Top Ten SNL Not Ready For Prime Time Players?

Chief Rum · 02-12-2015, 10:43 AM

Considering all the hubbub over SNL's 40th anniversary celebration, I thought I would throw out my Top 10 all time of SNL performers. This is just off the top of my head and I am not a consistent watcher of the show (I probably catch 2-3 shows per season at best, and then watch an additional skit or two that gets a lot of pub on youtube/FB).

Conceptually, I am just talking the NRFPTP, not hosts. And only for what they did on SNL, not in other ventures.

My top ten:

1. Dana Carvey
2. Steve Martin
3. Chris Farley
4. Will Ferrell
5. Chevy Chase
6. Mike Myers
7. Dan Aykroyd
8. Eddie Murphy
9. Phil Hartman
10. Jon Lovitz

Obviously, I tend more towards the men on the show...

QuikSand · 02-12-2015, 10:46 AM

See also:

2011: Pick your SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central

2005: Your All-time SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central

Chief Rum · 02-12-2015, 10:47 AM

Well, shoot.

QuikSand · 02-12-2015, 10:51 AM

Still fun, have at it.

tarcone · 02-12-2015, 10:54 AM

No John Belushi? List invalid.

cartman · 02-12-2015, 10:59 AM

Also, I don't think Steve Martin was ever a cast member, I think he was just a frequent host.

timmae · 02-12-2015, 11:02 AM

1. Will Farrell
2. Andy Samberg
3. Tina Fey
4. Chris Farley
5. Bobby Moynihan
6. Bill Hader
7. Norm MacDonald
8. Amy Poehler
9. Adam Sandler
10. Dana Carvey

Honorable Mention
David Spade
Phil Hartman
Dan Akroyd
Rachel Dratch
Al Franken

Chief Rum · 02-12-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

Also, I don't think Steve Martin was ever a cast member, I think he was just a frequent host.

I believe you're right. That's nuts. I wasn't allowed to watch those old ones as a kid, so most of my original SNL cast viewing was best of skits types of stuff. Martin appeared so often, I just assumed he was a cast member.

Okay drop Martin and add in Tina Fey at the bottom.

As for Belushi, I love Belushi, but see above, my recollection of that cast is purely in retrospect and most of the Belushi stuff I saw wasn't enough for me to put him in my top ten.

molson · 02-12-2015, 11:16 AM

Ya, Steve Martin was kind of the Justin Timberlake of SNL in the 70s. And it's crazy to think that Martin was actually younger than Timberlake is now during that initial hosting run of seasons 2 through 5.

molson · 02-12-2015, 11:22 AM

I'd have to look at cast lists to try to make a top 10 list, but mine would look similar to timmae's, but probably without Andy Samberg. The old stuff was groundbreaking, but hasn't aged very well, especially when you try to watch entire episodes. But that's maybe not a fair way to judge comedy. Though it's also true that the 70s stuff, even when seen today, is a million times better than the dark ages of the early-to-mid 80s.

VPI97 · 02-12-2015, 12:15 PM

1. John Belushi
2. Eddie Murphy
3. Phil Hartman
4. Dana Carvey
5. Jon Lovitz
6. Jan Hooks
7. Chris Farley
8. Molly Shannon
9. Will Ferrell

10. Weekend Update: Norm MacDonald

Warhammer · 02-12-2015, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VPI97

1. John Belushi
2. Eddie Murphy
3. Phil Hartman
4. Dana Carvey
5. Jon Lovitz
6. Jan Hooks
7. Chris Farley
8. Molly Shannon
9. Will Ferrell

10. Weekend Update: Norm MacDonald

This is pretty much my list with Dennis Miller as the anchor and Gilda Radner in for Molly Shannon.

QuikSand · 02-12-2015, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Regulars:
John Belushi
Eddie Murphy
Mike Myers
Phil Hartman
Darrell Hammond
Dana Carvey
Gilda Radner
Nora Dunn

Featured:
Don Novello
Chris Rock
Al Franken
Kevin Nealon

Anchor:
Dennis Miller

Musical Guests:
Paul Simon
The J. Geils Band

Guest Host:
Alec Baldwin

This list seems to hold up fairly well 10 years later. I think you now have to put in Will Ferrell (likely for Hammond), and maybe I'd sub in a different woman among my top tier to replace Nora Dunn.

Pyser · 02-12-2015, 12:56 PM

1-will ferrell
2-eddie murphy
3-dana carvey
4-phil hartman
5-john belushi
6-kristin wiig
7-chris farley
8-amy poehler
9-mike myers
10-bill murray

ferrell and murphy are the top 2 to me - easily - because they had NO support. just awful casts around them.

also, it's hard not to have people's careers after they left the show not taint the list, but i tried to keep it to snl career only.

would love to get fey in there, but aside from weekend update and sarah palin, i dont think she did much as a cast member. far more important as a writer.

nol · 02-12-2015, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

See also:

2011: Pick your SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central

2005: Your All-time SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central

I don't know what's more impressive - that SNL is so good at drumming up nostalgia for its multiple of 5 year anniversaries or that it's so irrelevant in the interim that people forget having those discussions in the first place

Neon_Chaos · 02-12-2015, 06:10 PM

Grantland had a big bracketed tournament regarding this last year.

Grantland Celebrates ‘Saturday Night Live’ at 40 «

Comey · 02-12-2015, 06:18 PM

1. Will Ferrell
2. Phil Hartman
3. Chris Farley
4. Eddie Murphy
5. Bill Murray
6. Dana Carvey
7. Mike Meyers
8. Bill Hader
9. Kristen Wiig
10. John Belushi

Honorable Mention:
Norm MacDonald
Adam Sandler
Darrell Hammond
Fred Armisen
Cheri Oteri

stevew · 02-12-2015, 06:26 PM

Dunno who's at the top but Tarran Killem(so) is near last place.

CU Tiger · 02-12-2015, 06:35 PM

Not in order.

Farley
Chevy chase
Belushi
Chris Rock
Adam Sandler
Dana Carvey
David Spade
Eddie Murphy
Phil Hartman
Mike Myers

stevew · 02-12-2015, 06:51 PM

Armisen
Wiig
Farrell
Sandler
Kate McKinnon
Kevin Nealon
Hartman
Samberg
carvey
Bill Hader

Vince, Pt. II · 02-12-2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Grantland had a big bracketed tournament regarding this last year.

Grantland Celebrates ‘Saturday Night Live’ at 40 «

It's insane to me how much more talent is in the left half of that bracket.

korme · 02-12-2015, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

Dunno who's at the top but Tarran Killem(so) is near last place.

What's wrong with Taran Killam?

korme · 02-12-2015, 07:04 PM

Of the current cast, Bobby Moynihan's characters on Weekend Update might be the best thing going for the show right now.

AENeuman · 02-12-2015, 07:36 PM

SNL Ready for prime time players:

1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus

stevew · 02-12-2015, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korme

What's wrong with Taran Killam?

I feel like he was ok as a bit player but wildly miscast as a front on the show. I I tend to FF thru 95% of his skits.

LastWhiteSoxFanStanding · 02-12-2015, 07:52 PM

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I think Phil Hartman is insanely overrated. He is the Billy Joel of SNL.

*ducks*

molson · 02-12-2015, 08:00 PM

I think the present cast is always going to be a little underrated at the time they're on TV. Kate McKinnon is one of the most talented female cast members they've ever had. She doesn't have a lot of "best of" skits she's carried yet, but she kills with just about every little spot she gets. And Jay Pharaoh has to be one of the best impressionists they've ever had.

molson · 02-12-2015, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastWhiteSoxFanStanding

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I think Phil Hartman is insanely overrated. He is the Billy Joel of SNL.

*ducks*

Ya, I never found him super funny on his own, but he was a super-valuable straight man like Chris Parnell and Jason Sudeikis after him. They made people around them more funny.

stevew · 02-12-2015, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molson

I think the present cast is always going to be a little underrated at the time they're on TV. Kate McKinnon is one of the most talented female cast members they've ever had. She doesn't have a lot of "best of" skits she's carried yet, but she kills with just about every little spot she gets. And Jay Pharaoh has to be one of the best impressionists they've ever had.

agreed.

britrock88 · 02-12-2015, 08:54 PM

No love for Kenan Thompson? Even without necessarily being the best cast member at any given time, he's been a rock for the last decade-plus.

Sometimes, all it takes is his delivery...

"I am Reece (beat) deWHAT"

Comey · 02-13-2015, 04:54 AM

The cast of Wiig, Hader, et al is arguably the most talented they've ever had. The issue with the show, and they've said this for a few years now, is that they are off filming other things during the week. Hader outlined a schedule during a movie, and he would literally just show up to read through things on Friday, after shooting all week, then do dress and go live. The cue cards are so valuable anymore because they don't even get to learn their part.

The casts have been so spread thin, it's hurt the show. It isn't for lack of talent, but lack of time. Lorne used to forbid the cast to do anything outside of the show until the summer. He lifted that several years ago, and the quality has suffered.

(I'm a *major* SNL nerd. I read everything about the show.)

PurdueBrad · 02-13-2015, 06:42 AM

Been thinking about this and here's a group that I think could work some magic:

Dana Carvey
Chris Farley
Phil Hartman
Jane Curtain
Cecily Strong
Don Aykroyd
Tina Fey
Eddie Murphy
Chris Rock
Norm McDonald

I don't think they're necessarily the 10 best, but I do think they could work very well together.

Lathum · 02-13-2015, 06:46 AM

It has been so long since I have found the show funny I'm not sure it ever was.

timmae · 02-13-2015, 07:12 AM

Cecily Strong is solid...

Scarecrow · 02-13-2015, 10:26 AM

not sure I agree with #s 141-11, but their top 10 is pretty solid...

'Saturday Night Live': All 141 Cast Members Ranked | Rolling Stone

molson · 02-13-2015, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britrock88

No love for Kenan Thompson? Even without necessarily being the best cast member at any given time, he's been a rock for the last decade-plus.

Sometimes, all it takes is his delivery...

"I am Reece (beat) deWHAT"

I've read that whenever the writers think they need an extra laugh in a sketch, they just add a line, "Keenan reacts." It works every time.

Pyser · 02-13-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

not sure I agree with #s 141-11, but their top 10 is pretty solid...

'Saturday Night Live': All 141 Cast Members Ranked | Rolling Stone

its all subjective but i think thats a terrible top 10.

fey at 3 is ludicrous, for starters.

PurdueBrad · 02-13-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmae

Cecily Strong is solid...

As bad as the show is and as much as I would like to see her anchor Weekend Update, I love her "Girl at a Party" character when she is a guest on Weekend Update. Frankly, I wish she had a twin so one could anchor and one could guest!

britrock88 · 02-13-2015, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurdueBrad

As bad as the show is and as much as I would like to see her anchor Weekend Update, I love her "Girl at a Party" character when she is a guest on Weekend Update. Frankly, I wish she had a twin so one could anchor and one could guest!

Her "One-Dimensional Girl in a Male-Driven Comedy" is also pretty terrific.

02-12-2015, 10:47 AM	#3
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Well, shoot. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

02-12-2015, 10:54 AM	#5
tarcone Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pacific	No John Belushi? List invalid. __________________ Excuses are for wusses- Spencer Lee Punting is Winning- Tory Taylor The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! For Iowa FOFC 30 Dollar Challenge Champion-OOTP '15

02-12-2015, 10:59 AM	#6
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Also, I don't think Steve Martin was ever a cast member, I think he was just a frequent host. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

02-12-2015, 11:02 AM	#7
timmae College Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago	1. Will Farrell 2. Andy Samberg 3. Tina Fey 4. Chris Farley 5. Bobby Moynihan 6. Bill Hader 7. Norm MacDonald 8. Amy Poehler 9. Adam Sandler 10. Dana Carvey Honorable Mention David Spade Phil Hartman Dan Akroyd Rachel Dratch Al Franken __________________ Interactive OOTP 15 Dynasty (Single Season) CHAMPION!! Oh yeah... Happy New York Day everyone!

02-12-2015, 11:16 AM	#9
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	Ya, Steve Martin was kind of the Justin Timberlake of SNL in the 70s. And it's crazy to think that Martin was actually younger than Timberlake is now during that initial hosting run of seasons 2 through 5. Last edited by molson : 02-12-2015 at 11:16 AM.

02-12-2015, 10:46 AM	#2
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	See also: 2011: Pick your SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central 2005: Your All-time SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central

02-12-2015, 10:51 AM	#4
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Still fun, have at it.

02-12-2015, 11:22 AM	#10
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	I'd have to look at cast lists to try to make a top 10 list, but mine would look similar to timmae's, but probably without Andy Samberg. The old stuff was groundbreaking, but hasn't aged very well, especially when you try to watch entire episodes. But that's maybe not a fair way to judge comedy. Though it's also true that the 70s stuff, even when seen today, is a million times better than the dark ages of the early-to-mid 80s. Last edited by molson : 02-12-2015 at 11:23 AM.

02-12-2015, 12:15 PM	#11
VPI97 Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Kennesaw, GA	1. John Belushi 2. Eddie Murphy 3. Phil Hartman 4. Dana Carvey 5. Jon Lovitz 6. Jan Hooks 7. Chris Farley 8. Molly Shannon 9. Will Ferrell 10. Weekend Update: Norm MacDonald __________________ CT & Jivin - "Surprisingly Entertaining"

02-12-2015, 12:56 PM	#14
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	1-will ferrell 2-eddie murphy 3-dana carvey 4-phil hartman 5-john belushi 6-kristin wiig 7-chris farley 8-amy poehler 9-mike myers 10-bill murray ferrell and murphy are the top 2 to me - easily - because they had NO support. just awful casts around them. also, it's hard not to have people's careers after they left the show not taint the list, but i tried to keep it to snl career only. would love to get fey in there, but aside from weekend update and sarah palin, i dont think she did much as a cast member. far more important as a writer.

02-12-2015, 06:10 PM	#16
Neon_Chaos Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Parañaque, Philippines	Grantland had a big bracketed tournament regarding this last year. Grantland Celebrates ‘Saturday Night Live’ at 40 « __________________ Come and see.

02-12-2015, 06:18 PM	#17
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	1. Will Ferrell 2. Phil Hartman 3. Chris Farley 4. Eddie Murphy 5. Bill Murray 6. Dana Carvey 7. Mike Meyers 8. Bill Hader 9. Kristen Wiig 10. John Belushi Honorable Mention: Norm MacDonald Adam Sandler Darrell Hammond Fred Armisen Cheri Oteri __________________

02-12-2015, 06:26 PM	#18
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Dunno who's at the top but Tarran Killem(so) is near last place.

02-12-2015, 06:35 PM	#19
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	Not in order. Farley Chevy chase Belushi Chris Rock Adam Sandler Dana Carvey David Spade Eddie Murphy Phil Hartman Mike Myers

02-12-2015, 06:51 PM	#20
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Armisen Wiig Farrell Sandler Kate McKinnon Kevin Nealon Hartman Samberg carvey Bill Hader

02-12-2015, 07:04 PM	#23
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	Of the current cast, Bobby Moynihan's characters on Weekend Update might be the best thing going for the show right now.

02-12-2015, 07:36 PM	#24
AENeuman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SF	SNL Ready for prime time players: 1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus

02-12-2015, 07:52 PM	#26
LastWhiteSoxFanStanding College Starter Join Date: Jun 2003	I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I think Phil Hartman is insanely overrated. He is the Billy Joel of SNL. ducks

02-12-2015, 08:00 PM	#27
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	I think the present cast is always going to be a little underrated at the time they're on TV. Kate McKinnon is one of the most talented female cast members they've ever had. She doesn't have a lot of "best of" skits she's carried yet, but she kills with just about every little spot she gets. And Jay Pharaoh has to be one of the best impressionists they've ever had. Last edited by molson : 02-12-2015 at 08:03 PM.

02-12-2015, 08:54 PM	#30
britrock88 Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Madison, WI	No love for Kenan Thompson? Even without necessarily being the best cast member at any given time, he's been a rock for the last decade-plus. Sometimes, all it takes is his delivery... "I am Reece (beat) deWHAT"

02-13-2015, 04:54 AM	#31
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	The cast of Wiig, Hader, et al is arguably the most talented they've ever had. The issue with the show, and they've said this for a few years now, is that they are off filming other things during the week. Hader outlined a schedule during a movie, and he would literally just show up to read through things on Friday, after shooting all week, then do dress and go live. The cue cards are so valuable anymore because they don't even get to learn their part. The casts have been so spread thin, it's hurt the show. It isn't for lack of talent, but lack of time. Lorne used to forbid the cast to do anything outside of the show until the summer. He lifted that several years ago, and the quality has suffered. (I'm a major SNL nerd. I read everything about the show.) __________________

02-13-2015, 06:46 AM	#33
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	It has been so long since I have found the show funny I'm not sure it ever was.

02-13-2015, 07:12 AM	#34
timmae College Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago	Cecily Strong is solid... __________________ Interactive OOTP 15 Dynasty (Single Season) CHAMPION!! Oh yeah... Happy New York Day everyone!

02-13-2015, 10:26 AM	#35
Scarecrow College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Flatlands of America	not sure I agree with #s 141-11, but their top 10 is pretty solid... 'Saturday Night Live': All 141 Cast Members Ranked \| Rolling Stone __________________ Post Count: Eleventy Billion - so deal with it!

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