- 4 months ago
From brutal political takedowns to savage celebrity spoofs, SNL has mastered the art of mockery! Join us as we count down our picks for the most merciless impressions in Saturday Night Live history. From Will Ferrell's bumbling George W. Bush to Tina Fey's iconic Sarah Palin, these performances didn't just mimic - they magnificently roasted their targets!
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00:00I haven't really seen your show.
00:01What? You haven't been keeping up with it?
00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most biting, harsh,
00:13and or mocking impressions of celebrities on Saturday Night Live.
00:17I was in my home, having a chat with my lovely, deceptively strong wife, Elin,
00:23when I guess I wasn't looking where I was going, and I fell down the stairs.
00:26Number 51. Troye Sivan by Charli XCX
00:31When the blockbuster version of Wicked hit screens with Ariana Grande in a leading role,
00:36SNL couldn't resist poking fun.
00:38And as fate would have it, Charli XCX was hosting that night.
00:45In a sketch about pop stars auditioning for the musical adaptation,
00:49Charli stepped into the shoes of their longtime friend and collaborator Troye Sivan.
00:53Can I call you Elfie?
00:55No.
00:56The results speak for themselves.
00:59While the wig and outfit do a lot of heavy lifting,
01:01it's Charli's accent that really seals the deal.
01:04I only bullied you because I'm a bitch, and you're a witch.
01:10I'm confused.
01:11I'm not a witch, I'm a top.
01:13By that, we mean it's hilariously awful.
01:16But Charli's got Sivan's tics down so pat, it's impossible to resist laughing.
01:20Forget savagery.
01:21This impersonation is downright wicked.
01:24Number 50.
01:26Don Jr. and Eric Trump by Mikey Day and Alex Moffat.
01:29These two performers make these guys into much more entertaining people.
01:33Mikey Day and Alex Moffat have great chemistry,
01:36transforming this sibling pair into a comedic duo.
01:38You could almost imagine them in a buddy comedy together.
01:41The dishonest media is being dishonest.
01:51It's a high five, bud.
01:54This version of Eric needs some help from Don Jr., with hilarity ensuing each time.
02:00The weekend update desk always brightens up when these two come by.
02:03Eric, you want to play with your Play-Doh, buddy?
02:05Yeah.
02:05Play-Doh.
02:07There you go.
02:08He's really into Play-Doh lately.
02:10These impersonations don't make either man look smart,
02:13but they become the perfect foils for each other.
02:15Day and Moffat might be underrated for turning national figures into update essentials.
02:20We better get going.
02:21We have a big day tomorrow.
02:23I'm having lunch with some new clients from Indonesia.
02:27I'm going to see Paw Patrol on ice.
02:31Eric and Donald Trump Jr., everyone.
02:34Number 49.
02:35Elon Musk by Mike Myers.
02:37With his legendary status at SNL,
02:40Mike Myers has impersonated plenty of celebrities over the years.
02:43His more recent stint on the show included this brief cameo.
02:47I'm an idiot.
02:48I should have just bought Wisconsin.
02:51Clinch!
02:52Meyers' work here doesn't focus on dialogue,
02:58but it does come with high energy.
03:00The performer jumps around on stage and makes Elon Musk into a goofball.
03:04With limited time, the impressionist makes the most of his appearance.
03:08Suddenly, no one likes Tesla cars,
03:11so I asked myself why,
03:13and then I answered myself,
03:15because of me.
03:17He might not look or sound like the real guy either.
03:20The impersonation seems to reference Musk's appearance at Trump rallies,
03:24but you don't have to know that to enjoy the result.
03:28Before I go, I just want to mention that I'm really smart,
03:32and these tariffs sound really dumb.
03:34Okay, thanks, Elon.
03:35Good luck on Mars.
03:36Number 48.
03:37Kim Kardashian by Nassim Pedrad.
03:39In the earlier days of Kim Kardashian's fame,
03:42Nassim Pedrad played her on SNL.
03:44This included some amazing update features and sketches.
03:47The comedian even does the impression for a divorce sketch,
03:50satirizing the celebs' marriage with Chris Humphries.
03:53Get ready for the latest Kardashian event.
03:56Every step of the way,
04:03Pedrad really exaggerates the woman's voice.
04:06It's even funnier when other cast members play the family members,
04:08with Kristen Wiig showing up as Kris Jenner.
04:10I know a lot of people think that Kim got married
04:13just to earn over $17 million from the wedding,
04:17but that's not true.
04:18She also got married for attention.
04:20What do I have to do for attention?
04:23Kill somebody?
04:24The performer plays up the target as superficial.
04:28It's also a funny look into Kardashian's celebrity status
04:30and sibling rivalries.
04:32This particular version leans heavily on the vocal fry,
04:35making it even more memorable.
04:37I'm Kim, the pretty one.
04:40I'm Kourtney, the smart one.
04:43And I'm Khloe.
04:49Okay.
04:50So, guys, what happened with this card?
04:52I don't know.
04:53It's crazy.
04:54Nobody knows.
04:56Number 47.
04:57Donatella Versace by Maya Rudolph.
05:00With her comedic talents,
05:01Maya Rudolph takes an absurd approach to this impersonation.
05:04The actress focuses on the depth of Donatella Versace's voice.
05:08It's both impressive and unrelenting,
05:10with the performer playing up the fashion icon's personality.
05:14You wouldn't say it's the most flattering take.
05:16Now, if you haven't believed that damn word I've said to you so far,
05:21then listen to more celebrities go on and on about Versace pockets.
05:26This Versace is a little out of touch,
05:28both acting confused and selling food.
05:31Her celebrity friends prompt incredible observations.
05:33When skiing with Paris Hilton,
05:35the character even gets to do some physical gags.
05:38Three brunch!
05:42That was close.
05:44That was hot.
05:47Rudolph can make the most out of a look or brief glance.
05:50It is outrageous and funny,
05:52while also being slightly accurate underneath.
05:55Yeah, okay, once again,
05:56joke's not as funny when you have to explain it, dude.
05:59Okay?
06:01So where were you, man?
06:02We were supposed to meet up for fang goo!
06:08Sometimes you have to be bold
06:10to tackle a rising political figure.
06:12Cecily Strong took this impersonation by storm,
06:15finding a way to do Marjorie Taylor Greene.
06:17She has the hair, the accent,
06:19and the general attitude down.
06:21And I love science.
06:22I'm always talking science.
06:25Okay?
06:26Unless that science is about climate change,
06:28coronavirus, space lasers, evolution,
06:31the metric system, the rhythm method,
06:32breastfeeding, living on Mars,
06:34Jesus' skin color, or Santa's skin color,
06:35by the way, which is white.
06:38Strong shows up on Update as Greene,
06:40delivering a performance full of shock and awe.
06:43Her impression even makes a talk show sketch much funnier.
06:46With all the chaos of modern politics,
06:48it's even harder to stand out with satire.
06:50So there are lasers in space
06:52that cause wildfires,
06:54lasers, and the lasers identify as Jewish.
06:57Mm-hmm.
06:57Yeah, correct.
06:58And those are real things you believe
07:00and tell other people about?
07:01Mm-hmm.
07:02Yeah.
07:02And you're a U.S. representative?
07:04Mm-hmm.
07:04Yes.
07:05This comedian gives a blunt assessment
07:07of the representative's strong convictions.
07:09Holding a gun,
07:10the performer can even steal the scene
07:12in a Sesame Street parody.
07:13Today's episode is brought to you by Q,
07:16not the letter of the man.
07:17He will tell us when JFK Jr.,
07:19who is alive,
07:20will reveal himself
07:21and help President Trump
07:22reclaim his rightful throne.
07:23Ooh.
07:24Everything about that sounds right.
07:27Thanks, Marjorie.
07:27I represent America.
07:29Ooh-hoo.
07:30Number 45.
07:31Richard Nixon by Dan Aykroyd.
07:34Some people might remember Dan Aykroyd
07:35as Jimmy Carter,
07:36but the original cast member
07:38also played Richard Nixon.
07:40Aykroyd knows how to copy the voice
07:41and personality of the president.
07:43In our time, it was Nixon
07:44and, you know,
07:46the tapes
07:48and him praying before the portrait
07:50and that sketch of Belushi and I
07:54and him as Kissinger.
07:55You know I'm not a crook, Henry.
07:56You know that I'm innocent.
07:58I love you.
08:01This all happened in the years
08:03following Watergate,
08:04with the impression
08:04digging into Nixon's poor reputation.
08:07The negative impersonation
08:08addresses the man's troubled relationships
08:10with family and associates.
08:12Let me tell you how it really went down.
08:14Excuse me,
08:15I'm going upstairs
08:16to watch the rest of the show
08:18and find out what really happened.
08:22She could have said
08:23she was going up to read a book,
08:24but no.
08:25Plenty of people have tried to do the same,
08:27but this SNL icon finds his own lane.
08:30The comedian even makes
08:31every breath and mouth movement
08:32something extra.
08:33Don't rule out this legend
08:35when it comes to any sketch comedy work.
08:37How much money do they need?
08:39Well, I would say
08:41these people are going to cost
08:42a million dollars.
08:50Number 44.
08:51Elizabeth Taylor by John Belushi
08:52If you know both of these performers,
08:55you probably understand
08:56how different these two are.
08:58This makes the very concept
09:00of this impression somewhat surprising.
09:01Liz, how does it feel
09:03to be Mrs. Almost
09:04too soon to tell
09:05Senator-elect Warner anyway?
09:08It's very exciting, Bill,
09:09but I'm looking forward
09:10to becoming
09:10a Washington hostess.
09:13John Belushi doesn't hold back,
09:15showcasing an Elizabeth Taylor
09:17that's probably past her prime.
09:19Belushi chooses to eat
09:20a piece of meat
09:21during this absurd interview.
09:23I'm going to start
09:23on a strict diet,
09:24nothing but chicken.
09:26That sounds great, Liz,
09:27but to me,
09:27I don't care how much you weigh,
09:29just so your cheeks
09:29don't puff up
09:30over those beautiful violet eyes
09:32that I've been in love with
09:33since National Velvet.
09:34Not afraid to make Taylor look bad,
09:36the cast member goes
09:37all out with the performance.
09:39A political interview
09:40goes sideways
09:40when the guest
09:41cannot stop eating.
09:43The choking makes the scene
09:44comical and ridiculous,
09:46with the physical nature
09:46of the role taking over.
09:48And I think all your fans
09:51in the whole world
09:52will join you
09:53when they say,
09:54good luck with that diet.
09:55I know you're going
09:56to lose that weight.
09:57She looks great,
09:59doesn't she?
09:59Number 43.
10:00Tiger Woods by Kenan Thompson.
10:03This impression is notable
10:04and notorious
10:05for multiple reasons.
10:07Kenan Thompson played Tiger Woods
10:08during the latter scandal,
10:10with SNL hoping
10:11to find comedy through it all.
10:12I launched myself
10:13through a plate glass window.
10:15Yeah, this is what happened.
10:17I'm just lucky
10:18my wife Elin was there
10:19to courageously call 911.
10:21I'm so glad to have her.
10:23I love her so much.
10:24The comedian becomes
10:25the athlete
10:25during a press conference.
10:27With the golfer's wife nearby,
10:28the comedic version
10:29of this man fears
10:30for his safety.
10:31The script is especially
10:32mean to him
10:33and focuses on
10:34one of his lower moments.
10:36I just want to say
10:36that this is not Cadillac's fault.
10:38They're a fine company.
10:40I guess one good thing
10:41about this is that
10:42I can get rid of this old thing
10:43and get a new model.
10:48Some might enjoy
10:49the jabs at his personal life,
10:50but others could see this
10:51as making fun
10:52of a violent relationship.
10:54Thompson plays up
10:55the man's weakness
10:55in a sketch
10:56that might not get made today.
10:58So, uh,
10:59this time I have
11:00a prepared written statement
11:01which I shall stick to.
11:06Number 42.
11:07Mika Brzezinski
11:08and Joe Scarborough
11:09by Kate McKinnon
11:10and Alex Moffitt.
11:11They're the MSNBC couple
11:13that can't quit.
11:14Mika and Joe
11:15both host Morning Joe,
11:16but these SNL impressions
11:17focus on their love life.
11:19You want to play
11:19peek-a-boo
11:20with your Mika mouse?
11:22You bet I do.
11:24Yeah?
11:24Pink-a-boob.
11:34Alex Moffitt
11:35and Kate McKinnon
11:35have a way
11:36about letting
11:36the tension rise.
11:38You might laugh
11:39or cringe
11:39with the two performers
11:40playing a couple
11:41that cannot hold back.
11:43It's a hilarious way
11:44to satirize
11:45the two lovebirds
11:45and their relationship.
11:47When the TV personalities
11:48get close,
11:49they start to make
11:49everyone else uncomfortable.
11:51Moffitt and McKinnon
12:06make the pair
12:06insufferable
12:07in the funniest way.
12:09The comedians
12:09make a convincing
12:10double act,
12:11playing people
12:12too preoccupied
12:13to do their jobs.
12:14Let's take a break.
12:15As we go out,
12:16here's a preview
12:16of Joe's new single,
12:18Circus Fun.
12:19Available on iTunes, gang.
12:25Number 41.
12:26Beyoncé
12:26by Maya Rudolph
12:28Over the years,
12:29this actress
12:30made Beyoncé
12:30one of her signature parts.
12:32Maya Rudolph
12:33reminds everyone
12:34of her various talents
12:35with this role.
12:36As the singer,
12:37she can sing,
12:38dance,
12:38and get laughs.
12:39Rudolph would join
12:40Fred Armisen
12:41in Sketch's
12:41parodying show business.
12:43Baby Blue Ivy,
12:44Uncle Prince
12:45has brought you
12:45a present.
12:46He is going to
12:47whisper it in my ear.
12:52Baby,
12:53your present
12:54is a smirk.
12:57Her impression
12:58worked well
12:59with Armisen's Prince,
13:00turning the two icons
13:01into comedic characters.
13:03The cast member
13:04has returned
13:04multiple times
13:05as a host
13:05to bring back the magic.
13:07This includes
13:08putting the lemonade
13:08artist on hot ones
13:09with some hilarious
13:10side effects.
13:11It's taken
13:12all my concentration
13:13to keep from
13:14blowing out my pants
13:15on your janky-ass show.
13:18Okay,
13:18do you need to stop?
13:20Beyoncé,
13:20don't quit.
13:21How many more
13:22sauces are there?
13:24Uh, six.
13:25Oh, hell no.
13:26Get my agent out here.
13:27Tom, shut it down.
13:28It's almost shocking
13:29to see a side
13:29of the vocalist
13:30that isn't
13:30completely in control.
13:32While this impersonation
13:33is not mean,
13:34it certainly pokes fun
13:35at the woman's
13:36elevated persona.
13:37Beyoncé about
13:39to do something
13:39very human.
13:41So I need you
13:42to blur my face
13:43in three,
13:44two,
13:45one.
13:48Number 40.
13:50Bob Dole
13:50by Norm Macdonald.
13:52Political junkies
13:53will remember
13:53Bob Dole,
13:54but SNL fans
13:55might remember
13:55this impression better.
13:57Norm Macdonald
13:57played the presidential
13:58candidate as a stern
13:59and gruff man.
14:00I think the American
14:01people will agree
14:02that we've had
14:02too much of the whole
14:03male-female gridlock
14:05on Capitol Hill
14:07and time to move
14:08beyond that.
14:10Hell, the new
14:11gender-neutral
14:12Bob Dole
14:13is the candidate
14:15who can do it.
14:16The comedian plays up
14:17the former senator's age
14:18with the hair and makeup
14:19going a long way
14:20to sell this impression.
14:22Macdonald's voice
14:22and speech patterns
14:23also make this target
14:24seem more exhausted.
14:25We don't know a lot
14:26about the general yet.
14:27Kind of mysterious.
14:29Yeah?
14:29But that's good.
14:31American people
14:31love a mystery man.
14:33An anonymous drifter
14:34skulking out of the
14:34tall weeds
14:35on the side of the road.
14:38Hitchhiking away
14:38into Washington.
14:39That sounds like
14:40a fine choice.
14:41In one sketch,
14:42SNL even parodies
14:43one time that Dole
14:44fell off a stage.
14:45It doesn't make
14:46the impersonation
14:46any more flattering either.
14:48Well, let me tell you
14:49something, Peter.
14:50Bob Dole will always...
14:52Mixing clumsiness
14:58and frustration,
14:58this goofy portrait
15:00of the politician
15:01pulls no punches.
15:03Number 39.
15:04Harry Carey
15:04by Will Ferrell
15:05This impression
15:06encapsulates the many talents
15:08of Will Ferrell.
15:09He's able to embody
15:10a character,
15:11make you laugh,
15:12and give you a shred
15:13of accuracy.
15:14His Harry Carey
15:15seems like a sportscaster
15:16until he goes off the rails.
15:18Let's start with the Yankees.
15:20They play in New York City.
15:22Wow, what a town.
15:24This place is crazy.
15:28You people are nuts.
15:29I once saw an Armenian woman
15:31give birth to a baby
15:32in a subway.
15:33Whether he's at the
15:34update desk or on his own
15:35talk show,
15:35this impersonation
15:36only gets funnier
15:37as it goes on.
15:39Ferrell developed
15:39such a fun rhythm
15:40that it didn't matter
15:41if nothing made sense.
15:42We all know
15:43that the moon
15:44is not made
15:45of green cheese.
15:47Yes, that's true, Harry.
15:49But,
15:49but what if it were
15:51made of barbecue spare ribs?
15:53Would you eat it then?
15:55What?
15:56I know I would.
15:57Heck, I'd have seconds.
15:58And then,
15:59then polish it off
16:00with a tall,
16:01cool Budweiser.
16:03All of the non-sequiturs
16:05and bizarre behavior
16:06make it better,
16:07with the cast member
16:07taking this role
16:08far beyond the world of sports.
16:10Some co-stars
16:11couldn't contain
16:12their laughter
16:12upon witnessing
16:13this silly result.
16:14Come to think of it,
16:15he might never
16:16have even told me
16:17he was Pete Rose.
16:18I just,
16:18I just assumed it.
16:22Hey!
16:25Number 38.
16:26Ronald Reagan
16:27by Phil Hartman.
16:28There's a reason
16:29that Phil Hartman
16:30ranks highly
16:30among SNL cast members.
16:32He can seemingly
16:33do anything,
16:34bringing his own spin
16:35to this 1980s president.
16:37His Ronald Reagan
16:38appears to be
16:38a kindly old man
16:39until a massive switch.
16:42Back to work!
16:48Come on!
16:50Right.
16:51Afghanistan needs more money.
16:53In the mastermind sketch,
16:54the performer shows
16:55how well he can create
16:56a layered performance.
16:58This Reagan
16:58is much more dastardly
17:00than he lets on.
17:01Behind the smile
17:02and handshakes,
17:03this impression features
17:04a much more ruthless side.
17:05We'll buy Tower,
17:07bribe him,
17:07just flat out buy him.
17:09Now,
17:10we'll dose Muskie
17:11with mood-altering drugs.
17:14By the time
17:15Muskie knows
17:15what day it is,
17:16the 88 elections
17:17will be over.
17:20Hartman nails
17:21the dynamic
17:21and makes the politician
17:22seem crazier.
17:24With his fantastic work,
17:25the cast member
17:26dissects the lies
17:27surrounding politics.
17:28See,
17:29they're getting along
17:30just fine.
17:31I'm telling you,
17:33I know people.
17:34Number 37,
17:35Bill Cosby
17:36by Kenan Thompson.
17:37Given the man's
17:38tarnished reputation,
17:39this role seems
17:40controversial at minimum.
17:42Kenan Thompson
17:43played Bill Cosby
17:44back when he was
17:44still widely beloved.
17:46A Celebrity Jeopardy!
17:47sketch was one highlight,
17:48giving Thompson
17:49the chance to shine.
17:51She should be setting
17:52an example
17:53for the young people.
17:55That's why
17:55they're walking around
17:56with the pants
17:57hanging off down
17:58and the rap music.
18:00His version
18:00of the aging comedian
18:01is out of touch
18:02and prone to making
18:04odd noises.
18:05The cast member
18:06stretches out vowels,
18:07making scenes
18:08much funnier
18:09with his vocalization.
18:10That's Dr. William H.
18:12Cosby Jr.
18:14E.D.D.
18:16Whoa!
18:22Okay,
18:23would you like
18:23to pick a category?
18:25No, I would not.
18:27He later portrayed
18:28Cosby in jail
18:29and found a way
18:30to tackle
18:31the darker subject matter.
18:32The long-tenured
18:33SNL performer
18:34isn't afraid
18:35to take chances,
18:36making fun
18:36of the target's
18:37legal status.
18:38Well, don't worry.
18:39You'll be safe
18:40in here, Denise.
18:41Wait.
18:42You dug that tunnel
18:43in four days?
18:45That's right.
18:45I got two spoons
18:47and I went,
18:47excuse about
18:48the legal status.
18:51Number 36,
18:53Ben Carson
18:53by Jay Farrow.
18:54In a crowded field
18:56of political candidates,
18:57this one might be
18:58easy to forget.
18:59Ben Carson
18:59was one of the many
19:00hopefuls
19:01for the 2016
19:02Republican ticket.
19:03Jay Farrow
19:04zeroed in
19:05on the doctor's
19:05more low-key personality,
19:07making it all the funnier
19:08to watch.
19:09But I'm not asleep.
19:11I'm amped,
19:12I'm jacked,
19:13and I'm ready
19:14to throw down.
19:17Sleepy doesn't begin
19:18to describe
19:18this impersonation.
19:20Farrow is one of the
19:21more underrated
19:22SNL impressionists,
19:23finding his way
19:24into a role
19:24that might seem
19:25boring on the surface.
19:26Let's face it,
19:27I'm the only one
19:28up here
19:28you'd swipe right on.
19:30So why am I losing
19:31to this guy
19:32who's fast asleep
19:33right now?
19:34The comedian
19:35can make
19:36the slightest
19:36placement of his
19:37hands hilarious.
19:38Carson might be
19:39less remembered,
19:40but this cast member
19:41helped make him
19:41more of a fun presence.
19:43This is one
19:43of the good ones.
19:46I'm sorry, Ben.
19:48Hey,
19:48they're just lucky
19:49I don't have
19:49my knife on me.
19:52I've been known
19:53to cut a bitch.
19:55Number 35,
19:56Liza Minnelli
19:57by Kristen Wiig.
19:59This might have been
19:59the most out there
20:01impression in SNL history.
20:03For some reason
20:04in this sketch,
20:05Liza Minnelli
20:06has trouble with a lamp.
20:07I just need to find
20:08the clicker
20:09or the switch
20:10that turns
20:10this whole
20:11cuckoo thing down.
20:13Is there a little
20:14knob on here
20:15that you turn
20:16and everything
20:16goes black?
20:19This inspires
20:20a scene full
20:22of dance moves,
20:23Bob Fosse references,
20:24and amazing
20:25comic timing.
20:25Kristen Wiig
20:26should have won
20:27an award
20:27for how insane
20:28and wonderful
20:29this ends up being.
20:30Will a Fosse neck
20:31do it?
20:33No!
20:36Hey,
20:36remember this?
20:38No!
20:39The concept
20:40defies all logic,
20:42focusing on the
20:43comedic value
20:43of Wiig's maneuvers.
20:45She is such
20:45a gifted performer
20:46that she can channel
20:47Minnelli's essence
20:48and poke fun
20:49at the target's persona.
20:50Here it is,
20:51it's just a button.
20:52It's on the neck,
20:53but you don't push it,
20:54you gotta give it
20:55a little turn.
20:56I did it!
20:58We don't know
20:59how it happened,
21:00but we're happy
21:01to see this crazy idea
21:02make it onto network TV.
21:04Number 34,
21:05Linda Tripp
21:06by John Goodman.
21:07If you were around
21:09during the Clinton scandal,
21:10you might remember
21:11one or two
21:12SNL sketches about it.
21:13The show had
21:14a field day
21:15with the event
21:16and cast John Goodman
21:17in a key role.
21:18Enough about me.
21:19Did Clinton ask you
21:20to lie?
21:21Well, I'm not
21:22supposed to say.
21:23That's it.
21:24You tell this flower
21:25what you did.
21:26You're a dirty,
21:27dirty girl
21:27and you had
21:28dirty, dirty sex
21:28with that dirty,
21:29dirty president.
21:30No!
21:30Say it or I'll
21:31knock that goody
21:32smile off your face!
21:33Playing Linda Tripp,
21:34John Goodman doesn't
21:35exactly portray
21:36the woman
21:36in the best light.
21:38He seems entirely
21:39focused on making
21:40her seem crazy
21:40or worse.
21:41With a wig
21:42and makeup,
21:43the actor really
21:43digs into the role
21:44with reckless abandon.
21:46He also makes
21:47scenes opposite
21:48Molly Shannon
21:48feel more award-worthy.
21:50You have a 3%
21:52approval rating.
21:53Saddam Hussein
21:54has an 8.
21:57How does that
21:58make you feel
21:59that 97%
22:01of America
22:01hates you?
22:04Feels like
22:05high school.
22:07The performer
22:08delivers a comic
22:09caricature like
22:09the best of them,
22:10showing why he
22:11could have easily
22:12become a cast member
22:13himself.
22:14It's my heat test!
22:15It's nothing.
22:16He just kind of
22:17hung up.
22:22Is that all?
22:26Number 33.
22:27David Ortiz
22:28by Kenan Thompson.
22:29Anytime this baseball
22:30player shows up
22:31on Weekend Update,
22:32he is a little
22:33preoccupied.
22:34This David Ortiz
22:35is much more
22:36interested in food.
22:37Kenan Thompson
22:38chooses to make
22:39this broad impression
22:39about lunch
22:40or advertising,
22:41with each name
22:42coming with a
22:43wilder pronunciation.
22:44We have a
22:45big lunch.
22:49You had a
22:49big lunch?
22:50Oh yeah,
22:51we have
22:51empanadas,
22:53tostones,
22:55bistec and
22:55cocoa,
22:57shrimp
22:57mofongo,
22:58mofongo,
22:58aroh con leche,
23:02y chicharron
23:03con jamón.
23:04It's even better
23:05watching the sketches
23:06divert from any
23:07sports commentary.
23:08Thompson is a
23:09skilled veteran,
23:10taking a thin
23:11premise and
23:11elevating it.
23:12This might actually
23:13be one of the cast
23:14members' most
23:14underrated characters.
23:16Do you have any
23:16kind of Super Bowl
23:17traditions you do?
23:18Oh yeah,
23:19they're gonna shock you,
23:20man.
23:20But actually,
23:21I do a pretty
23:21big lunch.
23:22Alternative Big
23:29Poppy might not
23:30come off as
23:30articulate,
23:31but this version
23:32of the slugger
23:32makes you want to
23:33try Dominican dishes.
23:42Number 32.
23:44Courtney Love
23:44by Molly Shannon.
23:46With all the media
23:47attention surrounding
23:48Courtney Love's life,
23:49Molly Shannon
23:49helped turn the artist
23:50into a talk show host.
23:51The resulting sketch
23:53parodies the musician's
23:54more complicated
23:55and scandalous
23:55reputation in the
23:561990s.
23:57Why do I feel like
23:58I want to make out
23:59with you?
24:03Shannon disappears
24:04into the role,
24:06playing the woman
24:06as not quite sober.
24:08The physical performer
24:10manages to make
24:10every movement
24:11count here.
24:12Even if you don't
24:13know Love All That
24:14well, you can
24:14appreciate this
24:15version's eccentric
24:16choices.
24:17People come up to me
24:18and they're like,
24:18Courtney, it was
24:19such a good voice,
24:21but your band
24:21sucks.
24:22And I'm like,
24:23you know what?
24:24Eat me!
24:25The writing and
24:26performance nailed down
24:27the stereotype of a
24:28public train wreck.
24:29It might not have been
24:30completely fair,
24:31but it did let the
24:32cast member show off
24:33her skills as an
24:34impressionist.
24:34number 31, Donald
24:47Trump by Alec Baldwin.
24:48Is this the most
24:50unflattering impression
24:51of Donald Trump?
24:52Regardless of how you
24:53feel about it, you
24:54might agree that it's
24:55one of the silliest.
24:56Alec Baldwin seems
24:57like an unlikely choice
24:58to play the politician
24:59until he starts talking.
25:01Hey, uh, ABC News,
25:02I'd like to ask you
25:03about your big Russian
25:04pee-pee party.
25:05No, no, I am not
25:06talking about the pee-pee.
25:09Because it didn't
25:10happen, and it wasn't
25:12as cool as it sounds.
25:12Next question.
25:13With his over-pronunciation,
25:15the actor really goes
25:16after the president's
25:17speech patterns.
25:18Every pout, squint,
25:20and look could be
25:21out of a cartoon.
25:22Impersonating the man
25:23for an extended period,
25:24Baldwin faced off
25:25against Kate McKinnon's
25:26Hillary Clinton for some
25:27entertaining debates.
25:28Anderson, I love kids,
25:30okay?
25:30I love them so much
25:31I marry them.
25:35I've been helping kids
25:36my whole life.
25:37In 1992, I helped
25:39a kid named Kevin
25:40McAllister find a hotel
25:42lobby.
25:44You might remember
25:46the documentary
25:46Home Alone 2
25:47Lost in New York.
25:49He helped lampoon
25:50multiple presidential
25:51races and felt like
25:53the right antidote
25:53to toxic political
25:54fights.
25:55With his guttural take
25:56on Trump, the SNL
25:58guest won an Emmy
25:59for his work.
26:00Here's the deal.
26:01No, it's not.
26:02Excuse me.
26:03Please.
26:05No, whatever
26:05you're gonna say, no.
26:07Mr. President,
26:08please let him speak.
26:09He let you speak,
26:11now let him speak.
26:11But he's lying.
26:12I can't point out
26:13if he says a lie.
26:15Number 30.
26:16Nicolas Cage
26:16by Andy Samberg.
26:18The hairline isn't
26:19the only notable
26:20element of this
26:21impression.
26:21Andy Samberg takes
26:22on Nicolas Cage's
26:23personality, acting,
26:25and intensity.
26:26Let's begin.
26:27Now, you're currently
26:29in the film
26:29Sherlock Holmes
26:31Game of Shadows,
26:32which I am told
26:33involves explosions,
26:35screaming,
26:36and an evil genius
26:37hell-bent on
26:37destroying the world.
26:39That's right, I am.
26:40So my first question is,
26:42how am I not
26:43in that movie?
26:44For a series
26:46of weekend update
26:46segments,
26:47Samberg doesn't worry
26:48about offending
26:49the actor either.
26:50He plays with Cage's
26:51tendency to go over
26:52the top and beyond
26:53with his acting choices.
26:54This character
26:55bounces off
26:56other Hollywood stars
26:57playing themselves
26:58from Jude Law
26:58to Liam Neeson.
27:00Wow, that sounds
27:01really good.
27:02Don't condescend me,
27:03Tal Bono.
27:06The real actor
27:08even appears
27:08in one variation,
27:09looking to defend
27:10himself and play
27:11with his own persona.
27:13Both performers
27:13end up turning
27:14this concept
27:15into a meta-commentary.
27:16For example,
27:17this Nick
27:18is calm
27:19and stealthy
27:19like a ninja warrior.
27:21Whereas this Nick
27:22is an exaggerated
27:23screaming psychopath
27:25and really
27:26just doesn't exist.
27:30Each appearance
27:31makes for both
27:32laughs and surprises,
27:34fitting for an actor
27:34who always keeps
27:35us guessing.
27:37Number 29.
27:38Kamala Harris
27:39by Maya Rudolph.
27:40Since the 2020
27:41election season,
27:42Maya Rudolph
27:43has been playing
27:44this Kamala Harris
27:45on SNL.
27:45She's also been
27:46perfecting her skills
27:47with some fantastic
27:49performances.
27:49Senator Harris,
27:51would you like
27:51to respond?
27:53Tulsi,
27:54I'm gonna be
27:54real with you,
27:55alright?
27:56You scare
27:56the hell out of me.
27:58You just gave me
27:59oh my god,
28:01gersperms.
28:03These include
28:04some accurate details
28:05like Harris'
28:05delivery and vocals.
28:07Rudolph turns
28:08debates into
28:09hilarious affairs,
28:10making the future
28:11VP into someone
28:12trying hard to be cool.
28:13Excuse me.
28:14No, no, Joe.
28:14There have been
28:15two black women
28:17elected to the Senate
28:18and that second
28:19black woman
28:20hit me.
28:28She returned
28:29to play the leader
28:30in 2024
28:31for parodies
28:32of her personal
28:32and political
28:33connections.
28:34This included
28:35some fantastic
28:35chemistry with
28:36Andy Samberg
28:37as her husband
28:37Doug Emhoff.
28:38Hey,
28:39the polls
28:40are looking great
28:40and I may have
28:42accidentally googled
28:43myself too.
28:43turns out some
28:44people are calling
28:45me a grilf,
28:46which means
28:47golden retriever
28:48I'd like to French.
28:49Huh.
28:50I'm pretty sure
28:51that's wrong.
28:52Yeah, it's probably wrong.
28:53The peak of this
28:54impression is arguably
28:55playing opposite
28:55the real Harris,
28:57poking fun
28:57at her distinct laugh.
28:59I don't really laugh
29:04like that,
29:05do I?
29:06A little bit.
29:09Number 28,
29:10Tom York
29:10by Fred Armisen.
29:12In less than a minute,
29:13Fred Armisen
29:13makes a major splash
29:15as the frontman
29:15for Radiohead.
29:16He plays Tom York
29:18in a disastrous duet
29:19with Michael Buble.
29:20play.
29:27Armisen doesn't
29:28do this in a
29:28straightforward way
29:29either,
29:30letting his impersonation
29:31take a more
29:32crazed direction.
29:33This includes
29:34the comedian
29:34playing the singer
29:35as more erratic
29:36and indecipherable.
29:37York's beautiful
29:38falsettos don't
29:39make an appearance
29:39here,
29:40but Armisen's
29:41physical comedy
29:41certainly does.
29:42Oh,
29:43It's not necessarily
29:48the kindest way
29:49to salute
29:49an acclaimed artist
29:50either.
29:51This energetic
29:52performance is
29:52hilarious,
29:53manic,
29:54and one of the
29:54underrated parts
29:55of this funny sketch.
29:57Number 27,
29:58Jennifer Lawrence
29:59by Ariana Grande.
30:00While she might not
30:01seem like an obvious
30:02target,
30:03Jennifer Lawrence
30:04becomes a great
30:04comic character
30:05in the Celebrity
30:06Family Feud sketch.
30:07They told me
30:08not to do a game show,
30:08but I was like,
30:09screw it,
30:09I can have fun,
30:10I'm a regular person.
30:11Ariana Grande
30:13once again shows
30:14her versatile talents
30:15as she becomes
30:16the Oscar-winning
30:17performer.
30:17The singer is able
30:18to capture and poke
30:19fun at Lawrence's
30:20personality.
30:21With some help
30:22from Kenan Thompson
30:22as Steve Harvey,
30:24the script takes aim
30:25at Lawrence as being
30:25too relatable
30:26for her own good.
30:27Name a bad habit
30:28that you just can't
30:29quit.
30:30Jennifer.
30:31I'm just like
30:31a snackaholic.
30:32I mean,
30:32I love Pringles.
30:34If no one's looking,
30:34I'll eat like a whole can.
30:36Like,
30:36every day is my cheat day,
30:37you know what I mean?
30:38Oh,
30:38how annoyingly relatable.
30:42It's all in good fun,
30:43but the sketch does
30:44take the subject
30:45down a few notches.
30:46Grande's performance
30:47is also something
30:48to behold
30:49as she finds
30:49subtle details to use.
30:51Number 26.
30:53Rami Malek
30:53by Pete Davidson.
30:55Pete Davidson
30:55isn't necessarily
30:56known for his impressions,
30:57but this one
30:58is a definite standout.
31:00Maybe something
31:01fun and super
31:02high energy.
31:05He manages to tap
31:06into Rami Malek's
31:07unique presence.
31:08This includes
31:09the actor's
31:09dramatic stare,
31:11which lets Davidson
31:11give a minimal performance.
31:13Does that work?
31:16It makes the Oscar winner
31:17seem much creepier
31:18than he might be
31:19in real life.
31:20While this paints
31:20the target as unsettling,
31:22it also pokes fun
31:23at the subject's intensity.
31:24You can't help but laugh
31:25as the performer
31:26speaks in monotone
31:27and tries not to blink.
31:29During Malek's episode,
31:30the Bohemian Rhapsody
31:31star finally got his revenge
31:33while also displaying
31:34his great comedic timing.
31:36I mean,
31:37I went to school
31:38in Staten Island
31:39and all of our classes
31:41were to prepare us
31:42to be like firefighters
31:44or racist cops.
31:46Number 25.
31:47Rudy Giuliani
31:47by Kate McKinnon.
31:49In terms of makeup
31:50and hairstyle alone,
31:51this easily stands
31:53as one of the most
31:53unflattering
31:54SNL impressions.
31:55Kate McKinnon
31:56then opens her mouth
31:57to play Rudy Giuliani
31:58as something more sinister.
32:00Oh yeah.
32:01My next witness
32:02needs no introduction.
32:04Or at least
32:05I hope she doesn't
32:06because I lost the paper
32:07with all her information on it.
32:09The cast member
32:10doesn't mind using her hands,
32:12contorting herself
32:13to become something
32:13close to a Lord of the Rings character.
32:15I'm glad I made it
32:17to the show on time
32:18because first I went
32:19to 30 Rocks.
32:20That's a granite quarry
32:21in New Rochelle.
32:23What a nice.
32:26It's such an impressive
32:27transformation
32:28that you might laugh
32:29and or look away in horror.
32:31At first,
32:32McKinnon might seem
32:32like an unlikely candidate
32:34to impersonate
32:34the former mayor.
32:35But the way she loses herself
32:37in the role
32:37is incredible.
32:39Every subsequent appearance
32:40pushes the role
32:41into more embarrassing
32:42and unsightly territory.
32:43Hey,
32:44not so fair.
32:46You have a new revelation too?
32:49No,
32:49I meant not so fast
32:50but don't talk so fast.
32:53I'm having trouble
32:53understanding
32:54what's happening.
32:55Normally,
32:56I watch Fox News
32:57in slow motion
32:58with the sound
32:58turned up to 100.
32:59number 24,
33:02Janine Pirro
33:02by Cecily Strong.
33:04On Weekend Update,
33:05Cecily Strong appeared
33:06as the conservative
33:07personality Janine Pirro
33:08who always seems
33:10to be riled up
33:10about something.
33:11Ms. Pirro,
33:12you don't have to yell
33:13so loudly.
33:13I'm right here.
33:14Sorry, Colin.
33:15Mime only speaks
33:16with the same volume
33:17as the woman
33:18who's just lost her child
33:20in the Mall of America.
33:21Casey!
33:22Casey!
33:23Not only
33:24does she sensationalize
33:26everything,
33:26she usually carries
33:27a drink with her.
33:29Strong doesn't hesitate
33:30to give this version
33:31of Pirro a problem
33:32handling her liquor.
33:33However,
33:34she doesn't drink it
33:35so much as she
33:36tosses it everywhere.
33:37Colin Jost often
33:38becomes the target
33:39of these spills,
33:40making for some
33:41fantastic physical comedy.
33:43The cast member
33:43turns this TV star
33:44into a hysterical spectacle.
33:46It's a shame
33:47that the actual person
33:48doesn't enter
33:49tanks of booze,
33:50singing her heart
33:51out to My Way.
33:51I'm doing this
33:53and I'm doing this
33:54and I'm doing this
33:54and I'm doing this
33:55and I'm doing this
33:56and I'm doing this
33:57and I'm doing this
33:59and I'm doing this
33:59and I'm doing this
34:00Number 23,
34:01Joe Biden
34:01by Dana Carvey.
34:02Decades after
34:03leaving the show,
34:04Dana Carvey returned
34:05to play Joe Biden.
34:07He once again
34:07showed his knack
34:08for political impressions.
34:10Folks,
34:11that's right.
34:12A lot of people
34:13forget I'm president,
34:14including me.
34:16His take on the president
34:17involves catchphrases,
34:19rambling,
34:19and some incoherent statements.
34:21Needless to say,
34:22the politician
34:23might not be calling
34:24to thank Carvey
34:25anytime soon.
34:26You've been watching
34:26this guy?
34:27Come on,
34:28walls.
34:28What's wrong with that guy?
34:30He's crazy.
34:31Get your facts straight,
34:32Jack.
34:33You gotta hit him
34:34with a no joke.
34:35Here's the deal.
34:37The comedian
34:38does look like
34:38he's having fun
34:39as he turns Biden
34:40into a cartoon.
34:42Forgetful and bumbling,
34:43this version of the man
34:44makes for some
34:44wild speeches.
34:46His work
34:46next to Maya Rudolph's
34:48Kamala Harris
34:48helps to sell
34:49just how good
34:50this impersonation is.
34:51Thank you,
34:52Joe Biden.
34:52Thank you for putting
34:53country first
34:54and for handing
34:55over the reins.
34:56I didn't want to.
34:59They made me.
35:00The former cast member
35:01never misses a beat,
35:03showing that he can
35:04still be as silly
35:05as possible.
35:06Oh, come on, man.
35:08It's my own version
35:09of the weave.
35:10I call it the wander.
35:11I go here.
35:12Or I go there.
35:14Do I come back?
35:15Guess what?
35:16No.
35:18Number 22,
35:19David Patterson
35:20by Fred Armisen.
35:21You might not remember
35:22this governor of New York,
35:24but you might recall
35:25Fred Armisen's impression.
35:26The comedian pokes fun
35:27at David Patterson's vision
35:29in some off-the-wall segments.
35:31Hello, Yankee Stadium!
35:35His character slides into frame,
35:38struggling to find his way
35:39and even using binoculars
35:40at one point.
35:41He's even known
35:42to step in front of the camera.
35:44It might not be
35:44politically correct,
35:46but it does make
35:46for some amusing surprises.
35:48This Patterson also loves
35:49to make jokes
35:50at the expense
35:51of his neighbor state,
35:51New Jersey.
35:52I am hopeful
35:53because I know
35:54that the worst is behind us.
35:56And you know how you can tell
35:57that the worst is behind you, Seth?
35:59How?
35:59You see a sign that says
36:00you are now leaving New Jersey!
36:04Armisen really goes for it,
36:06fearless in his quest
36:07to tread the line
36:08between humor and bad taste.
36:09You know,
36:10working in Albany
36:11is a lot like
36:11watching Saturday Night Live.
36:13There's a lot of characters,
36:14it's funny for 10 minutes,
36:16and then you just want it
36:16to go away.
36:19Number 21,
36:19Gerald Ford by Chevy Chase
36:21During the early years
36:23of SNL,
36:24the president was Gerald Ford.
36:25Chevy Chase did not look
36:27like the man
36:27or alter his look
36:29in any way.
36:29My fellow Americans,
36:31ladies and gentlemen,
36:34members of the press,
36:36and my immediate family.
36:38First may I thank you all
36:39for being here,
36:41and I am
36:42and my immediate family.
36:43He chose to make
36:44the politician clumsy,
36:45taking comical missteps
36:46and even a few pratfalls.
36:48His debate work
36:49alongside Dan Aykroyd's
36:50Jimmy Carter
36:50features plenty
36:51of wrong answers.
36:52We will begin
36:53with our national anthem.
36:58I can name that tune
36:59in four notes.
37:01If you only got your news
37:02from SNL,
37:03you'd think that Ford
37:04fell in every public appearance.
37:06Chase put his body
37:07on the line
37:08to make this impersonation special.
37:09The cast member
37:10treated audiences
37:11with hilarious gags,
37:13making the character
37:13as inept as possible.
37:15My stand on the
37:16Ronald Reagan announcement.
37:20Yeah, hello.
37:23Number 20.
37:24Burt Reynolds by Norm MacDonald.
37:26Norm MacDonald can make us laugh
37:28by doing just about anything,
37:29but his Burt Reynolds impression
37:31is particularly legendary.
37:33Burt, can you please
37:35pick a category?
37:36Pick shorts.
37:38Yeah, sure, give me shorts.
37:40It's S-Words.
37:42It's S-Words.
37:44And for how much,
37:46Mr. Reynolds?
37:47The hell, let's go nuts.
37:48Swords for $48,000.
37:49MacDonald lampooned Reynolds,
37:51or should we say
37:52Turd Ferguson,
37:52in the first ever iteration
37:54of the Celebrity Jeopardy!
37:55series on SNL,
37:56and returned as the character
37:58eight times
37:59throughout the show's run.
38:00Hey, check out the podium.
38:01Look at this.
38:02Mr. Reynolds has apparently
38:03changed his name
38:04to Turd Ferguson.
38:08Yeah, that's right.
38:09Turd Ferguson.
38:09It's a funny name.
38:10He played him
38:11as an over-the-top cool guy
38:12with not so much
38:13in the noggin,
38:14who gets a kick
38:15out of his own
38:15half-witted quips.
38:16It's hard to say
38:17that this portrayal
38:18is accurate
38:18to the actor's
38:19real-life intelligence,
38:20but it became
38:21an iconic impression
38:22nevertheless.
38:23Mr. Reynolds!
38:24Yeah, don't bother.
38:25I didn't write anything.
38:26Good work.
38:27Number 19.
38:28Kendall Jenner
38:29by Gal Gadot.
38:30In a spoof
38:31of the E! lineup,
38:32this sketch takes
38:33a look at potential
38:34spin-offs for shows
38:35like Keeping Up
38:35with the Kardashians.
38:36These include one
38:37for Kendall Jenner
38:38with an entertaining
38:39impression from Gal Gadot.
38:40I'm on there
38:41a lot of pressure.
38:42So much pressure.
38:44You're prettier than me.
38:46No way!
38:47You're so much
38:48prettier than me.
38:49Wait.
38:50Which one am I?
38:51The Wonder Woman star
38:53portrays the model
38:54as clueless,
38:55remaining in a constant
38:56state of confusion
38:57about her life.
38:58Gadot also appears
38:59in another hilarious show
39:00about Jenner
39:01trying to find her way
39:02around a house.
39:03The house is so big
39:04and empty
39:05and she's only there
39:06two weeks out of the year.
39:07Is this the bathroom?
39:09Damn.
39:10Close it again.
39:11With off-the-wall concepts,
39:13the writers explore
39:14the character
39:14through the stereotype
39:15of a shallow celebrity.
39:17Whether or not
39:17you think it's accurate,
39:19you'll probably laugh
39:20as you watch the performer
39:21get completely lost
39:22in the role.
39:23Number 18.
39:24Brett Kavanaugh
39:25by Matt Damon.
39:26For this cold open,
39:27the show called in
39:28a movie star
39:29to channel the energy
39:30of Brett Kavanaugh.
39:31Matt Damon's take
39:32on the Supreme Court justice
39:33starts in a loud
39:34and hilarious way.
39:35Oh, hell yeah.
39:38Let me tell you this.
39:40I'm gonna start
39:41at an 11.
39:43I'm gonna take it
39:44to about a 15 real quick.
39:46Referencing the man's
39:47apparent love of beer,
39:49Damon turns his target
39:50into a frat boy
39:51with a harsh tone.
39:52He also brings out
39:53real references
39:54to the hearing
39:55that include props
39:55like a calendar.
39:56Riding an emotional
39:57roller coaster,
39:58the Oscar winner
39:59takes the impression
40:00through screams
40:01and even some
40:01crying spells.
40:02Look at my calendar.
40:06And you're gonna see
40:07that every night
40:08I was lifting weights
40:10with PJ and squeeze.
40:13It might even be
40:14accurate in places,
40:15but ultimately
40:15it becomes
40:16an enjoyable caricature.
40:18Number 17.
40:19Kathy Lee Gifford
40:20by Kristen Wiig.
40:22If you were to believe
40:23this impression
40:23of the Today Show host,
40:25you'd think she was
40:26drinking all the time.
40:27Kristen Wiig's hilarious
40:28take on Kathy Lee Gifford
40:29is heavy on the wine
40:31in a cartoonish way.
40:32I'm Kathy Lee Gifford
40:33and I am like
40:34so I'm at a puzzle.
40:40And I'm Hoda Kotb.
40:42Hoda Kotb.
40:43God, I'm never gonna get
40:44past that weird name.
40:45Huh?
40:45What?
40:46It's weird.
40:47Lovable and clumsy,
40:49this version of the presenter
40:50feels like a fantastic
40:51train wreck.
40:52This imitation of Gifford
40:53slurs her words
40:54and constantly questions
40:55her actions,
40:56making faces along the way.
40:58Wiig's light-hearted jabs
40:59at the TV personality
41:00make her an unfiltered mess.
41:02Um, Pot-Potables?
41:03I'm sorry,
41:04I don't know what that is.
41:05It's about alcohol.
41:06Oh, in that case,
41:07I'll take Pot-Potables.
41:12For how much?
41:13How about a glass full, right?
41:15It's not exactly flattering,
41:17but it is a clear example
41:19of the SNL star's power
41:20as a comedian.
41:21Number 16.
41:23Joe Biden by Jason Sudeikis.
41:25Back during his time
41:26as the vice president,
41:28Joe Biden was impersonated
41:29on SNL by Jason Sudeikis.
41:31The actor's take on the politician
41:32was of a slightly confused man
41:34with prominent teeth.
41:35Large and in charge.
41:37The president's away
41:38and Joe will play.
41:40He also leans into the VP's
41:42more embarrassing side,
41:43talking without a filter
41:44most of the time.
41:45Sudeikis also references
41:46the fact that most people
41:48in Biden's previous position
41:49are forgotten.
41:50There's also his frequent
41:51mentioning of Scranton,
41:53just one of the ways
41:54the character uses
41:55to try and connect
41:55with the general public.
41:57It's just a corrupt,
41:58barren, backwater hellhole
42:00of a place.
42:01I mean, it's worse than Scranton.
42:03Ultimately, the show chose
42:04to portray the leader
42:05as an uncle
42:05who can't always state
42:06his message well.
42:08Jim Carrey would later
42:09capitalize on this idea,
42:10taking the impression
42:11on the 2020 campaign trail.
42:13Look, here's the deal.
42:18Nope, lost it.
42:18Come back to me.
42:20Number 15.
42:21Hillary Clinton by Kate McKinnon.
42:23For the 2016 campaign season,
42:26Kate McKinnon brought out
42:27a killer Hillary Clinton
42:28impersonation.
42:29I'm sure I will face
42:30some stiff competition
42:32for my fellow Democrats.
42:34People like Martin O'Malley,
42:36who could really give me
42:37a run for my money.
42:42The caricature delves
42:43into the politician's attempts
42:44to connect with the youth vote.
42:46This includes campaign announcements
42:48and advertisements,
42:49most of which give off
42:50an awkward mom energy.
42:52There are also debates
42:53against the likes
42:54of Alec Baldwin's Trump
42:55that devolve into rants
42:56from McKinnon's Clinton.
42:57And then I was
42:58Secretary of State,
43:00and I don't know
43:00if you've heard this before.
43:02We have.
43:02But I was instrumental
43:03in taking down a man
43:05by the name of...
43:06Osama Bin Laden.
43:07Osama.
43:07The performer always
43:09knocks it out of the park
43:10with excellent comic timing.
43:11Whether she's about to freak out
43:12or trying desperately
43:13to hold it together,
43:15this take on the former
43:16Secretary of State
43:17is obsessed
43:17with winning the presidency.
43:19Number 14.
43:20Julia Child by Dan Aykroyd.
43:23For those that love
43:24Dan Aykroyd,
43:24they might not have
43:25originally envisioned him
43:26as Julia Child.
43:28The performer provides
43:29a funny spoof
43:30of the chef's cooking show.
43:31Welcome.
43:33I'm Julia Child.
43:35Today we're going to make
43:37a holiday feast
43:38or la fete d'olidae
43:40and we're going to start
43:41with half-blown chicken.
43:43Instead of showing her
43:44as a cooking expert,
43:45Aykroyd plays her
43:46as a clumsy TV personality.
43:48He puts on a wig
43:49and a dress,
43:49creating an outrageous
43:51take on Child's voice.
43:52The best part
43:53of the interpretation
43:53comes when a knife
43:55chops part of the host's hand.
43:56Now I've done it.
43:57I've cut the dickens
43:58out of my finger.
43:59Well, I'm glad
44:01in a way this happened.
44:02With blood flying everywhere,
44:04the comedian has no fear
44:05of making his real-life
44:06counterpart look crazy.
44:08This doesn't stop
44:09the sketch either,
44:10as the SNL legend
44:11brings some physical comedy
44:12to this impression.
44:14Number 13.
44:15Ross Perot by Dana Carvey.
44:17Dana Carvey's expertise
44:18with impressions
44:19gives this take on Ross Perot
44:21a memorable quality.
44:22He definitely nails the voice
44:24while also turning up the dial
44:25on the presidential candidate's
44:27unique mannerisms.
44:28Now I want to focus
44:29on the issues in this campaign,
44:30but it seems these people
44:31in the press want to focus
44:32on my business practices
44:33or some fella I might have fired
44:34or my physical appearance
44:35or my ears.
44:36The character can turn
44:37any campaign speech
44:38into a one-man show
44:39with wild proposals
44:41and metaphors.
44:42In any situation,
44:43this version of Perot
44:44provides hilarious observations
44:46about anything and everything.
44:48He even appears
44:49in a Halloween sketch
44:50where he criticizes kids
44:51in their costumes,
44:52showing that there's
44:53absolutely no barrier
44:54between what he thinks
44:55and what he says.
44:56If you're a witch,
44:57where's your broom?
44:58We just want some candy.
45:00I asked you a question.
45:02A witch rides a broom.
45:04Where's your broom?
45:05No broom, no candy.
45:06Goodbye.
45:08Carvey once again proves
45:10that an exaggerated accent
45:11and even some dancing
45:13go a long way.
45:15Number 12.
45:16Barbara Walters
45:16by Gilda Radner.
45:18In the first several seasons
45:19of the show,
45:20Gilda Radner impersonated
45:21legendary interviewer
45:23Barbara Walters.
45:24Well, technically,
45:25she's called Baba Wawa,
45:26but we all know
45:27who she's parodying.
45:28Hello, I'm Baba Wawa.
45:30And welcome to
45:31Baba Wawa at Wodge.
45:33We are indeed
45:34lucky to have
45:35as our guest tonight.
45:36This version of the presenter
45:37makes for an over-the-top
45:39and enjoyable experience
45:40every time.
45:41Radner gives Walters
45:42a unique way
45:43of pronouncing
45:43certain consonants,
45:44making every interview segment
45:46extra interesting.
45:47This comes out
45:48with interviewees
45:48that range from
45:49Henry Kissinger
45:50to Marlena Dietrich.
45:51Tell us your secret
45:52of perpetual youth.
45:54The SNL cast member
46:05wears a smile
46:06through every sketch
46:07as she plays
46:08the journalist
46:08like a cartoon.
46:10You could call it
46:11more of a mean caricature,
46:12but it's such
46:13an exaggerated character
46:14that you have to laugh.
46:16Number 11.
46:17Bill Clinton
46:18by Phil Hartman.
46:19Arguably one of the most
46:20versatile performers
46:21in SNL history,
46:23there is nothing
46:24Phil Hartman couldn't do.
46:25We simply must
46:26draw the line somewhere.
46:27We cannot pay
46:28for everything.
46:29For example,
46:31cooties are covered,
46:32but not the heebie-jeebies.
46:34His run as Bill Clinton
46:36in the 1990s
46:37is full of gems
46:38that are still quoted today.
46:39Spoofing the president's
46:40relationship with his wife,
46:42Hartman's performance
46:43exaggerates the Bill
46:44and Hillary dynamic
46:45with comedic results.
46:46He's able to use
46:52the politician's charisma
46:53and use it against people
46:54like in the famous
46:55McDonald's sketch.
46:56This version of Clinton
46:57loves fast food
46:58and slick speeches
46:59that seem to be
47:00all jumbled together.
47:01The comedian utilizes
47:02all of the best cliches
47:04about politics,
47:05giving this interpretation
47:06an inflated ego
47:07and a speech
47:08for any occasion.
47:10Number 10.
47:11Justin Bieber
47:12by Kate McKinnon.
47:13Yes,
47:13this impersonation
47:14is savage,
47:15but McKinnon's
47:16self-professed method
47:17behind pulling off
47:18the perfect Justin Bieber
47:19impression
47:19isn't exactly a compliment
47:21to the singer either.
47:22It's looking like
47:23a puppy who just piddled
47:25and is sort of
47:27sorry about it.
47:28Both the physicality
47:29of the role
47:30and the dialogue
47:30are hilarious to watch
47:32as McKinnon nails
47:33the young pop star's
47:34cockiness with pouts
47:35and poses
47:36while perfectly
47:37undercutting that image
47:38with some particularly
47:39childish lines and actions.
47:41Oh,
47:42Steve,
47:42I don't party as much
47:44because I'm a man now.
47:45I got like
47:46five little mustache hairs
47:48and I'm bringing
47:49them all for you, girl.
47:52It might be
47:53an exaggerated impression,
47:54but it's absolutely
47:55without fault
47:56from a comedic standpoint,
47:57proving once again
47:58that McKinnon's comedy skills
48:00know no bounds.
48:01I couldn't afford
48:02a hotel room
48:03because I'm like
48:04a poor carpenter
48:05or something.
48:06I don't know.
48:07Number 9.
48:08Kanye West
48:09by Chris Redd.
48:10All eyes turned to SNL
48:12when we learned
48:12of Kanye's meeting
48:13with the 45th president
48:14and boy,
48:15did they deliver.
48:16Yeah,
48:17that's right.
48:17I flew here
48:18using the power
48:19of this hat.
48:22Chris Redd had
48:23big shoes to fill
48:24in taking over
48:24this role
48:25from Jay Pharoah
48:25and he did not disappoint.
48:27His impression
48:28is uncanny,
48:29perfectly capturing
48:30everything from
48:31Kanye's intonation
48:32and mannerisms
48:33to the unpredictability
48:34of what he might
48:35say or do next.
48:36SNL didn't have
48:45to look too far
48:46for inspiration
48:47for this sketch either
48:48as the material
48:48pretty much
48:49writes itself.
48:50However,
48:51Redd's hilarious
48:52impression just reminds us
48:53that a chat with Ye
48:54can be a tad surreal.
48:59SNL may have been
49:00ruthless with their
49:01Kellyanne Conway impression
49:02but there's no denying
49:04it got people talking.
49:05I love Trump
49:06and I believe in Trump
49:07and the reason
49:08I joined his campaign
49:09is because I thought
49:09that he's going to be
49:10president for all people.
49:12Really?
49:13That's really what you thought?
49:14Mm-hmm,
49:15yes,
49:15that's what I thought.
49:16Kellyanne has the
49:17tiresome job
49:18of excusing all
49:19of President Donald Trump's
49:20outrageous behavior
49:21and McKinnon does
49:22an impeccable job
49:23of dodging questions
49:24and inventing her own
49:25narrative as Conway
49:26often seems to do.
49:27Audiences have seen
49:28the job take its toll
49:29on McKinnon's Kellyanne
49:30over the last few years
49:31culminating in a
49:32Fatal Attraction
49:33style sketch
49:34that some claim
49:35went a step too far.
49:36What if I do
49:37a free commercial
49:38for Ivanka's shoes?
49:40Live on air.
49:42But if anyone
49:43sums up the media madness
49:44surrounding the
49:45Trump administration,
49:46it's Kellyanne Conway
49:47and McKinnon
49:48has her down to a T.
49:50Okay,
49:51so Puerto Rico
49:52actually was worse
49:53before Hurricane Maria
49:54and the hurricane
49:55actually did blow
49:56some buildings
49:56back together
49:57and I don't know
49:57why Elizabeth Warren
49:58won't tweet about that.
49:59Number 7
50:00Janet Reno by Will Ferrell
50:02This one has a weird premise
50:04with Will Ferrell
50:05playing the former
50:06Attorney General
50:07hosting a teen
50:08dance show
50:09in her basement.
50:14Ferrell plays her
50:15as a powerful force
50:16to be reckoned with
50:17highlighting her
50:18strongest assets
50:19and personality traits.
50:20So how does it feel
50:21to be interviewed
50:22by the Attorney General
50:23of the United States?
50:25The job you only
50:25dreamed about having.
50:26It must feel like crap.
50:28Even surrounded
50:28by dancing teens,
50:30this Reno doesn't let up
50:31from her role
50:32as Attorney General
50:33and her special guests
50:34only add to the hilarity.
50:36Maybe having Will Ferrell
50:37prance around in a dress,
50:39dancing awkwardly
50:40and emphasizing
50:40a manly quality
50:41isn't the most respectful
50:42way to portray her,
50:44but she reportedly
50:45took it well,
50:46even becoming a fan.
50:47You box dirty!
50:48Then how comes
50:49my conscience
50:50is so clean!
50:54Number 6.
50:55Monica Lewinsky
50:55by Molly Shannon
50:56When Monica Lewinsky
50:58made headlines
50:58in the 90s,
50:59SNL decided to turn away
51:01from the obvious
51:01Lolita parody
51:02and instead present us
51:03with an immature young lady
51:05who simply got caught up
51:06in the whirlwind of politics.
51:08And you know,
51:08I can only give
51:09my exclusive interview
51:10to one person, you know?
51:11I mean, it's not like sex.
51:12No.
51:13It's not like sex.
51:15Not only does
51:16Molly Shannon's portrayal
51:17of her often collapse
51:18into nervous giggling,
51:19she also comes across
51:20as self-centered,
51:21attention-seeking
51:22and not particularly
51:23concerned with the consequences.
51:25For breakfast,
51:26I can have
51:27a couple of peaches
51:28and a color.
51:29It was a pretty
51:30unforgiving impression
51:31at the time
51:32and it hasn't aged gracefully,
51:34making it even more
51:35brutal in hindsight.
51:37Number 5.
51:38Sean Spicer
51:39by Melissa McCarthy
51:40It was almost a shame
51:42when Sean Spicer
51:42left the White House
51:43as it brought an end
51:44to Melissa McCarthy's
51:46hilariously brutish impression.
51:47When I say Rocky Stark,
51:49I mean it in the sense
51:50of Rocky the movie
51:51because I came out here
51:52to punch you
51:53in the face.
51:55The president reportedly
51:56didn't like a woman
51:57playing a man
51:57in his administration,
51:59which egged SNL on
52:00into bringing us
52:01Kate McKinnon's
52:02unforgettable impression
52:02of ex-Attorney General
52:04Jeff Sessions.
52:05Now that's a recall
52:06and response, Colin.
52:07That's my catchphrase.
52:09Yeah, yeah.
52:10That's for you.
52:11However,
52:11McCarthy's Spicer
52:12takes the spot
52:13on our list
52:14for her loud,
52:15angry,
52:15and boisterous impression
52:16and constant willingness
52:18to wage war
52:18with the media.
52:19While Spicer
52:20took it well,
52:21he also thought
52:22McCarthy could tone
52:23it down a notch.
52:24Number 4.
52:25Sean Connery
52:26by Daryl Hammond
52:27Celebrity Jeopardy
52:28is one of
52:29Saturday Night Live's
52:30most beloved sketches
52:31and Daryl Hammond's
52:32unforgettable performance
52:33as Scottish actor
52:34Sean Connery
52:35played a huge role
52:36in cementing its place
52:38both in SNL history
52:39and our hearts.
52:40Well, the game is afoot.
52:43I'll take anal bum cover
52:45for $7,000.
52:48For some reason,
52:49Hammond's Connery
52:50is crude,
52:51brutish,
52:51antagonistic,
52:52and like all of his opponents,
52:54somewhat dimwitted.
52:55One's a sick duck.
52:57I can't remember how it ends,
52:59but your mother's a whore.
53:01He deliberately mispronounces phrases
53:04and always has a
53:05your mom joke on hand
53:06for disapproving Alex Trebek,
53:08played by Will Ferrell.
53:09We're not sure
53:10what Connery did
53:11to deserve this
53:12as the impression
53:12is far from flattering,
53:14but we wouldn't have it
53:15any other way.
53:16I'll take whore-adge
53:17for $200.
53:24Number 3.
53:26Donald Trump
53:26by James Austin Johnson
53:28With one of the most
53:29impressive performances
53:31in recent SNL history,
53:33James Austin Johnson
53:34has been knocking it
53:35out of the park
53:35as Donald Trump.
53:36His vocal inflections
53:37and rambling
53:38feel almost too accurate
53:40at times,
53:40while still being
53:41completely silly.
53:42Make no mistake,
53:44what the radical-led
53:45Democrats are doing
53:46to me is worse
53:47than any crime
53:48I've ever committed,
53:50and I've committed a lot.
53:52Close to 34.
53:53It's so precise
53:54in those aspects
53:55that the over-the-top dialogue
53:57almost sounds like
53:58actual transcripts.
53:59Johnson goes on rants
54:00about everything
54:01from politics
54:01to pop culture,
54:02throwing out opinions
54:03about celebrities
54:04that are especially hilarious.
54:05Speaking of new rules,
54:07Dua Lipa is one of our best singers.
54:10And frankly,
54:11in terms of singer,
54:11you can't do better
54:12than Dua Lipa.
54:13The show knows
54:14how to tackle
54:14the former president's cadence,
54:16while still leaving room
54:17for this performer
54:18to unleash
54:19so many crazy lines.
54:20This interpretation
54:21feels like the perfect mix
54:23of absurdity
54:24and reality,
54:25coming after notable impressions
54:26from Daryl Hammond
54:27and Alec Baldwin.
54:28I'd like to start
54:29by answering the question
54:30that's on everyone's mind.
54:32Yes, this is real life.
54:33This is really happening.
54:37SNL is great
54:38at nailing political parodies.
54:40And Tina Fey's portrayal
54:42of former Alaska Governor
54:43Sarah Palin
54:44was such a hit
54:44that it won her
54:45an Emmy for her efforts.
54:47I'd also like to give
54:48a shout-out
54:48to the third graders
54:49of Gladys Woods Elementary
54:51who were so helpful
54:53to me in my debate prep.
54:55Fey pokes fun
54:57at Palin's
54:58beauty pageant days,
54:59lack of political prowess,
55:00and misplaced use
55:01of colloquialisms,
55:03wrapping it all up
55:03in an accent and voice
55:05that drills itself
55:06into your head.
55:07Fey has reprised this role
55:08on several occasions,
55:10even in front of
55:11former Governor Palin herself.
55:13It's all in good fun,
55:14of course,
55:14and never fails
55:15to make us laugh,
55:16but it is undeniably
55:17one of SNL's
55:18most savage
55:19and memorable impressions.
55:20All Palin,
55:21all the time,
55:22until 2012,
55:24when I haven't decided
55:25what I'm going to do,
55:26but I'm probably
55:26going to run for president.
55:29Before we continue,
55:30be sure to subscribe
55:31to our channel
55:31and ring the bell
55:32to get notified
55:33about our latest videos.
55:35You have the option
55:35to be notified
55:36for occasional videos
55:37or all of them.
55:38If you're on your phone,
55:40make sure you go
55:40into your settings
55:41and switch on notifications.
55:45Number 1.
55:46George W. Bush
55:47by Will Ferrell
55:48Will Ferrell's
55:49George W. Bush
55:50comes across as likable
55:51while simultaneously
55:52reminding audiences
55:53of all the reasons
55:54why George W. Bush
55:55was so controversial
55:57and heavily criticized.
55:58There was utterly
55:59no legal
56:00or military justification
56:01for this strike.
56:04He portrays
56:05the former president
56:05as dopey,
56:06simple,
56:07and painfully misinformed.
56:09The accent,
56:10language,
56:10and mannerisms
56:11all feel incredibly accurate.
56:13And adding insult
56:14to injury,
56:15this goofy portrayal
56:16rarely failed
56:17to make audiences laugh.
56:18Ready or not,
56:19here I come.
56:21You can't hide.
56:23I'm gonna find you
56:24and make you love me.
56:28That's a little something
56:29from the Foogies.
56:30The Bush presidency
56:32was also a perfect opportunity
56:34to bring back Dana Carvey,
56:35who nails pretty much
56:37any impression,
56:38but whose overblown
56:39George Bush Sr.
56:40will always hold
56:41a special place
56:42in both the SNL archives
56:43and our hearts.
56:45What about Social Security?
56:46Should be very social
56:47and very secure.
56:53Slip sliding,
56:54slip sliding.
56:56Did we forget
56:56another notable SNL impression?
56:58Let us know
56:59in the comments below.
57:00Bye, America.
57:01It's been weird.
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