SNL Greats --The List

 #331: Ok, A Link To A List

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I've watched Saturday Night Live for a majority of the 46 years it's been around (exceptions: the first 10 years, and another 10 years from 2000 to around 2010--when we could finally DVR way too late night material).  I often don't think the humor is good enough (we skip over many a skit after giving it a look), but occasionally something'll be so good I'll actually remember it years later (Dana Carvey's "Broccolee, Broccolii")

Anyway, Paste has a fairly good list up counting down the show's top 50 comedians.  I agree with the majority, save for these exceptions (and a few 'stinker' stickers which I won't apply).

1.  In general, the first 7-8 years don't measure up to the occasional comedic brilliance found in later shows--save for Dan Aykroyd.  But I wasn't there.

2.  This list doesn't give its women members their due.  Cecily Strong, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, and Melissa Villaseñor (not on the list--had a great solo Covid sketch recently) especially deserve a higher (lower) number.

3. A few times, specific performers drew me back to watching regularly: Martin Short, initially, Mike Myers around '90, and Tina Fey in '08--proven talent, and each deserve greater recognition.

The list, without the photos and several paragraphs on each:

50. Joe Piscopo

49. Cheri Oteri

48. Garrett Morris

47. Leslie Jones

46. Beck Bennett

45. Kyle Mooney

44. Molly Shannon

43. Tim Meadows

42. Bobby Moynihan

41. Jimmy Fallon

40. Cecily Strong

39. Laraine Newman

38. Ana Gasteyer

37. Seth Meyers

36. Chris Rock

35. David Spade

34. Billy Crystal

33. Fred Armisen

32. Vanessa Bayer

31. Jason Sudeikis

30. Adam Sandler

29. Martin Short

28. Dennis Miller

27. Darrell Hammond

26. Jane Curtin

25. Chevy Chase

24. Norm Macdonald

23. Maya Rudolph

22. Jan Hooks

21. Aidy Bryant

20. Will Forte

19. Mike Myers

18. Jon Lovitz

17. Kate McKinnon

16. Kristen Wiig

15. Andy Samberg

14. Tracy Morgan

13. Bill Murray

12. Chris Farley

11. Tina Fey

10. Kenan Thompson

9. Amy Poehler

8. Bill Hader

7. Dana Carvey 

6. Gilda Radner

5. Dan Aykroyd

4. John Belushi

3. Phil Hartman

2. Will Ferrell

1. Eddie Murphy