We all have our favorite SNL characters. Is your favorite on our list?
As one of the longest-running sketch comedy series of all time, Saturday Night Live has given an endearing platform to some of the greatest comedians of the 20th and 21st centuries. As integral as the cast members were in guaranteeing SNL’s continued success over the past five decades, viewers shouldn’t overlook the importance of the series’ recurring lineup of characters as well.
Tailoring each of their quirky characters to the sensibilities of their cast members, these SNL characters achieved sensational popularity among mainstream audiences the moment they debuted on television. Achieving breakout success in the larger pop culture landscape, these characters continue to define SNL years later, whether discussing hyper-competitive Austrian bodybuilders or overly caffeinated motivational speakers.
It’s difficult to think of an SNL character whose fame surpasses Stefon. The eccentric city-life correspondent on “Weekend Update,” Stefon shined a light on some of the hottest pop-up night clubs in New York, each more bizarre and disturbing than the last. Between the hilarious scripts provided by John Mulaney and Bill Hader’s constant struggle to keep a straight face, everything about Stefon worked well, allowing for a standout character fans instantly adored.
Based out of a suburban basement in their parents’ house, Wayne Campbell and Garth Aglar served as the resident metalheads of Aurora, Illinois. The enthusiastic co-hosts of the regional talk show “Wayne’s World,” Wayne and Garth took their love of the music industry very seriously, inviting all kinds of special guests onto their program to discuss their shared appreciation for all things music-related. For proof of their popularity, just look at the number of inventive catchphrases the duo have introduced to pop culture, including “schwing,” “extreme close-up,” and, of course, “Rock on, Wayne.”
An easily excitable motivational speaker prone to screaming his heart-to-heart speeches, Matt Foley’s hot-tempered attitude made him the exact opposite of an effective public speaker. Delivering his lines with the explosive veracity of a WWE wrestler, Matt Foley’s scared-straight tactics seemed like a less-than-subtle cry for help, complete with Foley solemnly warning his clients about one day “living in a van down by the river” should they continue down the road they’re currently on.
The passive aggressive host of “Church Chat,” The Church Lady wielded verbal takedowns with the brilliance and grace of an insult comic, leading her to put-down each and every one of the guests she invited on her show. Despite her seemingly mild-mannered personality, The Church Lady proved herself anything but, with Dana Carvey’s matronly TV host unleashing her barbed tongue the moment she appeared on-screen. From insulting Madonna to physically punishing Rob Lowe, no one was safe from The Church Lady’s wrath whenever the opening credits to “Church Chat” began to roll.
A twisted caricature of the neighborly Mister Rogers, Eddie Murphy’s “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood” invited audiences into the dilapidated apartment of Mister Robinson–an unemployed city resident struggling to eke out a living for himself. Speaking in a hushed voice and directly addressing the viewers at home, Mister Robinson’s gentle manner dramatically clashed with his abrupt fits of anger–allowing for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments when audiences least expected it.
The personification of a glass half empty kind of gal, Debbie Downer managed to find the downside to every situation, no matter how seemingly enjoyable they were on the surface. From ruining a Walt Disney World vacation to undermining a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner, Debbie’s unwavering pessimism and depressing factoids could suck the fun out of any scenario, often resulting in some truly hilarious skits and segments.
The beefy co-hosts of “Pumping Up with Hans and Franz,” Hans and Franz directly parodied Austria’s famous bodybuilder-turned-actor Arnold Schwarzenegger (a celebrity who even appeared in one of the duo’s sketches). Obsessed with their physical appearance and constantly trying to “pump up” the average viewer, Hans and Franz’s commitment to exercise, nutrition, and physical fitness knew no bounds.
