LOC #84: Top 50 Saturday Night Live Cast Members

[MightyJack]

#1. Bill Murray

Era: 1977-1980
198 points on 9 of 10 lists - Highest Ranking: #1 (Pak-Man, Fred Garvin)
Most Memorable Characters: Todd LeBounta/DiLaMuca, Nick the Lounge Singer, Walter Cronkite, Richard Dawson, Jerry Aldini, Nico from the Olympia skits, Teddy Kennedy, Weekend Update Film Critic and news anchor

Fans were slow to warm up to Bill. And in a great play off of this, Murray did a skit where he owned up to his failings, and asked for our cooperation by laughing at anything he said or did. In truth, Bill’s only crime at the time was that he wasn’t Chevy Chase. In watching his early episodes today, while it might have taken him time to unleash his nerdy Todd and schmaltzy Nick onto the world, he was still darn funny and personable. He immediately lit up the screen. As an example - look at him in the first ever Conehead sketch, his reaction when he sees the alien couple open up an entire six-pack and guzzle it down. It’s like he wants to go along and do it too, but he’s not sure if he should. It was just beautifully underplayed, not stealing the limelight from the Dan and Jane, but contributing some brilliant comedic shading.

After SNL Murray built himself a pretty great film career, reinventing himself for serious/comedic roles later in life. I love Bill with all of my heart; I love his wisecracking, ever-confident personality and lounge act delivery. He’s aces in my book and in yours. He’s our #1 cast member. “Now go on, get out of here, I mean it! ya knuckleheads”

Bill won an Emmy as part of the SNL writing staff in 1977

He returned to Host the show on 5 occasions, and brought his A-game every time. He even gave the struggling season 6 a much-needed boost.

Rolling Stone ranked him #6 and said…
He was the cast's first "new guy," which probably gave him that underdog's mean streak. More than anyone, he embodied SNL's this-could-be-you realness; he looked like a random Seventies burnout who happened to bluff his way to the stage — he made it seem like anyone could do it. Nobody's ever been so good at making audiences feel like they were funny, which in many ways is the essence of SNL.

Murray’s famous apology, this is when the season turned around for him. It was the first brick in building a substantial and loyal fan base for the comic actor… http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/bill-murrays-apology/n8651

[MightyJack]

And that’s all she wrote. It was tiring but a lot of fun. I’m glad I got the chance to host one of these things. Maybe some time in the (distant) future we could revisit SNL to do Top 50 SNL characters?

It’s a good list for the most part. There were a few surprises (I thought Eddie and John would fight for the top spot and didn’t expect Phil and Bill to be the #1 and #2 vote getters. I would have thought Phil would have come in at 7, Bill around 5)

Anywhoo, before I go here’s one last…

SNL Question of the night: Favorite Cast Member who failed to make the top 50?

Mine…


Abby Elliott - Era: 2008-2012
A 3rd generation SNLer. Her grandfather was Bob, of the comedy team, Bob and Ray, who performed on the show in the late 70s, and her father is Chris Elliott, who was a cast member in 1994-95.

Abby was known for her impressions - playing everyone from a Kardasian to Rachel Maddow to the baby mad Angelina Jolie.

Two of her highlights: As Sarah McLachlan on Weekend Update… http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/update-sarah-mclachlan/n12590

And "Bein' Quirky With Zooey Deschanel" I remember when Zooey herself hosted, and they did this sketch: Zooey played Mary Kate Olsen, and Taran Killam was Michael Cera... screen.yahoo.com/bein-quirky-zooey-deschanel-1-000000851.html

With Kristen Wiig sucking up so much screen time, it was tough being the new girl. When Kristen left I thought, “Okay, this could open things up for Abby.” I mean she’d just come off her best season… everything’s roses, right? So of course she gets fired -- the hell!?

I miss ya Abby, and so does the show. I gave her the 19th spot on my list: Yeah, I didn’t have room for, and left off about 7 big names that I liked, but I wanted Abby represented. Even if I knew she’d never make the top 50, I was just happy knowing she got some love from someone on the forum.

BTW Rolling Stone ranked her #80, ahead of her father, who was at #103.

[MightyJack]

A Handy Dandy Clickable Index

Introduction

Hosts
10-9. Justin Timberlake & Patrick Stewart – no write-up
8. Candice Bergen
7. Richard Pryor
6. John Goodman
5. Buck Henry
4. Tom Hanks
3. Alec Baldwin
2. Steve Martin
1. Christopher Walken

Cast Members
50. Harry Shearer (tie)
49. Taran Killam (tie)
48. Chris Parnell
47. Victoria Jackson (tie)
46. Tim Kazurinsky (tie)
45. Jason Sudeikis
44. Kevin Nealon
43. Christopher Guest
42. Seth Meyers
41. Fred Armisen 
40. Don Novello
39. Al Franken
38. Cheri Oteri
37. Robert Downey Jr.
36. Kenan Thompson
35. Kate McKinnon
34. Billy Crystal
33. Martin Short
32. Rachel Dratch
31. Tim Meadows
30. Darrell Hammond
29. Jimmy Fallon
28. Laraine Newman
27. Kristen Wiig
26. Maya Rudolph
25. Bill Hader
24. Jane Curtin
23. Dennis Miller
22. David Spade
21. Chris Rock
20. Tracy Morgan
19. Will Forte
18. Andy Samberg
17. Norm MacDonald
16. Jan Hooks
15. Amy Poehler
14. Adam Sandler
13. Tina Fey
12. Chevy Chase
11. Jon Lovitz
10. Dana Carvey
9. Dan Aykroyd
8. Mike Meyers
7. Eddie Murphy
6. Gilda Radner
5. John Belushi
4. Chris Farley
3. Will Ferrell
2. Phil Hartman
1. Bill Murray

Aside from my personal reflections I quoted from several sources, beyond Wikipedia, and a couple of websites here and there - these were the one’s I used most…

* Splitsider’s “Saturday Night’s Children”
* Paste Magazine’s Top 40 Cast Members
* Rolling Stones 141 Rankings  - this was my primary go to for the quotes, though eventually I did add many from Paste (skipping that source when they didn’t rank a player or I felt just repeated what I or RS had said.)

[Fred Garvin]

Thank you for the invitation my friend. I enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I might even participate in future lists.

The question of the night?

How about Vanessa Bayer? For Jacob, her J Pop and ex-porn star characters. I looked her up on that Rolling Stone article. They placed her 43rd and here is what they wrote about her.


Era: 2010-present
In a congested cast where faces get lost in the crowd — who can forget the game show "New Cast Member or Arcade Fire?" — Bayer always manages to stand out. Her ex-porn star commercials never get old: "With a watch, you'll never have to stop a stranger on the street to ask him, 'Are you my dad?' "

[The Lurker]

Tonight's Host: #1. Christopher Walken - 18 points
It's accurate, if not entirely fair, to sum up Walken's "SNL" legacy in two words: "More cowbell!" It's a tribute to Walken's injection of the bizarre that the skit, with its whimsical, absurd premise, became probably the most popular sketch in the show's history. Walken also brought comic creepiness to his Euro-trash letch, "The Continental," and to his hot tub soaker wistfully recalling past polyamory with Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch's swinging professors (“Moussaka!”). The seven-time host always leaves us crying "More Walken!" . – Jere Hester (nbcbayrea.com)

And here’s the clip… https://screen.yahoo.com/snl/more-cowbell-174128899.html

Walken was the only host to make every list.

For better or worse, The Looney Tunes Show made a parody of The Continental sketch, with Pepe Le Pew.

[anais.butterfly]

#2. Phil Hartman

He was my real #1 (but I only put him second to guarantee Samberg would make the list.

I tear up just thinking about it.

[Johnny Unusual]

Phil was amazing.  Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer was one of the all-time great sketches and while the premise is funny, it was Hartman who brought it all together.  It's weird to watch it now and see it get so few laughs from the actual audience, but time has proven that it is one of the greats.  It's a shame he was taken so early from us.  I have a feeling if he was stuck with middling to awful films like many of the early 90's SNL cast, he'd still be bringing some serious fun to the roles.  I'd like to think he'd more more akin to Bill Murray, in that he'd branch out into different genres and he'd be in a comfortable place where he could just do stuff he thought was interesting.  And continue on with the Simpsons, of course.

I love Bill Murray, but I'm not too familiar with the 70's era of SNL and am more familiar with his post-SNL works, though he was always pretty great.

[MightyJack]

I was all about the 70s. That's where I started watching, and the tone and style of the show in that day is what appeals to me most.  That will always be a special era for me. Chase was the first star, but then Belushi took center stage and he was like a God to us back then. And when he died it was a shock. We'd heard stories that he lived fast and partied hard, but he just seemed so invincible, like nothing could stop him. And then there was Gilda, she was our sweetheart. I miss them both. And Bill I love. He's well deserving of the top spot, though again, it surprised me to see him there.
   
Phil I liked a lot, though I was on the opposite end with Caveman Lawyer, I did not enjoy that bit. My ex loved the anal retentive chef. She would get a fit of the giggles and that would get me going.  "People try to tell you the secret to Pepper Steak is the seasoning, but we know differently, don't we. It's getting all the pieces the same size." https://screen.yahoo.com/anal-retentive-chef-000000115.html?query=anal%20retentive%20chef

Overall I'm happy with the list. I'm happy to see all eras get represented: The original crew, as well as several of the newer kids, and we even threw in a couple from the early to mid 80s. We got a good overview of the show, so take a bow Compound, Johnny Unusual, CJones, Fred Garvin, Cole Stratton, Tripe, Pak-Man, anais.butterfly and ScottD. You done SNL proud.

Anyway... I have received a few ideas for the next vote. If anyone else wants to get involved PM me now, and I'll post the vote tomorrow night.

[Johnny Unusual]

Here's my list.

1.   Phil Hartman
2.   Mike Myers
3.   Will Ferrell
4.   Bill Murray
5.   Dan Aykroyd
6.   Jon Lovitz
7.   Dana Carvey
8.   Chris Farley
9.   Gilda Radner
10.   Tim Meadows
11.   Andy Samberg
12.   Jan Hooks
13.   Eddie Murphy
14.   Chris Rock
15.   Will Forte
16.   John Belushi
17.   Adam Sandler
18.   Chris Elliot
19.   Larine Newman
20.   Martin Short
21.   Norm MacDonald
22.   Chevy Chase
23.   Jane Curtin
24.   David Spade
25.   Kevin Nealon

[Tripe]

#6. Gilda Radner

Era: 1975-1980
155 Points on 9 of 10 lists - Highest Ranking: #1 (Tripe)
Most Memorable Characters: Roseanne Roseannadanna. Baba Wawa, Lisa Loopner Candy Slice, Emily Litella, Judy Miller, Brungilda, Connie Carson, Lucille Ball

Just a wonderful performer and a local girl, her death was such an absolute tragedy.

[Tripe]

My list:

1   Gilda Radner
2   Maya Rudolph
3   Phil Hartman
4   Dan Aykroyd
5   Bill Murray
6   Jane Curtin
7   Eddie Murphy
8   Tim Meadows
9   Rachel Dratch
10   Tracy Morgan
11   Amy Poehler
12   Bill Hader
13   Cheri Oteri
14   Andy Samberg
15   Will Ferrell
16   Norm Macdonald
17   Darrell Hammond
18   John Belushi
19   Jan Hooks
20   Chris Kattan
21   Tina Fey
22   Jimmy Fallon
23   Dana Carvey
24   Chris Farley
25   Will Forte

[anais.butterfly]

My List

1) Andy Samberg
2) Phil Hartman
3) Tina Fey
4) Bill Murray
5) Kristen Wiig
6) Jon Lovitz
7) Jane Curtain
Amy Poehler
9) Gilda Radner
10) David Spade
11) Chris Farley
12) Will Ferrell
13) Tracy Morgan
14) Jason Sudeikis
15) Chris Rock
16) Eddie Murphy
17) Will Forte
18) Bill Hader
19) Norm Macdonald
20) Adam Sandler
21) Mike Myers
22) Darrell Hammond
23) Chris Parnell
24) Horatio Sanz
25) Jimmy Fallon

[ColeStratton]

Great list and lots of fun! And big ups to George Harrison for hosting this thing!

My list:

1.   Phil Hartman
2.   Dana Carvey
3.   Bill Murray
4.   Chris Farley
5.   Mike Myers
6.   Jan Hooks
7.   Eddie Murphy
8.   Will Ferrell
9.   Rachel Dratch
10.   Gilda Radner
11.   Laraine Newman
12.   Bill Hader
13.   Will Forte
14.   John Belushi
15.   Fred Armisen
16.   Dan Aykroyd
17.   Adam Sandler
18.   Tracy Morgan
19.   Tina Fey
20.   Jimmy Fallon
21.   Maya Rudolph
22.   Amy Poehler
23.   Andy Samberg
24.   Robert Smigel
25.   Kristen Wiig

Top 5 Hosts
1.   Alec Baldwin
2.   Tom Hanks
3.   Steve Martin
4.   Christopher Walken
5.   John Goodman

Honorable mention: Kevin Spacey’s one time hosting, which was a great episode

[Darth Geek]

I'm actually surprised Kevin Spacey has only hosted once. Or was there some behind the scenes issues with that?

[CJones]

Great job hosting George Harrison. I've only done it once (Game Shows) but I know it's harder than it looks. And you went above and beyond what was expected. 

Anyway, here's my list. Yes I left Bill Murray off on purpose.

1 Darrell Hammond
2 Phil Hartman
3 Will Farrell
4 John Belushi
5 Dana Carvey
6 Chris Farley
7 Tina Fey
8 Gilda Radner
9 Mike Myers
10 Eddie Murphey
11 Kevin Nealon
12 Dan Akroyd
13 Chris Rock
14 Seth Meyers
15 Keenan Thompson
16 Amy Poehler
17 Dennis Miller
18 Ana Gasteyer
19 Will Forte
20 Horatio Sanz
21 Jimmy Fallon
22 Chris Kattan
23 David Spade
24 Tracey Morgan
25 Jon Lovitz

Hosts

1 Steve Martin
2 Christopher Walken
3 Alec Baldwin
4 John Goodman
5 Justin Timberlake