#40. Don Novello
Era: 1978-1980; 1985-1986
20 pts on 2 of 10 lists - Highest Ranking: #15 (George Harrison)
Most Memorable Characters: Father Guido Sarducci, Abdul Asad Novello was hired as a writer - he’s the one who penned the Olympia Restaurant sketch, with its almost musical cadence, “Cheezborger, Cheezborger!” He also appeared in that bit as Mike, and showed up in other skits here and there (he broke his leg in a Hockey scene). Later on he played Abdul Asad in The Bel Airabs, a Beverly Hillbillies spoof. But it was his Father Guido Sarducci that rocketed him into our hearts.
Though the character didn’t originate with
SNL and has shown up in other TV series and specials, SNL is where he hit big. Myself, my friends and my (Catholic born) family were freaks for Father Guido. We loved him, even my dad. And when he’d pop up on Update, we’d cheer along with the TV audience, and then spend the week quoting his quips. When his comedy album was released, I bought it and had a listening party. Ah, such sweet memories.
Novello’s other writing credits include “Gilda Live”, a year at SCTV in 1982, and he also co-wrote the screenplay
Noble Rot with John Belushi (the film was never made due to John’s death.)
Rolling Stone ranked him #42 and said…
Although primarily a writer, he knocked it out of the park as Father Guido Sarducci — the rock critic for the Vatican newspaper, chain-smoking through homilies about the Last Brunch. The ultimate hip priest, Father Guido might have been the inspiration for Pope Francis.