- 13 hours ago
Maya Rudolph has become one of the most fearless impressionists in SNL history, turning everyone from pop icons to politicians into pure comedy gold. Join us as we revisit her funniest celebrity takes, packed with unforgettable voices, wild physicality, and the kind of scene-stealing energy that makes every sketch a standout.
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00:00What a nice present!
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:05And today, we're counting down our picks for Maya Rudolph's funniest impersonations on Saturday Night Live.
00:11I still can't tell if this is beneath me.
00:14Number 20, Lucy Liu.
00:17Rudolph's Lucy Liu impression is a hidden gem from her early SNL days.
00:21We all have nicknames for each other.
00:23Like what?
00:24Well, like, um, I call her Pooh.
00:27Teaming up with Rachel Dratch as Drew Barrymore and Calista Flockhart as Cameron Diaz,
00:32the trio leaned hard into the early 2000s girl power sisterhood,
00:36channeling the kind of over-the-top affection you'd expect from a sorority house.
00:40Maya absolutely nails Liu's signature laser-focused stare
00:43and that unmistakable, low, breathy authority in her voice.
00:47Jada Pinkett was pregnant, then Denise Richards declined,
00:50and then Fran Drescher wouldn't call back,
00:53and I think there were only, like, four more people they called before me,
00:55and I was like, totally.
00:57Sure, this impression doesn't get name-checked as often as her Beyonce or Donatella Versace,
01:02but for fans of the era,
01:04it's a time capsule of the cool girl action star vibe that Liu famously exuded.
01:08It's a reminder of just how sharp Maya's comedic radar has always been.
01:12I heard you guys had to work out like crazy for this movie.
01:15Oh, yeah.
01:17It was so much work.
01:19Yeah, we train five hours a day. Feel my abs, Jimmy. They're rock hard.
01:22Number 19. Scott Joplin.
01:25If you were watching SNL in the early 2000s,
01:28you might remember Maya Rudolph Scott Joplin.
01:30A deep cut and a perfect example of the show getting weird.
01:34Hi, I'm Scott Joplin, the father of ragtime and frequent time traveler.
01:39If there's one thing I've learned from traveling through time,
01:41it's that I love women's tennis.
01:43Tennis talk with time traveling Scott Joplin is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.
01:49The king of ragtime hosts a talk show about tennis.
01:52Maya at the piano tosses jokes at guests before launching into bursts of his iconic music with a cheeky grin.
01:58But I find myself sitting here with two champions and one overexposed calendar girl with no second serve.
02:06This recurring bit was a love letter to SNL's most surreal left field comedy.
02:11And a reminder that sometimes the best sketches are the ones that make you ask,
02:14wait, did that really just happen?
02:17Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whose show is this?
02:20Mine or the ghosts of bad hair past, bad hair present and bad hair future.
02:28Number 18. Birci Van Beers
02:30Birci Van Beers is Rudolph at her most gloriously unhinged.
02:34Yeah, wow! I love her that chili peppers! It makes me dance, punk, punk!
02:39Decked out in neon and running the decks at club tracks,
02:42Maya throws herself headfirst into a parody of Y2K Eurorave culture that's as fearless as it is hilarious.
02:48Her accent is a wild, unplaceable jumble, and her physical comedy is pure high-voltage chaos.
02:54Oh, cut me some slacks, will you, Leonard? Why don't you please get a room?
02:59Now let's get the party started. Here to sing their hit song, We're On The Run, is Daddy!
03:04What makes it work is Maya's unwavering commitment.
03:08She treats every blast of industrial noise like it's a chart-topping anthem.
03:12Never breaking character for a second.
03:14With Fred Armisen by her side, she turns a niche stereotype into a surreal, deadpan dance party
03:20that's still one of the most unforgettable highlights of her SNL run.
03:24Daddy, you guys are so terribly unraging!
03:26Let go! Yeah!
03:28I love the blimp, girls!
03:30Yeah! I love the blimp!
03:33Number 17. Nuni Schoener.
03:35If you've ever rolled your eyes at the art world's most pretentious personalities,
03:40Nuni Schoener is your comedic soulmate.
03:42I am Nuni.
03:44Nuni.
03:45Nuni.
03:45No, no, Nuni. You must use the back of your tongue. Come.
03:48Nuni.
03:49Nuni.
03:49Nuni.
03:50Nuni.
03:51Nuni.
03:52Nuni.
03:53Nuni is masculine, and Nuni is feminine.
03:56Alongside her equally bizarre husband, Nuni, Rudolph Krath's a pitch-perfect send-up
04:01of the Eurotrash avant-garde elite, complete with an accent that's part Scandinavian, part
04:06Dutch, and all deliciously untraceable. The magic is in Maya's dedication. She delivers
04:12every line with the kind of conviction usually reserved for TED Talks, treating the most mundane
04:17as if it were a groundbreaking installation at the MoMA.
04:20Wait, wait, wait. So, did somebody kill a gorilla to make this chair?
04:23What a terrible conclusion. It is the hair collected from the bottom of gorilla showers, silly.
04:29We've all met someone who takes themselves way too seriously, and Nuni is that archetype dialed up to
04:3511, making every moment a loving roast of high fashion absurdity.
04:39Heather.
04:40Ow, I saw.
04:43It's Heather with an H.
04:45Checkup, okay?
04:47Yeah, no.
04:47Number 16, Jodie Dietz.
04:50Bronx Beat is a classic, and Maya's Jodie Dietz is half the reason why.
04:54My mother gave me the most beautiful leather coat on my birthday.
04:58You know how many times I've worn it this year?
05:000.00.
05:01It's bananas.
05:02The whole world is bananas. You know what I say, live your life, because the world's gonna blow up.
05:06She's right.
05:06Teaming up with Amy Poehler, Maya brings to life a talk show host who's equal parts eternally exasperated,
05:12and endlessly waiting for that elusive sweaterweather.
05:15Maya's ear for accents is legendary, but with Jodie, she turns the Bronx Long Island drawl into a full-blown
05:21musical instrument, stretching outwards until they're practically unrecognizable and absolutely hilarious.
05:27Well, you know what? At least the weather's turned.
05:30Oh, sweaterweather.
05:30Sweaterweather.
05:31Sweaterweather.
05:32Finally, sweaterweather.
05:34Sweaterweather.
05:34It's about time.
05:35It's about time.
05:36Sweaterweather.
05:37The character isn't a celebrity impression, but inspired by SNL's own hairstylist Jodie Mancuso, who apparently had a hot take
05:44on everything.
05:45It's a loving tribute to the everyday characters who make New York, and SNL, so unforgettable.
05:51Hey Gary, you're not Phil Collins.
05:53Never will be.
05:54No, success is not in the air tonight.
05:57So, so, sooty-dum.
05:59Number 15.
06:00Natasha Lyonne.
06:01Lyonne called SNL her chosen family, so it's almost surreal that her first time hosting felt like a homecoming.
06:08I feel a cosmic connection at SNL.
06:11The people here are my real-life chosen family.
06:13I've been coming here since I was a teenager.
06:15I co-created Russian Doll with Amy Poehler, and I have great friends.
06:19When Maya and Fred Armisen crashed her monologue to do their own takes on the actress, we got some pure
06:25meta magic.
06:25Maya's impression isn't just spot-on, it's a heartfelt tribute, shaped by two decades of real-life friendship.
06:32Okay, good. I thought maybe we could try our Natasha Lyonne impressions for you.
06:36Yeah, we do really good impressions of you, just not when you're around.
06:39Instead of poking fun, Maya channels Lyonne's unmistakable New York energy with genuine affection, turning the whole bit into a
06:46love letter rather than a roast.
06:48Watching Lyonne enjoy Maya's version of herself is a reminder that sometimes the best impressions come from a place of
06:54deep fandom and even deeper friendship.
06:57Yeah, yeah. How are you? Alright.
07:00It's a dynamite sweater.
07:04Cockroach.
07:05Number 14. Britannica.
07:07If Destiny's Child had a bizarro world cousin, it would be Gemini's twin.
07:12We got doody free, yo! Doody doody, doody doody free, what? Doody doody, doody doody free, hi!
07:19Anna Gasteyer's Jeanette and Maya's Britannica, plus a rotating cast of guest stars, made every sketch a new adventure in
07:26pop parody.
07:27The running gag here is the group's relentless quest to sound intellectual, but often miss the mark with total confidence.
07:33Yeah, it's real special to us because it's a story about man-woman relations through a feministic point of view.
07:40It's also about Frankenstein's. Word.
07:42Maya's delivery is flawless as she belts out staccato R&B riffs that go on just a beat too long
07:48or drop slang with the authority of a pop diva.
07:51She radiates lead singer energy, outshining even the biggest guest stars, and proves that when it comes to musical comedy,
07:58she's always the alpha in the room.
08:00Yeah, cause see, what we was trying to do here was create a new groundbreaking genre, the hip-hop epic.
08:05Mm-hmm.
08:06The hip-hop-a-pop.
08:07The hip-hop-a-pop.
08:08The hip-hop-a-pop.
08:10The hip-hop-a-pop.
08:11The hip-hop-a-pop.
08:11Yeah, it's a new form.
08:13Yeah.
08:13Number 13. Paris Hilton.
08:15Rudolph's take on Hilton is a pitch-perfect send-up that turns the heiress into a living, breathing cartoon of
08:21early 2000s celebrity culture.
08:23Hitting the clubs of South Beach with our signature style.
08:27Also, I just finished seventh grade.
08:32What's next for you guys?
08:34I'm gonna do some parties!
08:35Woo!
08:36With her legendary vocal fry and that signature squinty pout, Maya nails the bored and fabulous vibe that defined an
08:43era.
08:43She transforms, that's hot, into a robotic catchphrase, lampooning the idea of a celebrity persona built entirely on autopilot.
08:51I like your outfit, Paris.
08:53It's hot.
08:54Thanks.
08:55I like yours, too.
08:56It's hot.
08:56Paris herself once hosted SNL.
08:58And let's just say she probably gave Maya plenty of material, and no, not in a flattering way.
09:04By blending mannequin-stiff poses with a glazed-over attitude, Maya created a lasting satire of effortless privilege that still
09:12feels iconic today.
09:14No, I agree.
09:15It doesn't get any less hotter than racism.
09:17No.
09:18Hey, are you still married?
09:19No.
09:19It's hot.
09:21Number 12. Michelle Obama.
09:22When Maya stepped into the role of Michelle Obama, she didn't just don a cardigan and flash that signature megawatt
09:28smile.
09:29She embodied the First Lady's magnetic blend of warmth and authority, dialing up both for maximum comedic payoff.
09:36Barack Obama.
09:37Is that a hoagie?
09:39Foods like that lead to obesity.
09:42And you know you ought to never, never, never, never, never, never, never eat them.
09:45With every measured phrase and that unmistakably resonant voice, Rudolph gave us a Michelle who could do it all.
09:52And there's no denying the sheer likability factor here.
09:55Rudolph's take radiated affection, gently lampooning Michelle's flawless public persona while letting us in on the joke.
10:02This airtime was initially purchased so that we could speak to you one last time about the issues.
10:08However, with poll numbers putting us so far ahead, we decided now's the time to play it safe.
10:13It was a loving tribute that made us wish we could join the Obamas for dinner and maybe get a
10:18pep talk in the process.
10:19And now it's solid. Solid as Barack.
10:26That's what this lead is. That's what we got.
10:34Number 11. Halle Berry.
10:36After this actress broke ground by winning an Oscar for Best Actress, Maya Rudolph delivered on a hysterical impression.
10:43Appearing with Dean Edwards as fellow Oscar winner Denzel Washington, she plays up Halle Berry's reaction to winning the award
10:50with endless crying.
10:51The comedian also gives Berry a long list of people to thank, bringing up some unexpected names.
10:57I wanna thank Lena, Dorothy, and Shirley from what's happening!
11:04Rudolph is so dedicated to this character that she cries and shouts through most of the sketch.
11:10As the names keep coming, her every word choice gets even funnier as the speech continues.
11:15That lady from the Pinesaw commercial!
11:18The performer shows that she can steal the spotlight with or without dialogue.
11:23Even if you haven't watched the original video, you can find something to laugh about here.
11:28Raven Simone! Here you go, girl!
11:31Number 10. Christina Aguilera.
11:34Maya Rudolph's talent knows no bounds, with her being able to embody every aspect of her characters.
11:39Hey, Tina and Jimmy, what's up? How you feel?
11:43This includes reminding people that she can sing.
11:46As Christina Aguilera, Rudolph can nail the singer's famous vocal stylings.
11:50It's just like my mama used to say to me, she used to be all...
11:58The segment could only work with somebody that can play both the personality and the powerful voice.
12:03She also plays well off of Tina Fey, with the latter struggling to understand the character's points.
12:08Rudolph leans into the ridiculous caricature while making every moment count.
12:13She also says that she heard all the jokes that you've been telling about her.
12:19You better watch your back.
12:22Biatch.
12:24Few comedians can make you laugh and impress you as they show off their vocal range.
12:29Number 9. ABBA.
12:30If you love this Swedish pop group, you'll definitely enjoy this Christmas parody of their songs.
12:35Coming down the chimney, straight to the dance floor.
12:40Maya Rudolph plays one of the members, changing up the lyrics while working with some talented castmates.
12:46It's hard not to laugh as you watch the performers sing and do choreography next to Kristen Wiig and Kate
12:51McKinnon.
12:51The wise men pray and let you give a twirl.
12:55With some of the cast trying not to break, it becomes a hilarious deconstruction of the group's dance moves.
13:01It's also always fun to watch the SNL veterans show off their amazing chemistry.
13:06The sketch is even funnier when the camera zooms in close, finding Rudolph as her intense performance goes off.
13:12Take it away, Abba!
13:16Ba-da-da-da!
13:17Ba-da-da-da-da!
13:19Ba-da-da-da-da!
13:20Ba-da-da-da-da!
13:21Ba-da-da-da-da!
13:22Ba-da-da-da-da-da!
13:22Ba-da-da-da-da-da-da!
13:22Number 8. Charro.
13:24In response to Ugly Betty, Fred Armisen presents his own character known as Fugly Betsy.
13:29Hi, you guys.
13:32I am so excited about this project.
13:34I play an intelligent but unattractive young girl who gets her dream job as an assistant at a fashion magazine.
13:41This parody seems random enough until Maya Rudolph's arrival as Charro.
13:45The performer plays the part of an executive producer to the fake show, bringing an infectious energy to Weekend Update.
13:51You must watch this show!
13:55Rudolph looks like she could stand up and dance at any moment.
13:58She doesn't even have long to make an impression, but the comedian easily steals the sketch away from Armisen.
14:03Her work as the singer captures the spirit of the target with an enjoyable attempt at an accent.
14:08If I can't reach them, do you have sex with a lot of people?
14:16Whether or not it's super accurate, it's incredibly fun to watch the actress try it out.
14:22Number 7. Pamela Bell.
14:23This character is Maya's love letter to every national anthem performance that's gone gloriously off the rails.
14:39As a proud Missouri local handed the mic at a major event, Pamela transforms the Star Spangled Banner into a
14:45full-blown spectacle,
14:46stretching every note and adding enough vocal fireworks to make even the most seasoned divas blush.
15:00The result is a rendition so extravagantly over the top, it borders on performance art, skewering the singers who chase
15:07style over substance.
15:09Maya's facial expressions are the secret weapon here.
15:11We know she has the pipes, but it's her face that's working overtime and then some.
15:16Almost leaving both the commentators at a complete loss for words.
15:30Number 6. Whitney Houston.
15:32Tackling the singer during a turbulent period, Maya Rudolph parodies Whitney Houston's personal life.
15:38What brings you two here?
15:40After our interview with Diane Swoyer, I haven't been able to sleep.
15:45Yeah, and I haven't been able to stop sweating.
15:47The comedian partners with Tracy Morgan's Bobby Brown to deliver a funny and crazy performance.
15:53Taking a humorous look at her dark side, Rudolph turns the artist into a somewhat manic presence.
15:58Some of my best friends are poor people.
16:00Like me.
16:02That's right, baby.
16:03The performer also plays Houston in other sketches such as a Geico commercial.
16:07While the comedian can channel the vocalist with dialogue, she can also belt out a few notes to sing like
16:13the music icon.
16:14I passed Bobby Brown the other day, and I threw an old bag of chicken McNuggets at his head.
16:19Ain't it shocking what love can do? Ain't it shocking what love can do?
16:25Rudolph once again shows that she's one of the best impressionists for singers.
16:30Number 5. Oprah.
16:32Fans of The Oprah Winfrey Show know how exciting her giveaway segments could be.
16:38You get a call! You get a call! You get a call!
16:42You get a call!
16:42This sketch encapsulates this feeling especially well with Maya Rudolph as the host.
16:46I'm turning 50, y'all, and you know I love presents. Nice presents!
16:52The actress accentuates Winfrey's upbeat delivery, with her character getting the audience pumped up into a frenzy.
16:59Things take an unexpected and hilarious turn as the in-studio viewers lose their minds.
17:04Get ready for Oprah's Favorite Things Birthday Edition!
17:13Rudolph does a fantastic job leading the sketch, tapping into the presenter's boundless energy.
17:19We kind of wish this version of the TV mogul would make another appearance, including the dramatic ending.
17:24This chaotic ride and impersonation feels like just the right amount of zany.
17:29It's what you've all been living for. Oprah's Favorite Things Birthday Edition.
17:33I'm turning 50, y'all. Monday, on Oprah.
17:36Number 4. Maya Angelou.
17:39Who would have thought that this author would appear on a prank show?
17:42Hello, chap. I am the rock. I am the river. I am the one who put a pie under the
17:51butt of Morgan Freeman.
17:53Whoa!
17:55SNL outdoes themselves with this surprising idea, prompting a hilarious impression from Maya Rudolph.
18:01The performer takes center stage with an ability to capture the writer's voice and age.
18:06What has happened here?
18:07I did it. I removed the bottom of your bag.
18:12Sister Maya.
18:14This version of Angelou pranks various friends and media personalities, having fun as she politely plays with Morgan Freeman and
18:21Stephen King.
18:22Your car has been towed. I should know. I am a police woman.
18:31It's such an odd and calming impersonation that we could easily watch a longer cut of the skit.
18:36Rudolph is so comfortable here that she can deliver both jokes and inspirational dialogue with ease.
18:42Hello. My name is Jonathan Franzen. I'd like to order 50 pizzas. It's for a prank.
18:50Number 3. Donatella Versace.
18:54Channeling the fashion designer's voice, Maya Rudolph turns an unlikely target into a fountain of comedy.
18:59You know, there's only one thing I love more than drinking and smoking, and that's hitting the slopes.
19:05Her take on Donatella Versace is nothing short of hilarious every time we see it.
19:10The vocal depth is especially impressive, showcasing Rudolph's ability to dig deep for her characters.
19:15Would it be weird to have a glass of champagne while I'm skiing and smoking? No, it wouldn't.
19:20The performer can also take the real woman into absurd situations such as skiing or having to sell Versace pockets.
19:27Check it out. I've done it again. No Versace pockets.
19:33Rolling with insane skits and ideas, the comedian becomes the fashion icon with blunt lines and a funny attitude.
19:40As she typically does, Rudolph pulls off this performance with absolute style.
19:46No, please. Get out.
19:49Number 2. Beyonce.
19:51During her original run on SNL, Maya Rudolph played the singer as the fabulous sidekick to Fred Armisen's Prince.
19:57Prince needs to make this quick, y'all.
20:00Because he's got really bad allergies right now.
20:03She would later bring the impression back as a host, teaming up with Jay-Z in a funny scene.
20:08Look at her, Jay. Sleeping peacefully in her crib.
20:12It's lined with one of Diana Ross's finest wigs.
20:15During other hosting stints, she brought back her impression for a Hot Ones sketch.
20:19Beyonce tries to keep her cool even as the spicy wings prove to be too much.
20:23Oh, this isn't helping. Damn, Marta makes it worse.
20:27The performer disappears into the character as the latter freaks out in a goofy premise.
20:33There's even a sequel that pushes the same idea even further,
20:36allowing the comedian to play the role in a complete panic.
20:40Okay, I'm good.
20:41Okay.
20:42Uh, so what can you tell us about Part 3?
20:46I'm not good.
20:48Ooh!
20:49Rudolph, like Queen Bee, is irreplaceable.
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21:20Number one, Kamala Harris.
21:22In maybe her finest impression, Maya Rudolph transforms into Vice President Kamala Harris.
21:28She first debuted the impersonation during the 2020 election cycle with hilarious debate performances.
21:34Let's not do that.
21:35Tonight, I'm not going to worry about the polling numbers.
21:39I'm just going to have fun and see if I can get some viral moments.
21:43Mama needs a gif.
21:46Rudolph manages to capture the politician's focal cadence and personality.
21:51The show also gives the character a comical way of connecting with younger voters,
21:54using memes to try to seem cool.
21:57There have been two black women elected to the Senate.
22:00And that second black woman hit me.
22:10The actress finds a way to add flair to any scene as Harris.
22:13She also makes us laugh as she interacts with Martin Short's interpretation of husband, Doug Emhoff.
22:19Listen to me, girl.
22:21I support you.
22:24Every time you look around, Doug, it's so good to be there for you, honey.
22:28You better be.
22:29We can't wait to watch the comedian take on the signature role once again for the 2024 election.
22:35Senator Harris, help me out.
22:37Oh, no, I'm good.
22:41Who's your favorite Maya character?
22:43Let us know in the comments.
22:46We'll see you soon.
22:49Oh, no.
22:50I'm good.
22:51I'm good.
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