- 3 months ago
Some of the funniest “SNL” impressions come from the most unexpected places! Join us as we count down the unlikely cast members who absolutely nailed their celebrity takes, from Broadway energy and dead-on vocal work to bizarrely perfect physical comedy. Our list includes Lea Michele, Florence Welch, Cameron Winter and more!
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00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most unlikely cast
00:12members to deliver effective and or obscure impressions.
00:16There's one place where we all came together to be entertained.
00:20The movies.
00:2410. Nassim Pedrad as Lea Michele
00:27For a sketch that includes many impressions, this one remains as an entertaining highlight.
00:32SNL parodies the James Bond franchise with a number of fun setups and acting choices.
00:37Oh, Mr. Bond? I don't mean to show off, but I found a code to the missile.
00:45With Daniel Craig's 007 focused on the next mission, Nassim Pedrad steps in as outgoing and out-of-place Lea
00:52Michele.
00:53The cast member summons all the theater kid energy of the Glee star.
00:56She's even wearing a beret in an extra detail, embodying the TV actor inside and out.
01:02X-1-5-2-7-4
01:04X-1-8-1-5-
01:06Stand there, stand there.
01:09While interrupting the hero with her songs, this version of the actress can't help but show off.
01:14We almost want to see Michelle in the next Bond adventure just because of this skit.
01:20525,600 missiles!
01:229. Katy Perry as Florence Welch
01:26When SNL creates a fake animated film called Doggy Duty, they give themselves an excuse to bring along some impressions.
01:33Get ready for Doggy Duty!
01:36It's the heartwarming tale of 12 puppies selected for jury duty.
01:39And before you see the movie, buy the soundtrack.
01:43The soundtrack of this made-up adventure includes Randy Newman, Gwen Stefani, and Florence Welch.
01:48Katy Perry plays the latter singer, easily stepping into the role of another talented vocalist.
01:54Her impression of Dog Days Are Over could even be an official cover.
01:58The Pope calls the witness, the calling of Jacks, the bailiff is parking, and the shells are made a mess.
02:05The dog cry is over.
02:08Perry does a terrific job, showing that she can mimic another artist outside of her typical pop sound.
02:14Even in a comedic setting, she's able to get laughs and do a solid rendition of a hit single.
02:19This poach is innocent, he's free to roam.
02:26Number 8. James Austin Johnson as Cameron Winter
02:29If you're not tapped into the indie rock scene, this impression might have confused you.
02:34James Austin Johnson appeared as Cameron Winter in this Christmas duet sketch.
02:39The impressionist managed to capture the unique tone and delivery of the geese frontman.
02:43I'll be home, I'll be home for Christmas with my father.
02:49Johnson gives this impersonation all of its subtle glory.
02:53Even if he's only doing it for a small portion of the audience.
02:56He's able to show off his musical chops opposite the bold energy of a Benson Boone impersonator.
03:02Benson Boone.
03:05And to close things out.
03:06Winter's band performed on the show a few weeks later, helping SNL watchers to understand the performer better.
03:13I wait if I just use my eyes.
03:19Number 7. John Rudnitsky as Martin Scorsese
03:22While he only had one season on SNL, John Rudnitsky still had a number of moments to shine.
03:28Before we begin, we at CNN want to say a quick word to Vice President Joe Biden.
03:33Joe, if you decide to run at any time tonight, we will happily make room for you on the stage.
03:39This one might be among his more underrated contributions to the show.
03:43In a family feud sketch, Rudnitsky played Martin Scorsese in a team of Hollywood directors.
03:48He was able to stand next to veteran impressionists and still do great work as the Goodfellas filmmaker.
03:54We got the director of Raging Bull in Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese.
03:59Woo!
03:59Great to be here, Steve.
04:00Really, really great.
04:01Love the suit.
04:02Classic style.
04:03I love it.
04:03I love it.
04:04It's great.
04:04Hey, I'm a big fan of your work.
04:06With a fast-talking delivery, the cast member works wonders as Scorsese.
04:10Anybody that's watched an interview will recognize this impression for the costume, eyebrows, and vocal quality.
04:16We almost wish that he had as many lines as Taron Killam's Quentin Tarantino.
04:20You have to look at your own unique reality.
04:23So for me, that's like trying for perfection every time, man.
04:27Do you get that, Steve?
04:28Do you get what I'm saying?
04:30Number 6.
04:31Mikey Day is Steve-O.
04:33Fans of the jackass TV show or the movie franchise know Steve-O as an amateur stuntman.
04:38This makes him an unlikely target for this kind of SNL skit.
04:42But Mikey Day tries it anyway.
04:44How could I explain I just wanted to be held by Kevin Federline in a swimming pool?
04:50The cast member finds the man's gritty voice in a more laid-back way.
04:54This might startle people who know the target as a gross-out entertainer.
04:58But then Day follows up with a surprise.
05:01The impression goes to more graphic places as a stapler comes out.
05:05Staple my nuts to my thigh.
05:09Capturing the nuances of this celebrity, the comedian provides an entertaining look at somebody
05:14willing to put his body on the line.
05:16Number 5.
05:17Andy Samberg as Sweetest Chef
05:19In this sketch, Andy Samberg joins a large group of cast members playing Muppets.
05:24He's all dressed up to play the sweetest chef.
05:26Great song, gang.
05:28Morgan and Wood.
05:29You said it, chef.
05:31When things go south in the bus, his character must act to keep Kristen Wiig's Beaker calm
05:36after a hit-and-run.
05:37It's a hilarious subversion of the happy-go-lucky ensemble with a splash of dark humor.
05:43Oh man, Beaker's freaking out!
05:45Smorgy Borg!
05:47Smorgy Borg!
05:52Smorgy Borg!
05:54Samberg might not be the top impressionist from SNL, but he's certainly got the drive and
05:59performance skills to pull this off.
06:00The chef is such an absurd role to bring to life, but this Lonely Island member is the
06:05perfect goofball to make it happen.
06:08It's time to put on makeup, it's time to dress up right, it's time to raise the curtain
06:13on the zombie show tonight.
06:16Number 4.
06:18Amy Poehler as Christopher Walken
06:20On several occasions, Saturday Night Live creates a fake reunion for their hosts to attend.
06:25These involve a celebrity like Christopher Walken meeting apparent family members that
06:30make sound and act like him.
06:31When's the last time I saw you, Stanley?
06:34It's my brother John's wedding 15 years ago.
06:37For this sketch, various cast members like Amy Poehler take on the Oscar winner.
06:42The latter comedian does one of the funniest impersonations, drawing out her speech in a
06:47hilarious moment.
06:48My doll's name is Jenny.
06:52She's a good doll, but she doesn't like ghosts, and neither do I.
06:59Ghosts scare me.
07:01Her character is supposed to be a younger girl that remains a walk-in clone worried about ghosts.
07:06Poehler gives it her all, being funny without being super accurate.
07:10Her attempted impression might be the best part of the sketch.
07:14That's good, because I hate ghosts.
07:18They're spooky, and I don't respond well to spooky behaviors.
07:24Number 3.
07:25Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer
07:27In one of the greatest casting decisions in recent memory, SNL chose Melissa McCarthy to
07:33become Sean Spicer.
07:34Now, I'd like to begin today by apologizing on behalf of you to me for how you have treated
07:43me these last two weeks, and that apology is not accepted.
07:49The choice proved that the show could think outside the box and succeed.
07:53With McCarthy as the White House press secretary, she transformed into a quick-tempered man.
07:58Her appearances included some condescending speeches and an antagonistic streak against reporters.
08:04I wanted to ask about the travel ban on Muslims.
08:07Yeah, it's not a ban.
08:07I'm sorry?
08:08It's not a ban.
08:09The travel ban is not a ban, which makes it not a ban.
08:13But you just called it a ban.
08:14Because I'm using your words.
08:16You said ban.
08:17Using a podium to attack people, the character allowed the guest performer to fly off the
08:22handle.
08:23Each scene contained so many funny beats of physical comedy.
08:27To many people, Spicer will be forever remembered best by this impersonation.
08:31It's enough for today.
08:33Spicy's gonna go bye-bye right now.
08:35I need a big boy nap.
08:37We'll be woken up exactly one minute before tomorrow's press concert.
08:41Number 2.
08:42Sarah Sherman as John Mulaney
08:44Blending body horror and absurd comedy, Sarah Sherman might be the most unique performer to
08:50join SNL in recent years.
08:52She's better known for her bits on Weekend Update than her impressions.
08:55I could say something right now that could ruin my life and yours.
09:01Please don't.
09:02I kind of want to.
09:03I'm crazy.
09:05For this skit, Sherman knows that she can transform into another Saturday Night Live alum.
09:10She puts on a suit and even uses a microphone to become John Mulaney.
09:14When I was a little girl, all I wanted for Christmas was a horse.
09:19This includes a comedic pace, but also some references to Mulaney's personal life.
09:24The cast member knows how to take on the specific cadence of a superstar stand-up.
09:29It's even funnier that it's for a skit where celebrities read the Britney Spears book.
09:34A horse, you know, like a tall dog.
09:38I was addicted to drugs.
09:41Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
09:45Adam Sandler as Axl Rose
09:47The comedian seems possessed by the Guns N' Roses singer's raspy delivery.
09:51Moving down on an apple
09:54Hey, I, I, I, I, I, I, I
09:57And out in funny, Hannah's snuck
10:00Hey, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I
10:04A.D. Bryant as Hannah Gadsby
10:06The Australian comedian translates especially well through Bryant's performance.
10:11Oscars host? Who's it gonna be? Lots of tension. Who's gonna break the tension?
10:18I would host, but in the middle of it, I quit hosting. Too much tension.
10:24Beck Bennett as Vin Diesel.
10:26It's extremely funny to imagine going to the movies with this fast franchise lead.
10:31The snacks you hide in your mom's purse, yawn. The weird feeling you get when you see a movie early
10:38in the day,
10:39and you come outside and the sun's still out. Weird.
10:44Cecily Strong as Alanis Morissette. The cast member can cover Hand in My Pocket without a false note.
10:50He's black but he's happy. He's old but he's kind. He's nice cause he's Santa baby.
10:59Number 1. Marcelo Hernandez as Sebastian Maniscalco.
11:03I'm driving my car and I got the stick shift going and then the traffic was on another level.
11:13This cast member is a breakout star from the 2020s, but he's only had a few chances to do his
11:19strongest impression.
11:20Marcelo Hernandez plays the comedian Sebastian Maniscalco with all of the flair the latter performer deserves.
11:26Now my hand is in my rectum. And I thought it's not supposed to be there.
11:35Full of comic pizzazz, this outrageous impersonation is boldly going where few have gone before.
11:41Hernandez can shake things up with both the accent work and the physical comedy.
11:46This includes crashing a bachelor party, messing with the guests, and even jumping over someone.
11:51And it's not the type of obstacle you can step over it. No, you're gonna have to jump over the
11:58mother of her.
12:00Through it all, the younger comedian seems to be enjoying himself in this shocking tour de force.
12:06Which SNL impression caught you off guard? Let us know in the comments below.
12:10If you want to try to win 73 AM, I'll give you some $18инг, which means you want to be
12:14watching tomorrow.
12:14When Snow's playing.
12:14Wow.
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