Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1995–96

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The following is a list of recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced between September 30, 1995, and May 18, 1996, the twenty-first season of SNL.

Get Off The Shed![edit]

A Will Ferrell sketch. Ferrell is Frank Henderson, a dad who, although friendly most of the time, threatens his kids whenever they start climbing on his shed.[1][2] In the first two appearances of the sketch, Frank is in his backyard making small talk with neighbors, John (David Koechner) and Susan Taylor (Nancy Walls). The conversation is punctuated by Frank's yells which become progressively heated.[3] The second sketch is similar, but with host Christine Baranski playing Frank's wife who can yell equally loud. The third appearance was a variation on the idea, taking place at a Little League game where Frank and other parents are watching in the stands. Instead of yelling at his kid to get off the shed, Frank yells, "Get on the bag!"[4] Debuted September 30, 1995.

Appearances

Leg Up[edit]

Molly Shannon impersonates Ann Miller and Cheri Oteri impersonates Debbie Reynolds, hosting a faux show about dancers.[5][6] Debuted September 30, 1995.

Appearances

Nightline[edit]

A parody of the late-night news program Nightline, with Darrell Hammond impersonating its host Ted Koppel.[1] Debuted September 30, 1995.

Spade in America[edit]

A David Spade segment where he gives his thoughts, guest interviews, and Hollywood Minute jokes.[5][8] The segment aired only in season 21, which was Spade's last as a cast member. The segment makes up fifteen of Spade's nineteen sketch appearances in 1995–96. Debuted September 30, 1995.

Appearances
Episode Host Notes
September 30, 1995 Mariel Hemingway
October 7, 1995 Chevy Chase
October 21, 1995 David Schwimmer Jennifer Aniston cameos.
October 28, 1995 Gabriel Byrne Spade reports from the World Series. Cameos from Chrissie Hynde, Mark Wohlers, Tom Glavine, and Chipper Jones.
November 11, 1995 Quentin Tarantino
November 18, 1995 Laura Leighton Sean Penn cameos.
December 2, 1995 Anthony Edwards
December 9, 1995 David Alan Grier
December 16, 1995 Madeline Kahn
January 13, 1996 Christopher Walken
February 10, 1996 Danny Aiello
March 23, 1996 Phil Hartman
April 20, 1996 Teri Hatcher Hatcher and Spade impersonate each other.
May 11, 1996 Christine Baranski Spade spends a day with the British Fops (Mark McKinney and Dave Koechner).
May 18, 1996 Jim Carrey

Mickey the Dyke[edit]

A Cheri Oteri sketch. Mickey is a stereotypical butch lesbian who, despite identifying as a "dyke", is afraid to officially come out.[9][10] Debuted September 30, 1995.

Rita DelVecchio[edit]

Rita DelVecchio (Cheri Oteri) is a grouchy, sharp tongued, Italian-American, Brooklyn housewife.[5] Rita hates it when the neighborhood kids' toys wind up landing in her front yard, so she claims the item for herself, saying, "I keep it!" and tells the kids to go away. Other times, Rita tries to one-up any of her neighbors when it comes to things like who has the best decorated front lawn on Christmas, or who has the better car. Debuted October 21, 1995.

Appearances
Season Episode Host Notes
21 October 21, 1995 David Schwimmer
21 January 13, 1996 Christopher Walken
21 April 13, 1996 Steve Forbes
22 October 26, 1996 Dana Carvey
22 December 14, 1996 Rosie O'Donnell
23 September 27, 1997 Sylvester Stallone
23 November 22, 1997 Rudy Giuliani

Mary Katherine Gallagher[edit]

Main article: Mary Katherine Gallagher

Mary Katherine (Molly Shannon) is a sardonic caricature of an unpopular, teenage Catholic school girl. She is prone to comically severe mood swings, alternately hyperactive and ponderous.[5] She suffered from stage fright, but was also hyper-competitive (she once engaged in a sing-off with Whitney Houston) and egomaniacal, believing she was a "superstar". The sketch spawned in the 1999 film Superstar. Debuted October 28, 1995.[11]

The Spartan Cheerleaders[edit]

Craig (Will Ferrell) and Arianna (Cheri Oteri) are overeager high school students who, despite not making the East Lake High School Spartan cheerleading squad, show up anyway at events where they are not wanted to cheer.[5][12] The pair's routines consisted of elaborate choreography and chants.[13] The Spartans became one of the more popular recurring sketches of SNL's late-90s period,[14] and were featured on the December 1997 cover of Rolling Stone alongside Mary Katherine Gallagher and Doug Butabi of The Roxbury Guys.[15] Oteri and Ferrell came up with the idea for the Spartan cheerleaders when they were new to SNL and playing around on an empty 8H stage.[16] Of the sketch, Oteri said, "One thing I like about [Arianna and Craig] is, they're losers, but they don't know it. I would feel sorry for them if they knew they were outcasts. They have no clue, thank God."[12] Debuted November 11, 1995.

Appearances
Season Episode Host Notes
21 November 11, 1995 Quentin Tarantino The Spartans cheer at a football game.
21 December 16, 1995 Madeline Kahn The Spartans at a basketball game.
21 January 20, 1996 Alec Baldwin The Spartans at a chess tournament.
21 February 24, 1996 Elle MacPherson The Spartans at a swim meet.
21 April 20, 1996 Teri Hatcher Arianna and Craig face off with Gabrielle (Hatcher) at a math competition.
21 May 18, 1996 Jim Carrey Lochmiel (Carrey) is the newest Spartan cheerleader at a wrestling competition.
22 September 28, 1996 Tom Hanks Craig and Arianna are visited by the Spartan Spirit (Hanks) at a ping pong tournament.
22 November 16, 1996 Robert Downey Jr. The Spartans encounter Dawson (Downey Jr.) at a bowling tournament.
22 December 14, 1996 Rosie O'Donnell The duo meets Eileen McClasky (O'Donnell) while working seasonal jobs at a shopping mall.
22 February 8, 1997 Neve Campbell Craig and Arianna go to a party thrown by Sidney Prescott (Campbell).
22 April 19, 1997 Pamela Anderson Craig and Arianna encounter C.J. Parker (Anderson) at the beach.
23 October 4, 1997 Matthew Perry The Spartans cheer at practice.
23 December 6, 1997 Nathan Lane The Spartans have a dream. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders make a cameo.
23 March 7, 1998 Scott Wolf Craig and Arianna cheer outside a cinema showing of Titanic.
23 May 9, 1998 David Duchovny Arianna and Craig attend cheerleading camp where they meet Dale Heavener (Duchovny). Paula Abdul cameos.
24 November 21, 1998 Jennifer Love Hewitt The Spartans go to the maternity ward to cheer on mom in labor Alexis Murphy (Hewitt). Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys makes an appearance.
25 December 4, 1999 Christina Ricci Arianna and Craig cheer at a holiday parade with Gabby Malowski (Ricci).

Stan Hooper[edit]

A Norm Macdonald character. In one sketch, Stan wakes up from a coma and is dismayed to learn that the two women who come to visit him—one beautiful and another frumpier—are respectively, his sister and wife.[17] He tries to insist that the beautiful woman is his wife, despite protests from his actual wife. In another sketch, he is a sketch artist that draws composites of criminals that look nothing like the actual suspects. Debuted November 11, 1995.

The British Fops[edit]

The British Fops, Lucien Callow (Mark McKinney) and Fagan (David Koechner), appeared in late Restoration-period clothing, and used a silly take on the period's language, mannerisms, and culture.[5][18] The characters first appeared on Weekend Update as the presidents of the Norm Macdonald Fan Club, but later appeared in several other sketches and hosts' monologues. Debuted November 11, 1995.

Appearances
Episode Host Notes
November 11, 1995 Quentin Tarantino Weekend Update appearance.
November 18, 1995 Laura Leighton Appearance in opening monologue.
December 16, 1995 Madeline Kahn Appearance in Antique Shop sketch.
January 20, 1996 Alec Baldwin Appearance in opening monologue and in the Literary Theatre sketch.
February 24, 1996 Elle Macpherson Weekend Update appearance.
May 11, 1996 Jim Carrey Appearance on Spade in America segment.

Joe Blow[edit]

A blue collar worker by trade, Joe Blow (Colin Quinn) came onto Weekend Update as a New York public service to deliver local news from Brooklyn, New York. Most of his "news" included family problems and neighborhood gossip. Joe Blow regularly concluded his commentary by asking anchor Norm Macdonald if he would join him for "a beer", which Macdonald (who clearly did not want to socialize with him) avoided by making up an excuse, or putting it off until a later date.[19] Debuted November 18, 1995.

Gary Macdonald[edit]

Gary Macdonald (David Koechner) was the fictitious younger brother of Weekend Update anchor Norm Macdonald.[18] He was supposed to be the funnier of the two Macdonald brothers, but was overcome by fear and froze on camera and end nearly everything he said with "no". Because of this, his commentary consisted of choppy, nervously delivered lines such as, "Hey, Janet Reno. Hey, how does that song go, '(Dude) Looks Like A Lady,' no." Debuted December 2, 1995.

The Joe Pesci Show[edit]

This sketch starred Jim Breuer as Pesci, the host of his own late-night talk show, where he speaks in his signature high-pitched voice and frequently references his films like Goodfellas and Raging Bull.[5] The heard-but-not-seen announcer was meant to be Pesci's "brother". The sketch usually began with Italian accordion music and Breuer cheerfully saying, "I've got my mike here, I've got my chair here, I've got my desk here, I've got my gun here!"[5] A frequent guest is Robert De Niro, who is played by the host or another cast member. When other guests make a casual comment that Joe perceives to be a personal slight, Joe becomes enraged and brings out a baseball bat, which he beats the guest with as De Niro joins in on the beatdown. In the 17th episode of season 22, Pesci and De Niro themselves make cameo appearances and take offense to Breuer and Colin Quinn's impersonations of them.[20] The real Pesci gets a baseball bat of his own and beats Breuer and Quinn with it. Debuted December 2, 1995.[21]

Appearances
Season Episode Host Joe's guests
21 December 2, 1995 Anthony Edwards Macaulay Culkin (Edwards), Jim Carrey (Mark McKinney), Sharon Stone (Nancy Walls)
21 January 20, 1996 Alec Baldwin Robert De Niro (Baldwin), Danny Glover (Tim Meadows), Mel Gibson (Mark McKinney), Spider (Will Ferrell), Brad Pitt (David Spade)
21 March 16, 1996 John Goodman Robert De Niro (Goodman), Marisa Tomei (Cheri Oteri), Richard Dreyfuss (Darrell Hammond)
21 May 18, 1996 Jim Carrey Jimmy Stewart (Carrey), Jim Carrey (Mark McKinney)
22 November 23, 1996 Phil Hartman Frank Sinatra (Hartman), Michael Jackson (Tim Meadows), Debbie Rowe (Molly Shannon)
22 January 11, 1997 Kevin Spacey Al Pacino (Spacey), Dennis Rodman (Tim Meadows), Rodney Dangerfield (Darrell Hammond)
22 April 12, 1997 Rob Lowe Robert De Niro (Colin Quinn), David Spade (Chris Kattan), Eric Roberts (Lowe). The real Pesci and De Niro make cameo appearances.
23 November 22, 1997 Rudy Giuliani Giulani plays himself. Spider (Will Ferrell) and Marion Barry (Tracy Morgan) appear.

G-Dog[edit]

A 1990s sitcom about a bald-headed, foul-mouthed gangsta rapper played by Tim Meadows who usually appeared wearing only a Speedo or leather pants. He first appeared in a sketch with Anthony Edwards.[21] His other appearance was in a sitcom called "The Princess and the Homeboy" with Teri Hatcher. Debuted December 2, 1995.

Lenny the Lion[edit]

Visiting from the Bronx Zoo, Lenny the Lion (Colin Quinn in a lion suit) came onto Weekend Update to talk about his life problems.[22] His accent and set of problems (including a violent father, a chaotic family situation and an addiction to tranquilizer darts) are meant to suggest an ethnic working-class man in the Bronx. Lenny always ended his rant with the line "fur is murder". Debuted December 9, 1995.

The Rocky Roads[edit]

A Will Ferrell, Tim Meadows, and David Alan Grier sketch. The Rocky Roads are a motivational troupe who perform for elementary school kids. They demonstrate moral lessons to kids through song and dance, often referencing candy.[23] Their songs sometimes contain innuendo. The sketch appeared in both episodes hosted by Grier. Debuted December 9, 1995.

Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons[edit]

Main article: Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons

A David Koechner sketch.[18] Debuted January 13, 1996.

Bill Brasky[edit]

A Will Ferrell, David Koechner, Mark McKinney, and Tim Meadows sketch. The format of the sketches resembles the improv game "Two Describe a Third."[24] Three or four businessmen, known as the "Bill Brasky Buddies", are crowded into the bar during a business conference, drunk on Scotch. They smoke cigars and loudly reminisce about their mutual acquaintance Bill Brasky, known for mythical, superhuman feats.[25] The Brasky Buddies all have red cheeks, red noses, and big white teeth. Debuted January 20, 1996.

Appearances
Season Episode Host Notes
21 January 20, 1996 Alec Baldwin Airport bar.
21 March 16, 1996 John Goodman Holiday Inn.
22 February 22, 1997 Alec Baldwin Bill Brasky's funeral.
22 May 10, 1997 John Goodman Little League game.
23 December 12, 1998 Alec Baldwin Bull & Bear. John Goodman cameos.
39 December 7, 2013 Paul Rudd This is the only Bill Brasky sketch in which Tim Meadows does not appear.[26]

Kevin Franklin[edit]

A Tim Meadows sketch. Kevin Franklin hosts his own talk show where he "discusses the issues people are talking about". In the February 10, 1996 episode where the sketch debuted, Franklin interviewed guest host Danny Aiello and musical guest Coolio. He accused Aiello of stealing a role from a black actor for his part in Do the Right Thing and claimed to Coolio that rap music is dead, having peaked a decade ago when "The Fat Boys were in their heyday".[27]

Suel Forrester[edit]

A Chris Kattan sketch. In each appearance by Suel Forrester he has a different occupation in which good, articulate clarity of speech is very important (a teacher, a trial attorney, an air traffic controller), yet he speaks almost entirely in unintelligible gibberish.[28] Debuted March 16, 1996.

Appearances
Season Episode Host Notes
21 March 16, 1996 John Goodman Substitute teacher
21 April 13, 1996 Steve Forbes Drill sergeant
22 October 5, 1996 Lisa Kudrow Air traffic controller
22 February 8, 1997 Neve Campbell Game show host
22 May 10, 1997 John Goodman Host of Talkin' with Suel
23 November 14, 1998 Joan Allen Southern lawyer. John Goodman cameos.
25 March 13, 1999 Ray Romano Basketball coach
26 March 17, 2001 Julia Stiles Old Hollywood acting coach

The Roxbury Guys[edit]

A satire of nightclubs and clubbing culture. It followed the exploits of brothers Doug and Steve Butabi (portrayed by Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell respectively), habitual clubbers dressed in rayon suits, as they attempt to pick up women on their outings. Their trademark was bobbing their heads in unison to the song "What Is Love" by Haddaway, which always played throughout the duration of each sketch.[13] The brothers were extremely unfortunate with the women at the clubs, often gyrating against them in an attempt to get them to dance, but always causing a negative reaction. They were frequently joined by a third person, often the host, who dressed and acted in a similar fashion (notably Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey, Sylvester Stallone, Martin Short, and Alec Baldwin); this character was usually credited as "Barhop". Skits starring Pamela Anderson and Cameron Diaz were also featured. The sketch spawned the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury.[12] Debuted March 23, 1996.

The Roxbury Guys were created during Kattan and Ferrell's days as members of The Groundlings. Said Kattan, "Will and I were at this bar in Santa Monica, and there was a guy who was just kind of lightly bopping, but not to the degree we exaggerate it. He was definitely looking for somebody. It wasn't specific – kind of a desperate 'anybody.' Like, 'Please look at me, please dance with me.' But he wasn’t actually asking anyone to dance – it was more like, 'Would somebody notice me, please?'"[12]

Appearances
Season Episode Host Notes
21 March 23, 1996 Phil Hartman
21 May 18, 1996 Jim Carrey Third Roxbury Guy is played by host. This is the first time "What Is Love" by Haddaway plays during the sketch.[29]
22 September 28, 1996 Tom Hanks Host is third Roxbury Guy.
22 December 7, 1996 Martin Short
22 February 22, 1997 Alec Baldwin
22 April 19, 1997 Pamela Anderson Anderson is a woman the Roxbury Guys encounter at a sauna.
23 September 27, 1997 Sylvester Stallone Stallone plays Rocky Balboa.
23 December 13, 1997 Helen Hunt The Roxbury Guys meet with a therapist (Hunt) after another unlucky night out. Jack Nicholson cameos.
24 September 26, 1998 Cameron Diaz The guys run into the Festrunk Brothers (Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin in cameo appearances).

Bobby Coultsman[edit]

A Phil Hartman sketch about an overbearing, self-obsessed acting class teacher.[30] Debuted March 23, 1996.

Goat Boy[edit]

Goat Boy (Jim Breuer) was a half-human half-goat hybrid who hosted the fake MTV show, "Hey, Remember the 80s?"[31] At the outset, Goat Boy was a typical veejay-talk show host who introduced 80s video clips and guests from the era. During the sketches, he started braying and kicking and was subdued by scientists standing by with electric prods. Debuted May 11, 1996.

Appearances
Season Episode Host Notes
21 May 11, 1996 Christine Baranski Goat Boy sings 80’s hit songs.
22 September 28, 1996 Tom Hanks Hanks plays Andrew Ridgeley on Hey, Remember The 80s?
22 October 26, 1996 Dana Carvey Carvey plays George Michael on Hey, Remember The 80s?
22 December 14, 1996 Rosie O'Donnell A Christmas greeting from Goat Boy.
22 February 15, 1997 Chevy Chase Goat Boy is on The Charlie Rose Show.
22 April 19, 1997 Pamela Anderson Anderson plays Jenny McCarthy on Hey, Remember the 80s?
23 October 4, 1997 Matthew Perry Goat Boy gives a press conference on MTV News with Willie Nelson (Will Ferrell) and Julio Iglesias (Perry).
23 February 28, 1998 Garth Brooks Brooks plays Kevin Rowland on Hey, Remember the 80s?
23 April 4, 1998 Steve Buscemi Goat Boy appears during the multiple broadcasts.
23 May 9, 1998 David Duchovny Goat Boy meets another goat boy on Oprah.

Rolf[edit]

A Colin Quinn character. Rolf is a criminal (in one sketch an inmate, another a German Nazi) who gossips about others. In the March 15, 1997 episode with Sting, Rolf is a KKK member who questions the Klan.[32] Debuted May 11, 1996.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Johnson, Steve (October 4, 1995). "Jury still out on new 'SNL'". Chicago Tribune. p. C3. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Herald-Journal.
  2. ^ McLevy, Alex; Adams, Erik (September 30, 2020). "Was Will Ferrell's first SNL season a bomb or a breakthrough?". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  3. ^ "Get Off the Shed: New Friends - SNL". Saturday Night Live. September 16, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Get on the Bag, Brandon! - SNL". Saturday Night Live. September 16, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Reason to Watch". Chicago Tribune. April 10, 1996. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Tucker, Ken (October 13, 1995). "Saturday night fever". EW.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Smith, Jeremy (February 19, 2024). "Quentin Tarantino Was The Rare Director To Host SNL – But How Was His Episode?". SlashFilm. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Shales, Tom (October 2, 1995). "'SNL': The Old Dog Was Just Playing Dead". Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  9. ^ "The Saturday Night Live queer canon". Polygon. May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "The Evolution of Queer Humor on 'SNL'". Nerdist. June 29, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  11. ^ Tropiano 2013, p. 130.
  12. ^ a b c d Wild, David (November 27, 1997). "Looking for the Heart of 'Saturday Night Live'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Yang, Rachel (January 4, 2023). "The 12 best Will Ferrell sketches on 'Saturday Night Live,' from 'More Cowbell' to Harry Caray". EW.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  14. ^ Gross 1997, p. 53.
  15. ^ "1997 Rolling Stone Covers - Saturday Night Live". Rolling Stone. Vol. 774. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  16. ^ Gross 1997, p. 54.
  17. ^ "Stan Hooper in The Hospital". NBC. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "'Delicious!'". Chicago Tribune. August 13, 1996. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Joe Blow Archives". SNL Transcripts. March 25, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  20. ^ McCormick, Colin (May 20, 2021). "SNL: 10 Best Celebrity Cameos Of The '90s, Ranked". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "SNL: S21E07... Host: Anthony Edwards... Date: December 2, 1995". The Wicker Breaker. February 5, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  22. ^ "Nonhuman Weekend Update Characters, Ranked". Vulture. May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "The Rocky Roads: Educational Performance". Saturday Night Live. October 25, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2024 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ Pirrello, Phil; Fowler, Matt (May 19, 2010). "IGN's Top 25 SNL Skits of All-Time". IGN. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  25. ^ Hunsaker, Andy (January 20, 2021). "SNL's "Bill Brasky" Debuted 25 Years Ago Today". primetimer.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  26. ^ Fox, Jesse David (December 9, 2013). "Tim Meadows Upset SNL Did 'Bill Brasky' Without Him". Vulture. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "SNL Transcripts: Danny Aiello: 02/10/96: The Kevin Franklin Show". SNL Transcripts. October 8, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  28. ^ "Suel Forrester Southern Lawyer". Saturday Night Live. September 19, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2024 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ Couch, Aaron (February 14, 2015). "'SNL' at 40: Chris Kattan Reveals the Sketch Katie Holmes Hated". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  30. ^ @ThatWeekInSNL (March 23, 2024). "28 years ago. March 23, 1996" (Tweet). Retrieved May 21, 2024 – via Twitter. Debuted March 23, 1996.
  31. ^ Tropiano 2013, p. 132.
  32. ^ "Rolf in the KKK". Saturday Night Live. October 29, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2024 – via YouTube.

Works cited[edit]

Preceded by
Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1994–95 		Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches (listed chronologically) Succeeded by
Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1996–97
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