SNL50 - Top 50 Recurring Characters - Part One

 

So instead of doing a longer list of recurring characters and sketches, I thought it would be best to divide this into two parts. While some characters are consistently funny in every one of their sketches, some move higher up the list thanks to a solid performance in a single sketch – this would be true for The Delicious Dish and Debbie Downer (just a coincidence with all the D’s). Here is part one from 50 to 26. Enjoy.

50. SAMURAI
EPISODE: S01E10 (01.17.1976)
APPEARANCES: 14
So it was Buck Henry who first suggested bringing a character back because he really enjoyed the first John Belushi Samurai sketch. The rest is history. Some impressive katana work.
LINK: Click here

49. THE DAKOTA FANNING SHOW
EPISODE: S32E12 (02.03.2007)
APPEARANCES: 3
Amy Poehler plays Dakota Fanning as a child star who is way too old for her age and condescending to others, especially her bandleader Reggie. Fun.
LINK: Click here

48. LISA FROM TEMECULA
EPISODE: S48E12 (02.04.2023)
APPEARANCES: 3
There are not too many recurring characters lately on SNL. This is one of the few. It’s really the shaking table that makes this one so funny.
LINK: Click here

47. MR. NO-DEPTH PERCEPTION
EPISODE: S16E20 (05.18.1991)
APPEARANCES: 1
Kevin Nealon gets some physical comedy in as a guy who can’t tell if things are close or far away. Lots of sight gags. I thought there were more sketches of this character considering the opening theme song.
LINK: Click here

46. NICK BURNS
EPISODE: S25E06 (11.20.1999)
APPEARANCES: 5
I’m glad my school’s computer guy is not like this. Jimmy Fallon rarely plays an unlikable character.
LINK: Click here

45. MAKING COPIES
EPISODE: S18E05 (10.31.1992)
APPEARANCES: 9
Rob Schneider’s claim to fame as the Richmeister playing around with everyone’s name. Can get annoying so it is fun to have death take him. Kevin Nealon’s Madonna outfit is well done.
LINK: Not Available

44. DICK CLARK PRODUCTIONS
EPISODE: S17E14 (02.22.1992)
APPEARANCES: 3
David Spade’s first big break as an annoying receptionist who has way too much power. He won’t help Roseanne or even Jesus.
LINK: Not Available

43. THE NEEDLERS
EPISODE: S31E06 (11.19.2005)
APPEARANCES: 4
Also known as “the couple that should be divorced”, Seth Meyers and Poehler, who are great friends in real life, are perfect as a constantly fighting couple. The back and forth insults are really well crafted.
LINK: Click here

42. MR. SHORT-TERM MEMORY
EPISODE: S14E01 (10.08.1988)
APPEARANCES: 3
Tom Hanks is humorously infuriating as a person with no short-term memory. 
LINK: Click here

41. THE BARRY GIBB TALK SHOW
EPISODE: S30E16 (04.09.2005)
APPEARANCES: 7
The concept alone is pretty funny. Fallon’s voice as Barry Gibb is awesome as is Justin Timberlake adding some vocal harmony to the proceedings.
LINK: Click here

40. BRIAN FELLOWS SAFARI PLANET
EPISODE: S28E19 (05.10.2003)
APPEARANCES: 12
Tracy Morgan is an interesting host with lots of thoughts to share about animals.
LINK: Click here

39. LA RIVISTA DELLA TELEVISIONE
EPISODE: S33E11 (05.10.2008)
APPEARANCES: 8
Bill Hader makes up some Italian as Vinny Vedecci. This one has fun confusion between Transformer and transgender. Love the ashtray full of cigarettes.
LINK: Click here

38. COFFEE TALK
EPISODE: S17E14 (02.22.1992)
APPEARANCES: 15
Mike Myers does his usual shtick as the overly Jewish host, Linda Richmond. Not only does this one have Madonna and Roseanne but a cameo from Barbara. You can tell that they are actually surprised. Talk amongst yourselves.
LINK: Click here

37. SPARTAN CHEERLEADERS
EPISODE: S21E11 (01.20.1996)
APPEARANCES: 17
Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri are so full of energy as the cheerleaders for fringe ‘sports’. The cheers are full of great lyrics and bizarre movements.
LINK: Click here

36. THE MR. BILL SHOW
EPISODE: S04E13 (02.24.1979)
APPEARANCES: 22
So much fun with playdough. Lots of injuries to Mr. Bill as he is forced to exercise.
LINK: Not Available

35. CHURCH CHAT
EPISODE: S13E06 (12.05.1987)
APPEARANCES: 20
Dana Carvey’s biggest character besides Garth. She has some thoughts about Santa, Jessica Hahn and the new film Throw Mama from the Train.
LINK: Click here

34. BRONX BEAT
EPISODE: S37E15 (02.18.2012)
APPEARANCES: 10
Poehler and Maya Rudolph are in their element as Betty and Jodi, talk show hosts with thick accents. This comes naturally to them. I think at the end they just want to make their guest laugh.
LINK: Click here

33. GIRLFRIENDS TALK SHOW
EPISODE: S39E07 (11.23.2013)
APPEARANCES: 8
I love Cecily Strong’s utter obliviousness to her best friend Morgan played by Aidy Bryant. I enjoy watching Morgan’s awkwardness around boys.
LINK: Click here

32. THE ROXBURY GUYS
EPISODE: S21E20 (05.18.1996)
APPEARANCES: 9
Jim Carrey’s rubbery face and physicality is a perfect fit for Ferrell and Chris Kattan’s Roxbury Guys. I love the blowing on the CD.
LINK: Click here

31. THE VOGELCHECKS
EPISODE: S35E10 (12.19.2009)
APPEARANCES: 6
A very affectionate family but over the top. This cast has absolutely no personal space. It’s disturbing.
LINK: Click here

30. THE DELICIOUS DISH
EPISODE: S24E09 (12.12.1998)
APPEARANCES: 15
While I was not a big fan of their regular sketches, this one kicks it up a lot with Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweddy and his Christmas balls.
LINK: Click here

29. WILLIE & FRANKIE
EPISODE: S10E05 (11.10.1984)
APPEARANCES: 6
“Man, I hate when that happens.” Christopher Guest makes Billy Crystal break with his “strip down to the nude” line but it’s a slow burn.
LINK: Click here

28. TWO A-HOLES
EPISODE: S34E06 (10.25.2008)
APPEARANCES: 8
Jason Sudeikis & Kristen Wiig play fun but annoying a-holes in this Mad Men parody. The gum chewing is so obnoxious.
LINK: Click here

27. SIX YEAR OLD
EPISODE: S39E12 (01.25.2014)
APPEARANCES: 4
Jonah Hill is Adam Grossman as a six-year old who has no problem talking to people.
LINK: Click here

26. ASTRONAUT JONES
EPISODE: S27E12 (02.02.2002)
APPEARANCES: 6
It’s funny how most of the sketch is just the opening title sequence and closing credits. Morgan is not very PC with his guest, Britney Spears.
LINK: Click here