SNL50 - Top 30 Update Impressions

 

While there are a lot original characters that come on to Weekend Update, the cast also enjoys bringing on some celebrity impressions. These are ones that are not only performed well but also have some fun content to share.

30. RACHEL GREEN
EPISODE: S42E08 (12.03.2016)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 2
Vanessa Bayer does a nice Rachel from Friends but needs to deal with the real Jennifer Aniston.
LINK: Click here

29. CATHY
EPISODE: S34E01 (09.13.2008)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 3
Andy Samberg portrays Cathy with lots of ‘Acks’ and complaints about her own weight.
LINK: Not Available

28. LOU DOBBS
EPISODE: S33E02 (10.06.2007)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 3
Darrell Hammond as Lou Dobbs complains about the Canadian dollar being at par with the States and Lorne Michael trying to give his Canadian friends jobs. I’m just amazed that our dollar was at par.
LINK: Not Available

27. AVRIL LAVIGNE
EPISODE: S280E15 (03.15.2003)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Amy Poehler channels her bad girl image as Avril Lavigne who complains to Tina and Jimmy.
LINK: Not Available

26. TOM BRADY
EPISODE: S40E21 (05.16.2015)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Taran Killam is smooth as Tom Brady trying to deflect from Deflategate; Colin is suckered in.
LINK: Click here

25. SARAH MCLACHLAN
EPISODE: S35E05 (11.07.2009)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Abby Elliot’s Sarah McLachlan annoys Seth when she moves from Lilith Fair to tragic dogs.
LINK: Click here

24. VILLAGE PEOPLE
EPISODE: S46E04 (10.24.2020)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
The Village People want a cease and desist for Trump using their songs but they go too far at times.
LINK: Click here

23. MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
EPISODE: S40E06 (11.15.2014)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 2
Killam’s McConaughey goes off on tangents while Woody Harrelson tries to keep a straight face.
LINK: Click here

22. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
EPISODE: S22E02 (10.05.1996)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 16
Hammond’s Clinton sure loves the dead wife portion of Independence Day.
LINK: Click here

21. CHARLES BARKLEY
EPISODE: S34E12 (01.10.2009)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 8
Kenan Thompson’s Barkley tries to explain why he got a DUI arrest. He feels completely justified.
LINK: Click here

20. GOV. DAVID PATERSON
EPISODE: S36E01 (09.25.2010)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 9
Fred Armisen’s Gov. Paterson has to face the real deal when the actual governor comes on to reprimand WU and make fun of New Jersey.
LINK: Click here

19. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
EPISODE: S26E15 (03.17.2001)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 4
Hammond’s Arnold wants to be governor of California and explains how he would solve their problems.
LINK: Not Available

18. IKE TURNER
EPISODE: S19E13 (02.12.1994)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 3
Tim Meadows’ Ike Turner is a little aggressive with Kevin Nealon who then apologizes with a song.
LINK: Click here

17. DAME MAGGIE SMITH
EPISODE: S27E15 (03.16.2002)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Ian McKellan as Maggie Smith practically assaults an unsuspecting Jimmy with a surprise kiss on the lips. Luckily, Jimmy’s response gets a big laugh as well.
LINK: Click here

16. RUTH BADER GINSBURG
EPISODE: S44E01 (09.29.2018)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 5
Kate McKinnon plays up the feistiness of RBG complete with multiple ‘Ginsburns’.
LINK: Click here

15. DENNIS MILLER
EPISODE: S14E03 (10.22.1988)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 5
Dana Carvey does a bang-on Dennis Miller impression and would do opposing viewpoints on Weekend Update. Dana still does this impression today if you listen to his podcast.
LINK: Not Available

14. SNOOKI POLIZZI
EPISODE: S35E13 (01.30.2010)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 5
Under lots of orange make-up, Bobby Moynihan is awesome as obnoxious Jersey Shore star, Snooki. Love the pylon and her loud voice.  
LINK: Click here

13. WHITNEY HOUSTON
EPISODE: S35E21 (05.08.2010)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 8
Maya Rudolph does her crazy Whitney Houston who easily gets out of breath when performing.
LINK: Not Available

12. SNAGGLEPUSS
EPISODE: S34E08 (11.15.2008)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Moynihan does a killer impression of Snagglepuss commenting on gay marriage. Love the voice.
LINK: Click here

11. THE KARDASHIAN SISTERS
EPISODE: S36E08 (12.04.2010)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Nasim Pedrad leads the way as Kim Kardashian talking about a product recall. Love the but response.
LINK: Click here

10. LIL WAYNE & EMINEM
EPISODE: S36E15 (02.12.2011)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Jay Pharaoh’s Lil Wayne and Killam’s Eminem have way too many violent images in their Valentine song.
LINK: Click here

9. MORGAN FREEMAN  
EPISODE: S30E13 (02.19.2005)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Finesse Mitchell’s Morgan Freeman just wants a nice love scene instead of giving white people advice.
LINK: Click here

8. JACQUES COUSTEAU
EPISODE: S12E11 (02.14.1987)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Carvey is Cousteau who explains the mating ritual of the napkin fish. Love the line delivery.
LINK: Click here

7. PETER O’TOOLE
EPISODE: S32E02 (10.07.2006)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Bill Hader does a brilliant Peter O’Toole impression defending his alcoholism.
LINK: Not Available

6. JEANINE PIRRO
EPISODE: S46E20 (05.22.2021)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 4
Cecily Strong is loud and hilarious as Jeanine Pirro who is determined to splash her wine onto Colin Jost. This is her fun swan song.
LINK: Click here

5. HARRY CAREY
EPISODE: S23E10 (01.10.1998)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 4
Will Ferrell does his awesome Harry Carey impression. I think he made a mistake calling Colin Quinn Norm the first time but then he ran with it. A fun awkward moment.
LINK: Click here

4. ERIC & DONALD TRUMP JR.
EPISODE: S43E15 (03.10.2018)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 8
Such a great pairing of Alex Moffats’ Eric Trump and Mikey Day’s Don Jr., their dynamic is so funny.
LINK: Click here

3. STEVE JOBS
EPISODE: S32E10 (01.13.2007)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 2
Armisen takes his time playing Steve Jobs explaining all the features of the iPhone, some are flashier than others. You can also watch episodes of The Office.
LINK: Click here

2. RYAN LOCHTE
EPISODE: S38E01 (09.15.2012)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 1
Host Seth McFarland plays Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte as a complete moron. It’s pretty funny.
LINK: Click here

1. NICHOLAS CAGE
EPISODE: S37E14 (02.11.2012)
APPEARANCES ON UPDATE: 6
A fantastic segment where Andy Samberg is Nicholas Cage chatting with other action stars. This installment has the actual Nicholas Cage. Lots of high praise.
LINK: Click here