SNL50 - Top 30 Update Characters

 

Here are some of the original characters that have found their way to the Weekend Update desk. Lots of strange individuals who interact with the anchors. Embrace the creativity.

30. A GUY WHO JUST WALKED INTO
A SPIDERWEB
EPISODE: S50E10 (05.10.2025)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Mikey Day gives a manic reaction to feeling a spider on him. I think many would empathize.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

29. FATHER SARDUCCI
EPISODE: S04E15 (02.24.1979)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 21
I like his explanation about the need for four miracles to become a saint. It’s all politics. I like the smoking.
LINK: Click here

28. BAILEY GISMERT
EPISODE: S43E12 (01.27.2018)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 5
Heidi Gardner does a great job playing a teenager who thinks everything is weird. I have heard some of my students talk like this. She nails it.
LINK: Click here

27. AUNT LINDA
EPISODE: S32E05 (11.11.2006)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 7
Nothing like an older lady who is annoyed by everything and lets everyone know about it.
LINK: Not Available

26. LAURA PARSONS
EPISODE: S41E06 (11.21.2015)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 5
Vanessa Bayer takes her overly dramatic youngster from sketches to WU. They should really watch what stories they give her.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

25. TREND FORECASTERS
EPISODE: S47E17 (04.09.2022)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 3
An interesting list of what’s in and out. “Go to bed!”
LINK: Click here

24. DAVID RASMUSSEN
EPISODE: S34E10 (12.06.2008)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
In this one-off, Andy Samberg plays a 9-year old with girl tips. Some are good like sharing your snacks, others are disturbing like pitting girls against each other and always be closing.
LINK: Not Available

23. REBECCA LARUE
EPISODE: S37E09 (12.10.2011)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Kristen Wiig, as a flirtation expert, flips her hair and tries to entice Seth with her awkward body language.
LINK: Click here

22. WILLIE
EPISODE: S40E10 (12.20.2014)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 10
Kenan Thompson plays Michael Che’s optimistic neighbor. “You can forget about that dog, Willie.”
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

21. OLD FASHIONED CIGARETTE
EPISODE: S49E06 (12.02.2023)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Michael Longfellow’s cigarette is against vaping. At least old fashioned smoking looked cool.
LINK: Click here

20. THE COUPLE YOU CAN’T BELIEVE ARE TOGETHER
EPISODE: S50E16 (04.05.2025)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 2
Grant and Alyssa are an unlikely couple. His energy is off the charts but her last line is what kills me.
LINK: Click here (unfortunately as a reel)

19. ROSEANNE ROSANNADANNA
EPISODE: S04E06 (11.18.1978)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 16
Gilda Radner is a hoot describing the grossness of giving up smoking.
LINK: Click here

18. EVERY BOXER’S GIRLFRIEND FROM EVERY BOXING MOVIE
EPISODE: S44E09 (12.15.2018)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 4
Gardner plays Angel, every boxer’s girlfriend who is going to take the kids to her sisters.
LINK: Click here

17. CARRIE KRUM
EPISODE: S44E08 (12.08.2018)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 4
Aidy Bryant is a seventh grade travel critic who likes spending time with family and boys.
LINK: Click here

16. ONE-DIMENSIONAL FEMALE CHARACTER
EPISODE: S40E09 (12.13.2014)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 3
If you ever watch a romantic comedy, I’m sure you’ll recognize the character that Cecily Strong is playing.
LINK: Click here

15. JEBIDIAH ATKINSON
EPISODE: S39E06 (11.16.2013)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 6
Taran Killam is a very opinionated speech critic.
LINK: Click here

14. JUDY GRIMES
EPISODE: S35E20 (04.24.2010)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 6
Wiig is pretty nervous as a travel writer who can’t stop talking and kidding. Impressive speed.
LINK: Click here

13. NICHOLAS FEHN
EPISODE: S33E06 (03.01.2008)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 7
Fred Armisen is a comedian who comments on the headlines but is terrible at it. He also can’t get a single point out. I know people who are like this.
LINK: Not Available

12. GUY WHO JUST BOUGHT A BOAT
EPISODE: S46E16 (04.03.2021)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 8
Lots of slimy sexual puns from Alex Moffat. It gets pretty gross at times but still makes me laugh.
LINK: Click here

11. ICEBERG
EPISODE: S46E17 (04.10.2021)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
This one is outside the box. Bowen Yang shines as the iceberg that sank the Titanic. “You hit me!”
LINK: Click here

10. MR. SUBLIMINAL
EPISODE: S15E16 (03.24.1990)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 5
Kevin Nealon does a great job throwing in fun words during his commentary, even funnier with the subject being the Trumps.
LINK: Click here

9. ANTHONY CRISPINO  
EPISODE: S37E04 (10.15.2011)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 11
Bobby Moynihan gives some second-hand news about Occupy Wall Street and other misinformed items. Meaty Diana told him.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

8. OPERA MAN
EPISODE: S20E13 (02.18.1995)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 10
Adam Sandler classes the news up with opera-style commentary on the latest news.
LINK: Click here

7. JASPER HAHN
EPISODE: S25E09 (01.08.2000)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 4
Colin Quinn is concerned with Horatio Sanz’ drawings that start explicit but turn into cute cartoons. I’m impressed that he is able to draw at that angle.
LINK: Click here

6. EMILY LITELLA
EPISODE: S01E19 (05.08.1976)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 21
Radner shines again as the deaf Emily trying to defend violins on TV.
LINK: Click here

5. TIM CALHOUN
EPISODE: S29E05 (11.08.2003)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 8
Will Forte’s line delivery as Tim Calhoun, candidate for America, is a scream. The notecards are great, especially the one with no writing on it. That’s why I chose this one. You can find others of him online.
LINK: Not Available

4. BENNET BRAUER
EPISODE: S18E20 (05.15.1993)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 3
Lots of air quotes from Chris Farley as hygienically challenged commentator Bennet Brauer. Funny.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

3. DRUNK UNCLE
EPISODE: S38E08 (11.17.2012)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 14
Moynihan is fantastic as the racist and overly drunk uncle. Love the lists, singing and crying.
LINK: Click here

2. THE GIRL YOU WISH YOU HADN’T
STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH
AT A PARTY
EPISODE: S38E10 (12.15.2012)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 11
Strong is hysterical as a girl who is annoyed with the world and you for not doing anything about it. It really is all about her despite her “good intentions”.
LINK: Click here

1. STEFON
EPISODE: S36E15 (02.12.2011)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 19
The character has everything! Nothing beats the gift that is Bill Hader’s city correspondent, Stefon. The club names, the list of club features, the hitting on Seth, the use of midgets - it is all perfection. I could not just give one link. The main one is for Valentines. The Halloween link features probably Hader’s biggest break with the Jewish Dracula. And of course you have to see Stefon’s wedding. It is epic.
VALENTINES LINK: Click here
HALLOWEEN LINK: Click here
WEDDING LINK: Click here