy stars got their start on Saturday Night Live, and the show continues to be relevant to Hollywood.
SNL has essentially become something like training for potential superstardom. Sadly, many comics who are stars on the show don't exactly see their talents transfer effectively onto the big screen.
Others like Eddie Murphy, saw tremendous early success squandered. In fact, arguably only a handful of ex-SNL stars, like say Bill Murray or Tina Fey, have had a relatively seamless post-"Not Ready for Prime-Time" career. Still, this post isn't about who made the most money or the best movies later in their careers. In some cases it's impossible to compare performers, and in other cases (the premature deaths of John Belushi, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman, for instance) tragedy prevented us from seeing the full blossom of some stars' careers.
I am just looking back on a show that had tremendous influence on who I am -- so much of my sense of humor and overall comic attitude has SNL's fingerprints all over it. I am a child of the Dana Carvey-Mike Myers years, but then I later discovered the genius of Eddie Murphy's run and the truly groundbreaking work of the original 1975 to 1980 cast.
It's really incredible what Lorne Michaels made possible 40 years ago, and although, like so many fans of the show, I get frustrated with occasional lulls in terms of quality (which I think with a few exceptions its currently experiencing), I still love it and hope it never goes away.
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| Chevy Chase and John Belushi |
Let's look chronologically at my favorite performers on the show.
Chevy Chase (1975-1976) - The original "Weekend Update" anchor gets a bad rap these days for his off-screen persona and a lackluster last 20 years or so, but he was genuinely great on the show. He was the off-kilter comedy leading man of our dreams and it's easy to see why he was the breakout star of SNL's first season. His film work in the 1980s rivals Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray's in terms of its perfection, and even if he fell off big time, he showed with Community that he still has a little comic spark left. Favorite sketch: The edgy "Word Association" face-off with Richard Pryor.
John Belushi (1975-1979) - One of the greatest physical comedians of his or any era, Belushi was so much more than just the loud maniac he was sometimes typecast as. Recruited by Chase and initially outshined by him, Belushi became one of the most versatile performers in the show's history, equally adept at subtle impressions of William Shatner and Marlon Brando, and wilder routines, like his absurd samurai warrior. Drug abuse claimed his life before he got the chance to make many movies, but at least two of the ones he made: Animal House and The Blues Brothers, are bonafide classics. Favorite sketch: The beautiful Tom Schiller reel, "Don't Look Back in Anger."
Dan Aykroyd (1975-1979) - Eric Idle once said that Aykroyd was the one SNL cast-member who could have been a member of Monty Python, because unlike his alpha male counterparts Chase and Belushi, he could truly disappear into any role he was playing. Aykroyd has a photographic memory, so he was able to deliver elaborate dialogue with ease, which often lent his live performances a kind of madcap intensity. His genius sporadically popped up in the movies, where he almost always played second banana to Chase, Belushi, Eddie Murphy or Bill Murray. Still, he was an invaluable comic weapon opposite those big cheeses, and while he has long ago stopped making major comedies, he is fondly remembered as one of the best SNLers ever. Favorite sketch: Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute.
Bill Murray (1976-1980) - At first Murray struggled on SNL, to emerge from under Chase's shadow and to find his own comic voice, but once he did an unpredictable superstar emerged, and he has never looked back. Murray has enjoyed arguably the most enviable career of any Saturday Night Live star. He played a lovable gallery of goofy hipsters on SNL and quickly became a legit movie star in the years that followed his run on the show, mixing blockbusters with indie roles that showed his range as an actor. Murray was also one of the best cast-members who ever came back to host, showing an easier rapports with later casts than any of his peers. Favorite sketch: His "apology" for not being very good on SNL.
Eddie Murphy (1981-1984) - No actor has probably exploded more out of the gate on SNL than Murphy, who was literally a teenager when he first started appearing on the show. He created an amazing coterie of unforgettable characters that made him the comedian all of America tuned into see. From Buckwheat to Gumby to Velvet Jones (a pimp who sold prostitution as a self help exercise), Murphy's endlessly creative spirit and unique comic voice was a groundbreaking counterpoint to the more cuddly black comics white America was at that point accustomed to. Murphy made many uproarious comedies after he left SNL, but his best performances and most vibrant comedy may have been on this show. Favorite sketch (tie): "Celebrity Hot Tub" and "White Like Me."
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| Martin Short |
Phil Hartman (1986-1994) - One of the most underrated sketch performers of all time, Hartman was the rock of SNL during one of its strongest (and most politically influential) periods. Hartman's impressions were legendary, as were his immersive "straight man" roles. He was also an incredible vocal talent (he was a standout on The Simpsons for years). It's hard to even single out a specific Hartman role or performance because he was such a consummate team player. His life was tragically cut short by a shocking murder, so all we have left are the memories and the laughs. Favorite sketch: Bill Clinton visits a McDonalds.
Will Ferrell (1995-2002) - After one of the weakest periods in the show's history, Will Ferrell arrived like a breath of fresh air. He combined elements of Aykroyd, Belushi and Chase to form the perfect cast member. He could be a brilliant straight man in the "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketches, a top notch imitator as George W. Bush and an off-the-wall physical presence in scenes like the legendary "I gotta have more cowbell" skit. It's easy to see why there was such a gaping hole in the cast when he left, Ferrell just owned the show when he was on it. His movie career so far has been just as great, the first SNL star since Murray to consistently do great work without losing his comedy chops. Favorite sketch: Robert Goulet's "Coconut Bangers' Ball".
Amy Poehler (2001-2008) - During the late '90s, something happened on SNL that hadn't really happened before, the biggest stars on the show (save for Will Ferrell) were its top-notch women performers. And as much I love Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph Cheri Oteri, et. al. -- my favorite female cast-member at that time, or any time, was Amy Poehler. I had already been a fan of hers from her Upright Citizens Brigade show before she joined SNL and when she was on the show she brought a smart and serious commitment to her brand of off-the-wall comedy. She continues to kill it, hosting the Globes, starring on Parks and Recreation. And I just love her to pieces. Favorite sketch: Her "Sarah Palin rap" delivered while very pregnant.
Fred Armisen (2002-2013) - This was a close one as there are many performers from the more recent casts like, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Bobby Moynihan and Taran Killam, who I have a lot of affection for. But I think my favorite modern SNL star may be Fred Armisen. I didn't always appreciate his more low key, hipster style when he was on the show, but now that I've discovered his rhythm on Portlandia, I've come to understand just how great his body of work on SNL was. Armisen always brought a different kind of sensibility to his sketch work and I think he helped the show become more attuned to the ironic style of comedy which is all the rage today. Favorite sketch: Ian Rubbish and the Bizarros, a note perfect parody of the Sex Pistols and Margaret Thatcher.
I don't know about you, but I can't wait to tune into the show tonight at 8, to see my favorites unite!
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