I knew I wanted to take a break from blogging after the A-Z Challenge, but I didn't realize it would be so long. As if the end of the school year isn't busy enough, I decided to check out some opportunities at other schools here in town. A couple things fell through, but there's a gig I'm hoping works out. I'll know more soon, and I'm sure there'll be a whole work post when the dust settles.
What I really want to talk about today is much less important, but sad nonetheless. After seven years Kristin Wiig is leaving Saturday Night Live. Her last show was last Saturday, and it was one helluva send-off. Mick Jagger was the host and the musical guest, and he was great in both roles. Wiig played a prominent role in the show of course, and her final farewell at the very end of the show was surprisingly emotional. I got a little verklempt. Meg and I watched the show again Thursday, and it occurred to me that Wiig is probably my favorite SNL cast memember of all-time. A thought like that usually leads to list-making in my head. And since it's Friday, and I haven't done a Fast Five in a while, here's a Fast Five of my favorite SNLers:
5) John Belushi: I was just a kid when Belushi was in his heyday, but my parents loved him, and that rubbed off on me. I was the kind of kid who wanted to get what the adults were laughing about. As I got older and saw reruns, my appreciation for Belushi's humor grew.
4) Eddie Murphy: I was a teenager when Murphy blew up. I loved Gumby, Mr. Robinson, James Brown, and Buckwheat. It's hard to believe the guy who was so funny back then is now a shell of his former self.
3) Martin Short: Everyone remembers Ed Grimley of course, but for me, Short's best character was the lawyer Nathan Thurm. I remember seeing Thurm for the first time with my mom, and she was in tears.
2) Phil Hartman: His fellow cast members considered him the glue that held the show together. His Clinton impersonation was brilliant. I still crack up just thinking about Hartman's Clinton in the McDonald's. I also love Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer- Meg and I still quote him to this day.
1) Kristin Wiig: Wiig may have had the most recurring characters in SNL history. My two favorites were Penelope, the ultimate one-upper, and Judy Grimes, the nervous travel agent who's always kidding. I'm really going to miss Wiig, hopefully she'll keep us laughing at the movies. Bridesmaids II anyone?
Who are your favorite Saturday Night Live alumni?
What a super topic for a post. I watched the Wiig send-off and thought it lovely and tastefully-executed, bit unusual for SNL. My husband and I both got a little verklempt.
ReplyDeleteFave SNL alumni? Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz as a team, Jan Hooks, Mike Myers, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Aykroyd, Rachel Dratch. There's a pretty good line-up ...
Mike Myers-good one-I forgot about him. I thought Wiig's send-off was unusual for SNL too, which shows how highly regarded she is by her peers.
DeleteHave you seen the videos of the after party? Mick and the Foo Fighters played a show in the plaza outside the studio. Good stuff, but then some cast members came out and sang! Wiig did "I Love Rock & Roll" and Amy Poehler did "Bad Reputation." Really fun to see them like that.
ReplyDeleteI love the years with Adam Sandler, Norm MacDonald, Chris Farley, and Dana Carvey - that's when I first started watching. Later I loved the years with any/all of Chris Kattan, Ana Gasteyer, Cheri Oteri, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Tim Meadows.
I haven't seen the video, but I will definitely check that out-very cool.
DeleteI can't believe I forgot Farley-he has to be in my top five. God, I'm such an idiot (hitting myself with fists).
Ferrell was brillarious-should be top 5 too.
Ok, adjust the list. Farley for Belushi and Ferrell for Short.
Martin Short! Kristen Wiig! Cheri Oteri! Will Ferrell! Chris Farley! Alec Baldwin!
ReplyDeleteI love that you included Baldwin. He's hosted so many times, he's kind of like an honorary cast member.
DeleteI like Will Ferrell.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing another year and good luck with your next plans!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I no longer stay up late enough to watch SNL ( suppose I could always record it, but I forget!), so I don't know Kristin Wiig. I think she was in 30 Rock at the beginning of the series, but other than that I don't know her work. Must concur with you on the rest of you list. And Steve Martin was my all time favorite guest. Those were the days. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally loved Nathan Thurm, so funny. My sister and I still quote Ed Grimley on a fairly regular basis.
ReplyDeleteI think I would add Chris Farley to the list, I so loved his motivational speaker who lived in a van down by the river.
Good luck on the job front, I hope the gig you were hoping for has worked out!