NEW YORK — A multitude of comedic stars has graced NBC’s Studio 8H over the decades, contributing as cast members, writers, or hosts on the iconic show “Saturday Night Live.” As the program celebrates its 50th anniversary, current and former cast members reflect on their most cherished sketches and the show’s lasting impact on comedy.
Fred Armisen, who was part of the cast from 2002 to 2013, recalls a remarkable sketch titled “The Wizard of Oz,” which was penned by John Mulaney. In this hilarious segment, Armisen played a character called Weathervane alongside Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Dorothy. “There’s something about it that I really love,” Armisen shared fondly.
Chloe Fineman, who has been part of the cast since 2019, expressed her excitement about the upcoming anniversary special. She reminisced about all the incredible moments she has experienced and mentioned her hopes for a return of the beloved sketch “The Californians,” stating, “All of it are sort of ‘pinch me’ moments, and I feel like it’ll be even bigger than the 40th.”
Will Forte, another notable cast member from 2002 to 2010, named several favorites, including the cult classic “More Cowbell,” which features Christopher Walken zealously trying to add cowbell to Blue Öyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” He also mentioned “Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer” and the timeless “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler, recalling, “I hadn’t seen ‘The Chanukah Song’ in a long time, but it just happened to be on the other day. It’s so good.”
Seth Meyers, who served as a cast member from 2001 to 2014 and was also a head writer, identified “More Cowbell” as a universal favorite. He believes that its humor transcends language barriers, saying, “I think ‘Cowbell’ would work if English was your like 10th language. It’s an all-time host Christopher Walken doing a thing only he could do.” Meyers, who now hosts “Late Night,” likens the unpredictability of the show to that of sports, noting, “It’s beautifully uneven…every episode has its own character.”
Bobby Moynihan, who was part of the cast from 2008 to 2017, reminisced about sketches that stood out to him, such as “Haunted Elevator” featuring Tom Hanks as a whimsical David S. Pumpkins and the eccentric “Calculator Christmas Gift.” He also fondly mentioned “Tennis Talk with Time-Traveling Scott Joplin” as an example of the show’s creativity, stating, “David Pumpkins always comes to mind as just, like, the weirdest thing we ever got on.”
John Mulaney, who began as a writer in 2008 and transitioned to hosting six times, referenced his fondness for “Toilet Death Ejector”—an infomercial sketch, and “Monkey Trial,” where a monkey serves as the judge. Mulaney remarked, “Those are two quality Simon Rich premises executed.”
Laraine Newman, a cast member from 1975 to 1980, expressed her admiration for the sketch “Plato’s Cave,” featuring Steve Martin, as well as the parody “The Swan.” She acknowledged the creativity brought by Lorne Michaels, saying, “The fact that the show has remained relevant is because of Lorne. He always has new people with new perspectives.”
Jason Sudeikis, who wrote for the show from 2003 to 2005 and then joined the cast until 2013, pointed out a favorite: “What’s Up With That?” involving Kenan Thompson as the quirky host. He emphasized pride in his generation’s contributions, reflecting on unforgettable guest appearances from legends like Robert De Niro and Robin Williams.
Kenan Thompson, a staple of the show since 2003, believes the enduring appeal of “SNL” lies in its talented people. He stated, “We work with brilliant people. I think we all have a pretty solid sensibility, where we kind of know where the offense is.” He highlighted the importance of balancing humor with sensitivity.
Bowen Yang, a writer and cast member since 2019, appreciates “SNL” for its versatility. He commented, “It’s a very pluralistic place for comedy. It’s one of the last places where you can sort of have a grab bag of different kinds of stuff.”
The conversations around the sketches and the talent involved underline the legacy of “Saturday Night Live” as it marks half a century of bringing laughter and innovation to audiences. The show continues to evolve while holding onto the foundation that has made it a significant part of television history.
