While Lorne Michaels is known as the boss of Saturday Night Live and can come off as scary or intimidating, he’s also kind and considerate. That’s been proven time and again by cast members who have explained how he’s helped them in their lives. Now, we have another story to add to the catalog, as the director of the documentary, Lorne, explained the sweet gesture SNL’s head honcho made when he learned that Maya Rudolph was pregnant.

Maya Rudolph was a cast member on SNL from 2000 to 2007, and in 2005, she and her husband, Paul Thomas Anderson (yes, the Oscar-winning director of One Battle After Another), welcomed their oldest daughter, Pearl. When Michaels learned about this, he was so excited and wanted to help, as Lorne director Morgan Neville told People:

Well, that is just the sweetest thing ever. It also totally tracks with Michaels’ reputation. While he can be a stern boss who isn’t afraid to make tough calls or provide feedback, he’s also a caring mentor. In fact, Pete Davidson said he’s been like a father figure to him. Clearly, he has a deep love for the people he works with and the show they work on, so this kind of gesture feels on brand.

It’s also on brand because Neville explained that Michaels wanted Rudolph to be able to keep working, too. As they say in show business, the show must go on. However, he’s also a family man himself, as the director explained:

Michaels’ care for both his own family (which he’s very private about) as well as his cast and crew is evident in Lorne, which premiered on the 2026 movie schedule. The documentary follows the SNL boss through his work and tells the story of how he created and maintained the NBC mainstay.

Rudolph is featured in it as well, and it’s obvious that she has a deep admiration for the SNL boss. Plus, after being one of SNL’s best casts, she’s returned time and time again, including during Season 50 to play Kamala Harris, which further shows the deep love the actress has for the show that helped turn her into the legendary comedian she is today.

Now, going back to her having a kid while working on the sketch comedy show, Neville explained why Michaels treats his colleagues the way he does, and offers to do things like build a nursery in 30 Rock:

So, while the hours at SNL might be tough, and it might be a really hard show to pull off week to week, Lorne Michaels runs the ship in a way that is moral and fair. And apparently, sometimes that also means offering to build a nursery.

Now, to see this iconic show Michaels has run for decades, and to watch Maya Rudolph do what she does best, you can stream Saturday Night Live with a Peacock subscription. Then, to see how the series is doing now, you can catch new episodes as they air on the 2026 TV schedule on the show’s titular night at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Maya Rudolph is a woman who has conquered a lot of mountains in her comedy career. She’s been a Groundling and an SNL star; she made millions laugh with the studio hit Bridesmaids; she even added executive producer to her resume with the TV series Loot. However, one thing she always wanted to do was do a Presidential impression in front of Lorne Michaels and her peers. Yet, she never thought she’d live to see the day.

Recently, Rudolph had a “Good Hang” with Amy Poehler on her podcast, and Rudolph opened up about getting that phone call from Lorne she’d dreamt about for years, though it apparently came after the world already thought she'd said yes. As a POC woman, the funnywoman just never thought there would be a person running on the Presidential ticket who looked anything like her.

The actress told Poehler she’s usually bullish about trying anything her peers throw at her, but in the case of playing a political figure, you really have to “resemble” the person, and she just didn’t see the moment coming in her lifetime.

Then, Kamala Harris came along at a time when a lot of folks from older SNL casts were coming back to make their marks on political figures. Dana Carvey was coming back to play Joe Biden, and she got the chance to do an SNL episode with him.

What Maya Rudolph Realized She'd Learned From Dana Carvey When They Did SNL Together

in the comedienne's own words, Dana Carvey was a part of "her" cast of SNL, the one she'd grown up with and, consciously or subconsciously, emulated in her own comedy style. She was hit on the head with this truth when she finally interacted with one of her idols in person.

It’s always nice when this sort of epiphany moment happens, but it’s also sort of flabbergasting for me as an SNL viewer to just think about the number of things that needed to happen historically in order to get Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey on a stage together. The end result was nothing short of perfection.

We know eventually Biden dropped out of the race, leaving Kamala as the Presidential candidate after a disaster debate that Dana Carvey said he later knew signaled his “doom.” Later, Rudolph actually got to do a cold open with Kamala Harris, a history-making TV moment. While there have been a lot more of James Austin Johnson's impressive Donald Trump impressions on the show in recent months, Maya Rudolph still sounds grateful for the opportunity and the people she got to work with during the last election.

Saturday Night Live wrapped its run in the 2025 TV schedule with the departure of fan-favorite Bowen Yang, and with weeks still to go before the upcoming SNL hosts bring Season 51 back in the 2026 TV schedule, it's worth looking back at one of the standout sketches from last season: Maya Rudolph and Kamala Harris joining forces for a skit that has an unexpected connection to Beyoncé herself. Rudolph opened up about that SNL cold open from late 2024 with some background on how it came together with the then-presidential candidate.

The sketch originally aired on NBC on November 3, 2024, which viewers may remember as just three days before the election that would determine whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump would be the next President of the United States. SNL pulled out all the stops for the cold open, with Andy Samberg playing Doug Emhoff, Dana Carvey playing Joe Biden, and Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz. The biggest surprise, however, was that Harris turned up herself for a back-and-forth with Maya Rudolph, who was reprising her own impersonation of the Vice President.

Months after that sketch aired, Maya Rudolph spoke with EW about how the cold open "came together very quickly." She said:

Who else in the entertainment industry other than SNL creator Lorne Michaels could just make some calls to not only find out if Beyoncé would be available, but to secure the Vice President of the United States (who would potentially be elected as the first female POTUS just days later) for a cameo? Harris later revealed how she felt about Rudolph's impersonation of her, and was sporting a big smile in that pre-Election Day episode, which is available streaming now with a Peacock subscription. Rudolph continued:

There were a lot of moving pieces with the sketch, with Lorne Michaels evidently recruiting some of Rudolph's fellow former SNL for brief guest spots. Fortunately, Harris did make it in time for her part in the sketch, which wouldn't have been nearly as memorable with Ego Nwodim playing the VP. Excellent as Nwodim was before her exit after Season 50, there's a reason why the sketch featuring the real-life candidate racked up more than 10 million views.

For Maya Rudolph, it was a standout experience out of all her time on the comedy series:

If you missed the sketch at the time or just haven't watched it back since Maya Rudolph made the most of the world deciding she'd play Kamala Harris again, you won't have seen the crowd responding so enthusiastically that the VP's first lines were drowned out. Take a look:

That November 2024 episode was the last time that Maya Rudolph appeared on Saturday Night Live as Kamala Harris at the time of writing, although she did appear in other roles in SNL50: The Anniversary Special. You can revisit her years on the comedy show on Peacock, as she was a member of the cast from 2000 - 2007. She has also returned to host SNL three times so far.

50 years: that’s how long Saturday Night Live has been on the air, with the night of that first episode being recently chronicled in the biopic Saturday Night. It goes without saying that such a milestone needs to be commemorated in a huge way, and that’ll happen on the 2025 TV schedule when the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special airs this Sunday. But that’s not enough to celebrate SNL being around for half a century, as Season 50 has also brought in major names like Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney and Chris Rock to make special appearances or host. Evidently Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, has spared no expense with recruiting this lineup of talent.

In a Vulture piece discussing Michaels’ work on SNL and what will happen to the series when he retires, it’s mentioned that he poured so much money into inviting back SNL “family members,” which also includes Andy Samberg, Dana Carvey, David Spade, Alec Baldwin and Martin Short, that an unnamed NBC executive called up an old colleague to complain about these “exorbitant expenses. This former executive responded:

Logic would dictate that the person who’s running Saturday Night Live ranks below these NBC executives, but this is Lorne Michaels we’re talking about.With the exception of the first half of the 1980s, he’s been leading the charge on SNL and made it into a comedy institution, not to mention been around much longer than most, if not all of these executives. So if Michaels wants to spend a lot of money to bring in so many familiar faces back to SNL Season 50, apparently it’s going to happen, even if he has to make a few of these special calls to get his way.

Along with the aforementioned names, SNL Season 50 also brought in Jim Gaffigan to play Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz during the election season. Also, the episode Martin Short hosted saw him and John Mulaney being joined by Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone and Jimmy Fallon for Short’s induction into the Five Timers Club. Lucy Liu, Adam Sandler, Kyle Mooney, Pete Davidson and Lin-Manuel Miranda have also all popped by this season. So yeah, it’s no wonder so much money has been spent lately, and I imagine this will continue happening for the remainder of Season 50.

As for the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, I could spent a whole other article going over who will appear there, with Sabrina Carpenter being one of the more recent additions. Suffice it to say it will be quite the event, and you can watch it unfold Sunday at 8 pm ET on NBC. You’re also welcome to break out your Peacock subscription to stream any and all of the hilarious sketches that SNL has delivered over the decades to your heart’s content.

The best Saturday Night Live stars made an impact on the classic sketch comedy series, not just because of their ability to be funny but, more importantly, their ability to act. These comedy icons would go on to prove their versatility by challenging themselves in more serious roles on both the big and small screen, going on to earn widespread praise for their craft. Here, we show our appreciation for these dramatic performances by very funny people, including some that earned these SNL stars Oscar nominations.

Kristen Wiig (The Skeleton Twins)

This one technically counts as a twofer because the eponymous siblings in the 2014 twin movie, The Skeleton Twins, are played by SNL veterans Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. Wiig has never given a more absorbing performance than in this movie that gets honest about mental illness as Maggie Dean, who is forced to put her own mental health struggles at bay to care for her gay, suicidal brother, Milo.

Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)

Robert Downey Jr. is already better known for his dramatic roles (and playing Iron Man in the Marvel movies) than his brief SNL stint. However, many agree that his career best so far is his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's Best Picture Oscar winner, 2023's Oppenheimer, which was his third Academy Award-nominated performance and the first to earn him the gold.

Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird)

Laurie Metcalf is one of the better examples of an actor with a largely forgotten SNL stint, considering she only made a couple of appearances on the show during Season 6. She is far better known for playing Jackie on Roseanne and The Conners and for her heartbreaking, Oscar-nominated performance in Greta Gerwig's acclaimed 2017 dramedy, Lady Bird, as the mother of the angsty titular role.

Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction)

Director Marc Forster’s 2006 film, Stranger Than Fiction, is still, essentially, a comedy but an undeniably dark one, as it follows an IRS agent named Harold Crick, who can hear the author of his life story foretelling his impending death. The role was one of the first to prove that a goofy actor like Will Ferrell had dramatic chops and his tender performance, one of the strongest of his career, would earn him a Golden Globe nomination.

Will Forte (Nebraska)

Perhaps the best thing outside of SNL to star Will Forte (in addition to the MacGruber movie and his prematurely canceled TV show The Last Man on Earth) is director Alexander Payne's Nebraska. The comedian shows a new rare side of himself in the Oscar-nominated 2013 as a David Grant, who agrees to travel cross-country with his estranged father, Woody (Bruce Dern), to claim a potentially non-existent prize of $1 million.

Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)

While Eddie Murphy scored a radio hit in 1985 with "Party All the Time," the moment that truly convinced the world that he was a musically talented SNL star was his performance in Dreamgirls. He received an Academy Award nomination for playing troubled R&B singer, James “Thunder” Early in the acclaimed 2006 musical.

Abby Elliott (The Bear)

Creator Christopher Storer's acclaimed FX original, The Bear, is often billed as a comedy, especially around awards season. However, real fans of the culinary series know that it is truly one of the most emotionally grasping shows of its time and Abby Elliott (daughter of fellow SNL vet Chris Elliott) has contributed to some of its strongest moments as Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto.

Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems)

While he is still beloved for comedies like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, both critics and audiences agree that one of Adam Sandler's best movies is the intense 2019 thriller Uncut Gems. Many believed he deserved an Oscar nomination for his performance in the acclaimed A24 movie from Josh and Benny Safdie as self-destructive Manhattan jeweler Howard Rattner.

Sarah Silverman (I Smile Back)

It was not until years after her one-season stint on SNL that Sarah Silverman became one of the biggest names in comedy with her sharp stand-up and roles in popular funny movies. However, she had never received wider and stronger critical acclaim before playing vastly against type in the 2015 drama I Smile Back as a troubled woman struggling to hide her depression and self-destructive tendencies from her husband and young children.

Bill Murray (Lost In Translation)

Many would call Bill Murray (who was part of SNL's Not Ready for Primetime Players) losing Best Actor for one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation, at the 2004 Academy Awards one of the biggest Oscar blunders in history. His performance in writer and director Sofia Coppola’s sophomore effort as a lonely veteran actor striking up an unlikely bond with a young woman (played by Scarlett Johansson) in Tokyo is a masterclass in raw honesty and charm.

Chris Rock (Fargo)

No one was more surprised to see Noah Hawley offer Chris Rock one of the lead roles in the fourth season of his hit anthology TV show, Fargo, than the former SNL star himself. Rock – who went on to play a cop in a Saw movie called Spiral and starred in the Oscar-nominated biopic, Rustin – really turned heads with his commanding performance as Loy Cannon, who leads his 1950s-ear, Kansas City crime family with an iron fist.

Bill Hader (Barry)

When he created Barry with Alec Berg, Bill Hader knew people would think the idea of him playing a contract killer who falls in love with acting is pretty funny. That must have motivated the former SNL favorite to prove that he could bring himself to some disturbingly bleak places with his two-time Emmy-winning performance in the title role of the hit HBO series.

Kate McKinnon (Bombshell)

We genuinely believe that one of the most essential reasons why Bombshell is one of Kate McKinnon's best movies is the dynamic SNL star's performance. Her role as Fox News employee Jess Carr – a composite character based on real people involved with the real-life events that inspired the 2019 docudrama – could be written off as comic relief but she does show some real gravitas in its more somber moments.

Dan Aykroyd (Driving Miss Daisy)

Some of Dan Aykroyd's most notable cinematic efforts are actually movies based on SNL characters, namely The Blues Brothers and Coneheads. However, he would earn praise and an Academy Award nomination for his moving turn as Boolie Werthan in 1989’s beloved period drama, Driving Miss Daisy.

Andy Samberg (Lee)

When appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg acknowledged that a movie like Lee – the 2024 biopic about World War II photographer Lee Miller, played by Kate Winslet – is unlike anything the Lonely Island member has done before. However, not only is the SNL vet a dead ringer for Miller's colleague, David Scherman, but he excels in his emotionally heavy portrayal of the man.

Maya Rudolph (Away We Go)

Director Sam Mendes' Away We Go is a sweet, tender-hearted dramedy about a couple (played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph) traveling the country in search of a worthy home for their soon-to-be-born child. Carrying most of the emotional weight in the film is Rudolph, resulting in one of her most wonderfully down-to-earth performances from one of SNL's goofiest female performers.

Molly Shannon (A Good Person)

Writer and director Zach Braff's A Good Person – following a young woman (played by Florence Pugh) and her post-accident road to recovery with help from her would-be father-in-law (played by Morgan Freeman) – is led to by heavy-hitting Oscar darlings. Yet, some say the heart and soul of the 2023 dramedy is Molly Shannon's performance as the mother of Pugh's character, for which she gives her most acclaimed, heartfelt dramatic performance yet.

Jay Pharoah (Unsane)

Jay Pharoah only departed from SNL a couple of years breaking into dramatic acting with director Steven Soderbergh's Unsane. The comedian and talented impressionist is electrifying in the mind-bending psychological thriller as a mental hospital patient who befriends Sawyer (Claire Foy), who claims she has been admitted against her will.

Jenny Slate (Obvious Child)

Arguably the most memorable moment from Jenny Slate's one-season SNL stint is when she accidentally dropped the F-bomb during her first show (which she confirmed had nothing to do with her exit, by the way). Years after her time at Studio 8H, the comedian amazed critics with her beautiful and heartbreaking performance in the 2014 romantic dramedy Obvious Child, in which she plays a stand-up comic dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.

Casey Wilson (Gone Girl)

Some might say that a sign of a great actor is the ability to convey all that an audience needs to know just in one's silent expressions. For proof, see Casey Wilson's performance as Amy Dunne's "friend" Noelle Hawthorne in David Fincher's Gone Girl, in which you rarely, if ever, hear her speak but are thoroughly captivated by her body language.

Anthony Michael Hall (The Dead Zone)

In 1984, the same year that Anthony Michael Hall became a teen idol with roles in hilarious, high school movies The Breakfast Club and Weird Science, he became the youngest SNL cast member, coming on at just 17 years old. Years later, he fully reinvented himself as a serious actor as the star of USA's series adaptation of Stephen King's The Dead Zone, in which he plays a man who wakes from a coma with the ability to see the future.

Christopher Guest (The Long Riders)

Christopher Guest joined the SNL cast in 1984, around the same time his career as the most trusted mockumentarian began as one of the writers and stars of This is Spinal Tap. He had shown Hollywood his more serious side years earlier by starring in The Long Riders – a fact-based Western noted for casting real-life siblings as real-life outlaw siblings, such as Guest and his brother, Nicholas, as Charley and Robert Ford.

Jane Curtin (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)

After SNL, Jane Curtin went on to play many great comedic roles – such as her two-time Emmy-winning role on Kate & Allie and an acclaimed stint on 3rd Rock from the Sun – but did not have quite many opportunities to show her more serious side. That would change in 2018 when the one-time "Weekend Update" anchor starred in the biopic Can You Ever Forgive Me? as Marjorie, who works as the agent for author Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy).

Michael McKean (Better Call Saul)

Interestingly, Michael McKean was already an established comedy actor and had even hosted SNL before he joined as a cast member in the early 1990s. However, his reputation as a dramatic actor was never fully realized before his Emmy-nominated turn on Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul as Chuck, the delusional older brother of Jimmy McGill (former SNL writer Bob Odenkirk).

Joan Cusack (Arlington Road)

Joan Cusack became the first SNL star to earn two Academy Award nominations but both were for comedic roles, namely from 1988's Working Girl and In & Out from 1997. One might argue she deserved similar recognition for her work in 1999's Arlington Road as Cheryl Lang, who, along with her husband (played by Tim Robbins), is suspected of domestic terrorism by their neighbor, a professor (played by Jeff Bridges).

Billy Crystal (Before)

With the exception of, perhaps, the tearjerker ending of When Harry Met Sally..., it is hard to imagine Billy Crystal in a role that doesn't require him to be his signature goofy self. Thus, the comedic genius shocked audiences when he served as the star and showrunner of Apple TV+'s dark thriller Before, in which he plays a widowed child psychiatrist whose newest patient exhibits signs of psychopathy.

Janeane Garofalo (Cop Land)

Janeane Garofalo's time at SNL is largely forgotten but, luckily, did not affect her reputation as one of the smartest and most dynamic comedic actors in the 1990s. She further proved her versatility in 1997 as Deputy Sheriff Cindy Betts in James Mangold's acclaimed crime thriller, Cop Land.

Chevy Chase (Law & Order)

Chevy Chase's bread and butter on and off SNL was playing smarmy jerks. However, he really upped the ante in 2006 for his guest star appearance on Law & Order as an anti-Semitic murder suspect.

Tina Fey (A Haunting In Venice)

In addition to being the Agatha Christie surrogate in Kenneth Branagh's third Agatha Christie adaptation, you could call Tina Fey's clever writer Ariadne Oliver the comic relief of A Haunting in Venice. However, the former SNL star and one-time head writer plays the role in the 2023 mystery thriller with an earnestness that is perfectly suitable for its story and tone.

Jim Belushi (The Principal)

Jim Belushi's stint at SNL was unavoidably a constant source of comparison to his older brother, John Belushi. Luckily, he went on to have a relatively successful run with more dramatic roles, such as a man who takes a job at an anarchic high school in 1987's The Principal.

Rob Riggle (12 Strong)

Rob Riggle's brief time at SNL led to a stint on The Daily Show and scene-stealing turns in comedies like Stepbrothers and 21 Jump Street but his best role might be from 2018's 12 Strong. As he told Stephen Colbert on Late Show, he was uniquely qualified to star in the fact-based military drama, not only because he is a former U.S. Marine but because the person he is portraying, Lt. Colonel Bowers, is his actual former boss.

Randy Quaid (The Last Detail)

One of the few people to become an Academy Award nominee before becoming an SNL cast member is Randy Quaid. He earned the honor from his performance in 1973's The Last Detail as a dishonorable discharged Naval officer who is shown one last good time by his superiors (played by Jack Nicholson and Otis Young) before facing jail time.

One of the most memorable musical acts on Saturday Night Live was The Blues Brothers, which were actually Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Of course, they are not the only great SNL cast members who have surprised audiences with their musical talents. See for yourself by taking a look at this list of comedic geniuses who can also sing, dance, and play instruments.

Fred Armisen

Fred Armisen has demonstrated his skills with multiple musical instruments on SNL on various occasions, from playing guitar as Prince, drums as Fericito, or piano as Joshua Rainhorn. Outside of Studio 8H, he would perform on his other great sketch comedy TV show, Portlandia, and even served as Seth Meyers' bandleader on Late Night for a while.

Maya Rudolph

Arguably the single funniest SNL sketch led by Maya Rudolph sees her demonstrate her amazing pipes as a woman who overdoes it a little bit with her World Series National Anthem performance. The daughter of famous soul singer Minnie Riperton and composer Richard Rudolph also made a great Beyoncé on the "Prince Show" sketches and, speaking of the late artist, she is part of a cover band called Princess. She even started in music before SNL when she was a keyboardist and backing vocalist for the '90s band The Rentals.

John Belushi

Not only did John Belushi perform with Dan Aykroyd as The Blues Brothers on the Studio 8H stage but the duo also had a record deal, a hit concert tour, and led one of the best SNL movies ever as Jake and Elwood Blues. The late comedian also performed a striking impersonation of Joe Cocker, including once with the "Feelin' Alright" singer himself.

Melissa Villaseñor

One of Melissa Villaseñor's most impressive impersonations on SNL was a spot-on Dolly Parton but she had been matching the vocals of artists like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears during her earlier stand-up days. Since her SNL exit in 2022, she has continued to demonstrate her singing talent, such as with her collaboration with Wolves of Glendale for the song "Life's Better in Spanish" in 2024.

Dana Carvey

Dana Carvey debuted his character Derek Stevens in an SNL sketch featuring a ridiculous song called, "The Lady I Know," which is concluded with the repeated lyric, "Chopping broccoli." Then and any other time he would appear as the vapid pop star, Carvey would actually play the song on piano, which he would also incorporate into his early stand-up and demonstrated in his audition for the show.

Jimmy Fallon

Before becoming a "Weekend Update" co-host, Jimmy Fallon had a recurring segment with acoustic parodies of hit songs commenting on various topics. He would go on to incorporate his musical talents into his career as a late-night talk show host and has since released a few musical comedy albums.

Eddie Murphy

After his skillful impersonations of artists like Stevie Wonder and James Brown helped save SNL in the 1980s, Eddie Murphy would later prove that his musical prowess was not limited to comedic imitations. He scored a hit single later that decade with "Party All the Time" and became an Oscar-nominated SNL alum with his performance in the 2006 musical, Dreamgirls.

Andy Samberg

Golden Globe-winning former SNL star Andy Samberg is also known as a member of the comedy hip-hop trio The Lonely Island, alongside Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. Many of the best SNL Digital Shorts, which the group was in charge of, are their music videos, such as "Lazy Sunday" and "I'm On a Boat."

Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler would perform music often on "Weekend Update," whether it was as himself debuting original tunes like "The Hanukkah Song" or as Opera Man, recalling the week's biggest headlines in melody. The Uncut Gems actor continued to make music a part of his career with movies like The Wedding Singer and the musical grown-up animated movie, Eight Crazy Nights, as well as in his stand-up routines.

Dan Aykroyd

If Dan Aykroyd had not introduced John Belushi to the blues, The Blues Brothers would have never taken the Studio 8H stage and experienced the success they had. Outside his performances as Elwood Blues, the Ghostbusters actor also participated in the chorus for the iconic 1985 recording of "We Are the World."

Martin Short

Martin Short's most notable musical contributions to SNL happened after his one-season stint at Studio 8H when he would return as a host. However, the comedian has numerous musical accomplishments outside the show, from his Tony Award-winning performance in Neil Simon's Little Me to an insult-filled duet he and Steve Martin performed while on tour.

Kate McKinnon

While known better for her hilarious physicality and characterizations, Kate McKinnon has had a number of chances to show off her pipes on SNL. For instance, she had host Ariana DeBose in awe when she joined the future Oscar winner for a medley of songs from West Side Story.

Christopher Guest

During his sole season on SNL, Christopher Guest could be seen playing guitarist Nigel Tunfel in one of the best movies about music, the 1984 mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. The fictional English heavy metal group would reunite for subsequent performances and album recordings, namely 1992's Break Like the Wind and 2009's Back from the Dead.

Taran Killam

Very rarely did Taran Killam, who was also a MADtv cast member for a little bit, have much opportunity to sing on SNL. However, he took many opportunities to carry a tune on Broadway, performing in shows like Hamilton and Spamalot.

Ana Gasteyer

Only a singer as talented as Ana Gasteyer could impress Celine Dion with her impersonation of the French-Canadian diva enough to be invited to join her in concert. The SNL star, also known for performing with Will Ferrell as married music teachers, The Culps, has performed on Broadway as well, such as when she played Elphaba in a Chicago production of Wicked.

Kenan Thompson

Many recurring characters played by Kenan Thompson – one of the longest-running SNL cast members – are musically inclined, such as What Up with That? host Diondre Cole. The former All That and Kenan & Kel star for co-writing an R&B parody song called, "Come Back, Barack," which he also performed with Chris Redd and host Chance the Rapper.

Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer, who was on SNL from 1979 to 1980 and once more from 1984 to 1985, has demonstrated his musical talent in movies like This is Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind. The Simpsons star has also co-written a satirical stage musical called J. Edgar! The Musical and released five solo musical comedy albums.

Garrett Morris

Before he became a Not Ready for Primetime Player, Garrett Morris was a Julliard-trained singer who performed with Harry Belafonte and did various Broadway shows. He utilized these talents in various memorable moments on SNL, such as when he performed a particularly risqué tune as an inmate auditioning for a prison theatre program.

Robert Downey Jr.

Perhaps if Robert Downey Jr. was given a chance to show off his vocal range during his short SNL tenure, he could have lasted a little bit longer. The Oscar winner and Marvel movie star recorded an acclaimed rendition of Joni Mitchell's "River" for a holiday album called Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas and released a studio album in 2004 called The Futurist.

Paul Shaffer

There is really no surprise that Paul Shaffer is musically talented, given his tenure as part of Studio 8H's house band and The Blues Brothers Band and as the bandleader for David Letterman's late-night TV career. What might be surprising to some – despite making history as the show's first F-bomb dropper in an infamous SNL moment – is that he was actually part of the cast during Season 5.

Pete Davidson

Given his popularity, Pete Davidson could probably release a hit album, having debuted some surprisingly good rhymes on SNL and impressed fans with his viral parody of Barbie's "I'm Just Ken," called "I'm Just Pete." The comedian once had the opportunity to perform his favorite song, "Gangster's Paradise," with the legendary rapper who crafted the song, Coolio, for a Comedy Central event.

Jim Belushi

Years after John Belushi's death, Dan Aykroyd teamed up with John's younger brother for an album called Have Love, Will Travel. Jim Belushi would also perform with a more recent iteration of The Blues Brothers Band as "Zee Blues" and he also composed and performed the theme song for his sitcom, According to Jim.

Christine Ebersole

Somehow, SNL never really figured out what to do with Christine Ebersole, whose one-season stint is much forgotten. Luckily, she would still achieve much notoriety for her Tony Award-winning performances in Broadway musicals 42nd Street and Grey Gardens.

Cecily Strong

Before Cecily Strong left SNL in 2022, she had demonstrated her singing talent as one of the main stars of Apple TV+'s musical fantasy comedy series, Schmigadoon! Thus, audiences knew to expect some special when she ended her Studio 8H tenure singing "Blue Christmas" with host and Elvis star Austin Butler.

Chloe Troast

It is a shame that Chloe Troast only lasted one season on SNL because she has one of the strongest singing voices of almost anybody to join the cast. She wowed audiences with songs she performed as a woman posing as a young orphan named Cassidy and as Mama Cass in fake footage from the recording of "Make Your Own Kind of Music."

Michael McKean

Before he joined the cast, Michael McKean appeared on SNL as Spinal Tap's David St. Hubbins and, when he hosted in 1984, was joined by Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest for a special musical performance as their other fictional band, The Folksmen. Speaking of, when The Folksmen reunited for the 2003 mockumentary A Mighty Wind, McKean won a Grammy for its title song, and another track from the film, "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow," earned him an Oscar nomination.

Will Ferrell

Probably Will Ferrell's most famous musically inclined character is Marty Culp but we also know from a certain legendary SNL sketch that he can play the cowbell like no one else. The actor also did all of his own singing in the final act of StepBrothers.

Chevy Chase

There is a great cold open from the first season of SNL in 1976 starring Chevy Chase as future president Ronald Reagan, who tries to prove that the conservative politician and actor could still be "hip" by playing keyboard in a jazz band. The comedian actually plays the keys pretty sloppily in the sketch but that is by design, as he is a very talented piano player in real life. While in college, Chase played drums in a band called The Leather Canary, alongside his college friends Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, a band that would go on to become Steely Dan.

Billy Crystal

Despite blessing SNL with many "mahvelous" memories as a host and brief cast member, none of Billy Crystal's most memorable moments from Studio 8H are particularly musical in nature. However, there are plenty of memorable musical moments throughout his career, such as when he hosted the Oscars and honored the Best Picture nominees with parody renditions of popular songs or when he and John Goodman performed "If I Didn't Have You" for the Monsters Inc. soundtrack.

Phil Hartman

The late Phil Hartman had a million-dollar voice that he put to grand use throughout his time at SNL and in other notable credits from his career but not for anything related to music. However, at the end of his very last show, he participated in a The Sound of Music parody, singing the final "Good night" lyric in such a genuine and endearing fashion.

Jason Sudeikis

During his seven years as an SNL cast member, very rarely did Jason Sudeikis make any musical contributions in a sketch, save when he played possessive '80s pop star "Ocean Billy" in a Worst of Soul Train DVD ad or one-half of Bon Jovi rip-off band, Jon Bovi. He has since gotten more use out of his musical talent on an annual basis by hosting a charity event called Thundergong.

Nasim Pedrad

We heard Nasim Pedrad's singing voice in a few SNL sketches, such as a music video for a song about getting busy with your significant other in your childhood bedroom while staying with family for the holidays. It is a wonder why she never got her own song in Disney's 2019 live-action remake of Aladdin.

Hot Ones isn’t for the faint of heart and, by faint of heart I mean, those who cannot handle spicy food. The First We Feast-produced show has hosted a slew of celebrities for almost a decade now. Its host, Sean Evans, and the show have been so far integrated into the culture that it has been referenced and parodied multiple times over, including in the 2024 Netflix movie and TV schedule hit A Family Affair as well as SNL. Funny enough, Maya Rudolph, has only ever "fake" been on the show, and there's a funny story behind why that is.

This tidbit came to light while ever-rising Saturday Night Live star, Bowen Yang sat down with Sean Evans during a recent Hot Ones episode. Talk eventually turned to coveted guests, which led the pair to discuss the fictionalized Beyoncé-centric Hot Ones sketches, which see Maya Rudolph playing the singer. Evans revealed that he asked Rudolph if she’d be a guest on the actual show while appearing on the Wine Country alum’s show, Loot, to film a separate fictional episode. Evans explained how she felt about the idea:

It’s a great retelling, and I’m glad he confirmed that we should not expect a Maya Rudolph episode in his series. Also, kudos to the chicken wing talk show host for effectively pronouncing that F-bomb as the Bridesmaids star would have. Some may be disappointed that Rudolph doesn't want to be on the show, but I don't blame her.

Hot Ones, while incredibly popular, puts celebrities in a very specific position, and not everyone does well. Now and again, someone like Conan O'Brien comes along and fully commits to the bit of eating a lot of hot wings and living with the consequences, and it's a great time (for the audience). If Rudolph knows she’d look a mess, that's totally understandable. Plus, I'm totally content with seeing her pop up on SNL and other shows. Also, I’m still wondering when we'll see Loot Season 3.

What still impresses me is the fact that the Grown Ups alum has managed to, in some way, get in on the hot wing hype without actually feeling the burn. Plus, her portrayal of Beyoncé represents the best of both worlds. That's because if there’s anyone less likely to go on, I’d assume it’d be Queen Bey (though that’d be incredible if it did happen). But, for those hoping that the actress changes her mind, just keep the sentiments she shared with Sean Evans in mind.

If you’d like to watch Hot Ones, head over to YouTube. You can also catch Maya Rudolph's work on Loot using an Apple+ subscription, and grab a Peacock subscription to watch her work on Saturday Night Live.

When a performer says goodbye to the Saturday Night Live cast, it does not necessarily mean forever. Often, the sketch comedy TV show will invite an esteemed alum to appear in an episode either as a special guest or as a headliner, sometimes resulting in a hall-of-fame hosting gig. The following are some of our favorite times a former SNL star made a grand impression when they came back to Studio 8H.

Eddie Murphy

After leaving SNL in 1984, Eddie Murphy came back to host (actually his second time, having hosted while still on the cast in 1982) for an episode later that year, on which he debuted, arguably, his best SNL sketch, "White Like Me." After being honored at the 40th anniversary special, the Academy Award nominee came back to host a third time, resulting in one of the most acclaimed episodes of Season 45.

Ben Stiller

You might have forgotten that Ben Stiller was a cast member since he only lasted four episodes in 1989, which he acknowledged when he first came back to host in 1998 after becoming a bigger name in comedy. He would return to host again 2011 in, followed by a series of recurring appearances as Donald Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, in 2018.

Norm Macdonald

Famously, Norm Macdonald was fired from the SNL cast in 1998 for, as the NBC executives at the time claimed, not being funny. Just a year and a half later, he came back to host an episode, during which he joked in his monologue that he had not gotten any funnier but the show had gotten "really bad" since his exit.

Robert Downey Jr.

Before becoming one of the most beloved A-list actors in Hollywood, Robert Downey Jr. was one of the most heavily criticized cast members from one of the most heavily criticized seasons of SNL from 1985 to 1986. He only came back to host once in 1996, during which he proved was the supremely talented performer we know and love and, eventually, became the first former SNL cast member to win an Oscar for Oppenheimer in 2024.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus would not become a comedy icon until after her three-year stint at Studio 8H from 1982 to 1985 when she joined the Seinfeld cast as Elaine Benes. In 2006, fresh off her Emmy win for The New Adventures of Old Christine, she became the first female former SNL cast member to return as a host, which she would follow with two more gigs.

Jimmy Fallon

After a successful six years at SNL from 1998 to 2004, Jimmy Fallon would return for three hosting gigs and countless cameos. Each time the late-night TV host comes back to Studio 8H tends to be a celebrated affair, especially because there is a good chance that his friend, Justin Timberlake, will show up to participate in a new edition of "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" or some other sketch.

John Mulaney

While he was never part of the SNL cast, John Mulaney would perform a few funny segments on "Weekend Update" during his five years on the writing staff. He would later become one of the biggest names in stand-up comedy and such a beloved host that he joined the Five-Timers Club within only four years.

Dan Aykroyd

Sometimes, for a cast veteran, the key to a memorable hosting gig is to wait an exceptionally long time to come back as an SNL host, much like Dan Aykroyd did. The legendary, Canadian-American comedy star, known for sketches like “The Coneheads” and “Super Bass-o-Matic ‘76” from his tenure as a Not Ready for Primetime Player, headlined an episode in 2003, more than two decades after leaving the show.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman is actually one of several SNL cast members who only lasted one season but still ended up becoming a huge success in the end. Two decades after she was let go from the series, the acclaimed comedian hosted a funny episode from Season 40.

Martin Short

It is hard to believe that a performer like Martin Short was only an SNL cast member for one season but he has, luckily, continued to demonstrate his dynamic comedic talents through memorable hosting gigs. His first hosting gig from 1986 was shared with his Three Amigos co-stars, Chevy Chase and Steve Martin – the latter of which he would co-host with again in 2022.

Adam Sandler

Surprisingly, despite making a couple of cameos over the years, Adam Sandler would not host SNL until 2019, which resulted in an instant favorite episode in which he sang two memorable songs. The former "SNL Bad Boy's" first tune (including a Chris Rock appearance) was during his monologue and discussed how he was fired after four seasons in 1995 and the other was a tribute to Chris Farley.

Kate McKinnon

After 10 wonderful years at SNL, the great Kate McKinnon would return a year and a half later to host the last episode of 2023, which proved to be a very successful episode, and not just because it featured cameos by Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and her Barbie director, Greta Gerwig. Also, in Season 49, she would also come back for one more appearance as alien abduction victim Colleen Rafferty to make host Ryan Gosling laugh uncontrollably once again.

Chevy Chase

Only two weeks after his final episode as an SNL cast member, Chevy Chase made a hilarious, self-mocking cameo in the cold open as himself, performing music for tips outside of 30 Rock. He would continue to return for more cameos and eventually became the first host to join the Five-Timers Club before the idea of it had been suggested by Tom Hanks.

Billy Crystal

In a unique twist on this topic, Billy Crystal was actually meant to appear on the very first episode of SNL in 1975 but was ultimately cut for time, as depicted in the 2024 movie Saturday Night. As his notoriety increased, the comedian was asked to host twice in 1984 before being hired later that year as a cast member, during which he lit up the screen with his impersonation of Fernando Lamas and other notable characters.

Tina Fey

Having served as both "Weekend Update" host and head writer near the end of her nine-year tenure, Tina Fey was a true SNL MVP but some of her most memorable moments on the show occurred after her 2006 exit. Prior to her Five-Timers Club induction, the 30 Rock creator and star made numerous appearances as Sarah Palin that earned rave reviews.

Dana Carvey

A key element to SNL's new golden era from 1986 to 1993 was Dana Carvey and his wonderful talent for impressions, which he would continue to lend to Studio 8H in the years since his exit. The Wayne's World star is one of the most frequent returning cast members, especially in Season 50 as President Joe Biden.

David Spade

Many of David Spade's funniest quotes originate from his six years on SNL in the early-to-mid-1990s. His blunt, sarcastic, and sometimes unapologetically brutal delivery of mockery at other celebrities' expense would serve him well in his hosting gigs – the first of which included a cold open featuring Brad Pitt as his therapist.

Kristen Wiig

The final episode of SNL's 37th Season was the final episode for a few notable cast members but it ended with a grand send-off purely dedicated to Kristen Wiig's esteemed seven years, which included some hilarious quotes. It was not long before the Oscar nominee was asked to bring back her famous characters as a host and her Season 49 episode saw her induction into the Five-Timers Club.

Chris Farley

After becoming one of SNL's most esteemed icons during his five-season run and proving to be a box office draw with movies like Tommy Boy, Chris Farley was at the height of his fame when he came back to host two years after leaving. However, his October 1997 episode is now remembered more somberly because, only two months later, he would pass away from a drug overdose at the age of 33.

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph proved herself as an all-time great during her seven years on SNL in the 2000s. She would return for multiple hosting gigs and an innumerable amount of special guest appearances, most notably as her Emmy-winning portrayal of Kamala Harris.

Pete Davidson

For his clever "Weekend Update" commentaries, fascinating personal life, and title as the youngest SNL cast member on record, Pete Davidson was one of the series' most talked about performers when he left at the end of Season 47. He was initially meant to return as a host for the following season but, due to the Writers' Strike, he instead returned for the Season 49 premiere, which featured a viral pre-filmed bit poking fun at his post-SNL career inspired by Barbie's "I'm Just Ken."

Tracy Morgan

Impersonations of the likes of Al Sharpton and Oprah Winfrey and hilarious original characters like Brian Fellow and Astronaut Jones made Tracy Morgan a force to be reckoned with during his seven years on SNL. As a result, each of the 30 Rock cast member's returns to the Studio 8H stage as a host or guest have been warm celebrations of his best moments as a cast member.

Paul Shaffer

Starting off as a member of Studio 8H's house band, Paul Shaffer later made history as the first person to drop the F-bomb on SNL during his 1979-1980 stint on the cast. Of course, he bounced back from the incident without issue and would make cameos on the show and host an episode from 1987 after being David Letterman's bandleader greatly increased his notoriety.

Damon Wayans

One of the most infamous SNL cast firings is that of Damon Wayans, who changed the nature of a character on the fly in the middle of a broadcast in 1986. The comedian would find even greater success as a member of the In Living Color cast and, in 1995, was asked to come back as a host.

Phil Hartman

It is easy to understand why some argue that Phil Hartman is the greatest SNL cast member of all time and why, just two years after his exit, he was asked to host twice in 1996. We have no doubt we would have seen more of the Emmy winner gracing the Studio 8H stage again if not for his untimely murder in 1998 at the age of 49.

Chris Rock

The first "Bad Boy of SNL" to return as a host was Chris Rock in 1996, which was three years after his departure. At that point, the comedian had found decent subsequent success by making appearances on the show's biggest competitor at the time, In Living Color.

Jason Sudeikis

While he would make several post-exit guest appearances, Jason Sudeikis' first time hosting in 2021 was eight years after he left the show, which was actually a year later than he had intended. The gig was a big moment, given his Emmy-winning success on Ted Lasso at the time and his heartfelt opening monologue celebrating his time as a writer-turned-cast member.

Will Ferrell

Despite a hiccup or two in his early days on the cast, Will Ferrell became one of the most beloved SNL cast members of the 90s and early 2000s. His many appearances since, including five hosting gigs, have resulted in some of the show's most celebrated moments in recent years.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler's impeccable skills of impersonation and arsenal of uproarious characters made her seven years on SNL a one-of-a-kind era. Her many notable appearances since include co-hosting with her friend and one-time "Weekend Update" co-anchor Tina Fey in 2015 and making cameoing as Leslie Knope alongside her fellow former Parks and Recreation cast member, Aubrey Plaza, in 2023.

Darrell Hammond

One of the all-time longest-standing SNL cast members is Darrell Hammond with 14 seasons but his time at Studio 8H would not stop there after all. In addition to making special appearances – most notably in "Celebrity Jeopardy!" sketches as Sean Connery – the actor would succeed Don Pardo as the show's announcer when Pardo passed away in 2014.

Molly Shannon

Three-time Emmy nominee Molly Shannon is the driving force behind one of the most iconic SNL characters to earn their own movie, Mary Katherine Gallagher. The misfit Catholic high school student is just one character she has brought back for her numerous appearances on the show since leaving in 2001, including two hosting gigs.

Bill Murray

After Chevy Chase left in 1976, stepping in to join the Not Ready for Primetime Players was Bill Murray, who hilariously acknowledged his struggle to make an impression on SNL early on in a famous sketch. Of course, the Oscar nominee would quickly achieve wild notoriety in the 1980s, which made his subsequent five hosting gigs and additional cameos much-celebrated occasions.

Another weekend, another piece of political satire from Saturday Night Live amid the 2024 TV schedule. Only a few episodes into Season 50, the storied sketch comedy series has been going all in on election season. One of the biggest highlights in that regard has been the return of Maya Rudolph’s Kamala Harris. This week, another veteran SNL guest star joined, and it was none other than Alec Baldwin, who famously used to portray Donald Trump. Yet Baldwin didn’t play the former U.S. President this time around, as he was cast in a new role.

This latest episode of SNL featured a cold open that parodied Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent interview with Fox News. While Maya Rudolph reprised Harris, Alec Baldwin was tapped to play the role of Fox correspondent Bret Baier. This was a new look for Baldwin who, as he quipped while in character, looked like “someone made a businessman in Minecraft.” Once Baldwin and Rudolph’s characters got down to business, the latter began grilling the VP, though this approach was more humorous than the actual interview. Check it out:

Overall, the 30 Rock alum did a solid job in the role of Bret Baier, nailing a number of the TV journalist’s mannerisms. The actor’s deadpan delivery as Baier was particularly effective. The Mission: Impossible alum and the show’s writers also generated laughs by taking jabs at the Fox News veteran, such as when the fictional Baier expressed discomfort upon hearing words like “abortion” and “uterus.” All in all, the impression seems to have been effective based on the audience’s reactions.

Those elements aside, the sketch also featured a few other funny moments. Maya Rudolph notched some laughs due to her pop-culture infused portrayal of the VP. During the set, the fictional version of Harris alluded to the viral “demure” trend as well as the fad that’s seen people caption photos with “In da clurb, we all fam.” James Austin Johnson also made a few quick appearances of Donald Trump, which proved to be funny as well.

Alec Baldwin began playing Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live back in 2016 amid coverage of the U.S. Presidential election that year. Years ago, Baldwin revealed he was hesitant to play Trump, as he didn’t think he was the right fit for the role. He ultimately received acclaim for his turn as the politician and media personality and, in 2017, he won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work. Trump himself slammed Baldwin’s portrayal, ahead of the actor retiring from the role in 2020.

It’s been interesting to see how SNL has gone about handling political subject matter during election season and bringing in guest stars in the process. The writers have seemingly been trying to get more creative, with last week’s episode even featuring a funny politics-themed Family Feud sketch. All the while, the series has brought in Andy Samberg, Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvey to play First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. President Joe Biden, respectively.

After this episode, which was hosted by Michael Keaton and featured performances from Billie Eilish, what the show’s producers do as the election nears remains to be seen. However, if Alec Baldwin’s recent return suggests anything it’s that the creative team isn’t opposed to bringing in even more star power for its sketches. I’m curious to see what’s on the way and interested in seeing if Baldwin ever plays Bret Baier again.

Saturday Night Live returns on November 2, with John Mulaney as host and Chappell Roan as musical guest. In the meantime, stream this latest episode and others using a Peacock subscription.

There are plenty of beloved recurring sketches on Saturday Night Live, but few are as popular or iconic as the show’s Family Feud spoofs. A play on the fan-favorite game show, they see Kenan Thompson playing host Steve Harvey, who entertains wild answers from eccentric contestants. Well, the latest episode of SNL to grace the 2024 TV schedule brought Feud back, and there was a political twist this time around, involving Maya Rudolph and other major guest stars. It was a wild segment, and it seems fans are loving it.

SNL Season 50’s latest host was Ariana Grande, while Stevie Nicks was musical guest. Before the two singers took the stage, though, the episode’s cold open featured the aforementioned sketch. It opened with an intro from CNN pundit Kaitlan Collins (Chloe Fineman), who stated that because former President Donald Trump didn’t want to participate in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he agreed to a different format – Family Feud. The skit then shifted to the game show, where Teams Harris and Trump prepared to face off:

As you can see, the sketch not only marked the returns of Maya Rudolph’s Kamala Haris and James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump. It also saw Andy Samberg, Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvey reprise First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Minnesota Governor Tim Wolz and President Joe Biden, respectively. Sandberg and co. debuted in their roles during the season premiere. Also, Johnson’s Trump was joined by Mikey Day’s Donald Trump Jr. and Bowen Yang’s Senator J.D. Vance. A joke was also made about the absence of Trump Sr.’s wife, Melania.

The sketch humorously captured the vibe of a political debate, with James Austin Johnson and Maya Rudolph effectively capturing the vibes of the politicians they were playing. The faux Trump’s utilization of “the weave,” which was a reference to the former president’s stream of consciousness, was also perfect. Shoutouts should also go to Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvey as well as Kenan Thompson, whose winning Steve Harvey impression is still top-notch. After seeing the sketch, viewers took to X to share sentiments like the ones below:

• 'Show me a good laugh' SNL DOES Family Feud. - @24SevenEyes
• Family Feud Election Edition is what we need right now. - @RyanBartholomee
• This [SNL] Family Feud spin on the election is gold. - @SolomonPuryear
• LMAO that SNL Cold Open was genius! Having a debate on Family Feud 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 - @MatthewASoprano
• Omg this SNL Family Feud is SO good!! - @GisellePhelps
• We got a family feud sketch on SNL????? 😭 The drought is over. - @caliiinoel

This latest skit further drives home the point that SNL is devoted to bringing in top-tier talent to portray various real-life figures from across the political spectrum. It’s still somewhat surreal to see so many comedic veterans guest star for segments. However, some would argue that the producers are taking a risk this election season by leaning so heavily on non-regular cast members to play these roles. Above all that, there’s also the mixed feelings that series regulars can have about the likes of Ms. Rudolph and co. playing the roles.

Despite that, you can’t argue with the positive reception that the show has received for such guest spots thus far. This Family Feud sketch may be one for the books, and I’m hopeful that we see at least one more parody of the Steve Harvey-hosted show before SNL Season 50 is over. And, of course, I’m also intrigued to see how the show utilizes its versions of VP Harris, former President Trump and more.

Saturday Night Live airs on the eponymous night at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. You can also stream past episodes if you have an active Peacock subscription.

Saturday Night Live devoted its cold opening last night to the Vice Presidential Debate, and as you’d guess, the sketch ended up being arguably the most talked about segment of the show. It’s already been watched almost a million times on YouTube, and the numbers for smaller clips on X are even higher. Fan response has also been very positive, as it was last week, but even with all those accolades, it’s hard to look at what SNL is doing with election coverage this year and not see an inherent risk.

Let’s run down what looks to be the major SNL players so far this season in election coverage. We have Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Bowen Yang as JD Vance, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden and Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff. The impressions have all been almost universally praised, but four of those six people doing them aren’t current SNL cast members, which is a big risk for the long-term trajectory of the show.

SNL is, of course, no stranger to bringing in people for specific political impressions. Alec Baldwin’s Donald Trump impression was maybe the most discussed in the history of the show, and Tina Fey continued to play Sarah Palin long after the rest of her duties on the show were done. Getting additional help is definitely not a problem, but this year is particularly notable since there are so many non-cast member impressions happening at the same time. 

On the one hand, it’s easy to see why Lorne Michaels would go in that direction. The goal is to make people laugh, and these impressions are all nailing it. In addition, having a high profile celebrity on the show every week definitely increases the number of eyeballs and makes it a little more culturally relevant. Plus, this year is the famed 50th season of the show, and everyone involved has been very open about their desire to make it special by bringing back former cast members and introducing fun celebrity appearances.

On the other hand, however, the political sketches are typically among the most viewed of the entire season, and they can be a great way to get exposure for the actual cast members. Beloved Not Ready For Prime Time Players like Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman all at least partially made their reputations off dynamite political impressions, and there’s a risk in not giving more of that exposure to the next generation of talent. You always need to be building for the future, and while Bowen Yang and James Austin Johnson are able to do that, the other impressions aren’t accomplishing anything toward tomorrow.

You can check out last night’s VP Debate sketch below…

I mean, it’s good. Everything about what they’re doing right now is working. So, I want to make it clear I’m not complaining. I love seeing all these celebrities on SNL, but there is a limited amount of screentime on the show each week. Every minute that goes to a returning celebrity is a minute that doesn’t go to a current cast member. That’s OK in small doses, especially during a milestone year like Season 50, but all involved need to work toward finding a balance because all the increased eyeballs this season could also be a great way to build new stars. 

We’re only a week away from Saturday Night Live’s milestone 50th season debuting on the 2024 TV schedule, and fans are already pumped to see what the writers come up with to comment on the upcoming presidential election. It’s already been confirmed that Maya Rudolph will be back for SNL 50 to portray Kamala Harris, and James Austin Johnson will presumably resume his scary accurate impression of Donald Trump. “Weekend Update” anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost spoke about having guests like Rudolph come on for such roles and how the cast feels about it.

While we’re pretty sure about the presidential candidates (Lorne Michaels has been a little coy about his plans for SNL 50), it’s not known who might portray other political figures including Harris and Trump's running mates, Tim Walz and JD Vance. Hell, even second gentleman Doug Emhoff hoped to see an impression of himself. So just how bothered are the cast members when outsiders are brought in to do the job? Colin Jost admitted to THR:

To me, that sounds like confirmation that some cast members do get rubbed the wrong way when another celeb is brought in, possibly for purposes of name recognition or simply just looking like that political figure. But the reality is that sometimes you have to check your ego for the sake of the show.

Another reality that Lorne Michaels and co. have to face is that because of all of Saturday Night Live’s great presidential impressions over the years, this is now something that the audience expects. Colin Jost said they didn’t want to start writing too soon because things change in the news so quickly, but fans started doing that planning for them, like when “the world” decided Maya Rudolph was returning before she’d agreed to it. Jost said:

Yes, that's a real list, and fans actually had some great suggestions for Tim Walz's impressionist. That’s really a compliment to the actors and cast members like Maya Rudolph, Alec Baldwin, Will Ferrell and more, because Michael Che pointed out that such political impressions on Saturday Night Live haven’t always been the expectation. Che told Jost:

Oh yes, Melissa McCarthy’s caricature of the former press secretary was a thing of beauty (though Spicer definitely had thoughts on McCarthy’s impression), and one can understand why SNL fans would be excited to see iconic moments like that being created from the current election cycle.

Thankfully, we don’t have long to wait to see who exactly will show up, because SNL’S 50th season premieres at 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 28, with Hacks star Jean Smart guest hosting and Jelly Roll as the musical guest. The milestone season will also see several former stars popping in, and fans are already freaking out about John Mulaney and Chappell Roan.

Saturday Night Live will air on NBC and can be streamed with a Peacock subscription.

Presidential campaign season is heating up just as Saturday Night Live is on the verge of returning to NBC in the 2024 TV schedule, which means one thing: political spoofs are coming to Saturday nights. Maya Rudolph is returning to her old sketch comedy stomping grounds this fall to reprise her impersonation of Vice President Kamala Harris. As soon as Harris was announced as the Democratic nominee for POTUS, the buzz online was that Rudolph would be back to play her again. The SNL alum has since opened up about everybody else deciding that she'd do it before she even agreed.

It didn't take long after news broke that Kamala Harris would be the Democratic candidate for President of the United States rather than Joe Biden for people to start assuming that Rudolph would have a key part to play in SNL's milestone 50th season. And why not? She'd won an Emmy for the role back in 2020, when Harris was running as Biden's Vice President. For the actress, however, seeing that buzz was "fascinating." Speaking with Variety, she said:

It's a good thing that Maya Rudolph is up for returning to play Kamala Harris for SNL Season 50; fans wasted no time in starting to speculate over who would portray Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, on the sketch comedy show opposite her. For his part, Emhoff joked that Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, and Chris Hemsworth should be candidates to play him. Then came the requests for who would play Minnesota Governor Tim Walz after he was announced as Harris' running mate. The talk of her return to SNL took off quickly. Also in a conversation with Variety, Rudolph said:

It's certainly a compliment when a key figure likes the portrayal on SNL, and Kamala Harris commented on Maya Rudolph's portrayal on Late Night with Seth Meyers when she was running for VP back in 2020, saying that she "fully intend[s] to make sure she has a good eight years of work on SNL." Oh, how times have changed since Harris was the candidate for VP rather than POTUS!

While the wait is now on to see what Rudolph delivers as Harris in SNL Season 50, take a look at her portrayal opposite Beck Bennett as Mike Pence:

SNL has a habit of bringing guest actors in to recur as major political figures, and often gets acclaim for doing so. Alec Baldwin won an Emmy for his spoof of Donald Trump in 2017 and was nominated for the same role two more times. Melissa McCarthy was an Emmy in 2017 as well for her take on then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Whether another Emmy is in the works for Rudolph as Harris remains to be seen.

It hasn't been confirmed when Maya Rudolph's return to Saturday Night Live as Kamala Harris will air, but I'd be surprised if she doesn't turn up in the Season 50 premiere on Saturday, September 28. In the meantime, you can check out her early portrayals as well as her run on Saturday Night Live as a cast member from 2000-2007 streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription.

The presidential election is quickly approaching, and with that Saturday Night Live fans are expecting plenty of sketches in the political realm when the show returns to the 2024 TV schedule in just a few weeks. People are already anticipating seeing Maya Rudolph return as Kamala Harris for sketches with current cast member James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, and the Bridesmaids actress took a moment to discuss just how much buzz there is surrounding this moment, saying she’s “never experienced something like this.”

That’s a pretty big sentiment for one of SNL’s longest-running cast members. The electricity surrounding the upcoming election couldn’t come at a better time for the sketch comedy, as Saturday Night Live will be celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary. For Maya Rudolph, it sounds like things got crazy pretty much the second that we learned Kamala Harris was going to run. She appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, with RuPaul as the guest host, to explain how wild things have been. Rudolph said:

I don’t think I could imagine going through a Harris-Trump election cycle without Maya Rudolph and James Austin Johnson, who’s drawn praise for his own scary accurate impression of Donald Trump on SNL. Rudolph marveled at the fact that the country is even in a position to have a presidential candidate who looks like her. She continued:

So it would seem that Saturday Night Live has locked down its presidential impressionists, but what about Kamala Harris’ running mate? The internet has been abuzz with suggestions to play Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, including Jim Gaffigan, Tom Arnold and Jim O’Heir. Steve Martin was also a fan favorite option, but he declined the offer.

Another new portrayal that we could see pop up on the 30 Rock stage is the current second gentleman. Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff was asked about Maya Rudolph’s impression of his wife, and he said he hoped SNL Season 50 would be adding a “good Doug character.” He suggested Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds or Chris Hemsworth, and hey, it’s parody, so why not shoot for the moon?

Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Saturday Night Live, including Maya Rudolph, and thankfully there are just a few short weeks to go. SNL’s 50th season will kick off at 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 28, on NBC, with episodes streaming with a Peacock subscription.

If one of your favorite parts of an election year is seeing who will play politicians on Saturday Night Live, raise your hand. Don’t be shy, it’s certainly mine. And I was thrilled to see that Lorne Michaels immediately secured Maya Rudolph for Season 50 to reprise her role as the current Vice President Kamala Harris. Now, given that she is a presidential nominee this time around, we expect Maya to get a lot more screen time. It's possible that someone could step in to play Harris' husband Doug Emhoff too, which he's quite excited about.

Given that Rudolph’s “Mamala” will be one of the main recurring characters in SNL's political sketches when it returns on the 2024 TV schedule, she may need to up her game. Esquire recently sat down with Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, and they took the opportunity to ask him what the SNL alum could add to her impression, and his answer didn’t disappoint:

I couldn’t agree more. Some of the late-night sketch comedy’s best presidential impressions over the years haven’t even been sitting presidents at all, like Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton. While Martin Short has played Doug on the sketch comedy show before, I certainly think adding someone to play the Second Gentleman into this year's cast, even for a skit or two, would be a fantastic addition to the VP impression.

Both the entire clip and the comments section are worth checking out:

Though Emhoff was making a joke about some of Hollywood’s hottest men portraying him on SNL, people online might take those choices seriously, as the internet has recently been thirsting over a photo of young Doug after it was posted by @onedankmom on X.

Of course, people took to the comments section of the TikTok video to share their own casting choices for the Second Gentleman, and here are some of the best ones in my opinion:

• George Clooney, hands down -@treetoo11
• Jeff Daniels! -@ejoyshelton
• I want Will Forte for doug! -@arianamadix
• Tbh Jason Segel would be great -@booomooo

The internet also had suggestions on who should play Kamala’s running mate, Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz, who will most certainly be written into sketches this fall. A fan favorite was Steve Martin, but he said no, so this topic, along with Emhoff's casting is still up for debate.

I would definitely be interested to see who Kamala thinks should play her husband on SNL. I bet the Loot star could just call her up and ask, given they’ve actually met before and discussed the impression. Oh, to be a fly on that wall!

That being said, I know Rudolph’s impression will be amazing regardless of her ensemble. I can’t wait to see how SNL incorporates all the Gen Z references the Harris campaign has been making, as well as who will play both Tim Walz and J.D. Vance. I wish the celebrated live late-night sketch show was back already, but we'll have to wait to watch it on NBC or with a Peacock subscription until September 28!

Saturday Night Live Season 50 is on the horizon, and it coincides with a major U.S. event. This fall will mark the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and, as it stands, it seems that the race will likely be between former President Donald Trump and current VP Kamala Harris. On the sketch comedy series, the latter politician has mostly been played by esteemed series alum Maya Rudolph, and fans may not be surprised to hear that she’ll officially return for more guest spots. However, some may wonder where that leaves the third season of Rudolph’s comedy series, Loot (which is streamable with an Apple TV+ subscription). Well, details on that front have been provided as well.

The official report of Maya Rudolph returning to play Vice President Harris or “Mamala” comes by way of Deadline. As noted by the trade, this move comes after a wave of fans across social media expressed their hope for Rudolph’s return after Harris opted to run on the Democratic ticket. It goes without saying that the Bridesmaids cast member’s portrayal of the former California senator has become quite popular. The actress – who’s won two Emmys for her guest-hosting stints on SNL – does indeed nail the role. You can check out one of her performances down below:

It’s likely that when the Bless the Harts alum – who was an SNL Season 49 host – appears as Kamala Harris this season, she’ll be acting alongside current cast member James Austin Johnson. At this time, Johnson is the show’s go-to actor for Donald Trump and has been praised for his work as well. Surely, fans will be delighted to see the two funny stars share the stage at 30 Rock. There is still, however, that matter of the aforementioned streaming show.

According to Deadline, filming on the third season of Loot was set to begin on August 26. However, now that its lead actress and EP has another professional commitment, pre-production has been put on ice for the time being. The trade reports that cast and crew members were informed of the schedule shift this past week. While fans can take comfort in the fact that the upcoming season will still happen, it may be disappointing for some to know that it’s being delayed.

Loot sees Maya Rudolph play the role of Molly Wells, who ends up a billionaire after divorcing her wealthy husband of 20 years. With that, Molly seeks to run the charitable foundation she forgot she’d launched. The comedy series’ ensemble also includes actors like Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Joel Kim Booster, Nat Faxon and Ron Funches. The show, which premiered in 2022 and returned for its second season earlier this year, has received positive reviews, and Rudolph is currently a 2024 Emmy nominee, thanks to her performance.

This SNL news represents a relatively bittersweet turn of events. On the one hand, fans will get to see more of Maya Rudolph’s winning performance as Kamala Harris. But, on the other hand, the wait for the third season of Rudolph’s underrated show just became a bit longer. I suppose the public should just be grateful, though, that they’re getting the actress and comedian in one form or another. Let’s hope she makes a serious splash later this year, when she returns to the series that made her a star.

Saturday Night Live Season 50 premieres on NBC on September 28 as part of the 2024 TV schedule. In the meantime, fans can grab a Peacock subscription and stream past episodes.

How does a person go about becoming a comedy legend? Well, one good way to begin your journey is studying the art with the Los Angeles-based improv and sketch comedy troupe, The Groundlings, which has proven to be a breeding ground for many of the funniest people you have ever heard of, including quite a few Saturday Night Live cast members. Take a look at some of the most esteemed Groundlings alumni who went on to rule at Studio 8H or elsewhere.

Maya Rudolph

In an op-ed for Oprah.com, Maya Rudolph described The Groundlings as her “graduate school,” where she “ate, slept, and drank improv and sketch comedy” for four years, and even learned how to use her singing voice for comedic purposes. That skill would come in handy for her impersonations of musicians like Beyoncé and, arguably, the actor’s single funniest SNL sketch in which she takes far too long (and explores various vocal ranges) to sing the National Anthem at the World Series.

Paul Reubens

The world would have never been blessed with the iconic Pee-wee Herman if not for the Groundlings, which is where the late Paul Reubens first developed the fun-loving man-child in the 1970s. The character was actually a collaborative effort with future SNL star and fellow member Phil Hartman, who also worked with Reubens and others on the screenplay for 1985’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.

Will Forte

Will Forte told Diablo magazine that, after feeling miserable at his job as a financial broker, he changed his career path by joining The Groundlings in the early 1990s. Around a decade later, he was invited to be on SNL, where he specialized in some really weird sketches like “Spelling Bee” and “Potato Chip.”

Melissa McCarthy

While never a cast member, Melissa McCarthy went on to become known as one of the best SNL hosts in the show’s history. The Academy Award nominee earned her sketch comedy chops while a part of the Groundlings, which is also where she developed the character she played in 2016’s The Boss.

Phil Hartman

In the same year SNL started, the late, great Phil Hartman was preparing for his own tenure on the series at The Groundlings. It was more than a decade later, in 1986, when he would finally become part of the cast, working the magic he learned taking classes with the troupe.

Lisa Kudrow

Years before playing Phoebe Buffay in the Friends cast made her a star, Lisa Kudrow was part of The Groundlings, studying improv under teacher Cynthia Szigeti. She was also part of a short-lived troupe called Unexpected Company with Conan O’Brien and was the only female member of the Transformer Comedy Troupe for a while. 

Ana Gasteyer

During her six years on SNL, Ana Gasteyer mastered multiple characters — such as Bobbie Mohan-Culp — and spot-on celebrity portrayals, from Martha Stewart to Celine Dion. The Happiest Season cast member developed her impeccable sense of humor while performing with The Groundlings.

Tim Matheson

Two-time Emmy nominee Tim Matheson is not thought of as a comedic actor these days but, lest we forget, one of his earlier major roles was Otter in National Lampoon’s Animal House. Before then, he was learning how to be a comedic actor by studying improv under The Groundlings.

Kristen Wiig

Many of Kristen Wiig’s funniest quotes originated from her time at Saturday Night Live. However, she spoke most of those lines while portraying characters that really date back to her time with The Groundlings, such as Target Lady and harsh movie critic, Aunt Linda.

Craig T. Nelson

Despite plenty of roles that are not much to laugh at — such as Steve Freeling in Poltergeist or Jack Mannion on The District — Craig T. Nelson can also put down “Emmy-winning sitcom star” on his resume for playing Hayden Fox on Coach. His comedic chops do make more sense when you learn that the Incredibles star actually would break into the business performing stand-up and became a Groundlings members in the troupe’s early days.

Will Ferrell

Improvisational comedy would become a staple of Will Ferrell’s post-SNL career, as many of the funniest lines from his most famous movies — including Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby — are largely ad-libbed. The actor would develop this skill while performing with The Groundlings, which he joined in 1994 — only a year before being invited to audition for SNL producer Lorne Michaels.

Cassandra Peterson

You may know Cassandra Peterson better as Elvira, a character whom the actor would portray when presenting midnight movies on TV or in her own cult favorite movies. Peterson’s creation of the “mistress of the dark” originates from her time with The Groundlings, where she developed a “Valley Girl-esque” character who would later evolve into the “horror host” we all know and love.

Jon Lovitz

Most of the SNL characters that Jon Lovitz is most famous for — such as the self-obsessed Master Thespian and pathological liar Tommy Flanagan — actually never originated at Studio 8H. The actor and comedian first developed them when he was part of the Groundlings, which is also where he met his friend and collaborator, Phil Hartman.

Kathy Griffin

After seeing a live performance of The Groundlings, a then-19-year-old Kathy Griffin knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. She went on to join the troupe in the early 1990s before pursuing stand-up and becoming a more prominent figure with appearances in movies like Pulp Fiction and her Emmy-winning reality show, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.

Laraine Newman

Being a part of the Not-Ready-For-Primetime Players in SNL’s infancy and portraying characters like Connie Conehead made Laraine Newman a comedy icon, but her prior background before hitting Studio 8H is particularly astonishing. After studying miming under Marcel Marceau in Paris in 1970, she became a founding member of The Groundlings when she moved to Los Angeles.

Jennifer Coolidge

Jennifer Coolidge’s road to becoming a renowned comedy icon has been a long one, having made her screen acting debut on Seinfeld in the early 1990s before playing “Stifler’s Mom” in the American Pie movies and winning two Emmy Awards for her role in HBO’s The White Lotus cast. At one point, she had the chance to perfect her skills as part of The Groundlings, whom she performed with for nearly a decade.

Chris Parnell

Before his memorable, eight-year tenure on SNL, Chris Parnell made his breakthrough into the business in the early ‘90s performing improv with The Groundlings for a number of years. These days, the actor is best recognized for his voice, which is also the voice of Cyril on Archer and Jerry on Rick and Morty.

Pat Morita

It may come as a surprise to some that, before his Academy Award-nominated role as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid movies made him an icon, Pat Morita got his start as a stand-up comedian. The L.A. native was even part of The Groundlings in the 1970s, around the time he landed his recurring role as Arnold on Happy Days.

Chris Kattan

Following in the footsteps of his father, Kip King, Chris Kattan became part of The Groundlings, which is how he met Will Ferrell and, with him, created the characters who came to be known as “the Butabi brothers” during their time there. Later, they both wound up at SNL where they introduced the dim-witting club-goers to the mainstream, earned their own SNL movie (A Night at the Roxbury), and the rest is history. 

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr is best known for his brief role in Pulp Fiction, his extensive voice acting career, and for becoming an original cast member on the hit sketch comedy series, Mad TV, where he played characters like Jaq the UBS Guy. Early on, however, the actor was actually part of a few different comedy troupes, including The Groundlings and Second City.

Cheri Oteri

One of the most talented members of the SNL cast during the mid-to-late ‘90s was Cheri Oteri, who is probably best known as Spartan cheerleader, Arianna. She was given the opportunity to join the sketch comedy series while she was part of The Groundlings, with whom she is still known to perform on occasion.

Mikey Day

Performing improv with The Groundlings led Mikey Day to become an original regular cast member on Nick Cannon’s improv comedy show, Wild ’n Out, on MTV in 2005. By 2013 — having acted and written in several other projects — he became a valued member of the SNL cast and its writing staff, for which he, Bobby Moynihan, and Seidell created the sketch that introduced the world to David S. Pumpkins, as played by Tom Hanks.

Heidi Gardner

Missouri native Heidi Gardner was working as a hairstylist in L.A. when she attended a performance by The Groundlings and became inspired to pursue acting. After working her way up in the ranks at the troupe and landing voice acting gigs, she was hired on SNL in 2017 and quickly became known as one of the show’s most dynamic performers.

Michael McDonald

The MVP at Mad TV has to be Michael McDonald (not to be confused with the musician), whose early days in comedy included performing improv with The Groundlings. In fact — as he recalled on Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening — Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway saw him at one of his shows with the troupe and enlisted his help in honing her comedy skills.

Julia Sweeney

Julia Sweeney’s most iconic contribution to Saturday Night Live is her role as a person of indeterminant gender known only as Pat. She would first invent the character — who later inspired a movie called It’s Pat in 1994 — while performing with the Groundlings, along with other famous characters of her own — including Mea Culpa.

Jim Rash

Jim Rash is one of the most accomplished comedy talents of his time, having stolen the show from his fellow Community cast members as Dean Craig Pelton and earned an Academy Award alongside his longtime writing partner Nat Faxon, for penning the screenplay for Alexander Payne’s 2011 adaptation of The Descendants. Rash actually first met Faxon while both of them were performing with The Groundlings in the early 2000s.

Taran Killam

Even before Taran Killam joined The Groundlings, he was already well-versed in show business — having made his acting debut in The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult, becoming a major presence on Nickelodeon’s The Amanda Show and even joining Mad TV for 2001-2002 season. In fact, it was not until two years after he was hired on SNL in 2010 that he officially retired from The Groundlings’ main company.

Wendi McLendon-Covey

Nearly a decade after joining The Groundlings in 2002, Wendi McLendon-Covey collaborated with fellow troupe veterans of Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy as part of the Bridesmaids cast in 2011. Just a couple of years later, the comedian would begin to earn raves for her leading role in the hit ABC sitcom, The Goldbergs.

Michaela Watkins

Despite earning acclaim for her unique characters — most notably tech whiz Angie Tempura —  and hilarious celebrity impersonations of Barbara Walters, Hoda Kotb, and more, Michaela Watkins ended up lasting only one year at SNL before she was let go in 2009. At least her career since has proven to be very successful — let alone the fact that she can say she was a regular performer with The Groundlings for several years.

Jillian Bell

While she never made it on Saturday Night Live as a cast member, Jillian Bell did write for the show during its 35th Season, before going on to appear in Bridesmaids and star in the likes of Workaholics, 22 Jump Street, and Brittany Runs a Marathon. Years before those career milestones, the actor joined The Groundlings soon after moving to Los Angeles. 

Edie McClurg

Multi-generational audiences should recognize Edie McClurg from the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off cast as Ed Rooney’s assistant, Grace, who referred to Matthew Broderick’s title character as a “righteous dude.” Said famous line was actually an ad-lib, which should come as no surprise to anyone who knows her history with The Groundlings, which she performed with in the 1970s.

Tim Bagley

Tim Bagley is a comedian known best for his many notable recurring roles on series like Will & Grace and Monk. He first broke into the industry in the late 1980s as a performer for The Groundlings, whom he continues to perform with from time to time.

Whether or not you end up on SNL or even do something greater, The Groundlings is a great place for aspiring comedic actors to get started.

It’s always surprising to find out random celebrities knew one another as kids, but when it happens, it is one of my favorite things ever. Think The Office’s B.J. Novak and John Krasinski. Or Adam Levine and Jonah Hill. It blows my mind each time. But I'd never realized this was true for Maya Rudolph and Jack Black, as well. 

My most recent discovery was from an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show with Maya Rudolph. The host asked the Bridesmaids actress if it’s true she went to high school with Jack Black, and Rudolph told a sweet story about how he was her mentor. Apparently, she was in eighth grade and he was in 10th, and they were paired up for an improv class, with Black assigned as Rudolph’s acting coach, as she recalled:

For those who also didn’t know about Groundlings before this article, it is an improv and sketch comedy school based in L.A. that is essentially a comedy pipeline for sitcoms and late-night TV. Maya Rudolph is one of several current and former SNL cast members to have gone through the Groundlings program, including:

• Heidi Gardner
• Mikey Day
• Will Forte
• Kristen Wiig
• Ana Gasteyer
• Will Ferrell

Other notable alumni include:

• Lisa Kudrow
• Melissa McCarthy
• Jennifer Coolidge
• Kathy Griffin

So, she was in storied company there, too. 

Though Jack Black never attended Groundlings himself, it was clear he was in that circle of comedy genius. And let’s be honest, does the man behind Nacho Libre and Kung Fu Panda really need any formal training? A comedic prodigy is what I would call him. It seems the Emmy-winning Big Mouth star herself would agree, telling Barrymore that Black was truly inspiring to her when she started acting and improv.

Clearly, Rudolph is very fond of the School of Rock actor, and over the years, they have been photographed at events. It’s good to see old friends stay in touch. Check out The Drew Barrymore Show clip below to hear the entire heartfelt story.

Though they haven’t worked on any main projects together, they both have been very busy independently. Jack Black’s well-reviewed Kung Fu Panda 4 sequel gave Dune: Part 2 a run for its money at the box office upon release back in March, and Maya Rudolph’s Loot just premiered its Season 2 finale for those with an Apple TV+ subscription. Though the series has yet to be renewed, I would love to see these two pair up again after all these years for a Season 3 of Loot. 

Minor spoilers for Loot Season 2, Episode 3 are ahead. If you aren’t caught up on one of Apple’s best shows, you can stream it with an Apple TV+ subscription. 

I think it’s safe to assume that just about everyone has had to deal with a fire alarm or smoke detector’s batteries at one point or another, and I’m sure many can attest to the fact that it’s one of the more frustrating things to deal with. Well, in Season 2 of Loot, that relatable frustration was hilariously brought to life as Maya Rudolph’s billionaire Molly cluelessly tried to figure out how to get the beeping to stop. Now, the show’s co-creators have broken down the surprisingly complex story behind the creation and execution of this scene. 

How The Loot Team Came Up With The Smoke Detector Scene

In Episode 3 of Loot’s second season, Maya Rudolph’s Molly sends her house staff home, and she says she can handle herself for the evening. However, things get chaotic when her smoke detector starts beeping. It’s a hilarious and truly relatable scene, and co-creator Matt Hubbard took the reigns to explain how they came up with it. Breaking down that it was born out of his own experience, he told me:

He went on to say that from this idea of Molly trying and failing to deal with the smoke detector, they worked “backward.” This ultimately got them to the storyline of her sending her employees home, and her being in the house alone. The juxtaposition of her being this extravagant billionaire and having to deal with a mundane normal issue was what really sold the bit, as Hubbard explained:

Rounding out the explanation of how this scene came to be, Hubbard noted that when you have someone like Maya Rudolph – who was part of one of SNL’s best casts and is known for making her cast mates like Michaela Jaé Rodriguez break on set – leading the show, it’s fun to put her in physical comedy situations like this one. 

How The Loot Team Shot The Hilarious Smoke Detector Moment

Those comedy chops were put to work on set too. From a pool net to skis to ski poles to a broom, Molly tries everything to get the detector to stop beeping, and to accomplish the shoot for this scene, it takes a lot of work. Co-creator Alan Yang put that into perspective as he told me:

While the scene is super silly and seemingly simple to put together, it was actually quite intricate and took a lot of departments working together to pull off. Yang said that that’s the point. They want the moment to look “super funny” and “effortless,” and it takes all that hard work to do it. He said:

It’s efforts and ideas like this that make Loot so brilliant, and it’s Maya Rudolph’s commitment to these relatable bits that make them so funny. Much like the fun Parks and Rec Easter egg featured in the comedy, this scene shows how much thought is put into this series, and it makes me love it even more. 

Lucky for us, more hilarious moments like this are bound to happen as Loot continues to drop episodes on the 2024 TV schedule every Wednesday. 

Minor spoilers for Loot Season 2, Episode 1 are ahead. If you aren’t caught up, you can stream the comedy with an Apple TV+ subscription, and you can catch new episodes as they air on the 2024 TV schedule every Wednesday. 

Apple TV+’s comedy Loot has a few very deep connections to the legendary NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. Most notably, Alan Yang, the co-creator of Loot, was a writer and producer on the Amy Poehler-led series, and Adam Scott plays a big role in both shows. However, in Season 2 of the comedy starring Maya Rudolph, a very fun Parks Easter egg was planted that die-hard fans will adore, and Yang told me how it happened. 

In Episode 1 of Loot Season 2, Jay Jackson – who you likely recognize because he played Perd Hapley in the Parks and Rec cast – shows up as a reporter telling the story of a billionaire that Maya Rudolph's Molly and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez's Sofia are trying to partner with. In the clip, he’s essentially channeling Perd Hapley, and his character serves the same purpose as the iconic Parks and Rec anchor, the only thing missing is his classic catchphrase: “Ya heard with Perd.” It’s a lovely little nod to the classic NBC sitcom, and Alan Yang told CinemaBlend why it happened:

It turns out, that this Parks and Rec Easter egg wasn’t exactly intentional, however, it ended up being a fabulous homage to it. As Yang said, Jackson was simply auditioning for a role in Loot, and when they realized he was trying to get on the show they loved the idea of him becoming part of the cast. As a lifelong Parks fan, this small nod made me so, so happy, because Perd Hapley is an icon and a legend. 

For context, across 31 episodes of Parks and Recreation that aired between 2009 and 2015, Jay Jackson played the hilarious journalist Perd Hapley, and his shtick became one of the best inside jokes on Parks and Rec. His showing up from time to time to explain the news in his wholly unique way made the comedy even funnier, and it added to the silly goofy world of Pawnee.  

Now, the question becomes: Will there be more Parks and Rec Easter eggs and cast members in Loot? We already have Jay Jackson and Adam Scott, who plays Maya Rudolph’s character’s ex-husband. According to Alan Yang, they probably won’t be the only two we see either, as he told me:

The opportunities are endless. Having Maya Rudolph’s SNL sister and the star of Parks and Rec, Amy Poehler would be a great addition. Or, as I proposed to Yang, Ben Schwartz could just show up as Jean-Ralphio since Loot is all about silly things rich people do, and his Parks character would fit in perfectly. Overall, it’s fun to ponder who could pop up next, and with this fun Easter egg involving Jay Jackson, I’m positive the creative team behind the Apple TV+ comedy will input more if they get Season 3. 

It’s cute Easter eggs and details like this one that make Loot one of the best shows on Apple TV+. To see if more appear throughout the season, make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday. If you are looking to go back and get your Perd Hapley fix, you can stream Parks and Rec with a Peacock subscription. 

While Sofia is one of the more serious characters on Loot, the actress behind her, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, loves having a good laugh. Plus, it’s probably impossible not to crack up from time to time when you are working with a comedy legend like Maya Rudolph. Now, with Season 2 of Loot premiering on the 2024 TV schedule, Rodriguez has opened up to CinemaBlend about working so closely with the SNL icon, and she shared a moment that she said she’d never live down.

One of the reasons why I think Loot is one of Apple TV+’s best shows comes down to the ensemble and their remarkable chemistry. For example, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Maya Rudolph balance each other out so well with Rodriguez playing the level-headed Sofia while Rudolph portrays the more spontaneous and chaotic Molly. Their dynamic is hilarious, and throughout Seasons 1 and 2 we see the two characters become friends. While Sofia keeps a straight face most of the time on screen, for the actress who plays her that wasn’t the case all the time, as she told CinemaBlend:

While Rodriguez didn’t mention exactly what Rudolph did, it’s easy to imagine. As part of one of SNL’s best single-season casts and as an SNL alum who has starred in great films, like Bridesmaids, we are all well aware of Maya Rudolph’s big, loud and physical comedic style. She brings that all to Loot too.

So, when the Pose star had to try and keep it together during one of Rudolph’s big comedic moments, it proved to be impossible. Continuing to break down the scene where she couldn’t stop laughing, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez told me:

That honestly sounds like so much fun! I can also see why the American Horror Story actress said she won’t live it down. Based on her story, it sounds like the cast, specifically her and Stephanie Styles, who plays Ainsley, could not keep it together. What this might have meant was it took forever to get the scene done, and make-up likely had to come in and reset everyone’s looks. Overall though, that day on set sounded like a blast, and the Sofia actress made that very clear, as she said:

Maya does know how to “really make it happen,” and she’s been doing it for decades, so it makes sense that Rodriguez was so excited about sharing this hilarious on-set moment. 

However, while the Sofia actress admitted that she couldn’t stop laughing while Rudolph was performing, the Bridesmaids vet is no stranger to breaking either. In fact, recently, she told a story about the time she and Jimmy Fallon “lost it” during one of Will Ferrell’s last days on Saturday Night Live. So, even comedy legends aren’t immune to the giggles.

All-in-all this story from Michaela Jaé Rodriguez illustrates the lovely comradery the Loot cast shares. To see the moment she’s talking about, and to witness her lovely on-screen friendship with Maya Rudolph, you can stream Loot with an Apple TV+ subscription, then make sure to catch new episodes of the comedy every Wednesday. 

Saturday Night Live is known for consistently delivering the laughs with its combination of hilarious comedians and celebrity guests (just look at the talented upcoming hosts for SNL’s Season 49). The schedule that the NBC sketch comedy’s cast members and writers keep is notoriously intense, and one can imagine the tight bonds that form amongst the colleagues. Inevitably, though, people move onto different projects, which apparently can be an extremely emotional event, and Maya Rudolph and Jimmy Fallon recalled the tearful goodbyes they gave to Will Ferrell on his final day on set.

Will Ferrell is one of SNL’s top cast members, in creator Lorne Michaels’ opinion anyway, and it’s easy to see why, with seven years starring in some of the series’ most beloved sketches. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Maya Rudolph recalled the Elf star’s last day on set in 2001, explaining the tradition they had for departing members. She said: 

What a special parting gift to leave your colleagues with. I can’t think of anything more meaningful or appropriate for the Saturday Night Live cast than to have their friends write sketches just for them. Jimmy Fallon joined Maya Rudolph in her song before recalling his own memory of that day: 

Saturday Night Live definitely sounds like a fun place work, especially with comedy actors like Will Ferrell keeping things interesting. Maya Rudolph and Jimmy Fallon laughed as they remembered the characters Ferrell would play, showing up to pitch meetings as “Chip Kudrow” or “Ron.” They said they were so lucky to have had that experience, where practicing improv all day and doing weird bits were the norm.

But just like Maya Rudolph, who exited Saturday Night Live in 2007, and Jimmy Fallon, who left in 2004, Will Ferrell has returned to 30 Rockefeller Plaza, serving as the host for a handful of episodes, so at least it wasn't goodbye forever.

I love hearing about these fond memories that SNL’s past cast members made on the set of the show, and I can’t wait to see who might pop up and what hijinks might happen when they go “live from New York.” Up next, Ramy Youssef will host at 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday, March 30, on NBC with musical guest Travis Scott. Episodes can also be streamed with a Peacock subscription, and be sure to check out our 2024 TV schedule to keep up with all of the upcoming premiere dates. 

The Bridesmaids cast is so stacked with comedy legends including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy, and the Oscar-nominated script is so good that a vast majority of it is quotable. Ever since its release in 2011, people have been laughing over the amazing one-liners from this comedy about a woman who is trying her darndest to be a good maid of honor. Now, it’s time to go over some of the best quotes from this seriously iconic comedy from Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo. 

Help me, I’m poor. -Annie 

The second time Annie infiltrates the first-class cabin, she is promptly approached by the flight attendant, and she tries to claim she’s not her, in fact, she’s actually meant to be in the seat she stole. However, the attendant isn’t buying it, and when he tries to get her out again, one of her last resorts to get into first class is to say “Help me, I’m poor,” in the funniest little voice. 

I'm not going to say I survived, I'm going to say I thrived. -Megan 

After we meet Megan and find out she’s recovering from falling off a cruise ship, she reassures Annie and the audience by saying she “survived.” Then she doubles down, saying that while she “hit a lot of railings” and a dolphin saved her through a telepathic connection she’s thriving. 

It's just... it's the first time I've ever seen you look ugly. And that makes me kind of happy. -Annie 

As Annie and Helen look for Lillian, they have the sweetest moment they’ve ever had, despite the fact that it’s over Kristen Wiig’s character hilariously insulting Rose Byrne’s character by saying she looks ugly. 

I look ugly? No I don't. I don't really look ugly. -Helen 

In direct response to Annie telling her she’s an ugly crier, Helen immediately tries to stop the tears and deny the claim. It’s very on-brand for Helen, and now that she and Annie are on OK terms, it makes this moment super funny. 

Do you want to tell a cop about it? We're just like priests except we would tell everybody afterwards. -Rhodes 

After a rough night, Annie runs into Rhodes at a gas station, and he uses this charmingly odd line to ask if she wants to talk about what’s been going on in her life, and it works!

I’m ready to party! -Annie 

Drunk, and feeling way better than she did a mere second before, Annie infiltrates first class to see Lillian and Helen. She’s relaxed, excited, and “ready to party!” And I think it’s safe to say this one-liner is one of the most iconic from Bridesmaids as it kicks off one of the funniest scenes in the movie. 

You're more beautiful than Cinderella. You smell like pine needles, and you have a face like sunshine. -Becca 

While incredibly drunk, Becca is trying to comfort Rita as they lament about their marriages. When Rita gets self-conscious, Ellie Kemper’s character retorts back with the silliest compliment that sounds like an inside joke from Parks and Recreation considering the way Leslie compliments Ann. 

Why can't you be happy for me and then go home and talk about me behind my back like a normal person? -Lillian 

After a disastrous party, Lillian confronts Annie over her behavior. Wiig’s character can’t stand that her best friend is hanging out with Helen, and her actions that arise out of those emotions are what cause Maya Rudolph’s passionate reaction. 

It's not a missing person until it's at least 24 hours. Have you ever seen CSI? Twenty-four hours. Let me get on with my job, Annie. -Rhodes 

Lillian had been MIA for 12 hours, and Annie and Helen got very nervous. So, they found Rhodes and did everything they could to get him to pull them over. Once they finally got him to acknowledge them, the cop firmly explained, using a fantastic pop culture reference to prove his point, that they can’t file a missing person report until it’s been 24 hours.

I have to go to the bathroom but I heard about a woman who went to the bathroom on the plane - she got sucked into the toilet. Sucked right in. -Nervous Woman on the Plane

Upping Annie’s plane anxiety, and making everything 100% worse is the hilarious nervous flyer sitting next to her. Played by the co-writer of Bridesmaids and Wiig’s hilarious Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar, Annie Mumolo, this cameo is chaotically wonderful, it helps escalate the plane sequence, and it’s a great line about plane suspicions that I think many have pondered at one point or another. 

Lillian and I took Spanish together in school. And so, I would just like to say to you and to everyone here, "Gracias para vivar en la casa, en la escuelas, en... en la azul... "marcada". Tienes con "bibir" en las Fortuashla?" and gracias! -Annie 

Attempting to one-up Helen’s speech, Annie takes the stage. After they go back and forth for a while, and Helen speaks in French to Lillian, Annie recites what she learned in high school Spanish in an attempt to best her. However, it’s just a bunch of gibberish as she strings words like house, school, and blue together while trying to remember her Spanish vocabulary. 

We would like to invite you to no longer live with us. -Brynn 

Before we knew Rebel Wilson for her movies like Pitch Perfect and Senior Year, she had a small role in Bridesmaids playing Annie’s housemate. While she wasn’t the one paying rent, she was the one to ask Wiig’s character to move out. 

I wouldn't want to make you explain what our relationship is to all those people. That would suck for you. -Ted 

Kristen Wiig’s Annie is in an on-again, off-again relationship…sort of…with Jon Hamm’s Ted. When she asks if he wants to go to Lillian’s wedding with her, he has the worst but also hilarious response. 

I took nine. I took nine. Yeah. I did slightly overcommit to the whole dog thing. It turns out I'm probably more comfortable with six. -Megan

Listen, Megan couldn’t get enough of the puppies, and she had to take them all home with her. However, as she said, nine might have been too many.

'Stove' what kind of a name is that? -Annie 

As Annie finally leaves first class, she confronts the flight attendant, named Steve, and she calls him Stove. She then promptly explains that that is not a good name, which leads to Steve correcting her, and her asking him if he’s an appliance, to which he hilariously responds “No I’m a man, and my name is Steve.” 

Hello, Helen. I've heard... wonderful things. -Rhodes 

Putting on a fake smile for a myriad of reasons, Rhodes realizes that the Helen he’s just been introduced to is the one who has been at the center of Annie’s issues for the whole movie. So, he sarcastically says the line above, and let me tell you, it’s pitch-perfect delivery. 

It's a good tub. I slept there for my 30th birthday. -Annie 

Lillian was freaking out about getting married, and she was specifically upset about leaving her apartment. So, while comforting her friend and listening as she listed off all the things she would miss, Annie chimed in when the bathtub was mentioned, reciting the fantastic line above. 

You're like the maid of dishonor. -Rhodes

Considering how poorly most of the events for Lillian’s wedding went, I can’t say this comment from Rhodes is wrong about Annie. 

This is such a stone-cold pack of weirdos, and I am so proud! -Lillian

Before things get gross in the bridal shop, the ladies have what they think is a nice lunch. Lillian shows her love for all of them by toasting her bridesmaids and saying they’re “a stone-cold pack of weirdos.” 

No one can get anywhere in 3 seconds. You're setting me up for a loss already. -Annie 

On his last nerve, the flight attendant tells Annie she needs to book it out of first, and she makes it very clear to him that the expectation he’s set is impossible to meet. 

This is kind of high-octane stuff that really made me want to become a cop. Missing girl found at her apartment. It's adrenaline-pinching. -Rhodes

Somehow delivering the line with both sarcasm and sincerity, Rhodes reacts to the news that Lillian is simply just in her apartment brilliantly. After low-key being tormented by Annie as she tried to get his attention, once they found Lillian, he had every right to be annoyed, but we got this sweet yet dry line instead. It’s perfect. 

I fell off a cruise ship, but I'm back. -Megan 

Bridesmaids is easily one of Melissa McCarthy’s best movies, and she proved that from the jump by having one of her first lines be about her trip that involved falling off a cruise ship.

Excuse me, um, could I have a glass of alcohol when you get a chance? -Becca 

While on the plane, Becca, a very wholesome gal, is having a conversation with Rita about her marriage and love life. In the middle of that conversation, a flight attendant comes by asking if they want a drink, and not really knowing what alcoholic beverage to order, Ellie Kemper’s character just says she’ll take “a glass of alcohol.”

I’m glad he’s single, ‘cause I’m gonna climb that like a tree. -Megan 

After asking the guy standing next to Annie if he’s her fella, Megan is told that the man is not with Annie, and quickly after that, Melissa McCarthy’s character is relieved because she wants him. 

They are cute, but when they reach that age, ugh. Disgusting. -Rita

As a mom of boys, Rita is very clear that while they’re cute when they’re babies, they are gross as they get older. After this line, she continues to go on and on, and it’s safe to say that she’s over living with them. 

I feel bad for your parents. -Annie

At Annie’s job, she gets into quite a verbal battle with a teen. While the kid is just as vicious, Annie is the one who gets in trouble for saying things like this funny and lethal line above, and ultimately she gets fired. 

I’m telling you, hitting bottom is a good thing. Because there’s nowhere to go but up. -Annie’s Mom

By reciting a lesson she learned at AA, which she’s not an alcoholic, Annie’s mom tries to give her daughter advice by saying that being at rock bottom only gives her room to grow. 

That dress is so pretty, it makes my stomach hurt. -Megan

Arguably, one of the reasons Bridesmaids earns its hard R-rating is the wedding dress store scene that devolves into the infamous bathroom moment, and it all begins when the girls realize they have stomach aches, and Megan says this funny line. 

Hold on for one more day. -Wilson Phillips

With one more hysterical surprise up her sleeve, Helen brings Wilson Phillips out to sing “One More Day” after Lillian and Dougie say I do. Meanwhile, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, who proved their physical comedy skills as part of SNL’s best casts, hilariously emphasized their comedy genius again by ending the movie lip-syncing during the performance, and it’s impossible to not walk out of this movie humming the tune. 

This should be open ‘cause it’s called civil rights. This is the ‘90s. -Annie

The first time Annie leaves first class, she opens the curtain separating those seats from the economy seats. As she’s heading back she also memorably tells the flight attendant why the classes of the plane shouldn’t be separated by claiming it’s an issue of civil rights that shouldn’t happen because it’s “the ‘90s,” which it isn’t, this movie came out in 2011, making the line even funnier.   

Physically, I don’t bloat. It’s a gift. -Megan 

As they’re enjoying lunch, Helen isn’t eating meat because she doesn't want to bloat. However, for Melissa McCarthy’s character, that’s not an issue, and the way she lets everyone know is fantastic. 

Don’t you dare laugh. -Lillian

The second Lillian walks out in her wedding dress, looking defeated, she tells Annie she’s not allowed to laugh at the giant poof of a gown. However, Kristen Wiig’s character can’t hold it in, and neither can Maya Rudolph’s and they both end up cracking up, even though she said not to. 

While Bridesmaids terrified director Paul Feig, because a comedy like it really hadn’t been made before, the film proved to be a classic. To this day, many of these amazing quotes are still talked about, and it’s impossible not to laugh at them. 

What is it that makes a Saturday Night Live character worthy of becoming the star of their own recurring sketch? Is it the way they dress or style their hair, the general ridiculous nature of their given situation, or is it their manner of speaking? We would actually say that much credit goes to that last example of criteria, based on the many great SNL character catchphrases we have compiled below.

“Well, Isn't That Special?” - The Church Lady

The chameleonic Dana Carvey has portrayed many recurring characters, but perhaps his single funniest SNL sketch is “Church Chat,” in which he plays Enid “The Church Lady” Strict. The deeply religious TV host has returned to Studio 8H several times and the secret to her enduring success is her hilariously sarcastic delivery of her signature line with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, That's The Ticket" - Tommy Flanagan

The phrase, “That’s the ticket,” is not exactly unique to Jon Lovitz’s Tommy Flanagan — the president of Pathological Liars Anonymous (or so he claims). However, it became imbedded in the SNL character’s legacy by the way it accompanies his most amusing fibs.

"We Are Two Wild And Crazy Guys!” - The Festrunk Brothers

Legendary Not Ready For Primetime Player Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin — arguably the greatest SNL host of all time — make up the swinging Czechoslovakian duo called the Festrunk Brothers. Of course, most people might know them better as the “Two Wild and Crazy Guys” from their vigorous mantra.

"New York's Hottest Club Is..." - Stefon

“Weekend Update” hosts just want Stefon (Bill Hader as the wild character he and John Mulaney created) to talk about the best family-friendly activities in New York. Instead, he would start his spiel by announcing the city’s new popular after hours joint, and it would only get funnier from there.

"We're Not Worthy!" - Wayne And Garth

Wayne Campbell (“Wayne’s World” creator Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) have come into contact with several celebrities (both on their cable access program and in their classic SNL spin-off movies). But, rarely have they been able to keep their cool around them, resorting to dropping to their knees, bowing, and declaring their undeserving presence.

"... I Live In A Van Down By The River!" - Matt Foley

The definitive performance by, arguably, the definitive ‘90s-era SNL cast member, Chris Farley, is his gut-busting portrayal of Matt Foley. In addition to being one of the most iconic divorced TV characters, the ill-advised motivational speaker’s most recognizable trait is his unfavorable place of residence (“a van down by the river”), which he reminds people of any chance he gets.

"Oooh, It's A Lady!" - Leon "The Ladies Man" Phelps

The most iconic character played by Tim Meadows (one of SNL’s longest-running cast members) is Leon Phelps, who would receive calls from men and women alike during his live romantic advice program. However, he always made it clear that he especially enjoyed attention from the opposite gender, which is exactly why they called him “The Ladies Man.”

"Cheeburger, Cheeburger, Cheeburger" - Pete Dionisopoulos

When Don Novello created the beloved SNL sketch from Season 3, “The Olympia Restaurant,” he might not have realized that simply repeating the word “cheeseburger” would create such an impact. Yet, John Belushi’s distinct pronunciation of it as the cafe’s Greek manager, Pete Dionisopoulos, served up a decadent comedy feast. 

"I’m Good Enough, I’m Strong Enough And Doggone It, People Like Me" - Stuart Smalley

Easily one of the most wholesome SNL characters ever conceived is Stuart Smalley, played by longtime series veteran and former U.S. senator Al Franken. He would begin each episode of his talk show, Daily Affirmations, with this personal affirmation that, perhaps, we should all be starting our days with.

"I'm Verklempt" - Linda Richman (Coffee Talk)

For various reasons — be it her strained relationship with her daughter or Barbra Streisand’s latest Oscar “snub” — Linda Richman often found herself overcome with emotion as host of “Coffee Talk.” By referring to these episodes as her being “verklempt,” the catchphrase became one of Mike Myers’ funniest quotes and never failed to get the audience howling.

"... Makin' Copies!" - Richard Laymer

Office worker Richard Laymer (Rob Schneider) is better known as “the Richmeister,” in reference to his tendency give his colleagues similar-sounding nicknames. This was typically followed by Rich acknowledging they were “makin’ copies” with the machine that just happened to be near his desk, much to their chagrin.

"We Want To Pump You Up!" - Hans And Franz

Austrian fitness “experts” Hans (Dana Carvey) and Franz (Kevin Nealon) had a pretty apt slogan for their program, Pumping Up, stating that they “want to pump [clap] you up!” However, we would discover that they failed to earn the respect of their famous bodybuilder cousin, Arnold Schwarzenegger, when he appeared in one of the most jaw-dropping SNL cameos as himself.

"Party On..." - Wayne And Garth

It was always a party on Wayne’s World, as co-hosts Wayne and Garth often reminded  audiences with this endearing, celebratory greeting. Of course, this phrase is also associated with another famous duo from the same era: Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter’s titular dudes from the Bill and Ted movies.

"I’m Chevy Chase And You’re Not" - Chevy Chase (Weekend Update)

We can sum up Chevy Chase’s signature style of charming smugness and dry wit in just six words. It is with this same phrase that the future Community cast member began nearly every “Weekend Update” segment he hosted during his short, but memorable run on SNL in the 1970s.

"... But I Love Him" - Jodi Deitz (Bronx Beat)

The talk show Bronx Beat was, essentially, an excuse for New York housewives Betty Caruso (Amy Poehler) and Jodi Deitz (Maya Rudolph) to voice their boisterous, and sometimes condemning, opinions on various subjects — with Jodi’s husband being a frequent topic. However, her complaint over her spouse’s moronic tendencies was always accompanied with a tearful affirmation that he still made her happy.

"Give Me A Break" - Ed Grimley

It’s hard to believe that a legend like Martin Short was only on SNL for one season, especially with his impressive assortment of characters like Ed Grimley. The pop-culture obsessed, erratic man-child — borrowed from the actor’s SCTV days — had a few different catchphrases, but his delivery of and situational choices for using “Give me a break” made it a classic.

"It Just Goes To Show Ya, It's Always Somethin'. If It's Not One Thing, It's Another" - Roseanne Roseannadanna

One of the most iconic “Weekend Update” guest characters was Roseanne Roseannadanna, who ended each of her nauseating appearances declaring that, “It’s always somethin’.” The phrase would serve as the title for the late, great Gilda Radner’s memoir, in which she reveals she borrowed it from her own late father’s favorite expression. 

"Superstar!" - Mary Katherine Gallagher

While her intentions may have been hard to interpret at face value, Mary Katherine Gallagher’s commitment to becoming a “superstar” was made clear in the way she exclaimed the phrase with an irresistible gusto. As such, Superstar became the name of a 1999 movie that put Molly Shannon’s quirky Catholic school student in the cinematic spotlight.

"Would You Like To Touch My Monkey?” - Dieter (Sprockets)

West German talk show host Dieter (Mike Myers) is another one of those characters who had many iconic catchphrases at his disposal, with the most famous being “Would you like to touch my monkey?” While it initially sounds a bit suggestive, he is genuinely curious if the guests on his show, Sprockets, would be interested in petting his pet, Klaus.

"Oh No!" - Mr. Bill

Few SNL bits are more traumatic than the short films starring Mr. Bill. The meek, indefensible clay figure could never do anything to prevent the painful situations he found himself in, but to exclaim, “Oh no!” right before they occurred.

"Bring It On Down To ...-Ville!" - Dancing Mascot

Nearly every one of Five-Timers Club member Justin Timberlake’s SNL gigs see him dressed in a ridiculous outfit, performing spoofs of hit songs to promote a local business — such as Omeletteville or Wrappingville — and upstage the competition on the same sidewalk. The pop star and actor even referenced the recurring sketch and its signature quote during a “Weekend Update” appearance when he imagines a non-existent Thanksgiving episode in which we would have brought it on down “Turkeyville.”

"Talk Amongst Yourselves. I'll Give You A Topic..." - Linda Richman (Coffee Talk)

When in need of a moment to compose herself after becoming “verklempt,” Linda Richman always avoided leaving her Coffee Talk audience empty-handed by offering them a conversation piece to pass the time. Examples of her given discussion topics include “Rhode Island is neither a road, nor is it an island” and “Ralph Fiennes is spelled neither rafe nor fines” among many others.

"Buh-Bye" - Flight Attendants

One of the funniest David Spade quotes comes courtesy of a flight attendant who wastes no time letting passengers know he does not want to be there. The character and his iconic “Buh-bye” debuted in a Season 19 SNL sketch also starring Helen Hunt as his equally rude colleague.

"Oh. Well, That’s Different. Nevermind!" - Emily Litella

As the elderly Emily Litella, Gilda Radner appeared on “Weekend Update” numerous times to present an opposing viewpoint to an editorialized topic, only to be informed that her supposed hearing problems led her to dish on something entirely different from the intended subject. Some of the most classic examples include “violins on television” instead of “violence on television” or questioning why the Supreme Court made a decision on a “deaf penalty” when, in fact, it was a decision on the “death penalty."

"What're YOUUUU Doin' Herrre?" - Stuart (The Californians)

The key as to why a sketch as simple as “The Californians” has stood the test of time is Fred Armisen’s preposterously over-the-top West Coast accent when portraying Stuart, especially when asking why certain acquaintances are in his house. Apparently, as Bill Hader shared with Seth Meyers on Late Night, he and Kristen Wiig did not know Armisen would pronounced “What’re you doing here?” so cartoonishly, causing the sketch to not go quite as planned with their uncontrollable laughter.

"You Look Marvelous" - Fernando Lamas

The peak highlight of Billy Crystal’s brief SNL stint was his portrayal of Fernando Lamas as a talk show host who often gushed over how “mahvelous” his guests looked. The Argentinian actor’s son, Lorenzo Lamas, even said that his father actually loved the impression.

"It's Reno Time!" - Janet Reno

For as long as Janet Reno served the U.S. Attorney General, Will Ferrell played her for years as the misplaced host of a teen-centered musical program called “Janet Reno’s Dance Party.” On the final edition of the sketch, the real politician herself crashed through a brick wall to shout out her SNL doppelgängers catchphrase.

"... Is That Bad To Do Do Do...?" - Junice Merill

No character portrayed by Academy Award-nominated SNL star Kristen Wiig is really known for having any definitive catchphrases, but Junice Merill does have her own “catch-lyric.” When she and her sisters appear on The Lawrence Welk Show, she takes one moment of their performance to confess something grotesque and possibly illegal before asking if it is “bad” in song.

"Delta Delta Delta! Can I Help Ya, Help Ya, Help Ya?" - Delta Delta Delta Sorority Sisters

One of the youngest SNL cast members (being 23 at the time) is Melanie Hutsell, whose most famous character was a sorority pledge named Di. She and her fellow sisters (played by Siobhan Fallon and Beth Cahill) would answer the sorority house phone in this most hilariously upbeat way.

"I Got A Fever And The Only Prescription Is More Cowbell!" - Bruce Dickinson

One of the most iconic SNL sketches prominently featuring an A-list host is a faux clip of Blue Öyster Cult recording “Don’t Fear the Reaper” under the supervision of Christopher Walken as Bruce Dickinson. His likening of Gene Frenkle’s (Will Ferrell) cowbell as a cure for his metaphorical illness in this one-off sketch may not exactly count as a catchphrase, but is undeniably one of the most celebrated lines in the series’ history. In fact, Walken claims it “ruined” his life with how often people quote it at him.

"Don't Look At My Bum" - Simon

Mike Myers stars in a recurring sketch as a young British boy named Simon, who likes to show the audience his drawing from a bathtub. In many instances, as he would turn around to reach for another example of his artwork, the child felt compelled to remind his viewers not to stare at his “bum.”

"That's What Your Mother Said Last Night" - Sean Connery (Celebrity Jeopardy!)

For no discernible reason, Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery was more interested in spending the entirety of his appearances in SNL’s best Celebrity Jeopardy! sketches taunting Will Ferrell’s Alex Trebek than winning the game. Most of his insults involved the host’s mother, whom he jokingly claimed to have a relationship with.

These SNL catchphrases prove that, sometimes, it is not what you say, but how you say it. These characters said it hilariously.

In its several decades on air, Saturday Night Live has made icons out of many of its cast members. For some — including some of SNL’s one-season wonders — you might argue that the sketch comedy series is the peak of their careers, until you remember the acclaimed and widely beloved movies and TV shows they would go on to star in. Take a look at our picks for the finest work some of our favorite SNL stars have put out beyond their time at Studio 8H.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop made him a movie star, but Coming to America might be the absolute best Eddie Murphy movie, especially as the first to show just how far the comic’s extraordinary talents extend. He gives his most heartfelt performance as an African prince searching for love in New York City, but that is far from his only role in this dazzling romantic-com from 1988.

Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids)

Along with her writing partner, Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig joined the club of Oscar-nominated SNL stars for penning this 2011 instant classic comedy. She also transcends what made her a Studio 8H all-star by leading the Bridesmaids cast with her most down-to-earth performance yet as a baker suffering an existential crisis after her best friend (played by Maya Rudolph) gets engaged.

Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems)

Some argue that an SNL star who should have been nominated for an Oscar is Adam Sandler for his performance in one of the best A24 movies, Uncut Gems. If self-destructive jeweler Howard Rattner had been played by anyone else but the guy behind “The Hanukkah Song” and movies like Happy Gilmore, it might have been tough to root for the protagonist of Josh and Benny Safdie’s anxiety-fueled, 2019 crime drama.

Kate McKinnon (Barbie)

After previously working with Margot Robbie in Bombshell and making the A-lister laugh uncontrollably in an SNL sketch, Kate McKinnon reunited with the Australian actor in the Barbie cast in 2023. The Emmy-winner is perfect as “Weird Barbie” — now a real doll in Mattel’s catalog — in co-writer and director Greta Gerwig’s cleverly satirical and surprisingly moving blockbuster based on the legendary toy.

Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction)

We love Will Ferrell in funny movies like Elf and Talladega Nights, but never has he given a performance as tender, reserved, and relatable as his Golden Globe-nominated role in Stranger Than Fiction. That is only one reason director Marc Forster’s inventive 2006 dramedy is his best movie in our eyes.

Molly Shannon (Wet Hot American Summer)

The Wet Hot American Summer cast is full of actors who went on to become superstars, but one of the biggest names among that ensemble at the time was SNL great Molly Shannon. She stars in the 2001 cult-favorite summer comedy classic as camp counselor Gail, who seeks consolation for her second divorce from surprisingly mature adolescent campers.

Bill Murray (Lost In Translation)

To this day, many believe that Bill Murray should have won the Academy Award for his performance in one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation. Also one of the best movies produced by Focus Features, he stars in writer and director Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning sophomore effort as a disillusioned actor who strikes up a unique bond with a young woman (played by Scarlett Johansson) who is also struggling to navigate her life after meeting in Japan. 

Tina Fey (Mean Girls)

From her time on SNL as a cast member and head writer to her development of beloved comedies like 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tina Fey has had one of the most impressive careers in comedy, let alone show business in general. However, her one credit that has best stood the test of time is her sharply satirical high school movie, Mean Girls, which she adapted from Rosalind Wiseman’s book and also stars in as Ms. Norbury.

Dan Aykroyd (The Blues Brothers)

Dan Aykroyd may have a Best Picture Oscar winner under his belt (Driving Miss Daisy, for which he also received an acting nomination) and also wrote and starred in one of the beloved Ghostbusters. However, the movie that he will always be best known for is 1980’s The Blues Brothers, which is arguably the all-time best movie based on SNL characters (Ayrkoyd and John Belushi’s brotherly musicians, Jake and Elwood Blues) and one of the most important movies set in Chicago as well.

Gilda Radner (Haunted Honeymoon)

Highlights of Gilda Radner’s post-SNL career included sharing the screen with her husband, Gene Wilder, such as 1986’s Haunted Honeymoon, in which they play a couple staying in a spooky house to cure the groom’s anxieties. Unfortunately, the fun horror-comedy movie would also be her final film before she passed away in 1989.

Chevy Chase (Community)

After making a huge impact in so little time on SNL (not even two full seasons), Chevy Chase had a memorable film career (especially with National Lampoon’s Vacation movies), but it was his return to the small screen in the late 2000s that really had us especially impressed. He starred in the Community cast as Pierce Hawthorne — one of many Greendale Community College students experiencing often strange circumstances and meta pop-culture references in creator Dan Harmon’s inventive sitcom.

Chris Farley (Tommy Boy)

Perhaps the most influential ‘90s SNL actor was the late Chris Farley, whose one-in-a-million, energetic comedic talent made him a legend. He also made an impeccable team with fellow SNL actor David Spade in the hilarious road trip comedy, and one of the funniest and most iconic movies of the ‘90s, Tommy Boy.

Jimmy Fallon (Almost Famous)

Jimmy Fallon has had a stellar career, from his memorable SNL stint to hosting The Tonight Show, but most of his movies did not quite have the same impact — save his Oscar-winning feature-length debut in 2000. Fallon starred in writer and director Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous cast as the touring manager for Stillwater, Dennis Hope.

Amy Poehler (Inside Out)

Amy Poehler is the kind of performer who brings a sense of joy to everything she does, from her SNL days to the Parks and Recreation cast as Leslie Knope. Thus, it only makes sense that she would star as the personification of “Joy” in one of Pixar’s best movies: 2015’s Inside Out.

Will Forte (Nebraska)

We all know and love the masterfully goofy Will Forte from the “MacGruber” sketches and as the star and creator of a show canceled too soon called The Last Man on Earth, but 2013’s Nebraska showed a rare side of the actor we cherished seeing. He gives a somber, yet beautifully endearing, performance in director Alexander Payne’s Oscar-nominated drama as a man accompanying his estranged father (played by Bruce Dern) on a trip to collect a supposed million-dollar prize.

Maya Rudolph (The Way Way Back)

Maya Rudolph’s career outside SNL has been nothing short of impressive, but we were most impressed by her work in 2013’s The Way Way Back. From the Oscar-winning writing duo behind The Descendants (Nat Faxon and Jim Rash), this winning dramedy features Rudolph as Caitlin, a manager at a water park where teen protagonist Duncan (Liam James) works to escape a miserable summer at his mother’s boyfriend’s house.

Bill Hader (Barry)

Bill Hader never failed to surprise audiences with his impeccable impersonations and excellent commitment to character on SNL, but he surprised us in other ways with his first major small-screen follow-up. He played the title role of HBO’s Barry cast (in addition to co-creating the very dark comedy series), who is a hitman trying to reinvent himself as an actor.

Cecily Strong (Schmigadoon!)

One of the greatest surprises of John Mulaney’s SNL musical sketches was Cecily Strong’s smashing singing voice. It would also come in handy when she and Keegan-Michael Key led AppleTV+’s Schmigadoon! cast as a couple trapped in a world that looks and sounds like a lavish musical production.

Chris Rock (Nurse Betty)

In 2000, Chris Rock teamed up with Morgan Freeman as hitmen searching for a delusional widow (played by Renée Zellweger) convinced she is engaged to a soap opera character in director Neil LaBute’s sharp, quirky dramedy, Nurse Betty. We will, however, give an honorable mention for one of the best sitcoms starring an SNL vet, Everybody Hates Chris, which the comedian created and narrated.

Jane Curtin (3rd Rock From The Sun)

Years after playing an alien in, arguably, her single funniest SNL sketch (“The Coneheads”), Jane Curtin played one of the few human series regulars on a series also about otherworldly visitors trying to blend in. The former “Weekend Update” anchor starred on NBC’s hit sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Mary Albright, a colleague, and later fiancée, of Dick Solomon (John Lithgow) at Pendleton State University.

Andy Samberg (Palm Springs)

There is only so much that we are actually willing to reveal about our pick for Andy Samberg’s best effort outside of SNL, Palm Springs, for anyone who has not seen it yet. What we will say is that the 2020 rom-com — and one of the best movies on Hulu — stars the Lonely Island member and Golden Globe-winning Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor and Cristin Milioti as wedding guests who become embroiled in a very strange predicament.

Mike Myers (Shrek)

We love almost all of the characters Mike Myers has created or portrayed, from Wayne Campbell to Austin Powers, but picking his true all-time best work outside of Studio 8H is easy. Myers put on his best Scottish accent to voice the title role of 2001’s Shrek — the first movie to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar, for its sharp send-up of fairytale tropes and heartwarming unlikely romance.

Pete Davidson (The King Of Staten Island)

There have been some great Pete Davidson movies and TV shows over the years, but the former SNL star’s best work might also be one of his most personal. The Bupkis cast member based The King of Staten Island (which he co-wrote with director Judd Apatow) on his own life as the son of a firefighter who tragically passed on 9/11. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ time on SNL often goes forgotten, but you cannot say the same about the career she had after the show, which includes Emmy wins for shows like Veep and joining the MCU. However, she really blew up when she joined the Seinfeld cast as Elaine Benes, who was the focus of many classic and hilarious moments on the legendary sitcom.

Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)

Jason Sudeikis is the kind of SNL performer who could make the Devil himself seem likable, which is why he was the perfect choice for the charming lead of the Ted Lasso cast for Apple TV+. Indeed, his Emmy-winning performance as the titular American football coach hired to manage an English football (a.k.a. soccer) team is key to its jubilant success.

Norm Macdonald (Dirty Work)

In 1998, the same year that the late Norm Macdonald was infamously fired from SNL, the actor came out with one of his best movies, Dirty Work. Also written by Macdonald and directed by Bob Saget, the comedy about a man who literally becomes a specialist in the business of revenge has gained a cult following despite getting bad reviews in the 90s.

Kenan Thompson (D2: The Mighty Ducks)

Before he became one of the longest-running SNL cast members, Kenan Thompson was part of Nickelodeon’s more kid-friendly sketch comedy, All That. However, before then, the Emmy winner made his acting debut in one of the greatest hockey movies, D2: the Mighty Ducks as the inventor of the Knuckle Puck, Russ.

Ana Gasteyer (Happiest Season)

As the creator of beloved sketches like “NPR’s Delicious Dish” and the astonishing ability to hide when sketches don’t go as planned, Ana Gasteyer’s SNL days do not get talked about enough. In 2020, she appeared alongside the Happiest Season cast in a brief, but memorable, role in the acclaimed LGBTQ+ romance dramedy.

Fred Armisen (Portlandia)

While he was still on SNL, Fred Armisen was the driving force of a whole different kind of sketch comedy series called Portlandia. In partnership with non-SNL sketch comedy actor Carrie Brownstein, the pair poked fun at life in Portland in a Monty Python-esque style of quirky and bizarre bits.

Tim Meadows (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping)

Despite his impressively long tenure, Tim Meadows is one of the most criminally underrated SNL actors and his big-screen presence is no different. Case in point: even one of his most prominent movie roles is from a vastly underrated, mockumentary-style comedy, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, from 2106 as Harry, manager to conner4real (Andy Samberg).

Tracy Morgan (30 Rock)

How fitting that one of Tracy Morgan’s greatest successes after being a sketch comedy show performer was playing a sketch comedy show performer. The comic stole every scene in creator and star Tina Fey’s brilliantly surreal broadcasting satire, 30 Rock, as over-the-top actor, Tracy Jordan.

Aidy Bryant (Shrill)

Even before she left SNL (a bit later than she anticipated as a result of Covid-19), Aidy Bryant had already ventured on with a series of her own called Shrill. The actor received an Emmy nomination for her performance on the Hulu original comedy (which she also co-created) as an overweight journalist aspiring to change who she is inside without changing who she is outside.

Even if Saturday Night Live is what these actors are remembered best for, that does not mean it will always be the best thing they are remembered for.

It’s hard to imagine Saturday Night Live without Kenan Thompson. The comedian has been on the show longer than anyone else, and he’s truly a staple of the legendary sketch comedy show. However, after his first season in 2003, he almost decided to leave because it went so poorly. Luckily, a pep talk from fellow comedy legend Maya Rudolph inspired him to stay, and now, the All That star is opening up about this moment and his early days on SNL. 

In his memoir When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown (via People), Thompson got candid about his career, especially the early days of it. While he’s been on SNL longer than anyone, and he has been part of some of the NBC sketch comedy show’s best casts, it did not begin that way, and he’s explained why.

Kenan Thompson’s First Season On SNL Didn’t Go So Hot

It’s no secret that being on Saturday Night Live is difficult, especially in that first season. New cast members have to prove their worth and work really hard to get their sketches to air. Kenan Thompson revealed that his freshman year at SNL was “marred by a ton of rookie mistakes,” and he was pretty beaten down by it. 

In his book, Thompson recalled a sketch called “Randy the Bellhop” which featured Rachel Dratch and 5-timer club member Alec Baldwin. When that sketch “tanked,” as he wrote, his confidence “sunk to an all-time low.” Explaining why the moment went so poorly, he wrote:

The comedian went on to explain that he was mortified by the moment, saying he “spiraled into a full-on panic.” While he’s used to the live pressure of SNL now, at the time he didn’t have much experience performing under these circumstances. If he stumbled over his words or there was “a slip up” in the movies or on Nickelodeon it was no big deal, he wrote, they could do another take. Saturday Night Live is a different kind of beast, and it was one he felt he couldn’t tame at the time.

After that sketch bombed, Kenan Thompson wrote that it felt like “every other writer avoided me like COVID.” He didn’t know if he was doing a good job, and had no idea if he’d be asked back. That first season the comedian had very little airtime, and he thought about quitting the show. Luckily, Maya Rudolph gave him a helpful pep talk that encouraged him to keep going. 

How Maya Rudolph Helped Him Realize He Belonged 

While Thompson’s first season had him down in the dumps, he eventually decided to ask Maya Rudolph why he was picked for the cast. He explained her sweet reaction and motivational words, writing:

Kenan Thompson was in shock when he heard her kind words, and he reacted, saying:

He later noted that this interaction with Rudolph was a “turning point” for him. 

Now, he’s been on the show for two decades, has received five Emmy nominations, starred in some of SNL’s most popular sketches, and is regarded as one of the best ever to set foot in Studio 8H. 

He’s said over and over, that he has stayed because “it never gets old” and he loves being on such a unique show. At the moment, Thompson has no plans of leaving SNL, actually, he’s said he fears it. However, he also wants to make sure other voices can be amplified, like he was all those years ago, through the legendary sketch show. 

Kenan Thompson is still going strong on Saturday Night Live, and I think we should all thank our lucky stars that Maya Rudolph gave him that little confidence boost during his early days. He’s made such a massive impact on SNL, and he’s a major part of the show’s history.

You can see Kenan Thompson in the season of SNL currently airing on the 2023 TV schedule by tuning in on Saturday nights at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC or with a Peacock subscription. Also, if you’d like to see the comedian's projects outside of the sketch comedy show, be sure to check out Kenan Thompson’s other work, like the recently released Good Burger 2, and pick up his memoir, When I Was Your Age, which is available now.

Animated movies like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem usually boast how they’ve scored an amazing cast of familiar voices you’ve heard. To say that director Jeff Rowe had achieved that same feat would be an understatement, as the voice talent for Paramount’s new reboot on the half shell is truly stacked. 

Whether you've seen the movie already or want to double check your assumptions on who's in the cast, we've got you covered. So if you thought you heard a familiar voice or two in this entry of the 2023 movie release schedule, then take a look at the list below and see if your instincts were right. 

Micah Abbey (Donatello)

With two episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, as well as the role of Leaf in Cousins For Life, under his belt, Micah Abbey landed the role of Donatello in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles family. Those experiences have helped Abbey’s portrayal, as his spot as the quick thinking genius of the group benefits from such performances.

Shamon Brown Jr. (Michelangelo)

Ever the prankster, Michelangelo is the class clown when it comes to these brothers in arms. Taking up that role is actor Shamon Brown Jr., who can be seen in the Showtime original series The Chi in the role of Papa. According to Variety, Brown will also be reprising his role as Michelangelo, along with his on-screen brothers, in the the upcoming series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which will serve as the connective tissue to a greenlit sequel to Mutant Mayhem. 

Nicolas Cantu (Leonardo)

Actor Nicolas Cantu’s collection of roles ranges from the voice of Charlie on Netflix’s Skull Island to Elton on The Walking Dead: Worlds Beyond. With guest spots on Family Guy, The Rookie, and 9-1-1: Lone Star also in the mix, Cantu’s role as the de facto leader and occasional “narc” in the family comes with a lot of experience behind it. 

Brady Noon (Raphael)

Ever the hot head, Raphael is the Ninja Turtle you’d most likely get into a fight with. It’s ok, because his anger totally isn’t a problem; especially when it comes to Brady Noon’s colorful performance! Previously seen on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire as young Tommy Darmody, Noon has recently been a fixture for those with a Disney+ subscription thanks to playing Greg in the animated Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies and Evan Morrow from Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.

Ayo Edebiri (April O'Neil)

You might recognize the voice of April O’Neill in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem thanks to Ayo Edebiri’s previous voice work on Netflix’s Big Mouth. Or you might remember her as Sydney from FX’s The Bear. In either case, Ms. Edebiri has had an amazing run in her recent resume, preparing her to play the hard-hitting teenage journalist to great effect.

Jackie Chan (Splinter)

Traditionally, Splinter has been portrayed as both a master of martial arts and a concerned father. So tying those two factors together by casting Jackie Chan in the role is a pretty ingenious stroke when you think about it. A veteran of action/comedies like Rush Hour, Chan has also built a pretty impressive career in voice-overs through work in the Kung-Fu Panda movies, as well as The Lego Ninjago Movie. Though you may have also seen Jackie Chan in the flesh recently, thanks to the Netflix success of his movie Hidden Strike.

Ice Cube (Superfly)

It takes a villain as cunning, yet charming, as Superfly to terrorize the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. That’s exactly what audiences have gotten out of the experience thanks to rapper/actor Ice Cube playing this part with both of those qualities front and center. Cube made a name for himself through acting in the Friday and Barbershop franchises, as well as jumping in on the action/adventure thrill ride xXx: State of the Union. 

Giancarlo Esposito (Baxter Stockman)

Scientist Baxter Stockman isn’t as villainous as you’d think in Mutant Mayhem, as he doesn't turn into Superfly in this incarnation. (Despite that version of Stockman, from the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, being pictured above.) This turn is just as shocking as learning that Giancarlo Esposito is the voice behind this fatherly presence. 

As Gus Fring on Breaking Bad and Moff Gideon on The Mandalorian, Esposito’s more menacing side got a true workout. However, there are more ruthless characters in this universe, some of which are connected to his work with “the ooze.”

Maya Rudolph (Cynthia Utrom)

Cynthia Utrom wants all of Baxter Stockman’s research, and she wants it now! The overarching antagonist who wants to milk the Turtles and capture all of Stockman’s creations, Cynthia’s unique voice comes from SNL vet Maya Rudolph. Also known for voice work in The Mitchells vs. The Machines' cast (which was co-directed/written by Mutant Mayhem’s Jeff Rowe), Rudolph is also notable for her role in Paul Feig’s comedy masterpiece Bridesmaids.

Seth Rogen (Bebop)

Speaking of Baxter Stockman’s experiments, they too have formed a superpowered family under the watchful eye of Superfly. One of the most iconic has to be Bebop, one half of a team that’s long terrorized the Turtles, but actually befriends them in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Played by producer and co-writer Seth Rogen, this “permanent teenager” kicked off his acting career with Knocked Up, and has been in everything from Superbad to Steve Jobs since then.

John Cena (Rocksteady)

If you have Bebop, then you definitely need to have Rocksteady by his side. Completing this dynamic duo is an unlikely, but awesome scene partner: John Cena. Most recently seen in Barbie and Fast X, this WWE veteran is up for pretty much anything… even playing the live-action scene partner to Mutant Mayhem co-star Jackie Chan in that Netflix hit we discussed earlier, Hidden Strike!

Hannibal Buress (Genghis Frog)

Be it in his role as Coach Wilson in Spider-Man: Homecoming or as an exaggerated version of himself in The Eric Andre Show, Hannibal Buress is a fan favorite in the world of comedy. Taking on Genghis Frog is a perfect opportunity for his talents, as Buress’ deadpan delivery and comedic threats are a solid fit for this character’s role in Superfly’s gang.

Rose Byrne (Leatherhead)

An alligator with an attitude, Leatherhead is just as likely to threaten to bite you as she is to make you an onion-based treat that practically blooms on the table. Voiced by Rose Byrne, she’s yet another Bridesmaids cast member on the Mutant Mayhem team. Though you may have also seen her in live-action through the Peter Rabbit movies, as well as in Apple TV+’s Platonic with Seth Rogen.

Natasia Demetriou (Wingnut)

Depending on who you are, casting Natasia Demetriou as the batty Wingnut is either on the nose or clever casting. Thanks to her role as vampire/bat Nadja on What We Do In The Shadows, hearing a flying creature with Demetriou’s familiar voice is certainly going to have her fans recognizing her presence faster than you can say, “Bat!”

Post Malone (Ray Fillet)

Ray Fillet is a creature that loves to sing, and rightfully so, as Mutant Mayhem scored the talents of rapper Post Malone to give him those soulful melodies. Credited under his real name, Austin Post, Malone has also been featured in movies like Guy Ritchie’s Wrath of Man, as well as playing the role of Squeeb in the Netflix film Spenser Confidential. 

Paul Rudd (Mondo Gecko)

Don’t let the “introducing” credit fool you, as that scrappy up-and -omer Paul Rudd has been making a name for himself for some time. Appearing in various comedies like Clueless, and even Knocked Up with fellow mutant vocalist Seth Rogen, Rudd is probably best known as the MCU’s cinematic Ant-Man. Though, to be honest, Mondo Gecko’s vibes could put him in contest with Scott Lang for “best Paul Rudd role of all time.” 

With such a deep bench of talent in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, there are a lot of voices to recognize. So we’re glad to be able to help identify the lot, and keep you from racking your brain too hard over who’s who; as a lot of the lines throughout this exciting action/comedy were bound to ring some bells in the minds of all who have seen it. 

If you haven’t had a chance to experience the Mutant Mayhem for yourself, don’t worry. Turtle Power has returned to a theater near you, and will more than likely wind up as part of the perks to having a Paramount+ subscription at some point in the future. 

For decades, the animated M&M's candy mascots dominated small screen ads. Whether they're fainting from seeing Santa, griping about each other in board meetings, or trying to disable a rocket, the multi-colored characters are used to bringing their shenanigans to audiences at large. This might be why so many people were immediately up in arms after the company announced the iconic spokescandies are being replaced by comedy queen Maya Rudolph for an upcoming Super Bowl ad, saying it's all an effort to sidestep past controversies. 

News of Maya Rudolph's partnership with the M&M's brand came via a statement from the company that was shared on Instagram. The message explaining the surprising switch-up alluded to consumer reactions to various changes made to the characters in recent years, such as the Green M&M's design changing to tone down perceived-as-sexual details, as well as the introduction of the Purple M&M. According to the press release, the company is putting the mascots on an "indefinite pause" and opting to move forward with Rudolph in their place. It all seem a bit too tongue in cheek to be real, and yet...

While appearing on Today, Rudolph teased that "lots of fun" will be had in regards to the upcoming Super Bowl ad, and shared how she felt to be the brand's "Chief of Fun" spokesperson, saying:

M&M is known for its creative advertising and for using well-known celebrities like Danny DeVito for Super Bowl ads. It's no shock they'd enlist a multi-hyphenate talent like Maya Rudolph, but certainly still wild to hear the mascots won't be involved in any way. While it's possible this is all an intentional plan to drum up more interest ahead of the ad, some on the internet are not too happy to hear this news and want answers: 

There's definitely a lot of confusion all around with this news, even beyond the decision to withhold the mascots. There's no denying Maya Rudolph is a beloved comedy icon with scores of memorable moments on Saturday Night Live and plenty of other great performances on TV and in film. Still, there's also no denying other celebrities may have been more obvious spokespersons for M&M's, if any such people could please stand up. 

Maybe the price for Eminem went up after last year's elaborate Super Bowl halftime performance. In either case, Maya Rudolph is the new face of M&M's going forward, and the one group we haven't heard from would be the replaced M&M's mascots. The chocolate-filled toons haven't made any formal kind of statement at this time, but there are those on the internet who think they know how they're feeling: 

The online discourse about this situation, which features a lot of confusing opinions, has understandably left some to question why so many others are up in arms. Cyanide and Happiness creator Rob DenBleyker is one of those that had trouble making heads or tails of what he saw, and needed some help from followers to understand: 

I don't blame anyone who is confused, as there's a deep mix of serious and silly reactions to the M&M news, making it a bit disorienting to navigate. Then you take all that and throw in the folks just making surreal memes to further enable chaos, and this situation has really gotten out of control: 

The world could really use a mustachioed M&M with the scripted wisdom of a talk show host like Dr. Phil right now, but I wouldn't count on seeing anything like that at the Super Bowl. This whole situation has devolved into a real mess online, so I can only imagine how cord-cutters armed with only a Netflix subscription and years of not watching ads are navigating this right now. 

I personally think the M&M characters will appear, and this is just another attention-grabbing pre-Super Bowl ad stunt similar to Ben Affleck selling Dunkin Donuts coffee. I guess we'll see when the big game arrives and if people react even more unexpectedly if the mascots were indeed nixed. 

Those who live for Super Bowl ads but don't actually follow sports can get set to binge on some of the highest-quality (read as: expensive) commercials of the year on Fox on Sunday, February 12th. I'm excited to check out M&M's upcoming ad, and am hoping it'll at least measure up to some of the best commercials from last year's big game. 

As the longest-running Saturday Night Live cast member, Kenan Thompson has seen his share of castmates come and go throughout his two decades on the show. But last season saw the biggest exodus in years, as notable players like Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson (among others) left the late-night sketch series. But while seeing castmates depart the show was nothing too unusual for Thompson, that doesn’t mean their exits were any less sad. Now in the middle of its 48th season, with several up-and-coming comedians having joined the sketch ensemble, the All That alum opened up about missing his old SNL co-stars.

The comedian reminisced about his former castmates while speaking with E! News. As happy as he is when former cast members move on to other successful projects, Thompson would still love for them to come back to the show on occasion, though he remains realistic about the possibility of that happening.

Being SNL’s stalwart member, his castmates haven’t just been coworkers but family. The pressure of putting together a show weekly under insurmountable circumstances and ever-changing headline trends has sparked many a close bond among the all-star talent. Much like SNL alum Jason Sudeikis, Thompson views Maya Rudolph in a most glowing light, and championed her willingness to help others become acquainted with the weekly tasks when she was in the cast. Of course, that wasn’t surprising given she played a key role in one of his favorite SNL memories.

His praise for former SNL stars continued as he was asked about friend and former castmate Pete Davidson. Being around the comedy star for eight seasons, Thompson saw firsthand what made Davidson so appealing to women. While the Kenan and Kel star avoided the obvious package factor, he delved more into The King of Staten Island star’s character.

It appears Davidson is more boyfriend material than the media had portrayed through his high-profile relationships with stars like Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande. Even SNL member Chole Fineman saw the comedian’s appeal as "deeply charming,” having acted alongside him for three seasons.  

Kenan Thompson is currently in his 20th season on Saturday Night Live. After the cancellation of his sitcom Kenan, Thompson has moved more into hosting, including this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards, and this week's People’s Choice Awards. But the comedic actor hasn’t relegated himself to television as he and Good Burger co-star and close friend Kel Mitchell are gearing up for the long-awaited sequel. 

That doesn't mean SNL is on the back burner at all, as veterans Steve Martin and Martin Short are returning to host on December 10, with country star Brandi Carlile as the musical guest. The new episode will premiere at 11:30 pm EST, with past episodes available to stream with a Peacock subscription.

It's safe to say that Jason Sudeikis has become one of Saturday Night Live’s most successful alumni, having since starred on the Emmy-winning comedy Ted Lasso and much more. Sudeikis started out as a writer on the show before becoming a cast member from 2005 to 2013. At the time, he joined alongside the likes of Andy Samberg and Bill Hader, with Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, and more being the series' veterans. Looking back at this time, Sudeikis shared what working with Fey, Rudolph, and other SNL vets ultimately taught him.

Not unlike the great cast shakeup before Season 48, there was a bit of a transition taking place at SNL when Jason Sudeikis became a key performer. He had been a writer since 2003 but being in front of the camera was different. Seasoned cast members like Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph, meanwhile, were inching toward the end of their stints on the show. Thankfully, they stayed on a bit longer and were able to help the new guns get used to TV sketch comedy. While speaking at the Indeed FutureWorks 2022 conference (via CNBC), Sudeikis could do nothing but praise Fey, Rudolph and Amy Poehler for their leadership:

One would imagine that the guidance provided by those stars was invaluable for the series' newcomers. Of course, the SNL staples surely knew what it was like to be a newbie. It probably goes without saying that EP Lorne Michaels and co. were sad to lose those stars. At the time, Fey was preparing to star in and produce the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, which led to her exit in 2006. Poehler and Rudolph would leave the sketch comedy staple in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Luckily though, thanks to them, Sudeikis, Wiig, Hader, and Samberg ushered in a new era for the long-running series.

Working with the well-established stars allowed the Horrible Bosses alum to really observe how his colleagues moved on and off set. Ultimately, it would seem that the actor learned a very simple -- yet incredibly important -- lesson from working with the vets. He continued:

It goes without saying that the actor has taken that to heart and, as he further explained, that's also taught him to find “harmony” between his personal and professional lives and to be sure he's “having fun” while doing so. The multi-Emmy winner has struck a balance between being a Hollywood star and a father of two. 

Things have worked out for Jason Sudeikis, as he starred in numerous TV shows since leaving SNL in 2013. Before his consecutive Emmy wins for his sports comedy, Sudeikis starred in Fox’s Son of Zorn while recurring on shows like Eastbound and Down and The Last Man on Earth. He's also starred in a number of notable films. At present, fans are eagerly awaiting Ted Lasso Season 3, which was allegedly been held up due to creative changes. Until the release date is announced, you can watch the first two seasons of the show using an Apple TV+ subscription. And to see Sudeikis act alongside Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and more, stream classic Saturday Night live episodes using a Peacock subscription.

Maya Rudolph is a brilliant actress and comedian known for a slew of iconic performances in films like Bridesmaids and shows like Netflix’s Big Mouth. Rudolph was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2000 to 2007, and followed her impressive tenure with a variety of interesting projects. She has returned to SNL periodically to play Vice President Kamala Harris starting in 2020, and recently revealed her rise to becoming one of the most successful comedic performers working today wasn’t always smooth sailing, specifically mentioning an upsetting appearance on David Letterman’s late night show.

The Loot star opened up to The Wall Street Journal about some of the more difficult situations she ran into during her meteoric rise to prominence. In particular, she detailed an instance when she visited the Late Show with David Letterman, and was made to feel embarrassed during her first-ever talk show appearance. She blames her lack of experience for how she handled the incident, saying:

This is a very awkward situation, and was probably difficult to open up about. As a first time talk show guest, the experience must have been overwhelming. In addition, Rudolph clearly admired Letterman quite a bit, so such an experience meeting him for the first time may have thrown her off. Having a public persona to showcase on a talk show is a lot to ask for a novice. The SNL alum probably would have handled the situation much differently now, as she has plenty of experience.

Since her awkward Letterman appearance, the Wine Country star has shined on talk shows, and seemingly has reflected back on the experience artistically. In her show, Loot, her character appears on the popular (real) spicy-wing talk show Hot Ones, where celebrities answer serious questions while eating impossibly spicy chicken wings. Her character, Molly, has a complete meltdown. The scene is hilarious, and may act as an homage to past talk show appearances gone wrong. 

Rudolph doesn’t have to “try to be funny” as she puts it. At least from the outside, she comes off as naturally hilarious, especially on Loot, which is currently streaming for Apple TV+ subscribers. She plays the ex-wife of a billionaire who is trying to create her own legacy post-divorce. In addition, Rudolph will be starring alongside Amy Adams in Disenchanted, a sequel to 2007’s Enchanted. The film will be available with a Disney+ subscription on November 18.

You can currently catch Maya Rudolph on Loot, or hosting a baking reality show, Baking It, which is streaming for Peacock subscribers. Amy Poehler is joining her for the upcoming season, so it should be a lot of fun, especially ahead of the holiday season. For more information on other shows coming to streaming, make sure to consult our 2022 fall TV premiere dates.  

Kenan Thompson absolutely killed it hosting the 2022 Emmys. He brought all of his charm and wit to the hosting gig, and we couldn’t have been happier to see him in action. He is no stranger to live television, as he has been on Saturday Night Live for 20 years (and appeared in over 1,500 sketches), making him the cast member with the longest tenure ever. Over the years he's met incredible people, worked with huge stars, and of course, attended numerous legendary SNL afterparties. In a recent interview, the Kenan star reflected on his favorite moments during his stint, as well as his favorite afterparty moment. Of course it involves the iconic Maya Rudolph!

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of his hosting gig, Thompson talked about his friendship with Maya Rudolph, her influence on him as a performer, and an afterparty to remember. When asked which afterparty was the most memorable, he revealed: 

What an incredible show to have seen, and it clearly was very special to Kenan Thompson. Also, now knowing Maya Rudolph performs in a Prince cover band makes her infinitely more cool, which I didn’t think was physically possible. Thompson and Rudolph have known each other for years. They performed as cast members on SNL together from 2003-2007, until Rudolph left the show. Clearly they have still remained friends, and the love is very much still there. Rudolph has come back to the network mainstay several times for hosting gigs and cameos, most notably to portray Vice President Kamala Harris.

Maya Rudolph found even more success following her stint on SNL. She notably starred in the 2011 comedy sensation Bridesmaids, as well as Grown Ups, Wine Country, and Sisters. She voices the “Hormone Monstress” on Netflix’s Big Mouth, a voice performance for which she won an Emmy. She is currently starring in Loot, a comedy series that follows a woman who is recently divorced from her billionaire husband. The show is streaming exclusively for Apple TV+ subscribers, and has already been renewed for a Season 2. Loot is some of Maya Rudolph’s best work yet.

Following his short-lived sitcom on NBC titled Kenan, Thompson is carrying on his historic run as a SNL cast member for season 48. The season premieres on October 1st, with several new cast members making their debut. I’m sure Kenan will do a great job showing the new cast the ropes. 

It probably won’t be long before we see these two comedy icons perform together again, as we are all hoping Rudolph returns to play Kamala Harris this season on SNL. To relive old sketches featuring Thompson and Rudolph, you can watch previous seasons of SNL currently streaming for Peacock subscribers. 

Kenan Thompson might be the longest tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live history now, but back in 2003, he was a new addition just looking to actually appear on the show. That was initially difficult as he wasn’t a writer and didn’t yet realize you needed to actually talk to the show’s writers and convince them to write things for you. Thankfully, he got in a quick appearance during his first episode thanks to the help of Maya Rudolph, and he recently reminisced about that big first moment that happened to involve punching the comedian in the face.

Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, the two bonded over both starting their current gigs in 2003 and Kenan Thompson reflected on his first appearance on the show and the story behind it. Here’s a portion of his quote…

Most former Saturday Night Live cast members talk a lot about having to create momentum for yourself. No one, at least not initially, just hands you good parts in sketches. You have to either write for yourself or collaborate with other people to develop sketch ideas and work with writers to get them ready to pitch. 

Given he’s had an incredible nineteen season run, Kenan Thompson has clearly figured out how to play that game, but he was reliant on others during that initial period to learn the processes and help get him on the air. That’s probably why he was very clear to give Maya Rudolph a ‘shoutout’ for helping him out.

A lot of cast members left Saturday Night Live after this past season including Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant and more. Their absences will really be felt this coming year, but as always happens with SNL, that void will allow others to step in and make their own mark on the show. Thompson, of course, has more than made his mark and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats, but at this point, he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. 

This upcoming season will be the show’s 48th, and Thompson has said publicly he’d like to at least make it to the 50th anniversary year. I can’t wait. Fingers crossed there will be another epic special, and if there is, expect him to be a huge part of it.

From Donald Trump to Barak Obama all the way back to Gerald Ford, Saturday Night Live is well known for its political impressions. In the latest presidential administration, we’ve seen many do their Joe Biden impression (Jim Carrey, Woody Harrelson and James Austin Johnson to name a few), but Maya Rudolph has been the one always playing the first woman to be vice president, Kamala Harris.  

Over the years some of these comedians have met the political leaders they play. Rudolph thought she never would because she played Harris during the height of COVID. However, she recently got to meet the vice president, and spoke with David Spade and Dana Carvey about it on their podcast Fly on the Wall.  

Rudolph explained that her impression is based in joy and how much she admires Harris. You can tell this is true. She’s clearly having a blast up on stage, dancing with Lysol cans in her hands during a Vice Presidential debate sketch. Earlier in the year, she used her screen time during a Presidential debate sketch to “have fun and get some viral moments” out of her facial expressions because she is the “funt,” America’s fun aunt.

Spade and Carvey gushed over her impression during the interview. Carvey, who impersonated George H.W. Bush back in the day, told her that because he could tell how much fun she was having doing the impression, it made him want to watch her more. Maya Rudolph responded to that compliment by saying her impressions feel like playing dress-up when as a kid. 

In fact, she wants to play pretend as these people and embody their confidence, noting her Kamala Harris impression reminded her of her Beyoncé impression in this sense.  This admiration for these women is what fills her impersonations with joy, which Rudolph explained when she met the Vice President. 

While Rudolph has said she wasn’t ready to return to SNL, it sure has paid off. Her impression of Harris has been popular among audiences. For example, in the cold open before the election she stole the show, getting tons of attention on social media for her portrayal of the VP. 

While we know SNL regulars like Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson have decided to leave the show, hopefully, Maya Rudolph will return to Studio 8H to play the Vice President. It’s entirely possible considering Harris will be in office until 2024… and will likely be a part of the upcoming election season. But, for now, go enjoy all the goodness that is Rudolph’s TV shows and movies and be sure to check out the Fall 2022 TV schedule for updates on when Saturday Night Live will return for its 48th season. 

Of the many live-action tales Disney has amassed in recent memory, one of the best is arguably Enchanted. It wasn’t a remake, but rather a comedic imagining of how a Disney princess might react to the real world. After years of conversation around a sequel, the House of Mouse has made a sequel called Disenchanted. We finally have the first official look at the Disney+ movie, and the costumes are certainly something else. 

Ahead of the highly-anticipated release of Disenchanted, Disney+ posted an image from the film along with announcing when we can expect to see Amy Adams’ return as Giselle. Check it out: 

Amy Adams’ Giselle can be seen on the left wearing a whole new look for the Andalasian. She is wearing a peacock-inspired dark blue dress and her red locks in a beautiful updo. She is giving the side eye to a new character played by Maya Rudolph, and I’m sorry, but she clearly is wearing a black wig and a crown that looks straight out of a Renaissance faire gift shop. 

Maya Rudolph is set to play the villain in Disenchanted following Susan Sarandon playing the evil Queen Narissa in the 2007 original. The new character is reportedly named Malvina Monroe, and she’ll be the woman overseeing a new neighborhood that Giselle and her family move into. Malvina will have ill-intentions that will serve as the main conflict of the film, but for now, we’re unsure what exactly those intentions are. 

Disenchanted will see the return of Patrick Dempsey as Robert, who Giselle falls in love with in New York City after falling out of the animated world of Andalasia. James Marsden and Idina Menzel will also reprise their roles of Prince Edward and Nancy, respectively, after the pair fell in love and got married at the end of the 2007 Disney flick. 

Giselle’s happily ever after in Enchanted involved her remaining in New York as Robert's romantic partner and presumably the new mother to his young daughter, Morgan. In Disenchanted, Morgan will be all grown up (and played by newcomer Gabriella Baldacchino). The entire Disenchanted cast list is stacked with talents also including Oscar Nuñez, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays among others.  

What’s peculiar about the new image is when Enchanted had its characters wear fairytale costumes, it’s usually in animation. Perhaps Giselle and Malvina are in some sort of faire or festival, and the costumes are supposed to be this wild. We won’t have to wait too much longer considering it’s also been announced that Disenchanted is coming this Thanksgiving. If you want to mark your calendars for that, the release date is presumably November 24, 2022, or at least on that week.  

Either way, it’s great to see Amy Adams back in her beloved Disney character, 15 years after the release of Enchanted. I'm wondering how Giselle has changed since she first stepped into Times Square in a massive wedding gown. Disenchanted, which wrapped production last summer, was directed by Hairspray and A Walk To Remember director Adam Shankman, and will include new music from legendary Disney composer Alan Menken. 

Disenchanted will be available to watch exclusively with a Disney+ subscription when it drops later this year. 

Quicker than you can say Disney live-action remake, in 2007, Amy Adams’ Giselle went from 2D to 3D and in the flesh during Enchanted. The modern musical fairytale served as a fun love letter to the Mouse House's classic princesses and was a charming comedy for the whole family. After a 15-year break and numerous questions regarding the sequel’s future, Disenchanted has finally arrived, bringing with it those beloved characters as well as some new faces to the Disney+ exclusive.  

So, before or after you watch the Adam Shankman-directed musical comedy (with new music from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz), you will probably want to know where you’ve seen and heard the Disenchanted cast before. Well, worry no more, for we have put together a quick yet comprehensive rundown of the actors in the long-awaited sequel.  

Amy Adams (Giselle)

An Enchanted movie just couldn’t happen without Amy Adams, and the actress is indeed returning to the role of Giselle from Disenchanted. The movie will take place 15 years after Giselle’s happily-ever-after with Robert and follow the couple as they move to a new house in a town called Monroeville. When speaking about reprising the role last year, Adams said it was “humbling” to do even more singing and dancing “not in my 20s.”

Since last taking on the leading role in Enchanted, Adams has become one of the most prolific and decorated names in Hollywood, earning two Golden Globes (American Hustle and Big Eyes), multiple Oscar nominations for movies like The Fighter and Vice, and praise for roles in the likes of Arrival, Sharp Objects, and Nocturnal Animals.

Patrick Dempsey (Robert Philip)

Giselle’s true love Robert is also back, with Patrick Dempsey returning to complete Enchanted’s sweet romantic pairing. In the 2007 flick, Giselle and Robert were complete opposites and from completely different worlds, with her being from a literal fairytale and him being a widowed divorce lawyer. But as the events of the film take place, Robert and Giselle fall for one another and form a cute family with Robert’s young daughter, Morgan.

Dempsey, who was in the early days of his run on Grey’s Anatomy when Enchanted was released, has remained just as busy since then, despite leaving the medical drama in 2015 (he did briefly return for the show’s 17th season). Movies like Made of Honor, Bridget Jones’s Baby, and The Art of Racing in the Rain have all featured the versatile actor in the past decade-and-a-half.

James Marsden (Prince Edward)

The jolly singing Prince Edward of Andalasia also returns in Disenchanted. James Marsden plays the role once again after he provided some particularly memorable and hilarious moments in the original. While he and Giselle originally fell in love in the fairytale world, once Giselle met Robert, Edward also found a new partner in Robert’s girlfriend Nancy, and at the end of the film, they got married in Andalasia.

Already a massive star prior to his appearance in Enchanted thanks in part to the X-Men movies, Marsden has continued to be a major force in Hollywood. Roles in movies like Sonic the Hedgehog and its 2022 sequel, as well as appearances on the shows like 30 Rock, Westworld, Dead to Me, and The Stand have all kept Marsden in the spotlight the past decade-plus. 

Idina Menzel (Nancy Tremaine)

Nancy Tremaine is also back for Disenchanted, once again being played by the talented Idina Menzel, who has since become a Disney princess herself as the voice of Elsa in Frozen. Funny enough, in the first movie, Menzel did not get to sing a single song, despite her incredible voice. This time around, it looks like the actress will get a music number or two. Which makes sense, because as you can imagine, spending time in Andalasia inspires the song in people. 

In addition to portraying Elsa in the incredibly successful Frozen franchise, Menzel has also appeared in the 2021 Prime Video adaptation of Cinderella as well as the A24 movie Uncut Gems alongside Adam Sandler in 2019.

Gabriella Baldacchino (Morgan Philip)

Robert’s daughter Morgan has grown up since Enchanted, and in Disenchanted, she will return. However, the original actress has been replaced with newcomer Gabriella Baldacchino. Morgan was originally played by Rachel Covey, who is not currently working in acting (Covey has gone on to write and score her own musical called, Painting Faye Salvez though). 

Baldacchino is 21, has a musical theatre background and will make her feature film debut with Disenchanted. 

Maya Rudolph (Malvina Monroe)

Disenchanted's villain will be played by Maya Rudolph, as the actress herself shared in 2021. In the 2007 movie, Giselle was haunted by Susan Sarandon’s Queen Narissa, who was Prince Edward’s evil stepmother, a sorceress who felt threatened by Giselle becoming the new queen. Rudolph’s character, Malvina Monroe, oversees the new neighborhood Giselle and Robert move into, leading to some major conflicts.

Rudolph, who is probably best known for her time on Saturday Night Live and role in the 2011 raunchy comedy Bridesmaids, has done a little bit of everything throughout her career. Comedies and dramas, animated movies and live-action adventures, she’s done it all. She currently leads the Apple TV+ original series Loot.

Oscar Nuñez (Edgar)

Also among the new cast joining Disenchanted is Oscar Nuñez, who provides the face and voice of Malvina’s magical mirror, Edgar.

Nuñez is well known for playing Oscar Martinez on The Office alongside Steve Carell, John Krasinski and the rest of its hilarious cast throughout the show’s run The funny actor has also been seen in movies like 2009’s The Proposal and 2017’s Baywatch. He also showed up in the 2022 action romance film The Lost City earlier in 2022.

Yvette Nicole Brown (Rosaleen)

Disenchanted is packed full of great comedy actors. Yvette Nicole Brown is also part of the Disenchanted cast as Rosaleen, one of Malvina’s evil neighborhood minions. 

The actress is best known for playing Shirley in Community, Dani in CBS’ The Odd Couple and as Dina in ABC’s The Mayor. She has also held numerous movie roles in films, including Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Avengers: Endgame, and Repo Men, to name a few. 

Jayma Mays (Ruby)

Also in the cast of Disenchanted is Jayma Mays, who takes on the role of Ruby, another one of Malvina’s neighborhood cronies. 

Mays is most recognizable as Emma Pillsbury in FOX’s musical series Glee. The actress has also previously held roles in 2011’s The Smurfs movie, Paul Blart: Mall Cop and in a recurring role in The Millers. 

Kolton Stewart (Tyson Monroe)

Locke & Key’s Kolton Stewart, appears in Disenchanted as Tyson Monroe, the son of Maya Rudolph’s villain. 

Like much of the cast of the Disenchanted sequel, Stewart has a song and dance background. His previous work includes roles on shows like The Expanse, Timeline, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, to name only a few.

Ann Harada

Another Broadway talent joining the musical is Ann Harada, who shows up in Disenchanted as one of Robert’s fellow commuters 

Harada was notably part of the original cast of award-winning Broadway musical comedy Avenue Q as the character of Christmas Eve, along with taking the stage for Les Misérables, 9 to 5 and Cinderella. Harada recently appeared  in the Schmigadoon! cast on Apple TV+ and guest starred in Blue Bloods.

Michael McCorry Rose 

A newcomer to Hollywood, Michael McCorry Rose is part of the Disenchanted cast as one of the commuters on the train into New York City, as seen in the movie’s magical trailer.. 

The actor has been part of Broadway musicals, including the Tony Award winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder, along with being part of the casts of Wicked and the first National Tour of Anastasia. He has long collaborated with one of the Disenchanted songwriters, Stephen Schwartz, and has also performed with orchestras and symphonies.

James Monroe Iglehart

Broadway’s Genie James Monroe Iglehart appears in Disenchanted as another one of the commuters on Robert’s train into the city. 

The actor won a 2014 Tony for bringing Genie to life in the Aladdin stage musical, but he also took the mantle of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton from 2017 to 2021. He also voiced the role of Lance Strongbow in Disney Channel’s Tangled series among many other TV credits.

That’s quite the exciting group of actors leading the Disenchanted cast, which can currently be watched with a Disney+ subscription. If you want to know what other movies are set to come out in the final weeks of the year, check out all the upcoming 2022 release dates here on CinemaBlend. 

Stream Disenchanted on Disney+.

It’s finally arrived! After its initial announcement in 2019, Human Resources, the Big Mouth spinoff, has finally come to Netflix, and the series that focuses on the very popular Hormone Monsters from the original series. 

But, with plenty of new names as well as familiar ones, fans of the show might be wondering where you’ve heard the cast before, or seen them. If that’s the question that’s on your mind, we have the answers for you. Here is where you’ve seen (or heard) the Human Resources cast before. 

Aidy Bryant (Emmy) 

As one of the few new characters on Human Resources, Emmy is a Lovebug who gets assigned to her first client, and is voiced by the lovely Aidy Bryant. The actress has been around for some time in Hollywood, but is primarily known for her work on the popular and very long running late-night sketch show, Saturday Night Live. 

Some of the other work that you might have seen her in is her own Hulu original series, Shrill, in which she stars, and she has a voice role on the series, Danger & Eggs. She’s also had recurring roles in TV shows like Girls, Horace & Pete, and more. Some of her movie roles include I Feel Pretty, The Big Sick, and others. 

Nick Kroll (Maurice Beverley, Rick) 

Nick Kroll is a name that should sound very familiar to Big Mouth fans, as this actor is one of the co-creators of the original show and voices one of the original Hormone Monsters, Maurice, otherwise known as Maury. He also voices Rick, and older Hormone Monster that is wise beyond his years, and other characters on the show. 

Kroll has been active in Hollywood for quite a while, creating and starring in several TV shows. These include, but aren’t limited to, The Kroll Show, Oh, Hello on Broadway, The League on FX, and more. His voice is also quite popular as well, as he's used it in several animated movies, like Sausage Party, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Sing, The Secret Life of Pets 2, and more.

Kroll has also had a variety of live-action appearances as well, like Uncle Drew, Olympic Dreams, and The House among others. 

Maya Rudolph (Constance LaCienega)

Maya Rudolph voices another of the Hormone Monsters from Big Mouth in Human Resources, the fabulously odd Constance LaCienega, otherwise known as Connie. Rudolph has done a variety of movies and TV roles. Most people probably know her from her time on Saturday Night Live as a cast member, just like Aidy Bryant. Rudolph also had her own variety series, called Maya & Marty alongside Martin Short, as well as guest starring on The Good Place. 

In addition, Rudolph has done several live action and animated films. She was a part of the Bridesmaids cast, as well as other films, like the Grown Ups series, Sisters, Wine Country, Inherent Vice, and more. Rudolph has also shown her ability as a voice actress with big roles in animated movies like The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Luca, and Big Hero 6, as well as others. 

David Thewlis (Shame Wizard) 

How fitting is it that David Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter film franchise, ended up voicing a character known as the Shame Wizard in both Big Mouth and Human Resources? I find that hilarious. 

Besides his role in Harry Potter, Thewlis is a very talented actor who has been in a variety of movies. These include Naked, Wonder Woman, Dragonheart, James and the Giant Peach, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, War Horse, The Theory of Everything, Anomalisa, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and many more. 

Thewlis has also done some TV work as well, including the miniseries Dinotopia, the third season of Fargo, and recently starred in the HBO miniseries, Landscapers. 

Brandon Kyle Goodman (Walter Las Palmas)

You have to love those hate worms that turned into Lovebugs, and Walter Las Palmas was one of those in Big Mouth, and he is voiced by Brandon Kyle Goodman in Human Resources.

Goodman has primarily kept his talents to television, appearing in a variety of shows. These include Red Oaks, Alive in Denver, Little Italy, Los Angeles, Modern Love on Amazon Prime, Broke, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, among other guest appearances. He’s also appeared in movies like A Simple Wedding, People Just Do Nothing, Papi Chulo, and more. 

Keke Palmer (Rochelle)

Rochelle was another hate worm that turned into a Lovebug on Big Mouth, and she is still voiced by Keke Palmer. Starting off her career early, Palmer appeared in a variety of movies and TV shows during her youth and has only continued to do so. 

Some of her biggest TV show parts thus far have been her star role in True Jackson V.P. on Nickelodeon, the Ryan Murphy-created Scream Queens, the animated series, The Winx Club, and Berlin Station. Palmer has been in many movies, including Akeelah and the Bee, Madea’s Family Reunion, Jump In!, Shrink, Joyful Noise, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Hustlers, and more. She’s also going to star in the upcoming Jordan Peele horror film, Nope. 

Pamela Adlon (Sonya Poinsettia)

Pamela Adlon voices Sonya Poinsettia, another Lovebug from Big Mouth, who is also a part of Human Resources. Adlon has been active in the industry for a long time, appearing in many animated roles as well as live-action ones. 

One of her most prominent animated roles that you might recognize her from is voicing Bobby Hill in King of the Hill. She’s also used her voice talents for shows such as Recess, Time Squad, Milo’s Murphy Law, the video game series Pajama Sam, and several others. 

However, Adlon has also done plenty of live-action work, too. You might recognize her from the dramedy series Californication on Showtime, or her role as Pamela in Louie on FX. Some of her other work includes her FX series, Better Things, Boston Legal, Lucky Louie, and more. 

Adlon has also appeared in both animated and live-action films, some of which are Say Anything…, After Midnight, Grease 2, First Girl I Loved, Bumblebee, The King of Staten Island, The Pirate Fairy, and Dino Time, among many other film roles. 

Randall Park (Peter)

Peter is another one of the new characters in Human Resources, and he is voiced by Randall Park. This actor has been all over the place with both movies and TV shows, so I would not be surprised if you have seen Park in many other projects. 

Park was a part of one of the funniest Dwight jokes on The Office when he played the Asian version of Jim. However, Park has done plenty of other great TV roles, including portraying Louis Huang in Fresh Off the Boat, his recurring role in Veep, and more. He’s also become a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Special Agent Jimmy Woo in both The Ant-Man films, as well as reprising that character as a part of the WandaVision cast. 

Randall Park has done many other film roles as well, including starring in the romantic comedy, Always Be My Maybe, portraying Dr. Stephen Shin in Aquaman, and playing a dictator in The Interview. 

Ali Wong (Becca)

Another new character on Human Resources is Becca, a mother which all the monsters are assigned to. Voiced by Ali Wong, this voice actress is primarily known for her comedy, as she has plenty of hilarious comedy specials on Netflix that you can stream at any time. 

However, Wong has also done plenty in the acting sphere. In terms of movies, she starred alongside Randall Park in Always Be My Maybe, as well as appearing in movies like Birds of Prey, Onward, and more. 

Wong has also had a prominent television acting career. Even though she voices Becca on Human Resources, she voices Ali on Big Mouth, as well. She also had a recurring role in Love, Victor, a starring role in Tuca & Bertie as Bertie, was a series regular on American Housewife, and was on Are You There, Chelsea? 

Thandiwe Newton (Mona)

Last but not least, we have Thandiwe Newton, who voices Mona in both Human Resources and Big Mouth. Thandiwe Newton has done plenty in her long acting career, from movies to television shows. 

Some of her biggest films have been Mission: Impossible 2, The Chronicles of Riddick, Crash, The Pursuit of Happyness, For Colored Girls, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and more, as well as being a part of the Reminiscence cast in 2021. 

Newton has also done a lot of great television work. One of her biggest roles has been portraying Maeve Millay in the HBO original science fiction series, Westworld, which is expected to premiere its fourth season in 2022. She also had a main role in the miniseries, Line of Duty, as well as a main role in the TV shows, The Slap and Rogue. 

With so many amazing actors stepping into the fray, these are just a fraction of some of the big stars we'll be listening to in the Human Resources cast. Their voices are already iconic in every way.  

There are some movies that I grew up watching and loving more and more each time I saw it. While Grown Ups wasn’t the best received Adam Sandler movie, it was one of my favorites for the sheer hilarity it offered, as well as the fun cast that it gathered to portray this funny group of friends. 

Speaking of the cast, with this movie being nearly twelve years old now (I know, I can’t believe it either), where exactly is the cast of Grown Ups now? From Adam Sandler to Salma Hayek, everyone has had their own projects and big films, while also returning to do movies and films together. Here is what the cast of Grown Ups is doing now.  

Adam Sandler (Lenny Feder)

Starting off with the main star of Grown Ups, we have Adam Sandler, who portrayed Lenny Feder. And unsurprisingly, Sandler has been up to his teeth in movies. 

For one, he was the main star of the Hotel Transylvania series, up until the 2022 movie, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Besides his fun voice-acting skills, he’s appeared in several movies, most of which he also produced. This includes, but is not limited to Grown Ups 2, Pixels, The Ridiculousness 6, Hubie Halloween and more.  He’s also had two movie that he’s co-starred with Jennifer Aniston with, Just Go With It and Murder Mystery, which is receiving a sequel on Netflix soon. 

In addition to his numerous comedies, Adam Sandler starred in the 2019 crime thriller Uncut Gems from Josh and Benny Safdie. 

Sandler has also popped up in several TV shows, such as Kevin Can Wait, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and he guest starred on Jessie with his late Grown Ups on-screen son, Cameron Boyce.

Coming up, he has a number of movies lined up, including Murder Mystery 2,  Spaceman and Hustle.

Kevin James (Eric Lamonsoff)

Next up, we have Kevin James, who played Eric Lamansoff in Grown Ups. James has appeared in many movies, like Grown Ups 2, Zookeeper, Pixels, the Paul Blart: Mall Cop series, Sandy Wexler, Hubie Halloween and more. James also received a starring role in the Hotel Transylvania series alongside Adam Sandler. 

On television, James has had many guest roles, but two of his biggest projects were his own sitcom, titled Kevin Can Wait, as well the comedy series, The Crew. Coming up, James is going to appear in Home Team, which is being produced by Adam Sandler. 

Chris Rock (Kurt McKenzie)

Another hilarious comedian, Chris Rock played Kurt McKenzie in Grown Ups, and has been quite active in the movie industry. He has appeared in a variety of genres, showcasing his acting skills. Since the family film he's been in Grown Ups 2, What To Expect When You’re Expecting, the Madagascar series, Top Five, the Eddie Murphy-led film, Dolemite Is My Name, the 2021 horror film, Spiral: The Book of Saw, and more. 

In television, he’s guest starred on many shows, as has many of his co-stars, but one of his most notable TV roles in recent years was playing Loy Cannon on the FX series, Fargo. Rock has also had a comedy special on Netflix, titled Chris Rock: Tamborine that you should check out. 

Coming up, he’s going to be appearing in three new projects, two with titles, Rustin and I Am Maurice, and one untitled David O. Russell project, although there hasn’t been any new news about that since January 2021. 

David Spade (Marcus Higgins)

Moving on, we have former SNL star David Spade, who played Marcus Higgins in Grown Ups. Since his appearance, Spade has been active in both movies and TV. Some of his biggest roles in recent years have been appearing in the Hotel Transylvania series, Grown Ups 2, The Ridiculous 6, Sandy Wexler, Father of the Year and more. 

With television, Spade has had roles in many shows as a recurring character, including Fameless, Roadies, Rules of Engagement and more. Spade also hosted his own talk show called Lights Out with David Spade, as well as appeared several times as himself in many shows. He’s going to be in a new HBO series, but not much else is known about that just yet. 

Rob Schneider (Rob Hilliard)

Another former SNL star, Rob Schneider played Rob Hilliard in Grown Ups, and while he didn’t appear in the sequel like many of his other co-stars, he still continued to have a very successful career since the family film. With movies, he’s appeared in films such as The Outback, Wings, The Ridiculous 6, Norm of the North, Sandy Wexler, Hubie Halloween and more. 

Schneider has also been active in television, appearing in many shows such as the sitcom series, Rob, in which he starred, Real Rob, another sitcom series in which he starred, and several guest roles. He also competed on The Masked Singer in 2021. Soon, he’s also going to be making an appearance in Home Team. I’m starting to see a trend here. 

Salma Hayek (Roxanne Chase-Feder)

I think out of all the on-screen love interests Adam Sandler has had in his movies, Salma Hayek from Grown Ups, who played Roxanne, is one of my favorites thanks to her amazing personality that she adds to the movie. Since her role in Grown Ups, Hayek has continued to have a very successful career. 

She’s had roles in movies like Grown Ups 2, Here Comes the Boom, Everly, The Hitman’s Bodyguard as well as its sequel in 2021, Like A Boss, and was a part of both the Eternals cast and the House of Gucci cast, in addition to other movies. Hayek has also had some fun with television as well, with two recurring guest-star roles on both Ugly Betty and 30 Rock. 

The actress doesn’t seem to have anything coming up just yet, but I can’t wait to see what else she does after her stellar year in 2021 with both Eternals and House of Gucci. 

Maria Bello (Sally Lamonsoff)

Moving on, we have Maria Bello, who portrayed Sally Lamansoff in Grown Ups, the wife of Kevin James’ character. Since her role in the family comedy, Bello has continued to have quite the career in both movies and TV. 

In film, she’s has big roles in films like Grown Ups 2, Beautiful Boy, Abduction, McFarland USA, Prisoners alongside the lead actor, Hugh Jackman, The 5th Wave, Max Steel, Every Day, Better Start Running, The Water Man and more. Television is where Bello has shined even more. She’s had several recurring roles in shows like Touch, Prime Suspect, and Goliath, but her biggest role so far was playing Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane in NCIS, a role she left in 2021. 

Maya Rudolph (Deanne McKenzie)

Next up, SNL alum Maya Rudolph played Deanne McKenzie, the wife of Chris Rock’s character, in Grown Ups. And since her appearance in the movie, Rudolph has had quite the career. Not long after Grown Ups did she star in the Bridesmaids cast, another comedy that blew up, and she only continued to grow afterwards. 

She’s appeared in many films, including Grown Ups 2, Big Hero 6, Wine Country, The Willoughbys, Life of the Party, the Angry Birds franchise, Hubie Halloween and more. She was also a part of the Luca cast, the Mitchells vs. the Machines cast, and the Licorice Pizza cast all in 2021 - talk about a packed year. 

Rudolph has also had success in television. She’s had recurring and main roles in shows such as Up All Night, Portlandia, The Awesomes, The Good Place, Forever and more, as well as being a part of the adult animated series, Big Mouth on Netflix and having her own baking show, called Baking It. Coming up, she will be in the new Disenchanted movie, as well the Big Mouth spinoff TV series, Human Resources. 

Joyce Van Patten (Gloria Noonan)

The next cast member to talk about is Joyce Van Patten, who played Gloria Noonan in Grown Ups. Since her role in the movie, Patten has appeared in films such as Angel’s Perch, God’s Pocket and more. She’s also guest starred in several television shows like The Good Wife and Boardwalk Empire. 

Patten doesn’t have anything in the works right now, but hopefully it won’t be long before we see her on our TV or movie screens again. 

Colin Quinn (Dickie Bailey)

Next up, we have Dickie Bailey, who was played by Colin Quinn. The SNL alum has been active both in the acting world and in the writing world, having roles in both TV and film, as well as working behind the scenes. 

As an actor, Quinn has popped up in roles in movies like Grown Ups 2, Trainwreck, Sandy Wexler, Hubie Halloween and others. He’s also been active in television, having recurring roles in shows like Girls, The Awesomes, Inside Amy Schumer, and more. 

Quinn has also been very active in comedy and writing. In 2015 and 2020, he wrote two biographies titled The Coloring Book: A Comedian Solves Race Relations in America and Overstated: A Coast-to-Coast Roast of the 50 States. He’s also had several comedy specials on Netflix and HBO, and has gone on tour for his stand-up.

Steve Buscemi (Wiley)

Steve Buscemi, while he wasn’t in the film for long, had an impactful part as Wiley in Grown Ups, and has continued to succeed in Hollywood, both on the big screen and the small screen.

As well as appearing in Grown Ups 2, Buscemi has appeared in many movies such as the Pixar movie, Monsters University, On the Road, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, the Hotel Transylvania series, The Ridiculous 6, The Boss Baby, The Death of Stalin, The Dead Don’t Die, The King of Staten Island and more. 

Buscemi has also had an active career in television. Besides appearing on several TV shows, like 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Buscemi has had leading roles in both Boardwalk Empire and Miracle Workers. He also hosted his own talk show called Park Bench with Steve Buscemi. Coming up, he’s going to be appearing in a new movie titled The Year Between. 

Tim Meadows (Malcolm)

Last but not least, we have another former SNL star, Tim Meadows, who played Malcolm in Grown Ups. Since his appearance in the movie, Meadows has appeared in both film and television. With movies, he had roles in Grown Ups 2, Trainwreck, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Hubie Halloween and a couple of other independent movies. 

In television, he had many recurring roles including The Colbert Report, Suburgatory, Bob’s Burgers, The Goldbergs, No Activity and more. He’s also had lead roles in shows such as Son of Zorn, Marry Me and Schooled (which was a spinoff of The Goldbergs). Coming up, he’s going to appear in a new film titled Saurus City as a voice actor, so keep an eye out for him. 

With so many talented actors, it’s no wonder they went on to succeed so well. I for one can’t wait for Home Team to come out as part of the 2022 movies so I can see a lot of them together again. Or watch any of their awesome movies or shows.  

Baking competitions tend to be the ultimate feel-good entertainment, as contestants going head-to-head with pies and pastries generally forgo the cut-throat approach of other reality contests and seem less intense even than regular cooking competitions like Top Chef or Chopped (so many knives!). With the continued popularity of series like The Great British Baking Show, more networks are trying to get a piece of that sweet oven action. So with all of the options available to warm your heart this holiday season, I’m here to tell you why Peacock’s Baking It with hosts Andy Samberg and Maya Rudolph should be at the top of your watch list.

However, just because Baking It is themed around the holidays — it’s a quasi-spinoff of Amy Pohler and Nick Offerman’s Making It — don’t be concerned if you don’t get around to streaming it before the new year. Feel-good entertainment isn’t limited to any particular season, and this one is worth watching whenever you can. The expertise of each contestant pairing falls somewhere between Nailed It (terrible bakers) and Sugar Rush (professionals), but even though they're all home bakers, there are definitely some above-average skills in the kitchen. Now let’s take a look at the reasons that Baking It on Peacock is 2021's best feel-good series.

Andy Samberg And Maya Rudolph’s Musical Background

Fans of Saturday Night Live, or even the fabulous Netflix visual rap album The Unauthorized Bash Brothers should have some idea of what they’re in for with Andy Samberg and Maya Rudolph leading the way as hosts. There’s no way this duo could come together for any kind of show and not bring some kind of musical bit to the table. From their choreographed disco theme song to random interludes to full-on music videos, Samberg and Rudolph are sure to make you break into sing-alongs that don't necessarily make any sense or require you to be on-key.

Their proclivity for music, in fact, serves as a foundation for the stress-free viewing experience. Where many food competition shows focus on the contestants’ frustration over something going wrong or not having enough time to complete a challenge, Baking It goes in the direction of storytelling, with Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg asking the bakers about their holiday traditions, as well as sharing their own. This often inspires a song or a bit from the hosts, particularly Rudolph and her mastery at keeping a straight face. .

Dad Jokes And Master Baking

Baking It is fun for the whole family, don’t get me wrong, but they do toe the line with sophomoric humor. It’s Andy Samberg of The Lonely Island trio and Maya Rudolph from Bridesmaids, so that should be expected. Some of the younger members of your family might not understand Maya Rudolph’s steadfast insistence that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star not call the contestants “master bakers.” There's also one well-placed “Dick in a Box” reference with the anatomic word bleeped out (which angered my 10-year-old, who really wanted to know what Rudolph said).

But most of the humor is of the “dad joke” milieu, or in the passionate way Maya Rudolph announces the “Big Ole Bakes,” and is wholly connected to the two entertainers' personalities. In the same way music is incorporated to add a unique element and alleviate the pressure of the competition, the humor provides another way for Baking It to be more than scattered-brained chefs freaking out about the ticking clock. In fact, while there is a time limit involved for each of the episode's bakes, there's no clock visible to the viewers at all, completely putting that aspect out of our heads.

The Judges Are Grannies In Rocking Chairs

Andy Samberg and Maya Rudolph are there for the laughs, not the hard parts, like eliminating contestants. They leave that up to the “ruthless” judges — four grandmas, who have their own fantastic Samberg-Rudolph original theme song. Their introduction paints the food-smart grandmas as the judgmental, give-it-to-ya-straight portion of the show, but these four women in their rockers and blankets don’t have an ill-willed bone in their bodies. Even when they don’t like a dish's specific flavor or presentation element, they struggle to not follow up such criticisms with, “But maybe that’s just me,” or some other similar qualifier. 

One recurring joy is the grandmas’ attempts at personalized catch phrases, with Bubbe Norma giving “two snaps and a clap” to the dishes she likes the best, while Gigi Sherri rewards her favorites by proclaiming them “Gigi Diggity.” The grannies give bejeweled brooches to the winners — having to dig through their giant purses to find them — while the eliminated contestants can’t leave without a hug. So yeah, everyone wins.

Baking It Will Make You Happy Sob

With everything good this show’s got going on, we haven’t even talked about the heart and soul of a good baking competition — the contestants. The season starts with eight teams of two being taking on challenges baking goods inspired by different holiday traditions. All kinds of duos are represented — father/son, spouses, best friends, sisters — but the best part is the overarching family that the contestants all form with one another, as well as the hosts and grannies. There was even talk of several reuniting for future holidays, such was their fast-acting bonds. 

With the silliness of the hosts and the judges, Baking It doesn’t seem like the obvious place for truly heartfelt moments, but with the bakers being asked to draw inspiration from their personal traditions, their families, their hopes for the future, etc., authentic emotions are bound to surface. One team, husbands Jonah and Patrick, were all about embracing about the importance of chosen families — like the one they found on the show — and reflected on how hard the holidays can be for people whose families don’t accept them for their gender identity or sexuality or other reasons. Multiple times over the season, there was not a dry eye in the house,
and the tissues will definitely be needed when it comes to the eliminations. 

But even though contestants do get sent home, Baking It is still the ultimate in feel-good entertainment of this or any other year, so be sure to check it out when you get some down time over the holidays, or if you need some cheering up anytime in the new year. Between the singing and comedy and camaraderie, Andy Samberg and Maya Rudolph — with help from the bakers and grandmas, of course — will bring a smile to the whole family, even the grinches. Now let's just hope Peacock is cooking up a second season behind the scenes. 

Baking It is streaming now on Peacock, and if you're in the mood for similar shows, check out more of the Best Baking Shows available to stream. Be sure to check out our 2022 TV Schedule to see what’s coming up in the new year.

Saturday Night Live hasn’t only birthed the careers of multiple comedy stars but some amazing friendships as well. There was Chris Farley and David Spade. There’s Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. And then, you have the thriving sisterhood of the SNL ladies, including Maya Rudolph. But of course, Rudolph holds friendships with other members of the sketch show, like Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum Andy Samberg. And as it turns out, their decades-long friendship was seemingly solidified by the funny (and relatable) way they used to bond on the show.

The friendship between the SNL alums, which was formed in the 2000s, is still going strong as evidenced by their hosting gig on Peacock’s Baking It. Considering how firm their relationship is, it's hard to believe that they were only castmates for two seasons before Maya Rudolph departed the show in 2007. But that didn’t stop them from connecting over an unbelievably delicious act, as Rudolph revealed during their joint interview with ET Online:

There’s nothing like food to bring castmates together. With this new information, their gigs on Baking It make much more sense. Unfortunately, the actress didn’t break down what food the two stars indulged in. But Andy Samberg did shed a little more light on what exactly went down during their eating sessions:

So it would appear that as food was being eaten, tea was also being spilled. Well, there’s nothing better than trading some salacious news over some tasty food, right? Of course, now we're left with another question -- what backstage secrets were the two co-stars trading? We'll probably never know, but it's cool that the two stars kept the tradition alive while filming Baking It.

While Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg might seem like odd choices to host a baking competition, it was actually another SNL alum that sweetened the deal. Making It’s Amy Poehler sold Rudolph on the competitive bake-off by saying the show would be “fun” and  “a joy” with a friend. So viewers are in for a fun time as Rudolph and Samberg’s rapport plays out.

The Making It spinoff was announced in August, with the two comedy veterans attached as the hosts. Viewers get to see eight baking teams compete against each other under the watchful eyes of the two Saturday Night Live alums and even some real-life grandmothers. So if you want to see some delicious-looking creations and want to find out who clenches the W at the end of the competition, you can check out Baking It by streaming on Peacock now.

When it comes to comedy legends who have blown up in the last twenty or so years, none cross my mind as much as Maya Rudolph. From her explosion into stardom as part of the Saturday Night Live cast or her expansion into comedies like Bridesmaids, Maya Rudolph has truly cemented herself into movie and TV history with her quirky wit and comedic timing. 

But, where can you watch the best Maya Rudolph movies or TV performances? Look no further, because we have her best roles right here, and how you can stream or rent them right now. 

Saturday Night Live (2000-2007)

You know it, you love it, it’s live from New York, Saturday Night Live. This sketch show that has been ongoing since the 1970s has stayed popular for decades, rotating in new cast members every few years to create entertaining sketches about pop culture, politics, and anything else going on in the world. 

Maya Rudolph’s rise to fame happened originally because of her role as part of the Saturday Night Live cast, from 2000-2007. During her time there, she created plenty of memorable characters, moments, and sketches that still live on to this day, along with a cast filled with stars, such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson, and several others. 

Stream Saturday Night Live on Hulu. 

Idiocracy (2006)

Next up, we have Idiocracy. This science-fiction comedy tells the story of an American soldier who takes part in a classified hibernation experiment, only to be accidentally frozen and woken up 500 years later, when the world is most certainly not the same. 

Maya Rudolph plays Rita in the movie, alongside castmates such as Luke Wilson, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews and more. Personally, it’s one of my favorite cult films because while it wasn’t huge at the box office at the time of its release, it’s so funny. The sci-fi aspect is actually very well-thought out, but the chemistry between the stars is really what seals the deal. 

Stream Idiocracy on YouTube. 
Rent Idiocracy on Amazon.

Luca (2021)

In this Disney+ original film, a young sea monster named Luca wants to explore the surface as a human more, but in order to do that, he teams up with his new friend to win a contest so he can have a Vespa, and drive off to see the rest of the world. 

Maya Rudolph (as you’ll see) loves her voice roles. She has such a distinct voice that it’s always easy to pick her among the rest, but the whole Luca cast is fantastic overall. Pixar created another feel-good story, focusing on the newfound friendship between two boys and the ability to overcome odds despite the world looking down on you. While it’s not at the heights of Coco or Up, in my opinion, it still has a special place in my heart, and Rudolph’s character is one of the scene stealers. 

Stream Luca on Disney+. 

Grown Ups (2010)

In this Adam Sandler-led comedy, Grown Ups tells the story of five men who were all friends back when they were kids and won their middle-school championship. However, when the coach from that team passes away, they reunite in their hometown to pay homage to him. 

You know, I don’t care what the critics say - I loved Grown Ups. I loved it as a kid and I love it now as an adult. Maya Rudolph is part of a crazy ensemble cast that includes Sandler, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Norm Macdonald, Steve Buscemi - and all of them are so good, due to their fantastic chemistry and amazing comedic timing. You need to watch this movie - you won’t regret it. 

Stream Grown Ups on Netflix. 
Rent Grown Ups on Amazon. 

Away We Go (2009)

The comedy-drama Away We Go is about a couple, played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who are awaiting their baby and searching for the perfect home to raise it in. While traveling, they reconnect with old friends and have their own misadventures, which redefine what the word “home” means for them. 

While Away We Go wasn’t the most popular at the box office, I really like this film. Rudolph and Krasinski have great chemistry together and you really believe their love story. But, overall, it’s just a sweet story. Sometimes all you need is that film that will make you smile and pull at your heartstrings, and Away We Go is one of them for sure. 

Stream Away We Go on Peacock. 
Rent Away We Go on Amazon. 

Bridesmaids (2011)

In this iconic comedy, Bridesmaids focuses on Annie, who, when she is to serve as the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, suffers a series of unfortunate events and causes mayhem ahead of the ceremony. 

Maya Rudolph portrays Lillian, the best friend of Annie, and let me tell you that Bridesmaids is so worth your time to watch for so many reasons. The whole Bridesmaids cast, from Kristin Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, to Ellie Kemper, is so fantastic, and the jokes will make you hold your side from laughing so much. This is one of Paul Feig’s best films in my opinion, and it deserves all the praise that it has gotten over the years. 

Rent Bridesmaids on Amazon. 

The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)

In this Netflix original animated film, The Mitchells vs the Machines follows the titular family on a road trip that ends up with them having to save the world from a global robot uprising. 

Maya Rudolph portrays the mom in this movie, and let me say that she is so great in so many ways. Heck, the whole Mitchells vs the Machines cast is wonderful. But, what really makes this film stand out to me is two things: the animation is so unique and stunning compared to many of the animated films nowadays, and the story is heartwarming. I love the fact that while the robot takeover adds a lot of action, the story is more centered on family and how important it is to keep your loved ones close. 

Stream The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix. 

Wine Country (2019)

Moving on, we take a look at the Netflix original, Wine Country. This film follows a group of friends who have known each other for a long time, as they take a vacation to Napa Valley as a birthday getaway. 

I’ve always looked at Wine Country as the female version of Grown Ups, because all of these stars work well off of each other and have worked together before, such as Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. But, all in all, it’s just an enjoyable experience about a girl’s trip, mixed in with some pretty funny jokes. Maya Rudolph shines as Naomi, as does the rest of the cast. 

Stream Wine Country on Netflix. 

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Another voice role by Maya Rudolph is in Big Hero 6, a Disney animated film that tells the story of Hero, who, after losing his brother in a fiery explosion, takes it upon himself to form a superhero team with his brother's friends to take on the masked villain responsible for his death - with the help of Baymax, of course. 

As someone who has always loved superhero movies, Big Hero 6 delivers that and more, with a lot of action scenes, plenty of compelling characters, and some stunning animation sequences. Maya Rudolph (again) stars as the mom, but I love her character even more in this movie. She and her cat have some of the best moments - along with that adorably chubby robot.

Stream Big Hero 6 on Disney+. 
Rent Big Hero 6 on Amazon.

The Willoughbys (2020)

In this animated film, The Willoughbys tells the story of the Willoughby children, following four kids who are trying to find new parents to replace their self-centered and neglecting ones. 

When I tell you that this cast is star-studded, I mean it. There are so many amazing cast members that join Rudolph, including Will Forte, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Ricky Gervais, and more. Maya Rudolph’s nanny who looks after the kids definitely is one of the best characters, with all of her scenes with the kids either making you laugh or making you tear up, but, all in all, it’s a great, feel-good movie that deserves more praise. 

Stream The Willoughbys on Netflix. 

The Good Place (2018-2020)

In this popular series, The Good Place follows Kristin Bell’s character when she is welcomed to the Good Place after her death, a Heaven-like utopia designed for her righteous life. However, she was sent there by mistake, and has to hide her morally imperfect past while trying to become a better version of herself. 

While Maya Rudolph was only on the series for a couple of seasons, she stole the show as Judge Gen, who rules on the interdimensional matters between the Good Place and the Bad Place. The Good Place received so much praise for not only its acting, but its direction, story, and its themes about ethics and philosophy. I don’t want to say too much without giving it away. Give it a try if you haven’t already. 

Stream The Good Place on Netflix. 

Big Mouth (2017-Present)

Lastly, Big Mouth is a popular Netflix animated series that focuses on teens living in suburban New York, exploring what puberty is like and embracing a frankness about sex and the human body with no boundaries. 

To be frank, I’ve never been the hugest fan of Big Mouth, just because I think there are some other really great adult animated shows on Netflix that anyone could enjoy. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, because the show does have some great themes and stories about learning to embrace who you really are, paired with an excellent voice cast that features stars like Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and more. 

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix. 

I’m sure that this list will only grow as Maya Rudolph continues to shine in her amazing movies and TV appearances, and maybe even pop up in some new 2022 movies. 

But, until that does happen, these are some of her best. Whether you want to smile, laugh, or watch some really awesome action scenes, all of her best projects have you covered. Now I just need to see if Rudolph will be in any of the new 2021 movies - there's only so much time left in the year. 

There are few modern comedies — R-rated or otherwise — that have shaken up the zeitgeist quite like 2011’s Bridesmaids. Directed by Paul Feig and starring and co-written by an Oscar-nominated Kristen Wiig, this lewd, gleefully debauched, unsuspectingly (yet expectedly) sweet-natured romp turned the rom-com genre on its head, letting the ladies get their chance to cuss, be crass, and have a ball in ways Hollywood larks traditionally didn't. The results were an instant critical and commercial success, and its rippling effects can still be felt in Hollywood today. 

Now that a whole decade (!!) has passed since Bridesmaids made its way into theaters, let’s take a look and see how far this talented female-lead ensemble, including Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, and an Oscar-nominated Melissa McCarthy, has come since they starred in producer Judd Apatow's satire. 

Kristen Wiig (Annie Walker)

As Annie Walker, a single 30-something woman who becomes Lillian’s maid of honor, Kristen Wiig plays the protagonist in Paul Feig's Bridesmaids. She also received an Oscar nomination for co-writing the screenplay. Most notably, Wiig received multiple Emmy nominations for her work on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Her other television credits include The Spoils of Babylon, The Last Man on Earth, Arrested Development, Nobodies, The Spoils Before Dying, Bored to Death, and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. Additionally, Wiig can be heard in Bless the Harts, Big Mouth, and The Looney Tunes Show. Also, the film and TV actress starred in Lifetime’s A Deadly Adoption opposite Will Ferrell. 

Kristen Wiig reunited with Paul Feig with Ghostbusters (2016). Her other starring roles include The Skeleton Twins, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Welcome to Me, Girl Most Likely, and Hateship, Loveship. Wiig’s other notable film credits include The Martian, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Downsizing, mother! Her, Paul, MacGruber, Whip It, Extract, Adventureland, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Knocked Up, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, and Wonder Woman 1984. As a voice actress, she can be heard in the How to Train Your Dragon movies, the Despicable Me sequels, Sausage Party, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Most recently, Wiig co-wrote, produced, and starred in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Next, she will appear in Netflix’s A Boy Called Christmas. 

Maya Rudolph (Lillian Donovan)

In the role of Lillian Donovan, Annie’s soon-to-be-married best friend, Maya Rudolph plays our woman in white (and, to her distress, brown) throughout the ill-fated wedding preparations in Bridesmaids. Most notably, the actress won two Emmys for NBC’s SNL and two more Emmys for her voice work on Netflix’s Big Mouth. Her other television credits include The Good Place, for which she was also Emmy-nominated, Up All Night, The Spoils Before Dying, Maya & Marty, The Grinder, Forever, and Mapleworth Murders. Moreover, as a prolific voice actress, Rudolph is heard in Bless the Harts, Big Hero 6: The Series, and The Awesomes. Next, she’ll be seen in an untitled new Apple TV+ series and heard in Netflix’s Human Resources, a Big Mouth spin-off. She’s also expected to host Baking It. 

In film, additionally, Maya Rudolph can also be seen in Away We Go, The Way, Way Back, Inherent Vice, Idiocracy, MacGruber, A Praire Home Companion, 50 First Dates, Sisters, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, CHIPS, Life of the Party, The Happytime Murders, Wine Country, Hubie Halloween, and the Grown Ups movies. She can also be heard in Big Hero 6, The Willoughbys, The Emoji Movie, The Nut Job, Turbo, Shrek the Third, Zookeeper, and The Angry Birds Movie. Most recently, Rudolph lent her voice to Disney+’s Luca and Netflix’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines. Next, she'll appear in Licorice Pizza and Disney+’s Disenchanted.

Rose Byrne (Helen Harris III)

Playing the part of Helen Harris III, Lillian’s uber-successful and very well-to-do bridesmaid who quickly becomes the source of Annie’s envy and disdain, Rose Byrne became a comedy favorite through her prominent supporting role in Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids. Most notably, the actress received two Emmy nominations for her portrayal of Ellen Parsons in FX’s Damages. Byrne also appeared in Echo Point, No Activity, and HBO’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Last year, she was seen in Hulu’s Mrs. America. Currently, Byrne stars in Apple TV+’s Physical. 

On the big screen, Rose Byrne’s other notable film credits include the Neighbors movies, the Insidious films, X-Men: First Class, Get Him to the Greek, 28 Weeks Later, Sunshine, Troy, Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, The Goddess of 1967, Juliet, Naked, Marie Antoinette, Knowing, The Place Beyond the Pines, and X-Men: Apocalypse. She also reunited with Paul Feig for Spy. Byrne's other movie credits include The Meddler, Annie (2014), Instant Family, Jexi, This is Where I Leave You, Adult Beginners, I Am Mother, and Peter Rabbit. Last year, she appeared in Like a Boss and Irresistible. Most recently, Byrne reprised her role as Beatrix in Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. She was also seen in the short film, Shark. Next, Byrne will star in Seriously Red, which she will also produce. 

Melissa McCarthy (Megan Price)

As Megan Price, the most outspoken and foul-mouthed bridesmaid, Melissa McCarthy got an Oscar nomination for her thunderous supporting role in Bridesmaids. She later received her second Oscar nomination for her leading role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? Moreover, McCarthy reunited with Paul Feig with The Heat, Spy, and Ghostbusters (2016). Her other notable film credits include Identity Thief, The Happytime Murders, St. Vincent, The Hangover Part III, This Is 40, The Nines, Go, The Kitchen, and Charlie’s Angels. Additionally, McCarthy co-wrote, produced, and starred in Tammy, The Boss, and Life of the Party. Most recently, she produced and starred in HBO Max’s Superintelligence and Netflix’s Thunder Force. Also, McCarthy starred in Netflix’s The Startling and she produced Netflix’s Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed. Next, the actress will be seen in The Little Mermaid (2023) and Thor: Love and Thunder.

On TV, Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy for her starring role in CBS’s Mike & Molly and another Emmy for her guest work on NBC’s SNL. Furthermore, the actress is well-known for playing Sookie St. James in The WB’s Gilmore Girls and Netflix’s Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. McCarthy was also seen in Samatha Who? and Nobodies. Most recently, she produced and starred in Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers. Next, McCarthy stars in Netflix’s sitcom, God’s Favorite Idiot.

Chris O’Dowd (Officer Nathan Rhodes)

In the role of Officer Nathan Rhodes, a kind-hearted police officer who forms a cutesy friendship with Annie, Chris O’Dowd was an affable love interest in Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids. Most notably, the actor played Roy Trenneman in Channel 4’s The IT Crowd. Also, O’Dowd created and starred in Sky 1’s Moone Boy and won an Emmy for his performance in Sundance TV’s State of the Union. His other television credits include Girls, The Clinic, FM, Roman’s Empire, Family Tree, and The Twilight Zone. Currently, O’Dowd stars in Epix’s Get Shorty. Additionally, as a voice actor, he can be heard in Monsters vs Aliens. Puffin Rock, and Family Guy. 

Moreover, as a movie actor, Chris O’Dowd starred in The Sapphires. He can also be seen in This is 40, Calvary, St. Vincent, Thor: The Dark World, The Cloverfield Paradox, How to Build a Girl, Molly’s Game, The Incredible Jessica James, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, Friends with Kids, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel, Pirate Radio, Gulliver’s Travels, Cuban Fury, and Mascots. O’Dowd also reunited with Rose Byrne in Juliet, Naked. Furthermore, the actor can be heard in Epic, Mary Poppins Returns, and Loving Vincent. Earlier this year, he reunited with Bridesmaids co-star Melissa McCarthy with Netflix’s The Startling. Next, O’Dowd will star in Hippie Hippie Shake and Slumberland. 

Ellie Kemper (Becca)

As Becca, an enthusiastic, overeager bridesmaid who’s very excited to be in the bridal party, Ellie Kemper played a happy-go-lucky gal in Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids. Most notably, she received two Emmy nominations for Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Additionally, Kemper is well-known for playing Erin Hannon in NBC’s The Office. Furthermore, she can be seen in The Mindy Project. As a voice actress, moreover, Kemper can be heard in We Bare Bears and Sofia the First.

Away from TV, Ellie Kemper is known for playing Ms. Griggs in 21 Jump Street. She can also be seen in Sex Tape, Laggies, They Came Together, Somewhere, Identity Thief, Get Him to the Greek, and Mystery Team. Additionally, as a voice actress, Kemper can be heard in The Secret Life of Pets 1 & 2, Smurfs: The Lost Village, The LEGO Batman Movie, and We Bare Bears: The Movie. Most recently, she was seen in The Stand-In. Next, Kemper will star in Disney+’s Home Sweet Home Alone. Currently, the actress is filming Netflix’s Happiness for Beginners. 

Wendi McLendon-Covey (Rita)

In the role of Rita, Lillian’s domesticated cousin who’s really, really ready to let loose and have fun, Wendi McLendon-Covey plays a spirited character in 2011’s Bridesmaids. Most notably, the television actress is known for her starring parts in Comedy Central-Quibi’s Reno 911! and ABC’s The Goldbergs. McLendon-Covey can also be seen in Rules of Engagement, Lovespring International, and Modern Family. Additionally, as a voice actress, she has lent her voice to Big City Greens, Puppy Dog Pals, Crossing Swords, Bob’s Burgers, Pickle and Peanut, American Dad!, The Looney Tunes Show, Birdgirl, and, most recently, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. 

In film, Wendi McLendon-Covey can be seen in What to Expect When You're Expecting, Bewitched, Think Like a Man Too, Hello My Name Is Doris, What Men Want, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, Think Like a Man Too, Reno 911! Miami, and Blended. She also co-wrote, produced, and starred in Cook Off! Most recently, McLendon-Covey was seen in Sylvie’s Love, Braking for Whales, and Long Weekend. Next, the actress will appear in Paint and Sick Girl. 

Jon Hamm (Ted)

Playing the part of Ted, Annie’s self-absorbed, dim-witted friend with benefits, Jon Hamm stole the show in his uncredited role in Bridesmaids. Most notably, the actor is acclaimed for his Emmy-winning lead performance as Don Draper in AMC’s Mad Men. His other notable TV credits include Black Mirror, A Young Doctor's Notebook, Good Omens, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Parks and Recreation, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Division, Children’s Hospital, and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. Additionally, Hamm can be heard in Bless the Harts, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., The Amazing Gayl Pile, Legion, Archer, and Robot Chicken. Most recently, he lent his voice to Amazon Prime’s Invincible. 

Furthermore, Jon Hamm’s other film credits include The Town, Tag, The Report, Beirut, Million Dollar Arm, Baby Driver, Keeping Up with the Joneses, Marjorie Prime, Friends with Kids, We Were Soldiers, Ira & Abby, Richard Jewell, Sucker Punch, Lucy in the Sky, Bad Times at the El Royale, and Kissing Jessica Stein. As a voice actor, he's heard in Shrek Forever After and Minions. Most recently, Hamm was seen in The Jesus Roll, Wild Moutain Thyme, and HBO Max’s No Sudden Move. Next, he’ll appear in Top Gun: Maverick, Corner Office, and Confess, Fletch, which he'll also produce. Currently, Hamm is filming Maggie Moore(s). 

Rebel Wilson (Brynn)

Playing the part of Brynn, Annie’s immigrant roommate, Rebel Wilson had a pre-fame supporting role in Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids. Shortly after this film’s release, the actress found fame as Fat Amy in the Pitch Perfect movies. Wilson’s other movie credits include Bachelorette, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, How to Be Single, Struck By Lightning, The Brothers Grimsby, Isn’t It Romantic, The Hustle, Jojo Rabbit, Pain & Gain, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Cats. The actress is also heard in Ice Age: Continental Drift. Next, Wilson will star in Senior Year, which she'll also produce, and The Almond and the Seahorse. 

Additionally, on TV, Rebel Wilson wrote, produced, and starred in Bogan Pride. She's also seen in Pizza, The Wedge, and Thank God You’re Here. Furthermore, Wilson created and starred in ABC’s Super Fun Night. Moreover, the actress was the host of Seven Network’s Pooch Perfect and Amazon Prime’s LOL: Australia. 

Bridesmaids is available to rent on Amazon.

Many awards shows have been called out for their lack of diversity. After the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite began trending on Twitter in 2015, the public began demanding better representation amongst nominees, winners, presenters and voters. While there’s still a long way to go, some progress has been made in the form of Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph making some Emmy Awards history.

At the 73rd Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Maya Rudolph added to her Legend status by becoming the first person to win back-to-back Emmys in the same category, across two separate categories. She also became the third woman of color to ever win two consecutive Emmys, and the second to do so within the same category. Deadline reported that Maya Rudolph found out about her stunning achievement backstage at the ceremony. Her reaction was, understandably, ecstatic:

Maya Rudolph won the Emmy awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance in both 2020 and 2021. The former was for her appearances on Saturday Night Live - she guest-starred as Vice President Kamala Harris in 2020 and hosted an episode in 2021 — and the latter award was for her role of Connie the Hormone Monstress in the Netflix original series Big Mouth.

It feels especially fitting that Maya Rudolph made history playing Vice President Kamala Harris, considering that the former California Senator did the same thing when she was elected alongside Joe Biden in 2020. In addition to being the first female and first African-American VP, Kamala Harris became the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States government. While it seems incredible that Maya Rudolph could only be the third woman of color to win consecutive Emmys, considering the amount of times some white winners have scored awards, her victory is an important step towards improved representation in the media. To note, Regina King was the first Black woman to win consecutive awards in the same category, for her dual roles in American Crime in 2015 and 2016, while Uzo Aduba won back-to-back Emmys for Orange Is the New Black, but in different categories.

You can hear the voice of Maya Rudolph as the amphibious Daniela in the Pixar animated film Luca, now available to stream on Disney+. She’ll next appear on-screen as antagonist Malvina Monroe alongside Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey in Disenchanted, the highly anticipated sequel to Disney’s Enchanted. The movie musical is also set to hit Disney+ sometime in 2022. Meanwhile, you can tune into the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards when they air on CBS on Sunday, September 19, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

With the eighth and final season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine currently airing on NBC, fans might have thought Andy Samberg might have an opening in his schedule, however brief. But no, even beyond his upcoming voice-acting roles, Samberg has already lined up a new in-the-flesh gig. To make the new job even sweeter, he's joining fellow Saturday Night Live vet Maya Rudolph, and the two comedy stars will headline a new streaming series for Peacock, though possibly not one fans might expect.

NBCUniversal has announced that Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg will be hosting a holiday-themed baking competition series Baking It, which will serve as a companion project to the Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman-hosted crafting competition Making It. The new oven-baked show will stream on Peacock, however, instead following in the original's footsteps on NBC. Seeing as how it's a companion to Making It, it's no surprise that fellow SNL alum Poehler will serve as an executive producer of Baking It, along with Making It producer Nicolle Yaron.

Baking It will feature eight teams of talented home bakers competing against each other across six different holiday-themed episodes hosted by Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg from within the winter cabin motif. Each hopeful's confections will be judged by the indiscriminate taste buds of four real-life grandmothers to see which teams will move onto the next phase, and which will be tossed out with yesterday's bagels. Of course, in true SNL fashion, Rudolph and Samberg will offer funny side commentary during moments both intense and lighthearted while hosting the highly competitive bake-off.

Watching people baking holiday treats under immense pressure is genuinely entertaining for many viewers, or else we might not have quite so many options to choose from in that highly specific TV genre. But the real draw of this particular show will be watching Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg interact throughout the episodes. Just giving those two microphones alone seems like prime material for hilarity for viewers, regardless of what they're talking about. (And probably expect things to get a little sophomoric and silly by way gross dough noises, melting chocolate mounds, and all the grandmas.)

Given the built-in camaraderie from all the SNL talent, there’s no telling what kind of viral moments will come from Rudolph and Samberg's hosting partnership. Add Amy Poehler in the mix, and things are bound to be gut-busting, so we can only hope that Baking It will be anywhere near as entertaining as Poehler and Nick Offerman are on Making It.

Currently, it is unknown when Baking It will premiere on Peacock. Until then, viewers can catch Andy Samberg in the final season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which is currently airing two-episodes blocks every Thursday night on NBC starting at 8:00 p.m. Moviegoers can currently hear Maya Rudolph’s voice in Netflix’s hit film The Mitchells vs. Machines and Disney+’s animated film Luca, while Samberg will pop up in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania and the Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers movie.

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One of my favorite things about the Pixar movies does not have as much to do with actually watching the movies: looking up who voices each character later on or even beforehand. For instance, Jacob Tremblay - acclaimed young star of Room and horror movies like Doctor Sleep - and Jack Dylan Grazer - the acclaimed young star of DC movies like Shazam! and hit horror movies It and It: Chapter Two - play a pair of sea monsters who disguise themselves as humans to have an adventures on land by the Italian Riviera. Take a look at what other familiar voices you may recognize, and some you may be hearing for the first time, from the Luca cast, starting with the remarkably talented actor in the title role.

Jacob Tremblay (Luca Paguro)

At only 14 years old, Jacob Tremblay has become one of the hardest-working and critically praised performers of his generation since his breakout role in 2015’s heart-wrenching, Oscar-winning A24 drama Room in 2015 after first making his feature-film debut in The Smurfs 2 in 2013. Ironically, he did not play one of the titular animated blue creatures in said sequel, but Luca is not his first time playing an animated character either having lent his voice to TV series like Amazon Prime’s Pete the Cat (as the title role) and HBO Max’s Harley Quinn as Robin. Tremblay is also voicing Flounder in Disney’s upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid remake, but you may have seen his face from movies like Mike Flanagan’s Netflix exclusive thriller Before I Wake, the inspiring family drama Wonder, and the raunchy but heartfelt Good Boys from 2019.

Jack Dylan Grazer (Alberto Scorfano)

Playing Luca’s friend and fellow sea monster Alberto is another young veteran of recent horror movie hits Jack Dylan Grazer, who played the parentally inflicted hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak in 2017’s It cast after debuting in one of the most underrated horror anthology movies, Tales of Halloween, in 2015. The now 16-year-old also played the teenage version of a character also played by Saturday Night Live’s Bobby Moynihan and John Laroquette on the short-lived sitcom Me, Myself and I and a younger Timothée Chalamet in Beautiful Boy. Outside of the animated, Italy-set, coming-of-age movie Luca, Grazer stars in an Italy-set, coming-of-age series on HBO Max called We Are Who We Are, will next voice another supporting character in the animated Ron’s Gone Wrong in 2021, and is reprising his role as Freddy Freeman in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which is currently filming.

Emma Berman (Giulia Marcovaldo)

In addition to Luca’s fellow sea monster companion Alberto Scorfano, the curious hero of the newest Pixar movie also, for the first time in his life, befriends a human named Giulia. The adventurous young girl is voiced by Emma Berman, who is actually making her cinematic debut with Luca. So far, the 12-year-old up-and-comer’s only other acting credit is another voice acting role from an April 2021 episodes of the Netflix original animated children’s series Go! Go! Cory Carson as Winifred Wings - an airplane who is afraid of flying.

Maya Rudolph (Daniela Paguro)

Playing Luca’s mother also marks one of multiple voice roles in 2021 alone for former Saturday Night Live cast member Maya Rudolph after playing Linda in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, reprising Aunt Cass on Big Hero 6: The Series, and the upcoming Big Mouth Season 5 on Netflix. Her previous animated roles include Shrek the Third as Rapunzel, Turbo alongside Ryan Reynolds, both The Nut Job movies, and two films inspired by mobile phone activity: 2016’s The Angry Birds Movie and The Emoji Movie from the following year. She has also appeared in person in films like the Adam Sander/Drew Barrymore rom-com 50 First Dates, Mike Judge’s frighteningly relevant futuristic satire Idiocracy, the SNL sketch spin-off MacGruber, and 2011’s Bridesmaids, which also has a famous SNL connection as her co-star Kristen Wiig was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing the screenplay.

Jim Gaffigan (Lorenzo Paguro)

The most notable writing credits of Jim Gaffigan are many acclaimed stand-up specials, his short-lived TV Land sitcom The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Pale Force - a series of animated shorts starring him as the voice of superhero Pale Man and his young sidekick, Conan O’Brien, which were presented on Late Night during the talk show host’s NBC years. As an actor, the comedian (who voices Luca’s father) is known for an a-meow-sing Super Troopers cameo, director Sam Mendes’ Away We Go (also starring Maya Rudolph), and some dramatic roles as of late, such as in Chappaquiddick, and a gig with CBS Sunday Morning. Other animated roles include Henry Haber on a few Bob’s Burgers episodes, himself on Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?, and his voice will also be heard in 2021 when he reprises Van Helsing in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, which is now in post-production.

Sandy Martin (Grandma Paguro)

Playing the grandmother of the titular character in Luca is Sandy Martin, whose best known role as the grandmother of the titular character in 2004’s Napoleon Dynamite - which is only one other instance of her history playing a family matriarch on screen. The 72-year-old actress also played Joy’s grandma on the My Name is Earl cast, Mac’s mother on the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia cast, and also Sam Rockwell’s mother in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri in 2017. Audience may also recognize Matin from brief appearances in films as old as 1982’s 48 Hrs. or as recent as 2010’s Marley & Me and on TV shows as funny as 2 Broke Girls or as serious as Ray Donovan, on which she has a memorable recurring role as Jon Voight’s onscreen sister-in-law, coincidentally named Sandy Patrick.

Sacha Baron Cohen (Uncle Ugo)

Another undersea relative of Luca’s is his uncle, Ugo, voiced by multi-talented actor and controversial prankster artist Sacha Baron Cohen, who was recently nominated for two Academy Awards - one for his supporting role in Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 and the other for co-writing the screenplay for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime in 2020. The 49-year-old Brit’s first and other most famous acting gig was as the royal lemur Julien in the Madagascar movies as he is better known for live action characters in comedies like Jean Girard in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby or more serious films like Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street from 2007. The Who is America? host has recently been cast in the title role of the long-awaited Mandrake the Magician, based on the iconic comic strip.

Marco Barricelli (Massimo Marcovaldo)

As Giulia Marcovaldo’s father, Massimo - an intimidating, yet kindhearted, fisherman and cook - we have Marco Barricelli, who is best known for his long history as an actor, writer, director, and educator in the world of theatre. However, for those who those who do not seek entertainment from the stage, the veteran performer has eight screen credits to his name - the most recent being Luca. He debuted on a 1987 episode of the popular daytime soap opera Guiding Light, appeared on the NBC legal drama L.A. Law in 1991, and had a four-episode stint on the dramedy The Book of Daniel (which only lasted twice as long in 2006), to name a few gig. Barricelli has even lent his voice to a few video games, including 1996’s Clandestiny and Manhunt 2 in 2007.

Francesca Fanti (Maggiore)

As a movie set in Italy and directed by an Italian born filmmaker (Enrico Casarosa), it would only make sense that Luca cast also empty Italian-born actors as well. Among them is Francesca Fanti, who is best know to American audiences from the 2009 musical Nine (which also starred Daniel Day-Lewis), the Emmy-winning FX miniseries The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story as the murdered fashion icon’s mother (coincidentally named) Francesca “Franca” Versace, and a couple of uncredited voice roles in Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted alongside the aforementioned Sacha Baron Cohen.

Saverio Raimondo (Ercole Visconte)

One of Italy’s most popular comedians is Saverio Raimondo, who stars in Luca as a young bully named Ercole Visconte, whom Luca comes at odds with in the Pixar film. The animated movie is Raimondo’s first (partially) English-language project, having previously appeared in a modest number of projects originating from his home country - including the 2016 pilot for the comedy Dov’è Mario, in which a renowned Italian intellectual (Corrado Guzzanti) suffers a car accident and gains a split personality that makes him a crude stand-up comic by night. Speaking of stand-up, for a taste of what Raimondo’s comedic stylings, try his 2019 Netflix original comedy special Saverio Raimondo: Il Satiro Parlante.

Pixar has shed light on various cultures, such as Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos in Coco in 2018. It will do the same for Italy, as seen through the eyes of a young, adventurous sea monster in Luca, streaming on Disney+ Friday, June 18, 2021.

Over the years, Pixar Animation has taken us to all sorts of beautiful places through its 3-D animation style, whether that be inside our heads with Inside Out, into the afterlife of Soul or through the Great Barrier Reef in Finding Nemo. And for Pixar’s latest Luca, audiences will be transported to a beautiful Italian coastal town called Portorosso. The setting is based on the real atmosphere in Italy’s beautiful riviera and the Pixar filmmakers did some awesome research on location in Europe to bring it to life.

Ahead of Luca, which is coming exclusively to Disney+ this month, you can get ready to experience the sweet summer storyline with an exclusive featurette of the making of the film above. In the clip from Pixar, the filmmakers and cast focus on how the breathtaking setting was animated and transformed into the backdrop of the tale of two sea monster friends who decide to explore the human world.

Portorosso itself is a fictional town off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but it is very much rooted in the real appeal of the Italian Riviera. And thus, the filmmakers and animators of the project went on a trip to Italy to get inspired by the region it was influenced by. It also helps that the film’s director Enrico Casarosa was born in Genoa, Italy and spent his own summers in the region as a kid and teenager.

Casarosa pitched the idea of Luca to Pixar after spearheading the memorable Pixar short La Luna. Luca is his first time directing a Pixar movie and he brings his own flavor to it, including his love for Hayao Miyazaki movies like Spirited Away or Kiki’s Delivery Service. When CinemaBlend spoke to the director about his inspirations for the film, here’s what he told us:

Luca comes from a place of personal nostalgia for its filmmaker as it takes its audience on a fun adventure through the eyes of sea monsters who have never experienced the world beyond the sea before. As the clip shows, Pixar really wanted to capture the feeling of coastal Italy, along with telling a touching story about friendship.

The movie stars Room’s Jacob Tremblay as Luca andShazam’s Jack Dylan Grazer as Alberto, the movie’s best friends. Also among the voice cast is Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan and newcomer Emma Berman as Giulia. Luca will be available to stream on Disney+ on June 18.

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Over a decade has gone into developing a sequel to Disney’s meta-musical hit Enchanted. That hasn’t stopped the past couple of months from being fruitful, as Disenchanted seems to be firing up the engines, and casting talented actors like The Mitchells vs. The Machines co-star Maya Rudolph. Finally breaking her silence on her villainous role in the Disney+ original film, Rudolph has revealed why took the role, and how the various delays may have worked out in the long run.

Thinking about Maya Rudolph as a villain in a musical fairy tale satire feels like a slam dunk at this point. After a storied career on SNL, and through movies like Bridesmaids, Big Hero 6, and Hubie Haloween, Rudolph’s skill set speaks for itself. That versatility goes a long way to landing a gig like Disenchanted, but as she explained to Variety, it also helped her accept such an opportunity:

“The Most” is surely Maya Rudolph’s wheelhouse, as she’s always been a bombastic performer that isn’t afraid to land the laugh. With the role of Disenchanted’s villainous Malvina Monroe in her grasp, it sounds like the trouble in this next chapter in the saga of Amy Adams’ Giselle is going to be quite formidable. It also sounds like Rudolph’s character is going to be a full throttle laugh riot at the same time, which is a very exciting prospect for a long awaited sequel.

As Enchanted became a pretty sizable hit for Disney upon its release in 2007, the potential was always there for a return to Giselle’s home kingdom of Andalasia. But the process of getting Disenchanted off the ground was not a smooth one, with one delay after the other cropping up. The bright side about all of that waiting is, that wait is probably part of what made Maya Rudolph’s casting possible, as it sounds like, in her own words below, this part was meant for her:

Sequels are never a guarantee, no matter how well a movie like Enchanted does. But Disenchanted is proof that hope, perseverance, and some killer casting can get the job done. As the film is getting ready to get underway in Ireland, we’re all one step closer to the continuing adventures of Giselle and Phillip, as well as the introduction of Maya Rudolph’s brand new foe. Unfortunately, there’s no release date set for Disenchanted, but Disney+ will be the place to see it. Which means, now’s a good time to check out the subscription bundle they’re offering, which includes Hulu and ESPN+.

What do Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph, Eastbound and Down’s Danny McBride, and Broad City co-creator Abbi Jacobson have in common. If you guessed that they are all some of the most unique comedic voices of our time, you wouldn’t be wrong, but it’s not what we’re going for here. The correct answer is they all headline Netflix’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines cast alongside Mike Rianda, who makes his directorial debut in the new Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-produced animated film.

In the new Netflix movie, which was produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the Mitchells set off for what appears to be a normal cross-country family road trip before they find themselves being humanity’s last hope after a rogue artificial intelligence (voiced by Olivia Colman) captures every other living soul in a tech uprising. But outside of the family at the center of the story, The Mitchells vs. the Machines features a remarkable voice cast featuring comedians, singers, basketball players, and even a pug with a bigger social media presence than most celebrities.

Abbi Jacobson - Katie Mitchell

At the center of The Mitchells vs. the Machines is Katie Mitchell, an aspiring filmmaker whose decision to go to the film school in California leads to the family taking the fateful road trip. If Jacobson’s voice sounds familiar it probably has something to do with her successful Comedy Central series Broad City, which she co-created with co-star Ilana Glazer, first as a 2010 webseries and then again on cable from 2014 to 2019. The new animated film isn’t the first time Jacobson has worked with Netflix (she voices Princess Bean on Disenchantment) nor is it her first experience with Lord Miller Productions (she’s Nya in The Lego Ninjago Movie).

Danny McBride - Rick Mitchell

Providing the voice of Mitchell family patriarch who’s prone to clash with his teenage daughter Rick Mitchell is Danny McBride. Prior to landing a role in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, McBride made a name for himself in movies like Pineapple Express, The Foot Fist Way, and Hot Rod, but to some, the multi-talented actor/writer/director/producer will always be known for one role and one role only: Kenny Powers on Eastbound & Down. Danny McBride, who co-created the popular HBO series back in 2009, has since gone on to lead some of the network’s other comedies like Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones.

Maya Rudolph - Linda Mitchell

Linda Mitchell, the loving and supportive movie that serves as the glue that keeps the family together in The Mitchells vs. the Machines is voiced by Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph. Prior to her voice work in the new Netflix movie, Rudolph brought characters to life in titles such as Shrek the Third, Big Hero 6, and the upcoming Luca. In addition to her voice acting, Rudolph has been a part of some of the biggest comedies of the modern era, including Bridesmaids, Booksmart, and the 2013 coming-of-age story The Way, Way Back.

Mike Rianda - Aaron Mitchell

Rounding out the Mitchell family portion of The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ cast is writer-director Mike Rianda who voices Aaron, the dinosaur-obsessed son of Linda and Rick. Primarily known as a writer, creative director, and occasional voice actor on the Disney Channel original animated series Gravity Falls, Rianda has also provided the voice of characters in the animated short Princess of the Magical Tears and a 2014 Gravity Falls short.

Eric Andre - Dr. Mark Bowman

Eric Andre brings to life Dr. Mark Bowman, the scientist and tech genius behind PAL Labs who inadvertently causes the machine uprising in The Mitchells vs. the Machines. While his voice may sound familiar to certain audiences following his portrayal of Azizi in the 2019 remake of The Lion King, to others Andre is remembered for his unique brand of absurdist and surrealist comedy as seen on his long-running Adult Swim series The Eric Andre Show and his 2021 prank comedy film (also on Netflix) Bad Trip.

Olivia Colman - PAL

Another member of The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ voice cast with a history at Netflix is Olivia Colman. Before lending her voice to PAL, the emotionally damaged artificial intelligence with a bone to pick with humanity, Colman won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown, which is just one of the awards the talented actress has won over the years. Other notable awards include an Oscar for her performance in The Favourite and multiple others for her work on The Night Manager, Hyde Park on Hudson, and The Lobster.

Fred Armisen - Deborahbot 5000

Not all of the PAL robots are bad in The Mitchells vs. the Machines and that’s where Fred Armisen’s Deborahbot 5000 comes in and helps out the family in their quest the save humanity. In addition to appearing on Saturday Night Live from 2002 to 2013, Armisen has led a number of television shows over the years with the most notable being Portlandia and Documentary Now. Over the years, Armisen has also appeared in multiple movies including Easy A, The Little Hours, and Battle of the Sexes to name only a few.

Beck Bennett - Eric

Another longtime Saturday Night Live standout to appear in The Mitchells vs. the Machines is Beck Bennett, who provides the voice of the other damaged PAL robot, Eric. Prior to landing a spot on the SNL cast in 2013, Bennett had his first brush with fame after appearing in the hilarious “It’s Not Complicated” AT&T commercials where he interviewed children about a number of topics including cell phone services. On the film side of things, Bennett has shown up in dark comedies like Brigsby Bear and family-friendly animated musicals like Sing.

Conan O’Brien - Glaxxon 5000

Voicing the advanced PAL Labs robot Glaxxon 5000 in The Mitchells vs. the Machines is Conan O’Brien. In addition to hosting multiple late night talk shows including a brief and controversial run on The Tonight Show between 2009 and 2010, O’Brien has appeared in countless television shows, mostly in cameo roles as himself, though he did voice The Riddler in the Lord Miller-produced 2017 animated film The Lego Batman Movie. Before that, O’Brien served as a writer on both Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons before taking over for David Letterman on Late Night from 1993 to 2009.

Charlyne Yi - Abby Posey

Charlyne Yi provides the voice of Abby Posey in The Mitchells vs. the Machines. Prior to portraying Aaron Mitchell’s neighbor and love interest in the Netflix animated film, Yi popped up in a number of comedies over the years starting with 2007’s Knocked Up (and its sequel This Is 40) before joining the casts of The Disaster Artist and Always Be My Maybe. No stranger to animation, Yi lent her voice to characters on shows like Steven Universe and Summer Camp Island.

Chrissy Teigen - Hailey Posey

Chrissy Teigen voices Hailey Posey, the Mitchells’ fearless neighbor who appears to be perfect in every possible way. Over the years, Teigan has become one of the most popular and influential celebrities with appearances on a string of successful television shows starting with the first season of Deal or No Deal back in 2007. She’s gone on to host shows like FABLife and Lip Sync Battle.

John Legend - Jim Posey

Playing Hailey Posey’s husband, Jim, in The Mitchells vs. the Machines is Chrissy Teigen’s real-life husband John Legend. An EGOT winner, Legend has appeared in countless movies and television shows over the years, giving outstanding performances in titles like La La Land and Ask the StoryBots.

Blake Griffin - PAL MAX Prime

Blake Griffin, the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year and six-time NBA All-Star provides the voice of the ultra-sleek PAL MAX Prime robot in The Mitchells vs. the Machines. It doesn’t get brought up all that often but Griffin’s acting career goes back farther than his days in the NBA, having appeared in two episodes of the ABC Family drama series Greek back in 2008. Throughout his professional career, Griffin has jumped over to the acting world on several occasions, showing up on episodes of 90210, The Book Club, and a few shows, as well as Whitney Cummings’ 2017 comedy The Female Brain.

Doug The Pug - Monchi

And then there is Monchi, the Mitchell family dog in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, who is “voiced” by the internet sensation that is Doug the Pug. Although this is social media pup’s first movie role, he’s been a hit for a few years now, providing parodies of shows like Stranger Things, Toy Story, and even Spider-Man. According to People.com, Doug the Pug provides every snore, bark, and other bodily noise for his on-screen counterpart in the new Netflix animated film.

This may seem like a large cast, but this isn’t every actor who appears in The Mitchells vs. the Machines. In addition to all of the aforementioned names, Sasheer Zamata, Elle Mills, Alex Hirsch, Griffin McElroy, and Jay Pharoah also appear in what looks to be one of the best 2021 Netflix movies thus far. And in the event you want to know what’s coming to theaters later this year, check out CinemaBlend’s list of 2021 movie premiere dates while you’re at it.

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it might just be a mid-telecast attempt at humor from NBC's Golden Globes. We all knew this year's ceremony was going to be only mildly different from other largely remote awards shows that aired during the pandemic, but what we didn't know was just how awkward things could and would get. Constantly. Like, throughout the entire show. Starting with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey's opening monologue from opposite coasts to the point in every awards ceremony when the play-off music seemingly starts as soon as the winners begin talking.

To give this year's Golden Globe telecast credit, the technical issues that were peppered throughout the first half of the show were largely absent in the back half. (Not completely absent, mind you, but largely.) So let's go through some of the most awkward moments and fails of the night.

Tina Fey And Amy Poehler's Opening: Tarantino Burn

In one of the Golden Globes' earliest barbs, Amy Poehler brought up how many Hollywood A-listers usually sit at the front table during non-COVID times, and joked about Quentin Tarantino crawling under the table touching people's feet. The reaction was about as loud as a socked foot landing on a soft carpet.

Tina Fey And Amy Poehler's Opening: Emily In Paris Burn

Tina Fey made it quite clear that she didn't give a hoot about Emily in Paris, joking that Michelle Pfeiffer's French Exit was what she did after watching one episode of the Netflix original. Cut to a quick shot of star Lily Collins awkwardly smiling about the jokes, and the monologue instantly felt weirdly more mean-spirited than silly, even though Fey was far from the first person to take aim at Emily in Paris.

Tina Fey And Amy Poehler's Opening: HFPA Diversity Burn

In one of the more amusing examples of celebs biting at least one hand that feeds, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took some brutal shots at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, saying its headquarters was the back booth of a French McDonald's. Perhaps most poignantly, the duo shined a light on how the HFPA doesn't have any Black members within its ranks, which felt like a wildly too-real slam that led into arguably THE most awkward moment of the night.

Daniel Kaluuya's Muted Acceptance Speech

The very first Golden Globe award was presented by the ever-graceful Laura Dern, who looked about as stunned as everyone else when it was apparent that winner Daniel Kaluuya's audio feed was muted as he attempted to thank his Judas and the Black Messiah team. Dern attempted to save the moment with a technical difficulties explanation, but Kaluuya's audio popped in just afterward, yelling "You did me dirty!" before delivering his actual acceptance speech. The timing of that, juxtaposed with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's words about inclusivity, felt straight out of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode.

Catherine O'Hara's Botched Music Joke

Catherine O'Hara clearly had an inkling she would win the award for Best TV Actress in a Comedy, seeing as how her husband 

Bo Welch had some shenanigans planned, though they went haywire immediately. The gag was that he would play O'Hara off with orchestral music from his phone when she talked for too long, only he played the wrong song, twice, and both of those moments happened at the wrong time. Plus it all sounded like garbled noise through the feed.

Soul Co-Director Kemp Powers' Video-In-Video Speech

Given how wonderful Soul's soundscape was, it seems anti-logical that the co-directors' Golden Globes speech would have gone the way it did. When the Pixar film won for Best Animated Feature, co-director Pete Docter gave his thanks before passing the baton to Kemp Powers. But rather than Powers having his own video feed set up, he delivered his speech through a mobile device that Docter held up. As such, Powers' entire moment featured a weird echo caused by the dual technology set-up.

Mark Ruffalo's Acceptance Speech And Other Glitches

Was it just me, or did it seem like Mark Ruffalo and his family were set up in a bathroom of some kind? His acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Drama for HBO's I Know This Much Is True was full of room-related echos, and it also glitched out near the end during a particularly important portion. Random glitches also plagued some of Amy Poehler's audio, Norman Lear's speech, and others, making it seem like the only people who did sound-checks were those who spoke for less than 20 seconds.

All Of The Winners Talking Too Quickly

One of the biggest audio issues plaguing this year's Golden Globes was the fact that it appeared as if none of the winners were told to take a second to wait for applause to die down before they started their speeches. Time and time again, the first words that various winners spoke were either muted, or they were just overshadowed by claps and cheers. It was bizarre how many relatively minor errors happened over and over again.

Kenan Thompson And Maya Rudolph's...Whatever That Was

The winner of the most purposefully awkward moment goes to comedians and SNL familiars Kenan Thompson and Maya Rudolph and their bonkers on-stage acceptance of a fake award. In another example of things getting too-real, Amy Poehler prefaced the segment by pointing out the ceremony's already long run-time. And then Rudolph talked about getting a vodka enema, and Thompson faked his way through French translations in a way that instantly brought his All That character Pierre Escargot to mind.

Tracy Morgan Mispronouncing 'Soul'

When presenting the award for Best Score, Tracy Morgan managed to mispronounce the title Soul, saying it as "Sow-well." It almost seemed like a joke, but then the camera caught his face for a split second after he realized his error, and it was pretty obvious (and priceless) proof that his bungling was unintentional.

Jon Baptiste And Others Being Cut Off

Just a minute after Tracy Morgan botched one of the easiest-to-say titles in this year's Golden Globes, co-winner Jon Baptiste didn't appear to be finished with his section of the acceptance speech when the feed suddenly shifted to Trent Reznor. Had it been a completely isolated incident, it might have been another possibly suspicious moment involving a Black winner, but there were quite a few winners whose feeds ended awkwardly.

The Doctors And Nurses Bit

Truthfully, the 78th annual Golden Globes featured one of the best comedic segments I've seen in years, in which children answered questions about nominees in hilarious (and heartwarming) ways. But that excellent was contrasted by the pretty laugh-less segment featuring a bunch of nominees ostensibly wasting healthcare workers' and viewers' time with useless questions.

Every Political Joke

Anytime a host, presenter or performer mentioned a political affiliation, an ex-President, or any form of a headline-making news topic form the last year, it was like hearing a chalkboard being dragged over a sea of sharp fingernails.

At least this year's Golden Globes did offer a few bright moments, with two involving late actor Chadwick Boseman, and one involving Al Pacino taking an impromptu nap. Here's hoping next year's festivities are at least 95% more comfortable and viewers can get back to watching winners glitch up because of too much alcohol as opposed to technical problems.

Saturday Night Live has groomed many of today’s biggest film and television stars. One of those stars is Maya Rudolph. Over the years, the SNL veteran played many memorable characters, including Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, even after she departed the NBC sketch series. But given the current state of everything, Maya Rudolph revealed one reason she wasn’t ready to return to Saturday Night Live.

As one of SNL’s go-to staples, Maya Rudolph has been portraying the Vice President-elect on and off since the Democratic Primaries in 2019. She spoke with Allure about her current stint on SNL along with self-care related to COVID-19 and quarantine. Like many Americans, she has spent much of her time quarantining with her family, particularly before she came back to perform "Cold Open" sketches on the show. So, she had a little apprehension about getting out of her pajamas and still portraying the future Vice President. The actor spoke on one factor about doing the show that was stressful given the circumstances.

With so much still unknown about the pandemic, Maya Rudolph had every right to worry about filming the sketch comedy series. For much of early 2020, film and television productions were shut down due to COVID-19. Later, many productions started up again with safety protocols in place, though some, like Outlander, are still paused.

Maya Rudolph originally left Saturday Night Live in 2007 after being a regular cast member since 2000. Over the years, she has remained in the fold, having portrayed everyone from former First Lady Michelle Obama to Oprah Winfrey. She even worked with SNL producer Lorne Michaels for two variety shows – The Maya Rudolph Show and Maya and Marty with fellow alum Martin Short. Both shows unfortunately never received series orders.

Over the years, Maya Rudolph‘s comic timing and effortless one-liners have made her a constant player in the world of Saturday Night Live. It’s nice to know that she has remained serious and cautious about the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides seeing her portrayal of Kamala Harris on SNL, you can hear her voice in Big Mouth on Netflix and Bless the Harts on Fox.