As I delve into the lives of these SNL legends, it’s quite evident that their time at Studio 8H has left indelible marks on comedy history. From Jason Sudeikis’ triumphant return to the stage after eight long years, to Will Ferrell’s beloved antics in the 90s and early 2000s, these comedic titans have truly mastered the art of making us laugh.
When a performer bids farewell to the Saturday Night Live team, it’s not always a permanent goodbye. Quite often, this popular sketch comedy series welcomes notable alumni to grace an episode, either as a special guest or headliner. Such appearances can even lead to illustrious hosting roles. Here are some memorable instances when a former SNL star left a lasting impact upon their return to Studio 8H.
Eddie Murphy
Following his departure from SNL in 1984, Eddie Murphy returned to the show later that year for a second stint as host, having previously hosted while still a cast member in 1982. During this episode, he introduced what is often considered his best SNL sketch, “White Like Me.” After receiving recognition at the 40th anniversary special, the Oscar nominee made another appearance as host, contributing to one of the most highly praised episodes during Season 45.
Ben Stiller
It’s possible that you may not recall that Ben Stiller was briefly part of the cast back in 1989, as he appeared in just four episodes. When he returned to host the show in 1998, having gained more fame in comedy, he acknowledged this brief stint. He went on to host again in 2011, and later made recurring appearances as Michael Cohen, a former attorney for Donald Trump, in 2018.
Norm Macdonald
Known for it, Norm Macdonald was let go from the Saturday Night Live (SNL) team in 1998, allegedly due to a lack of humor, according to NBC executives at that time. Surprisingly, only a year and a half later, he returned to host an episode, where in his opening monologue he quipped that he hadn’t become any funnier but the show had significantly deteriorated since his departure.
Robert Downey Jr.
Initially, Robert Downey Jr., now a cherished A-list actor in Hollywood, faced intense criticism as a cast member during a particularly criticized season of Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1986. He returned only once in 1996 to host, demonstrating his exceptional talent and eventually earning the love we have for him today. In 2024, he made history as the first former SNL cast member to win an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
It wasn’t until after Julia Louis-Dreyfus spent three years at Studio 8H from 1982 to 1985 and joined the Seinfeld cast as Elaine Benes that she gained iconic status in comedy. Later, in 2006, following her Emmy win for The New Adventures of Old Christine, she made history by becoming the first female former Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member to host again. She went on to do this twice more.
Jimmy Fallon
As a gamer, I’ve been on a roll for six years straight, from 1998 to 2004, gracing the stage at SNL. But just like in any great game, you don’t retire after winning once, do you? So, I made a comeback for three hosting gigs and a bunch of guest appearances. Every time I step back into Studio 8H, it feels like leveling up, especially when my buddy Justin Timberlake drops by to join in on a fresh episode of “The Barry Gibb Talk Show” or some other hilarious sketch we’ve cooked up together. It’s always a party I don’t want to miss!
John Mulaney
As a devoted fan, I’d like to share a fun fact: Although John Mulaney wasn’t a permanent cast member of SNL, he still graced our screens with hilarious segments on “Weekend Update” during his five-year stint as a writer. His comedic talent didn’t go unnoticed, and soon enough, he rose to become one of the most prominent figures in stand-up comedy. In just four years, his popularity was such that he earned himself a spot in the esteemed Five-Timers Club.
Dan Aykroyd
For established SNL performers, making a striking return as host can be achieved by waiting a significant number of years before coming back, similar to Dan Aykroyd’s approach. This celebrated comedy legend, recognized for iconic sketches such as “The Coneheads” and “Super Bass-o-Matic ’76”, which he created during his time as a Not Ready for Primetime Player, graced our screens once again in 2003 – over two decades after parting ways with the show.
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman, despite being a member of Saturday Night Live’s cast for just one season, ultimately achieved massive success down the line. Over two decades after her departure from the show, the renowned humorist returned to host an amusing episode during Season 40.
Martin Short
It’s surprising to think that Martin Short was a member of Saturday Night Live for just one season, yet he’s managed to showcase his versatile comedic abilities over time through impressive hosting stints. Remarkably, his first hosting gig in 1986 was alongside his Three Amigos co-stars Chevy Chase and Steve Martin – an experience they repeated in 2022.
Adam Sandler
Even though I’ve popped up on SNL here and there throughout the years, it wasn’t until 2019 that I finally got the chance to be the host. This episode turned out to be a fan favorite, with me performing two unforgettable songs. Known as the “SNL Bad Boy” back in the day, my first tune featured a guest appearance by Chris Rock and we reminisced about my termination after just four seasons in 1995. The second song was a touching tribute to Chris Farley.
Kate McKinnon
For ten delightful years at SNL, the exceptional Kate McKinnon would make a comeback about a year and a half later to headline the final episode of 2023, which turned out to be an incredibly successful show, not just due to guest appearances by Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and her Barbie director, Greta Gerwig. Furthermore, in Season 49, she would grace our screens once more as Colleen Rafferty, the alien abduction victim, to induce another bout of uncontrollable laughter in host Ryan Gosling.
Chevy Chase
Two weeks following his last performance on Saturday Night Live, Chevy Chase amusingly appeared in a self-deprecating cameo during the cold open, playing music for tips outside 30 Rock. Over time, he made additional appearances and ultimately became the initial host to enter the Five-Timers Club before this concept was even proposed by Tom Hanks.
Billy Crystal
Instead of debuting on SNL in 1975 as initially planned, Billy Crystal was unfortunately left out due to time constraints, as portrayed in the 2024 film Saturday Night. However, as his fame grew, he was invited to host the show twice in 1984. Later that year, he joined the cast and captivated audiences with his impressions of Fernando Lamas and other memorable characters.
Tina Fey
During her nine-year tenure at Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey proved herself an invaluable player (MVP) by serving not only as the “Weekend Update” host but also as head writer. However, it was after she left in 2006 that some of her most iconic moments on the show took place. Before being inducted into the Five-Timers Club, Tina Fey reprised her role as Sarah Palin multiple times, which earned critical acclaim for both her creation and performance in the series 30 Rock.
Dana Carvey
A significant factor contributing to SNL’s renaissance period from 1986 to 1993 was Dana Carvey and his exceptional knack for impersonations, a skill he has consistently shared with Studio 8H even after leaving the show. The actor known for “Wayne’s World” is notably one of the recurring cast members, particularly in Season 50 where he portrayed President Joe Biden.
David Spade
During the early to mid-1990s, much of David Spade’s humor stems from his six-year tenure on SNL. Known for his direct, sarcastic, and occasionally ruthless wit, Spade’s ability to poke fun at celebrities would prove beneficial in his hosting roles. One of his earliest gigs, for instance, included a cold open with Brad Pitt playing the role of his therapist.
Kristen Wiig
In the last episode of Season 37 for Saturday Night Live (SNL), several well-known cast members bid their farewells, but the show concluded with an extravagant goodbye specifically for Kristen Wiig, honoring her impressive seven-year tenure filled with side-splitting one-liners. It wasn’t too long after that the Academy Award nominee was invited to reprise her iconic characters as a host, and in Season 49, she became a member of the exclusive Five-Timers Club.
Chris Farley
Following an impressive five-season stint that solidified him as one of Saturday Night Live’s most revered figures and a successful movie career highlighted by films such as Tommy Boy, Chris Farley reached the pinnacle of his fame when he returned to host the show two years after departing. Regrettably, his hosting episode in October 1997 is now largely associated with melancholy, as tragically, just two months later, he succumbed to a drug overdose at the tender age of 33.
Maya Rudolph
During the 2000s, Maya Rudolph solidified her status as a timeless great while serving on SNL for seven years. Subsequently, she made several returns as host and numerous guest appearances, with many memorable instances, such as her award-winning depiction of Kamala Harris, being particularly noteworthy.
Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson was one of the most discussed performers on Saturday Night Live due to his witty “Weekend Update” commentaries, intriguing personal life, and status as the youngest cast member ever. When he left at the end of Season 47, there were plans for him to host the following season. However, due to the Writers’ Strike, these plans were put on hold. Instead, he made a return during the premiere of Season 49, which included a popular pre-recorded skit mocking his post-SNL career, drawing inspiration from Barbie’s “I’m Just Ken.
Tracy Morgan
During his seven-year tenure on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Tracy Morgan made an indelible mark with impressions similar to Al Sharpton and Oprah Winfrey, as well as original characters like Brian Fellow and Astronaut Jones. This earned him the title of a formidable presence that was hard to ignore. Subsequently, every time one of the 30 Rock cast members returned to Studio 8H for hosting or guest appearances, it became a heartfelt tribute to Morgan’s most memorable moments as part of the SNL family.
Paul Shaffer
Initially serving as Studio 8H’s in-house band member, Paul Shaffer eventually became known for a significant milestone: he was the first to use the F-word on SNL, during his tenure from 1979 to 1980. Despite this incident, he quickly recovered and continued to appear as a guest on the show and even hosted an episode in 1987. His popularity soared following his role as David Letterman’s bandleader, which boosted his recognition.
Damon Wayans
Among the notable dismissals from Saturday Night Live is that of Damon Wayans. In 1986, he improvised a character change mid-broadcast, an act that remains notorious. Later, he achieved even more fame as part of the In Living Color cast. In 1995, he was invited to return as a host.
Phil Hartman
It’s clear why many believe Phil Hartman to be the most exceptional Saturday Night Live cast member ever, given his remarkable talent that earned him repeat hosting invitations just two years after leaving, in 1996. Tragically, we were denied further appearances of this Emmy-winning star on Studio 8H due to his untimely death in 1998 at the age of 49.
Chris Rock
In 1996, Chris Rock, who was famously known as the “Bad Boy” of Saturday Night Live (SNL), returned to host the show. This was three years after he left SNL. During this gap, Chris had achieved reasonable success by appearing on the main rival show, In Living Color, at that time.
Jason Sudeikis
In 2021, Jason Sudeikis made his return to host the show for the first time since leaving eight years prior, although it was a year later than he had initially planned. This appearance was significant due to his Emmy-winning performances on Ted Lasso and his emotional opening monologue that highlighted his journey from being a writer to a cast member.
Will Ferrell
In his initial days on the show, Will Ferrell encountered a few stumbles, but he eventually became one of the cherished SNL cast members from the 90s and early 2000s. Since then, his numerous appearances, which include hosting the show five times, have led to some of its most memorable moments in recent history.
Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler’s exceptional abilities at impersonation and her collection of hilarious characters made her seven-year tenure on Saturday Night Live (SNL) a unique and unforgettable period. Since then, she has had numerous memorable appearances, such as co-hosting with her friend and former “Weekend Update” colleague Tina Fey in 2015, and making cameos alongside her fellow Parks and Recreation cast member Aubrey Plaza in 2023.
Darrell Hammond
Among the longest-serving Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast members, Darrell Hammond stands out with a tenure of 14 seasons. However, his association with Studio 8H didn’t end there. After completing his stint as a cast member, he made special appearances, particularly in the “Celebrity Jeopardy!” sketches where he portrayed Sean Connery. Moreover, following the demise of Don Pardo in 2014, Hammond took over as SNL’s announcer.
Molly Shannon
As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I’d say it like this: I’m all about Molly Shannon, three-time Emmy nominee, who’s been instrumental in bringing one of the most legendary SNL characters, Mary Katherine Gallagher, to the big screen. This quirky Catholic high school misfit is merely one of the many roles she’s revisited since her departure in 2001, including two hosting stints on the show.
Bill Murray
Following Chevy Chase’s departure in 1976, it was Bill Murray who took his place as part of the Not Ready for Primetime Players. In a memorable sketch, he humorously admitted to having difficulty leaving an impact on Saturday Night Live initially. Naturally, the Academy Award nominee soon gained immense fame in the 1980s, which made his subsequent five hosting stints and further appearances highly anticipated events.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-05 01:38