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From iconic political figures to legendary musicians and Hollywood stars, these SNL impressions become unforgettable when done right in front of the person they mimic. Whether it’s Tina Fey channeling Sarah Palin, Jimmy Fallon as Jerry Seinfeld, or the entire cast embodying Christopher Walken, the genuine reactions and flawless portrayals add a whole new level of comedy and respect to these legendary moments.
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00:08Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the moments an SNL cast member or host
00:14perfectly captured a public figure who was sitting just feet away.
00:32Number 30. Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan as the single ladies dancers.
00:37So this one's a little different from the others on our list because it isn't really poking fun at Beyonce
00:42herself.
00:42Instead, it centers on the iconic choreography from her music video.
00:46Because this song is called Single Ladies, so I imagine the dancers would be strong, beautiful women.
00:52Yeah, but people are expecting that. I thought instead of a beautiful women, we use guys. These guys, right?
01:00Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan play B's backup dancers.
01:04But in their minds, they're bringing a very personal interpretation to the moves.
01:08Beyonce plays it completely straight, almost like this is the actual shoot.
01:12That is what makes it even funnier.
01:14Oh, I didn't know they were your sons. That's very noble of you.
01:18So you let them be in your video?
01:19Hell no.
01:21We don't usually see her lean into something this absurd, so the fact that she commits says everything.
01:26Still, the guys are so committed that she has no choice but to follow their lead.
01:42Justin Timberlake as Jimmy Fallon
01:44Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake have been tight for years, so it's hardly surprising that JT has picked up on
01:50quite a few of his besties' mannerisms.
01:52Maybe it's that thing where you don't see yourself the way you really are, Jimmy.
01:56In this Family Feud segment, the singer captures Fallon's kid-in-a-candy-store energy perfectly.
02:01You know, that enthusiasm that's so effervescent that it's almost like he's physically incapable of containing his excitement?
02:08Jim Parsons! Jim Parsons! Are you kidding me? That is how it's done, my man! He's so great, am I
02:14right? Am I right? Jim Parsons!
02:16Meanwhile, Fallon is playing Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper.
02:20And, well, it's not often you get to see Sheldon laugh, but Fallon is clearly having a blast watching his
02:25friend turn the dial up on his already zealous personality.
02:28That is such a spot-on impression, my man.
02:30So good. So good.
02:32Steve, there's only one way for a man to be really sexy.
02:36What's that?
02:38Be Justin Timberlake.
02:43Number 28. Pete Davidson as Rami Malek and Rami Malek as Pete Davidson.
02:48This was a truly unique and hilarious meta-moment that flipped the script on impressions.
02:53Just that people say we look alike, maybe I don't see it. Maybe if I look a little longer...
03:00No, dude!
03:02When Rami Malek hosted, Davidson, known for his unique comedic style, took on the challenge of impersonating the intense Oscar
03:08-winning actor.
03:09But the real genius came when Malek turned the tables, doing a shockingly accurate impression of Davidson right in front
03:15of him.
03:15I've been staring at Pete Davidson.
03:19Please, make him stop. It's like the soul of a Victorian child is trapped in his eyes.
03:25It was a perfect blend of affectionate teasing and genuine comedic talent, showcasing Malek's versatility and Davidson's ability to take
03:32a joke.
03:33The segment brilliantly highlighted their distinct personas, creating a memorable exchange that proved both actors were great sports with a
03:40fantastic sense of humor.
03:41All right, need an answer, Pete.
03:43I don't know. I mean, can I just give Trishel $10,000 after the show? I mean, that would be
03:50easier.
03:51Number 27. Jimmy Fallon as Mick Jagger.
03:54When you've been around for as long as the Rolling Stones have been, it becomes a challenge to keep your
03:59appearances fresh.
04:00A little, a little stale.
04:02Stale?
04:03Yeah.
04:08Pointing fingers is what's going on now. Pointing fingers is what I'm doing now. Pointing fingers is today.
04:12In this sketch, Jagger is trying to work that out with some assistance from his reflection, played by Fallon.
04:18It's funny to think that Lorne Michaels initially turned his nose up at the idea, but out of all the
04:23suggestions Fallon reeled off to Jagger, this was the only one that stuck.
04:27Don't do what you've done.
04:29What? I'm not done. I'm not gonna do what I've done what I'm gonna do, am I? I'm gonna... I'll
04:35just do what I do.
04:36And we're glad it did. Not only is Fallon's Jagger incredibly entertaining, but the chemistry between the two is on
04:43point. Point, point.
04:44And based on Jagger's reaction throughout, he is clearly having a great time as well.
04:48And I'll point by my finger, and point it, point it, point it, point it at you.
04:59Number 26. Alec Baldwin as Tony Bennett.
05:02Baldwin's impression of the legendary crooner as a talk show host was a wonderfully smooth and endearing portrayal.
05:08They're great. They're really great. They're great threads. Great threads.
05:13I just want you all to know what a class I am.
05:15You got a great nose job.
05:16Oh, thank you.
05:17Baldwin captured Bennett's gentle demeanor, his precise vocal style, and that warm, comforting presence with remarkable accuracy.
05:24What elevated these performances was Bennett's clear amusement as he watched Baldwin channel him,
05:29enjoying it as much, if not more, than the audience.
05:32This guy does a send-up of my stuff that will huff and puff and blow your house down.
05:37Tell him what your stage name is.
05:38This is a doozy, folks.
05:39My name is Phony Bennett.
05:41It wasn't about exaggeration, but rather a respectful and affectionate homage to a true icon.
05:47Baldwin's ability to find the heart in his impression made this pairing especially sweet, even as it made audiences laugh.
05:53We're not gonna lie.
05:54We almost wish this were a real talk show.
05:56We look alike, sound alike, even dress alike.
05:58I usually get my suits at Brioni.
06:00How about you, Anthony?
06:01Men's Warehouse.
06:02Number 25. Jay Farrow as Kevin Hart.
06:05Farrow has a knack for impressions, and his high-energy take on Kevin Hart was an absolute showstopper.
06:10Here's the thing.
06:11There's no way he's my son.
06:13Yeah, here's the thing, Mom.
06:15Let me explain.
06:16First of all, this is not my dad.
06:18This is a waste of my damn time.
06:19That's what it is.
06:20Technically, Farrow is playing Hart's secret son, but let's just say you would not need a paternity test here.
06:25Farrow perfectly mirrors Hart's explosive delivery, his distinctive voice, and the way he uses his entire body to punctuate his
06:33punchlines.
06:33See? No relation at all. Don't need a paternity test for this. No. No need to go on Mario. Bow.
06:41Case closed. Bow.
06:43The audience could feel the comedic tension and camaraderie between the two, and even Hart at times struggled to hold
06:48it together.
06:49Their expressions, deliveries, and animated hand gestures are almost like seeing double, and it's absolutely priceless, confirming how brilliantly Farrow
06:57captured the essence of the wildly popular comedian.
07:00Oh my god, I might have a son.
07:03Oh my god, I might have a dad.
07:06Oh my god, will you find me a family?
07:11Number 24.
07:13Kenan Thompson as Charles Barkley.
07:15In a sketch that parodies the Inside the NBA post-game show, Kenan Thompson plays Charles Barkley, capturing his signature
07:21voice, pronunciation of words like turrible, and his love of storytelling.
07:25I ate ribs.
07:32That's it?
07:33Shaq, that story was terrible.
07:35Meanwhile, the real Barkley plays Shaquille O'Neal, whom Thompson's Barkley has a great time messing with.
07:41It's incredibly funny watching the two Barkleys bouncing off one another and getting more competitive as the sketch goes along.
07:47Well, at least Shaq got four championship rings.
07:50Oh yeah, he got four rings, and it sounds like they're all stuck in his throat.
07:55It's a good thing Barkley has previously voiced appreciation for Thompson's impression of him, even calling it a compliment.
08:01Meanwhile, Kenan has nothing but praise for Barkley's commitment to the bit, too.
08:06Luckily, I'm Charles Barkley, so I told a couple stories, took a couple photos, and they let me go.
08:10That's because people love you, Charles Barkley.
08:15That's right. That is true.
08:17Number 23. Dana Carvey as Dennis Miller.
08:20In a season 15 episode, Dennis Miller decided the time had come to renew his weekend update oath.
08:26And that's when Dana Carvey showed up as a second Dennis Miller to help him get through it.
08:30I, Dennis Miller, I, Captain Hairdo, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear, to keep a vigilant eye on the social
08:40and political leaders of our time in the event that they disappoint us.
08:44Yeah, to keep an eye on pinheads.
08:45The setup alone is funny, but Carvey's impression takes it to another level.
08:49He captures Miller's timing, tone, and those winding, idiosyncratic speech patterns perfectly.
08:55Doing it right in front of Miller adds an extra spark.
08:57I'm just narcissistic enough to love that.
09:01Keep it rolling, Cheecho.
09:03To never, to never put myself or my career before the news.
09:07To milk the mock humility thing if I see any career advancement in it.
09:11It becomes playful but sharp at the same time.
09:14Seeing Miller's joy at it proves how well it lands.
09:18It's admiration mixed with satire, and performing it directly to the original makes it even more memorable.
09:24And guess what, folks?
09:26That's the news, and we are out of here.
09:32Number 22.
09:33Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris.
09:35Maya Rudolph's portrayal of Vice President Kamala Harris has become one of SNL's most acclaimed recent impressions.
09:41I see what you did there.
09:42Like to a garbage truck, right?
09:48I don't really laugh like that, do I?
09:53Perhaps one of our favorite occasions, though, was when Harris herself showed up, talking through her presidential campaign with Rudolph's
09:59almost spot-on caricature.
10:01Rudolph perfectly captures Harris' distinctive laugh, her precise hand gestures, and her articulate, often measured speaking style.
10:08What do we always say?
10:10Keep Kamala and carry on-a-la.
10:12Not to mention her classic stories, the impression is nuanced, respectful, yet incredibly funny, finding the humor in her public
10:20persona without being mean-spirited.
10:22Watching Harris' genuine amusement and appreciation for Rudolph's performance is an absolutely delightful moment, solidifying the impression as both iconic
10:30and beloved.
10:31I'm gonna vote for us.
10:33Great.
10:34Any chance you are registered in Pennsylvania.
10:38Nope, I am not.
10:39Well, it was worth a shot.
10:41Number 21, Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton.
10:44With election night looming ever closer, Hillary Clinton finds herself at a bar with some time for self-reflection.
10:50We wonder how much she must have had to drink at this point not to notice that she's almost a
10:54dead ringer for the bartender.
10:56What do you do for a living?
10:57Well, first, I'm a grandmother.
10:59And second, I am a human entrusted with this one green earth.
11:05Oh, I get it.
11:07You're a politician.
11:07It's a great way to switch things up and allow Clinton to appeal to voters on a more personal and
11:12human level.
11:12It's clearly a loving parody.
11:14And the real Clinton takes everything in stride, even when McKinnon pokes fun at her political past and her famously
11:20tireless ambition.
11:21Maybe you should take a vacation.
11:24A vacation?
11:30She even gets a few punchlines in herself.
11:33And we also get a bit of a sing-along.
11:36But if we are one, we know that there's always tomorrow.
11:49The 41st president of the United States was a popular target on Saturday Night Live, particularly from comedian Dana Carvey.
11:56Look, no one knows what the hell that means.
12:00And I wrote it and I don't even know.
12:03Uniter, non-divider.
12:04Let's review our strategy today.
12:06Between 1987 and 2000, Carvey impersonated Bush a total of 39 times.
12:12And during the episode of October 22, 1994, he performed his famous impersonation in front of Bush himself.
12:19During the episode's cold open, Carvey was interrupted and informed that the real Bush was on the line.
12:24He's here now?
12:25Yeah, should I put him through?
12:27Ah, alright, put him in.
12:31Daniel, George Bush here.
12:34I'm watching you do your impression of me.
12:36And I gotta say, it's nothing like me.
12:39The two then argued about the merits of Carvey's impression before Bush threatened to watch Tales from the Crypt instead.
12:45But I'm going to warn you.
12:46I'm a channel surfer.
12:48And as the sketches get long, I'm gonna flip right over to Tales from the Crypt.
12:53It's always fun to see a president with a sense of humor.
12:56Not to mention one who can laugh at himself and his idiosyncrasies.
13:00Number 19.
13:01Bill Hader as Dave Matthews.
13:03The season 35 episode, taking place on November 21, 2009, included Dave Matthews' band as the musical guest.
13:10To celebrate the occasion, Matthews performed in The Mellow Show sketch as Ozzy Osbourne.
13:15Please welcome Mr. Ozzy Osbourne.
13:21Opposite him was Bill Hader playing Matthews.
13:24Hader hilariously impersonates Matthews' speaking voice before launching into a winning parody of his music.
13:31So Dave, I understand you have a new song for us?
13:33I sure do, Jack.
13:34It's called Chicken Panine.
13:43But the real star here is Matthews himself.
13:46He is surprisingly great as Osbourne, both in the quality of his impression and his comedic ability.
13:53He also had the wonderful ability to poke fun at himself by referencing his distinctive voice and haters' meek recoiling
13:59of fear.
14:00What doesn't scare Dave Matthews?
14:02I mean, look at him.
14:07His stupid face and his stupid feet and his voice makes me want to throw up in my hands.
14:16Number 18.
14:17Vanessa Bayer as Miley Cyrus.
14:19The Miley Cyrus show was a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live that saw Vanessa Bayer playing Cyrus and hosting
14:24a talk show.
14:25Hello! It's Miley, y'all!
14:28So this is just like my show where I like talk to people who are pretty cool and we'll like
14:32talk about things that they got pretty cool and yeah!
14:34Various notable celebrities have starred in the sketch, including Anne Hathaway and Jeff Bridges.
14:40On March 5th, 2011, Cyrus herself appeared playing Justin Bieber.
14:44She is an incredibly good sport, even though Bayer is performing with a greatly exaggerated version of her voice.
14:50So, Justin, what have you been up to lately?
14:54You know, I'm just, I'm just chilling right now.
14:57Wink.
14:58Cocky knob.
15:00Point.
15:01Wow!
15:02Bayer also mockingly references Cyrus' use of salvia, which she infamously used in December of 2010, just three months before
15:09this episode aired.
15:11The sketch even has an extra layer of meta humor as Jason Sudeikis impersonates Miley's father, Billy Ray Cyrus, as
15:18the talk show band leader.
15:19You are so special, baby girl!
15:23Thanks, dad!
15:26Number 17.
15:27Abby Elliott as Zooey Deschanel.
15:29While she's mostly grown out of it by now, Zooey Deschanel had a reputation throughout the late 2000s as a
15:35down-to-earth quirky girl.
15:37Hey, girl!
15:38I'm Zooey Deschanel, and my soul was born in 1901.
15:43This element of Deschanel's personality was parodied in the SNL sketch Bein' Quirky with Zooey Deschanel, which saw Abby Elliott
15:50playing the titular star.
15:51On the episode of February 11th, 2012, Deschanel herself appeared on the sketch playing Mary-Kate Olsen.
15:57Hey, Zooey.
15:58I haven't seen you since we both tried to pick the same wildflower.
16:02She takes Elliott's spot-on impression on the chin as she nails Deschanel's vocal inflections, folksy musical style, and unique
16:09expressions.
16:10So, Mary-Kate, where do you get your quirky inspiration?
16:14That's actually my next tip, Zooey.
16:17You can draw inspiration from past generations.
16:20It must be hard keeping a straight face while someone makes fun of your eccentricities, but Deschanel pulls it off.
16:26Number 16.
16:27Vanessa Bayer as Rachel Green slash Jennifer Aniston.
16:31Throughout her tenure on Saturday Night Live, Vanessa Bayer earned a reputation as one of the show's greatest impressionists.
16:36One of her most popular bits was impersonating Rachel Green, Jennifer Aniston's iconic character from Friends.
16:43Here to comment is Rachel from Friends.
16:53During one Weekend Update segment, Bayer appeared as Green conducting a new segment on 90s nostalgia.
17:00The impression was simply incredible, and this was made obvious when Jennifer Aniston made a surprise cameo.
17:06Vanessa, Vanessa, what are you doing?
17:10What? Oh, what?
17:12Hi!
17:13Wait, can you just, can you just drop that for a second?
17:17The greatest bit is when Aniston and Bayer synchronize while performing Rachel's mannerisms, as they sound exactly alike.
17:24At one point, they even say, what, at the exact same time, and it harmonizes like a beautiful piece of
17:29music.
17:30Number 15.
17:31John Belushi as Joe Cocker.
17:33Throughout his career, musician Joe Cocker was known mostly for two things.
17:37His bizarre movements on stage, and his gravelly blues voice.
17:41SNL icon John Belushi nails them both.
17:44Belushi's impression of Cocker was well known throughout the industry.
18:01Paul McCartney asked Belushi to perform as Cocker at a birthday party, and Cocker told Rolling Stone that he thought
18:07Belushi was lip-syncing upon first hearing the impression.
18:09The two co-performed Feelin' Alright on October 2nd, 1976, and it was like watching someone strut around in front
18:16of a mirror.
18:25Not only were they dressed alike, but Belushi proved uncanny as Cocker.
18:30This musical impression is a legendary bit of SNL history.
18:34Number 14.
18:35Will Ferrell as Janet Reno.
18:37SNL loves to poke fun at politicians, and Janet Reno was no different.
18:41Reno was the first female attorney general of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001.
18:47Now it's time for a segment of the show that I like to call Teen Talk, where I roll up
18:52my sleeves and shoot straight with the kids of today.
18:54Reno was far more high-profile than her predecessors, and Will Ferrell became known for his hilarious Reno impression on
19:01Saturday Night Live.
19:07He continuously starred as the attorney general in a segment called Janet Reno's Dance Party, which saw Reno dancing with
19:14a group of teenagers in a basement.
19:15It's time to say goodbye. I guess the dance party is finally over for once and all.
19:20Aww.
19:24It's Reno!
19:28However, Ferrell was going more for parody than outright impression.
19:31Telling the Washington Post, quote,
19:33I just sound the way she looks.
19:35I like your dress, Janet.
19:38Thanks, Janet. I like yours, too.
19:41Reno appeared on SNL on her last day as attorney general, appearing for a dance party alongside Ferrell, to wild
19:47applause from the audience.
19:49What do you do when you get sad?
19:50I just dance. Now, hit it!
19:55Number 13.
19:56Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek.
19:58This late, great host of Jeopardy! always had a good sense of humor, even when the subject was himself.
20:04Trebek appeared in two episodes of Saturday Night Live, including the May 18, 2002 episode, in which he appeared opposite
20:11Will Ferrell impersonating him.
20:12And so this was the final Jeopardy!
20:19Ferrell had become famous for his impression of Trebek in a recurring skit called Celebrity Jeopardy!
20:23Like his impression of Janet Reno, Ferrell is going more for parody than outright impression,
20:29remaining in his own voice but dressing as the famous Jeopardy! host, complete with his iconic mustache.
20:34Those celebrities did not know the right answer to any of your questions!
20:39No, they did not. They were very stupid.
20:42Well...
20:42You got that right.
20:43Unfortunately, Trebek had shaved his mustache by this point, as he proved when he walked out to escort Ferrell from
20:49the podium.
20:50Two Trebecks. I feel like I'm in a Raisin brand commercial. Two scroops of fruit.
20:54Back off, Connery. I don't have to take that from you.
20:58Number 12. Mike Myers as Mick Jagger.
21:00It's amazing to consider that even amidst the slew of talent found on early 90s SNL, Mick Jagger stands out
21:07as an impressionist master.
21:08Jagger was the musical guest for the episode airing on February 6th, 1993,
21:12and he appeared in the Weekend Update segment alongside Mike Myers.
21:16I'll tell you what.
21:20It's outrageous, man.
21:22All right.
21:23It's outrageous.
21:24It's Keith. All the dude wants to do is ride a bloody two, man.
21:28Myers impeccably impersonated Jagger while Jagger was portraying his Rolling Stones bandmate, Keith Richards.
21:35Myers' Mick Jagger is hilarious, even if it's a little overly cartoony.
21:39He exaggerates many of Jagger's traits, including his chicken arms, squinted eyes, and pouty lips.
21:44You got a ceiling go with a going bean.
21:47You got a ceiling go with a going bean, man.
21:50And while the impression is solid, modern viewers can't help but compare his Mick Jagger character to Austin Powers.
21:57They're essentially the exact same thing.
21:59Number 11. Jim Brewer as Joe Pesci.
22:02This iconic American actor may be the nicest guy on the planet,
22:06but he will forever be linked to his intense gangster characters like Tommy DeVito and Nicky Santoro.
22:12I'm gonna take this. It's okay.
22:13Okay, yeah.
22:13Bring it back, though, you know.
22:15Case in point, the recurring SNL segment The Joe Pesci Show.
22:18Hey, everyone! I'm Joe Pesci!
22:24In which Jim Brewer played a violent and easily offended Pesci,
22:28who often loses his temper and assaults his talk show guests.
22:31No, Joe, I'm just kidding. I know you do more than beat up people.
22:34Oh, no, I don't.
22:38During the April 12, 1997 episode,
22:41Pesci and Robert De Niro made surprise cameo appearances in the sketch.
22:48Telling Brewer that his impression is both offensive and misleading.
22:52Pesci informed Brewer,
22:53I'm actually a very calm, laid-back person.
22:56Before viciously beating him with the prop weapon.
22:59First thing you have to do is you take the bow, you hit him in the knee.
23:03Number 10. The entire cast as Jim Carrey.
23:06This legendary comedian and his various mannerisms are ripe for impression.
23:11Thankfully, fans get a lot of them in this family reunion sketch.
23:15This is a goldmine for any Carrey fan,
23:17featuring a slew of great impressions and recreations of all his popular characters.
23:22When did you grow into a man?
23:23Well, I started growing in high school and stopped right around here!
23:30Taron Killam kicks things off with a spot-on impression that has Carrey subduing laughter.
23:34And various players show up doing the likes of Ace Ventura,
23:37The Cable Guy, and The Mask.
23:39But perhaps the greatest part is when Jeff Daniels shows up as Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber.
23:44Grandpa Lloyd!
23:49You never looked better.
23:51Oh boy, we're proud of you, Jimbo.
23:53You're probably having a blast with all them Hollywood movies.
23:57Not only was it touching to see them reunited,
23:59but viewers could tell that Carrey was legitimately shocked and happy to see his old co-star.
24:03Number 9. Eddie Murphy as Stevie Wonder.
24:06Eddie Murphy is an enormously talented man.
24:08So talented, in fact, that he teaches Stevie Wonder how to do a Stevie Wonder impression.
24:14I know Stevie Wonder, man.
24:15And he's like, you have to mellow out when you do Stevie.
24:16You're two tens.
24:17Loosen up.
24:18The episode of May 7th, 1983,
24:21aired a sketch in which Murphy plays a music producer
24:24coaching a Stevie Wonder impersonator for an upcoming event.
24:27Of course, the impersonator is actually played by Wonder himself,
24:31adding another layer of comedy to the whole routine.
24:33Then you gotta loosen up, see?
24:35You gotta move your hands.
24:36You gotta go like,
24:37listen to me, watch this.
24:38Okay.
24:39My shatty amore,
24:42lovely as a summer day.
24:46The impersonator isn't very good,
24:49prompting Murphy to coach him on Wonder's voice and mannerisms.
24:52It's a great bit of back and forth.
24:53And it proves especially funny as Wonder does an intentionally poor version of himself.
24:58That is, until he shows everyone the true extent of his talent.
25:02My shatty amore,
25:06pretty little one I adore.
25:10You're the only girl my heart beats for.
25:14Number 8.
25:15Jimmy Fallon as Barry Gibb.
25:17An icon of disco,
25:19Barry Gibb is well known as a member of the Bee Gees.
25:22Perhaps the most famous aspect of Gibb's music is his falsetto voice,
25:26which is often parodied in popular culture.
25:28For example,
25:29Jimmy Fallon did a great impression on the recurring SNL segment,
25:32The Barry Gibb Talk Show.
25:46Fallon played the titular host,
25:48and he was accompanied by Justin Timberlake playing Barry's brother Robin.
25:51The sketch went out with a bang on December 21st, 2013,
25:55when the real Barry Gibb joined Fallon and Timberlake for a brief performance.
26:06It was all in good fun,
26:08if over a little too quickly.
26:10It certainly seemed like Gibb was having a good time,
26:12and it's clear that he was enjoying Fallon's impression.
26:15Number 7.
26:16Sherry O'Terry as Judge Judy.
26:18After finding success with the comedy troupe The Groundlings alongside Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell,
26:23Sherry O'Terry was hired as a repertory performer on SNL for the 1995-96 season.
26:28She remained on the show for five years.
26:31In that time,
26:32O'Terry became quite famous for her celebrity impressions,
26:35one of which was television legend Judge Judy.
26:37Look at me, okay?
26:39I'll take a pig to the butcher when I want to eat bologna, okay?
26:42Judy Scheindlin cameoed on SNL on October 17th, 1998,
26:47appearing in a sketch that saw O'Terry impersonating the famous TV judge.
26:50I've seen enough, Sherry. Get up.
26:54Listen, get your bony ass out of my chair. Get up.
26:58Midway through the skit,
27:00Judge Judy appeared to rapturous applause
27:02and tapped O'Terry on the shoulder,
27:04telling her to get her bony ass out of the chair
27:06so the real judge can take over.
27:07You keep your trap shut and get a life.
27:10And take over she did,
27:12proving a great sport in the process.
27:14Court rules in favor of the plaintiff.
27:16Now, Sherry, let's go talk about those eyebrows.
27:19It wasn't my idea.
27:19Number six, Jimmy Fallon as Jerry Seinfeld.
27:23Fallon is indeed an incredible impressionist,
27:25complete with a surprisingly huge arsenal of celebrities.
27:28And taking the counterpoint is former television star Jerry Seinfeld.
27:32Okay, thanks, Colin. Thanks a lot, buddy.
27:35After impressing Lorne Michaels with his audition,
27:37Fallon debuted on SNL in September of 1998.
27:40One year later, he was doing an impression of Jerry Seinfeld
27:43in front of Jerry Seinfeld.
27:45Jerry, what are you talking about? I love the gap.
27:48The two star together in a Weekend Update segment
27:50with Fallon dressed like Seinfeld.
27:52Fallon could barely get through his opening lines without laughing,
27:55but he did manage to compose himself
27:57and perform one of the all-time great Jerry Seinfeld impressions.
28:00We're gonna dress you up in a vest. We're gonna dress you up in a vest.
28:04We're gonna dress you up in a vest.
28:07Close your eyes and listen. It's hard to tell who's who.
28:10I know, I'm kidding. I know you're kidding.
28:12I know you're kidding about me. Kidding, I'm kidding.
28:15Wanna go see a movie? Yeah!
28:16Yeah! Let's go!
28:19Number 5. Cast Members as Adam Sandler
28:21Now one of the biggest movie stars in the world,
28:24Adam Sandler got his start on Saturday Night Live in the early 90s.
28:27Nearly 25 years after his firing,
28:30Sandler returned to host and starred in a skit called
28:33Sandler Family Reunion.
28:34Well, hello, Mr. Hollywood, you're being sad.
28:37This skit had the cast doing impressions of Sandler and his characters.
28:41These included some absolutely killer impressions
28:43from Pete Davidson as Little Nicky.
28:45Excuse me.
28:47May I have everyone's attention, please?
28:51Hello, Sandler.
28:52Hey, how are you doing?
28:54Melissa Villasenor as Bobby Boucher.
28:57I see that on the big ol' screen and I said,
28:59I said, hey, that's me up there now.
29:01No, no, no, no.
29:02And Jimmy Fallon,
29:04who's absolutely amazing impression caused Sandler to break character.
29:21Fun fact,
29:22Fallon actually originally auditioned for SNL
29:25by doing an impression of Sandler for Lorne Michaels.
29:27The notoriously stoic Michaels broke down and laughed,
29:30and we can see why.
29:32One, two, three.
29:34Number four, Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton.
29:39This politician has long been a subject of SNL impressions,
29:42with Kate McKinnon, of course, doing an admirable job.
29:45Hey, bartender, keep them coming.
29:49But Amy Poehler will forever remain the queen of the Hillary Clinton impression.
29:54I'm glad to be here.
29:55Thanks for having me.
29:56Oh, yeah, well, thank you for coming.
29:58I love your outfit.
30:00Poehler had been doing a Clinton impression for years,
30:02and she performed it face-to-face with Clinton herself
30:05on the March 1st, 2008 episode of Saturday Night Live.
30:08Well, I love your outfit, but I do want the earrings back.
30:11Oh, okay.
30:14Clinton appeared during the episode's cold open,
30:16when she was a candidate in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.
30:20Do I really laugh like that?
30:22Oh, yeah, we all laugh.
30:23After Clinton referenced Poehler's famous impression,
30:26Poehler came on stage and proved that she is one of the best in the biz.
30:30Number three, Andy Samberg as Nicolas Cage.
30:33On the February 11th, 2012 episode of Saturday Night Live,
30:37Andy Samberg starred opposite Nicolas Cage in a weekend update segment
30:40subtitled Get in the Cage with Nicolas Cage and Nicolas Cage.
30:44Please join me in welcoming Nicolas Cage and Nicolas Cage.
30:51Like the Seinfeld-Fallon segment,
30:54Samberg appeared dressed the same as Cage,
30:56complete with a hilarious receding hairline.
30:59Well, good evening, Nick.
31:00You're looking very well tonight.
31:02That's very kind of you, Nick.
31:06You look great, too.
31:08The skit had Nicolas Cage playing a clone of Nicolas Cage
31:11so that he can appear in every movie ever made.
31:13Okay, as everyone knows,
31:15my dream as an actor is to appear in every film ever released.
31:20However, until now, I've only been able to muster a measly 90%.
31:25Yes, Andy Samberg was playing the real Nicolas Cage.
31:29Confused?
31:30It doesn't really matter.
31:31I'm sorry, cloning experiment?
31:32Well, that's exactly right, Seth.
31:34I am as calm.
31:35All that mattered was Samberg's hilarious impression.
31:38This Nick is calm and stealthy like a ninja warrior.
31:43Whereas this Nick is an exaggerated, screaming psychopath.
31:47And Cage's expressionless face as he absolutely refused to break character.
31:52That's high praise.
31:54Number two, Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.
31:57Tina Fey will forever be admired for her eerily spot-on impression of Sarah Palin.
32:01Good evening, my fellow Americans.
32:05Faye starred as Palin throughout the 2008 presidential election campaign,
32:09with a sketch of her and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton becoming a massive internet sensation.
32:14She would return to that well again and again on SNL.
32:18And now I'd like to entertain everybody with some fancy pageant walking.
32:23Palin actually appeared in the cold open of the October 18, 2008 episode,
32:28alongside Lorne Michaels, watching Faye's impression on TV.
32:31Yes, but it's obviously a heightened reality.
32:35Why couldn't we have done the 30 Rock sketch that I wrote?
32:37Honestly, not enough people know that show.
32:41She told Michaels that the impression was not realistic,
32:43before being approached by Alec Baldwin, who jokingly mistook her for Tina Fey.
32:48They call her, what's that name they call her?
32:50Kara, Kara, what do they call her again, Tina?
32:52Oh, that'd be Caribou Barbie.
32:54Caribou Barbie.
32:55Thank you, Tina.
32:56We can see how the mistake was made.
32:59The resemblance really is uncanny.
33:01And I must say, your brother Stephen is my favorite Baldwin brother.
33:06Number one, cast members as Christopher Walken.
33:09The legendary Christopher Walken has perhaps the most distinct voice in Hollywood,
33:14and has long been the subject of hilarious celebrity impressions.
33:18Christopher, I can't believe you made it.
33:24Like Adam Sandler, Walken was the subject of a family reunion skit,
33:28in which multiple cast members showed off their impressions.
33:31I recall we stole the ice sculpture.
33:34I wonder what happened to it.
33:36I don't know.
33:37It probably melted.
33:40The skit got off to a great start with the fantastic Bill Hader,
33:44and remained consistently entertaining throughout.
33:46John, is that you, or do my eyes deceive me?
33:51It's really me.
33:52You remember my kids, Maxine and Scott.
33:57Some of the impressions were genuinely great,
34:00like the one from Jason Sudeikis,
34:01and others were hilariously sincere and also surprisingly spot on,
34:05like Amy Poehler's impersonation.
34:07Because I hate ghosts.
34:09They're spooky.
34:12And I don't respond well to spooky behavior.
34:15It is a hilarious tribute to one of SNL's greatest and most prolific guest hosts.
34:20Let's all go over to the bar and get a drink.
34:24Everything in moderation.
34:25You driving?
34:26Driving? No.
34:28I'm walking.
34:31Which impression had you seeing double?
34:33Let us know in the comments.
34:34Let us know in the comments.
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