It is no secret thatnow is a very exciting time for fans of the iconic late-night sketch show,Saturday Night Live.For one,Saturday Night, a film chronicling the frantic production of the show’s first live broadcast, recently premiered in theaters, bringing widespread attention back to where the legendary series first began. Additionally,SNLis currently in the midst of season 50, an impressive landmark for any television program.
So far, this historic season has been jam-packed with tributes to beloved performers and sketches from the past. Prominent formerSaturday Night Livecast memberslike Dana Carvey and Maya Rudolph (among many others) have already made multiple appearances, raising the question of who else will return to the show by the time the season is over. Withmany surprise appearances sure to come, here are ten performers who deserve to make a triumphant return to the iconic stage, thanks to the vital contributions they have made to the show over the years.
10Adam Sandler
Cast Member From 1990-1995
Adam Sandler is undoubtedlyone of the most recognizable names to come out of the ’90s era ofSNL. Although he was only on the show for a few years, he has proved to have a significant, lasting impact on the comedy series. In that time, he managed to consistently charm audiences, not only with the hilarious characters he played (such as Cajun Man and Opera Man) but with his musical talents as well.
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Sandler was known for his ability to serenade audiences with songs about everything from lunch ladies to Chanukah. Since the end of his time onSNL, Sandler has gone on to have a very successful career, writing and starring in numerous films over the years, including comedy classics likeHappy GilmoreandGrown Ups.
He has even ventured into more dramatic territory, with projects like the 2019 A24 film,Uncut Gems. Nevertheless,it is impossible to forget the early days ofAdam Sandler’s career. Any celebration ofSNL’s history would be incomplete without an appearance by this legendary comic.
9Will Ferrell
Cast Member From 1995-2002
Even among the powerhouse casts of the late ’90s and early 2000s,Will Ferrell managed to stand out as a force to be reckoned with onSNL. Ferrell was a prominent part of the cast from 1995-2002 and has even returned to host episodes five times since he departed from the show.
While onSNL, Ferrell was known for his hilarious impressions of iconic figures likeJeopardy!host Alex Trebek and former President George W. Bush. Ferrell even got the chance to star inA Night at the Roxbury, a feature film based on one of the characters he created. Outside ofSNL, Ferrell has continued to have a successful comedy career in both film and television.
He is perhaps best known for his starring roles in various comedy films, such as the holiday classic,Elf, and oft-quoted crowd-pleasers likeStep Brothers. Even with all of these successes, though,his time onSNLremains an essential part of Ferrell’s career. After all, he did star in one of themost iconicSNLsketches of all time: “More Cowbell.”
8Tina Fey
In terms of usheringSNLinto the 21st century, few people played as vital of a role as Tina Fey.Originally beginning as a writer, Fey quickly became a very prominent part of the show, serving not only as a cast member but as the head writer from 2000-2006. Fey was most recognized on the show for her time spent as co-anchor ofWeekend Update, as well as for her spot-on impersonation of former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Fey’s contributions toSNLhave been immeasurable, and she certainly deserves to make an appearance in this historic season.
Fey is easily among the most critically acclaimedSNLalums. Thanks to her time on the show, as well as her work on numerous projects outside of it, Fey has accumulated a whopping total of nine Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to several Golden Globes, SAG Awards, WGA Awards, and even the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
She received immense praise for her work on the NBC sitcom,30 Rock, as well as the 2004 comedy film,Mean Girls. Fey’s contributions toSNLhave been immeasurable, and she certainly deserves to make an appearance in this historic season.
7Amy Poehler
Cast Member From 2001-2008
Frequently appearing alongside Tina Feywas another iconic member of the 2000sSNLroster: Amy Poehler. Poehler appeared as a recurring cast member from 2001 to 2008. FollowingJimmy Fallon’s departure fromSNL, Poehler served as co-anchor ofWeekend Updatefor several seasons, getting to work alongside Fey and later Seth Meyers in the prestigious role.
While on the show,Poehler also appeared in countless sketches, creating wacky characters and impersonating everyone from Madonna to Hillary Clinton. Poehler went on to have a very successful career following her time onSNL. She left the show in 2008 to focus onParks and Recreation, the NBC sitcom in which she would play the main character, Leslie Knope.
The series was highly successful with critics and audiences alike and further propelled Poehler’s career forward. Over the years, she accumulated an impressive 26 Emmy nominations for her contributions to various projects. Poehler helped define the 2000s era ofSNLand is certainly a primary candidate for an appearance this season.
6Eddie Murphy
Cast Member From 1980-1984
The early ’80s were a turbulent time for the sketch show. Nearly everyone on both the cast and the writing staff was being replaced, and viewers were very uncertain about what type of futureSNLwould have. Fortunately, the series did manage to find at least one clear bright spot during this era: Eddie Murphy.
Murphy was a popular cast member from 1980-1984, offering hilarious portrayals of characters like Gumby and Mr. Robinson.His infectious personality and charisma helped keepSNLgoing through this period of uncertainty.While his comedy is what launched him into stardom, Murphy has had a diverse, illustrious career, which has included winning an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Grammy, as well as receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Outside ofSNL, he is well-known for his work in theBeverly Hills CopandShrekfranchises. Of course, it is quite possible that none of this would have happened if it weren’t for his time onSNL. Murphy has reappeared on the show a handful of times over the years, but returning for the fiftieth season would be extra special.
5Mike Myers
Cast Member From 1989-1995
No list ofSNLlegends would be complete without a mention of Mike Myers. Myers was a recurring cast member from 1989-1995, making numerous appearances in later years as well.He consistently put his comedic talents to the test, portraying oddball characterslike Linda Richman and Wayne Campbell, the latter of whom even inspired two feature films.
Myers also performed a wide range of impressions on the show, embodying everyone from Mick Jagger to Queen Elizabeth. BeyondSNL, the Emmy-winning performer gained recognition for his hilarious work in theAustin PowersandShrekfranchises, further solidifying his status as a household name.
Like so many others,Myers owes much of his career to his time spent onSNL. Having him return for the fiftieth season would not only be an expression of gratitude for his contributions to the show, but an appropriate way to celebrate where the acclaimed performer launched his extensive career.
4Bill Hader
Cast Member From 2005-2013
The late 2000s/early 2010s era ofSNLfeatured multiple stacked casts, but even among a roster full of hilarious comics, Bill Hader managed to shine. Hader was a prominent part ofSNLfrom 2005 to 2013. Over the years,Hader constantly found exciting new ways to contribute to the show, always developing new characters and impressions while also maintaining a dazzling level of chemistry with his co-stars.
Although he played a wide range of roles (including more spot-on impressions than one could even begin to list), his most famous role is Stefon, the eccentric New York tour guide. AlthoughSNLhas certainly launched many successful careers, few have gone on to be quite as diverse as Hader’s.
WhileSNLallowed him to showcase his comedic gifts, he has also successfully leaped into more dramatic roles in recent years, particularly with the HBO series,Barry.Barryalso allowed Hader to demonstrate his skills not just as an actor, but as a writer, director, and producer as well. Of course, it is impossible to forget Hader’s roots in the world of comedy. A reprisal of some of his beloved roles onSNLwould surely be a huge delight.
3Dan Aykroyd
Cast Member From 1975-1979
To properly celebrate fifty years ofSaturday Night Live, the show must be sure to highlight where the beloved comedy program first began. There would be no more fitting way to do this than by having a member of the very first cast return for a special appearance. One member of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players that would be perfect for a modern return is Dan Aykroyd.
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Aykroyd served as a cast member for the series from its very first episode until 1979, also working as a writer for the show for some of those years. Over the years, Aykroyd gave life to several characters that became beloved icons of the early days ofSNL. Beldar Conehead and Elwood Blues were two Aykroyd characters that even went on to inspire feature films of their own.
Aykroyd himself went on to play a wide range of roles in projects afterSNL, even earning an Academy Award nomination for his supporting performance in the Best Picture-winning drama film,Driving Miss Daisy. The talented performer was there when the series began, and it would be a delight to see him return fifty years later.
2Kate McKinnon
Cast Member From 2012-2022
While the fiftieth season ofSNLwill surely pay tribute to where the show began,it is also important to look at how far the show has come. After all these decades, the program remains a staple of weekend television. One particular performer who has helped keep the show fresh in recent years has been Kate McKinnon.
One particular performer who has helped keep the show fresh in recent years has been Kate McKinnon.
McKinnon began herSNLrun in 2012 and remained a key part of the cast for a full decade. In that time, McKinnon’s work on the series earned her an astounding ten Emmy nominations, including two wins.McKinnon played a vast assortment of characters across her 200+ episode run on the series, including wacky alien abduction survivor, Colleen Rafferty, and various real-life figures like Hillary Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres.
Although her post-SNLcareer is still in its early stages, she has already appeared in numerous other projects, including the critically acclaimed Greta Gerwig film,Barbie. McKinnon would be an excellent choice to highlight the achievements of modern-daySNL.
1The Cast of Saturday Night(2024)
A Modern Recreation Of The Original Cast
Falling right around the time the fiftieth season premiered, a motion picture portraying the hectic first broadcast ofSNLwas released in theaters.The film, titledSaturday Night, features a large ensemble cast of current actors portraying all the original cast and creatorsof the beloved comedy show. All the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players are depicted in the film, including Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Gilda Radner, and more.
Saturday Night
Cast
Saturday Night (2024) is a forthcoming film with an undisclosed director. The movie centers on the vibrant nightlife of a bustling city, capturing the intertwining lives and stories of a diverse ensemble cast navigating personal and social challenges over the course of a single evening.
Thus far, the film has received overwhelming praise for its casting and the performances of the actors. Bringing some of theactors fromSaturday Night(such asDylan O’Brien, Cory Michael Smith, and Lamorne Morris) onto a real episode ofSNLwould be a captivating experience, both for the performers and the audience. The possibilities for what can be done with these modern portrayals of the classic comics are truly endless, especially if some of the original performers appear alongside their current counterparts.
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
