Pick your SNL Cast

[rowech]

You can choose any SNL Cast members from the history of the show that you want. Limit of seven and you must choose at least two females out of your seven.

[gstelmack]

Eddie Murphy
Bill Murray
Chevy Chase
Gilda Radner
Dan Aykroyd
John Belushi
Jane Curtin

I'd like to fit Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey in there, but not sure how. Maybe instead of John Belushi?

[Butter]

Phil Hartman
Will Ferrell
Gilda Radner
John Belushi
Bill Murray
Dan Aykroyd
and Tina Fey to do the news

[stevew]

Dana Carvey
Chris Rock
Will Farrell
Adam Sandler
Phil Hartman
Molly Shannon
Amy Pohler

Trying to find someone to bump for Norm MacDonald, but he wasn't that great in sketches.

[JonInMiddleGA]

John Belushi
Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Garrett Morris
Victoria Jackson
Laraine Newman
Dennis Miller

[PurdueBrad]

Really tough, be here goes:

Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Bill Murray
Chris Farley
Adam Sandler
Victoria Jackson
Jane Curtain

Damn, wanted Norm in there as well and Dan Akroyd. Tough, tough, good question though.

[QuikSand]

Love the idea.

Your All-time SNL Cast - Front Office Football Central

(not meant to be a dickish "you should have looked up the years old thread," but rather a "we're on the same page")

[DeToxRox]

Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Bill Murray
John Belushi
Norm MacDonald (only for Weekend Update)
Jane Curtain
Molly Shannon

[DougW]

Adam Sandler
Dana Carvey
Will Ferrel
Eddie Murphy
Tina Fey
Victoria Jackson
Phil Hartman

Most importantly though, it MUST have Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy.

[GrantDawg]

Tough one...

Dan Aykroyd
Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Dana Carvey
Will Ferrell
Tina Fey
Molly Shannon

The two women are the toughest, not that aren't many women that would fit. I just couldn't leave off Tina Fey (head writer during a very good period and one of the best at the news desk ever) even though there are better sketch actors, and Molly Shannon could be subbed with Pohler. Wiig, or Gasteyer really.

[rowech]

Here are mine after thinking about my own question...

Phil Hartman -- could do more than I think any cast member in history

Eddie Murphy -- I think in many ways he became the show for the time period he was on.

Chris Farley -- He was willing to do just about anything for a laugh. I will always think of him in the Chippendale's sketch with Patrick Swayze. One of my favorite sketches.

Dennis Miller -- he was always my favorite Weekend Update host. It's tough to use a roster spot for him though since that's all he could do.

Dana Carvey -- In my opinion, he did the best pure impressions of anyone on the show's history.

Amy Poehler -- I've come to realize just how funny she really is. She's kind of a modern day Lucille Ball.

Molly Shannon -- just changed my mind on it. She really offers quite a bit.

[Butter]

I don't get the votes for Victoria Jackson.

[ShaneTheMaster]

I just had to post, since there wasn't much love for Gilda.

1. Eddie Murphy
2. John Belushi
3. Chris Farley
4. Bill Murray
5. Mike Myers
6. Gilda Radner
7. Tina Fey

None of the above really was the head news anchor, except for Murray.. But I think Chevy Chase was best at it.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

John Belushi
Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Garrett Morris
Victoria Jackson
Laraine Newman
Dennis Miller

I should have had Dennis Miller over Chevy Chase. Sigh, posted too quickly.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I don't get the votes for Victoria Jackson.

Mine was based on how I felt she could be utilized within the framework of the rest of my fantasy cast. I needed someone who could play dumb in sketches when needed & I liked her better for that than Jane the ignorant slut

Gilda was obviously too strong for that, which actually led me to take Newman over her too, as I felt like Lorraine was more versatile as a supporting part of the ensemble whereas I see Gilda as someone who carries a segment. Given my male choices, I didn't feel I needed another focal point.

I actually made the Jackson pick first, taking her over Oteri who was my 2nd pick for that slot or over Shannon who I had as a more distant 3rd, who I felt wasn't right for playing the occasional coquette that might be needed whereas Jackson can do it no problem & I think Oteri could in a pinch.

[molson]

I think I'd just go with most of the current cast plus Will Ferrell. I loved a lot of the older names, but I don't I need to see them in skits again (even if we transported them from their primes.) Sketch comedy is about fresh faces and talent emerging before your eyes.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

I should have had Dennis Miller over Chevy Chase. Sigh, posted too quickly.

The Miller pick was all about me wanting to have an anchor for Update. Not sure how much else I see him doing in the context of my cast, but he was a really easy pick for me because of that.

[tyketime]

This is a good one to revisit:

Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Dan Aykroyd
Will Ferrell
Dana Carvey
Gilda Radnor
Cheri Oteri (my upset pick...)

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by molson

I think I'd just go with most of the current cast plus Will Ferrell. I loved a lot of the older names, but I don't I need to see them in skits again (even if we transported them from their primes.) Sketch comedy is about fresh faces and talent emerging before your eyes.

I see your point, but it is not really fair to what I think we are doing. I think we are picking "in their prime" casts. Especially since several of the people we are listing are dead. I don't think we are suggesting we want to see the rotting corpses of Phil Hartman and John Belushi trying to do a sketch.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I see your point, but it is not really fair to what I think we are doing. I think we are picking "in their prime" casts. Especially since several of the people we are listing are dead. I don't think we are suggesting we want to see the rotting corpses of Phil Hartman and John Belushi trying to do a sketch.

Speak for yourself. That can't be much worse than watching the seventh incarnation of "The Miley Cyrus Show" sketch.

[molson]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I see your point, but it is not really fair to what I think we are doing. I think we are picking "in their prime" casts. Especially since several of the people we are listing are dead. I don't think we are suggesting we want to see the rotting corpses of Phil Hartman and John Belushi trying to do a sketch.

Oh absolutely, I was trying to imagine Phil Hartman and John Belushi, in their primes, doing skits relevant to today's news/pop culture, and decided I'd much rather see the fresh faces. Though actually Belushi, he would be close, I can see him still being compelling on the screen today and always seeming new. But Phil Hartman, and Dana Carvey, I know their careers, I've seen them, I don't need to see new stuff from them, they had their time and place. I'd rather have the energy of the new talent trying to break through, the people that are relevant to now (i.e., I don't think Carvey would work at all with any kind of modern comedy)

It's an obnoxious answer, I admit.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Speak for yourself. That can't be much worse than watching the seventh incarnation of "The Miley Cyrus Show" sketch.

If you watch an entire SNL episode from one of the "glory years" (and they're all on Hulu plus), most of it has either aged horribly, or wasn't as funny as people remember.

[Julio Riddols]

1. Bill Hader
2. Chris Farley
3. Will Ferrell
4. Dana Carvey
5. Mike Myers
6. Kristen Wiig
7. Tina Fey

Sucks that we can't have 4 or 5 "featured players" or I would also add Bobby Moynihan (His Anthony Crispino character is one of the funniest I have seen on the show and I think he has a ton of potential because he just has a face that makes you laugh), Eddie Murphy, Amy Poehler, and Phil Hartman.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by DougW

Most importantly though, it MUST have Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy.

More importantly, must have his Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

1. Bill Hader ... 6. Kristen Wiig

You just named a person that I've literally never heard of & another that I couldn't have identified accurately as an SNL cast member, big screen supporting actress, or a Disney/Nick show product if given a multiple choice question.

Not kicking any dirt your way or anything like that at all, just thought that was an interesting look at what a difference the gap in our ages can make.

[Suicane75]

1. Eddie Murphy
2. Phil Hartman
3. Dana Carvey
4. Tina Fey
5. Jan Hooks
6. David Spade
7. Norm McDonald

[larrymcg421]

John Belushi
Dana Carvey
Phil Hartman
Eddie Murphy
Bill Murray
Gilda Radner
Amy Poehler

[BYU 14]

John Belushi
Bill Murray
Gilda Radner
Eddie Murphy
Tina Fey
Phil Hartman
Chris Farley

[CrimsonFox]

Jane Curtin
Phil Hartman
Martin Short
Bill Murray
Mike Myers
Jan Hooks
Chevy Chase

[Julio Riddols]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

You just named a person that I've literally never heard of & another that I couldn't have identified accurately as an SNL cast member, big screen supporting actress, or a Disney/Nick show product if given a multiple choice question.

Not kicking any dirt your way or anything like that at all, just thought that was an interesting look at what a difference the gap in our ages can make.

And I am 30.. So the gap can't be THAT big. I do agree however, because my tastes in comedy and my parents taste in comedy differ as much as the cast from the early years differs from the cast today.

I think this years cast is one of the best they've had since the early 90's.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

And I am 30.. So the gap can't be THAT big.

I'll be 44 in a couple of weeks, which is what made me think about the difference in our lists. In many ways, 14 years isn't much of a gap, but for something like this (given the amount of cast turnover) it seems to open up the possibility for big differences.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

And I am 30.. So the gap can't be THAT big. I do agree however, because my tastes in comedy and my parents taste in comedy differ as much as the cast from the early years differs from the cast today.

I think this years cast is one of the best they've had since the early 90's.

It is not just age (though that does play into it), it is a matter of taste as well. And really it is not right/wrong. I don't think much of the current cast at all, honestly, but that is not to say they aren't great to others. I personally wish they'd dump the staff again (all performers, probably 80-90% of the writers) and redo it like they did in 95-96. It just feels like they are holding on to some tired players/writers right now to me.

[Swaggs]

Hartman is essential.

Lovitz and Hooks are underrated. I can understand how he turns people off, but he could hang with any star/host back in the day and he was kind of the BMOC at the beginning of the run where Carvey, Miller, Myers, and Hartman all blew up.

I still like most of my list from the original thread, although I some how forgot to put Eddie Murphy on my list and Victoria Jackson would probably be more on the bubble.

I agree with JR that Hader and Wiig are getting into the consideration territority for me. I might add Wiig over Jackson.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I'll be 44 in a couple of weeks, which is what made me think about the difference in our lists. In many ways, 14 years isn't much of a gap, but for something like this (given the amount of cast turnover) it seems to open up the possibility for big differences.

Once you have kids, staying up to 1 AM to watch a show becomes a pretty rare occurrence. That said, Kristen Wiig is great and well worth watching.

Jon Lovitz is a conspicuous absence from everyone's lists in my mind.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Hartman is essential.

Lovitz and Hooks are underrated. I can understand how he turns people off, but he could hang with any star/host back in the day and he was kind of the BMOC at the beginning of the run where Carvey, Miller, Myers, and Hartman all blew up.

I still like most of my list from the original thread, although I some how forgot to put Eddie Murphy on my list and Victoria Jackson would probably be more on the bubble.

I agree with JR that Hader and Wiig are getting into the consideration territority for me. I might add Wiig over Jackson.

Hooks is a great call, as well as Lovitz. Lovitz killed his own career fighting with Micheals, which is sad because he has talent.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

Once you have kids, staying up to 1 AM to watch a show becomes a pretty rare occurrence.

I'm an outlier though, my average bedtime 7 days a week is between 2a-4a. So that ain't it

Jon Lovitz is a conspicuous absence from everyone's lists in my mind.

Eh, he crossed my mind for about the same length of time as Joe Piscopo.
I actually considered Tony Rosato longer than either I think.

edit to add: I agree on the underrating of Hooks, who I first saw in 1980 as part of the ensemble cast of the Bill Tush Show on the old Superstation WTBS (or was it still WTCG at that point?), with Bonnie & Terrie Turner (3rd Rock, 70's Show) as the writers.

[Suicane75]

I could have easily gone with Hartman, Carvey, Lovitz, Hooks, Miller & Nealon but I wanted to pepper it with people outside my "era".

This and the What Makes You Feel Old thread could merge together. I havn't liked the show since Sandler etc came aboard and I don't know if it's because it sucks or i'm just stuck in 1988.

[CrimsonFox]

I actually considered Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer. I need a bigger list. I really liked that season.

[GrantDawg]

How about "Top 7 stars that barely made a dent on SNL?"

Damon Wayans
Ben Stiller
Robert Downey Jr.
Joan Cusack
Randy Quaid
Janeane Garofalo

[GrantDawg]

Larry David was also a writer for a full season, and only had one skit hit air.

[stevew]

Sarah Silverman didn't have a single one hit the air IIRC.

And I hate Kristen Wigg. She basically magnetically draws my finger to the tivo fast forward with her over the top Mae West type bullshit.

[CrimsonFox]

GrantDwag, I was thinking of doing that myself.
my least favorite saturday night live members:

Charles Rocket
Tracy Morgan
Chris Kattan
Anthony Michael-Hall
Randy Quaid
Victoria Jackson
Adam Sandler
Joe Piscopo
Jay Mohr

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Larry David was also a writer for a full season, and only had one skit hit air.

Someone else that was miserable and didn't get much work that season was Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She said they were "miserable together". THis friendship is the thing that got her cast in Seinfeld when David and Seinfeld created the show.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

How about "Top 7 stars that barely made a dent on SNL?"

Damon Wayans
Ben Stiller
Robert Downey Jr.
Joan Cusack
Randy Quaid
Janeane Garofalo

Michael McKean
Anthony Michael-Hall
Gilbert Gottfried
Laurie Metcalf
Harry Shearer
Sarah Silverman
Chris Elliott

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I don't get the votes for Victoria Jackson.

+1