Saturday Night Live Began on October 11th, 1975. Broadcast live for more than forty years, celebrity hosts joined this rotating cast to perform comedic sketches, including a musical guest and a segment that divided the episode in half. This segment beginning alongside the show is called Weekend Update. A satirical News sketch, Weekend Update parodies recent events with their comedic characters and charming anchors. From the first Weekend update host, Chevy Chase, to two of the most revered, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, to our current anchors and Head Writers, Colin Jost and Michael Che, characters have been abundant on Weekend Update. However, I don’t want this list to be that long so I am confining it to a decade.

10. Garth and Kat

First Appearance: December 19th, 2009

Actors: Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig

Creators: Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig

Last Appearance: February 15th, 2015

This musical duo played by comedy legends Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen don’t ever seem to be prepared for the show. Often showing up out of breath claiming that they ran there, they proceed to improvise songs that they claim to have been rehearsing for months. After two or three, former Weekend Update host Seth Meyers would tell them to leave the studio because they obviously hadn’t reahersed anything. After some begging, however, the two would launch into a seemingly professional musical number, only to end with more improvisation. Often making the actors crack up, the whole thing was never written down. Wiig and Armisen were given a theme and sent out to make their own songs, letting comedians do what they do best; improv.

Quote: “Just let us do like a thousand more songs” (Armisen).

9. Anthony Crispino

First Appearance: April 17th, 2010

Actor: Bobby Moynihan

Creator: Bobby Moynihan

Last Appearance: March 2nd, 2018

Labeled Weekend Updates second-hand news correspondent, Anthony Crispino has the appearance of an Italian mob boss stolen from the 80’s. Known for his signature high-pitched squeal when people try to contradict him, he always tells you the news, and always gets it a little bit wrong. Claiming that it was told to him by his barber or his lotion guy, Crispino just can’t seem to do a little research, making for a hilariously repetitive character.

Quote: “Cause apparently, Prince Will.I.Am married Kate Gosselin.” (Moynihan)

8. Laura Parsons

First Appearance: November 13th, 2010

Actor: Vanessa Bayer

Creator: Vanessa Bayer

Last Appearance: March 4th, 2017

A child actor appearing on Weekend Update’s Newscasters Of Tomorrow Segment, Laura Parson begins with her  opening song/catchphrase “It’s all in the news.” before the anchor asks her some questions. She then launches into current events, portraying things quite innocently before getting one crude line in at the end. While Bayer is still a cast member, we should be expecting much more of Parsons to come.

Quote: “I love clowns, except in South Carolina, where they’re luring kids into the wood!” (Bayer)

7. The Devil

First Appearance: April 10th, 2010

Actor: Jason Sudeikis

Creator: Jason Sudeikis

Last Appearance: May 18th, 2013

Former SNL cast member Jason Sudeikis has played both the Devil and Jesus quite similarly, but it’s his portrayal of the Prince Of Darkness that really gets the audience entertained. Appearing when a scandal has happened, the Devil give his two cents, and they’re not what you think they’d be. This Devil doesn’t seem to be at all happy with the evil going on in the world and makes a point to show it. But what puts this sketch over the edge is the Devil taking credit for all the minor inconveniences of life, even once going so far as to ask Seth Meyers if he’d ever agreed to a terms and conditions waver without reading it. When Meyers said yes, Sudeikis said “See you soon.”

Quote: “I’ll probably just go back to my old job I guess… I was doing customer service at Time Warner Cable.”(Sudeikis)

6. Guy Who Just Bought A Boat

First Appearance: February 11th, 2017

Actor: Alex Moffat

Creator: Alex Moffat

Last Appearance: December 16th, 2017

Known for his dating advice, the Guy Who Just Bought A Boat is called upon whenever the weather is warm or a romantic holiday is approaching. Appearing as a cliche frat guy, guy who just bought a boat abbreviates almost every word he says, speaking with an overconfident drawl and a smug look on his face. But the punchline is his quick self deprecating lines that he sneaks in after every sentence with….you know. Always boasting about his wealth, the way he speaks and the quips make for a very entertaining character.

Quote: “I have tips that could make even Santa slay.”(Moffat)

5. Resident Young Person: Pete Davidson

First Appearance: September 28th, 2014

Actor: Pete Davidson

Creator: Pete Davidson

Last Appearance: September 29, 2018

At this point we all know who Pete Davidson is regardless of whether we watch Saturday Night Live or not. But, he’s not just the fiance of Ariana Grande, he’s also one of the most talented young comedians of the past five years. This is highlighted in a sketch entitled Resident Young Person: Pete Davidson. Called upon to talk about current issues such as Trump’s Presidency, Colin Kaepernick, etc. He heavily focuses on his opinions, bringing funny family stories and wishing that his home town, Staten Island, would just fall into the sea.

Quote: “I was out there like forever, nobody would listen to me, I felt like Al Gore trying to tell people about Global Warming.”(Davidson)

4. Eric and Donald Trump Jr.

First Appearance: October 2nd, 2016

Actors: Mikey Day and Alex Moffat

Creators: Mikey Day and Alex Moffat

Last Appearance: October 6th, 2018

Coming to comment about their fathers escapades as President and their business endeavors, Donald and Eric are dressed in suites with their hair slicked back to the nines. Donald Jr., played by Mikey Day, occupies the role of the conniving older brother that tries to manipulate and lie to get out of the situation. In contrast, Alex Moffat, playing Eric Trump, acts like a five year old. The relationship is similar to that of a father and a son, with Eric often asking for juice and blurting out things that he’s not supposed to say. He mimics his brothers hand movements and facial expressions in a hilarious manner. After the comments become to much, Donald Jr. gives Eric a toy or candy that he asks him to play with. Eric either uses it wrong or just stares at it, causing his brother to show him how to use it. It is then that Eric gets a look of childlike amazement on his face and freaks out, much like a child would.

Quote: “Plans change, Hassan. Eric’s wife had to work so I have him for the day.”(Day)

3. Drunk Uncle

First Appearance: December 3rd, 2011

Actor: Bobby Moynihan

Creator: Bobby Moynihan

Last Appearance: May 20th, 2017

Called kind of randomly on Holidays, Drunk Uncle is drunk, super drunk. Slurring his words and stopping randomly in the middle of sentences to break out into song, Drunk Uncle is a staple of Weekend Update and SNL history. Masterfully played by Bobby Moynihan, Drunk Uncle has bad familial relationships, hates young people, and is very good at sarcastically apologizing for his shortcomings. It’s a character that almost everyone knows in their real life. And when he yells out his signature catchphrase “immigrants!” you know that Drunk Uncle is simply just to drunk.

Quote: “Nowadays it’s just, hey, could you email me dinner!”(Moynihan)

2. Jebidiah Atkinson

First Appearance: November 16th, 2013

Actor: Taran Killam

Creator: Taran Killam

Last Appearance: April 4th, 2015

This 1860’s speech critic created and portrayed by Taran Killam has nothing good to say about anything, ever. At all. Derived from an article criticizing the Gettysburg Address, Atkinson has made audiences laugh with his bashings of award shows, christmas specials, and speeches. Even better, Killam and Meyers couldn’t help but crack up during at least one of the harsh handed reviews. Now to finish in homage to him: NEXT!”

Quote: “Oh, and Tiny Tim good news, you’re getting a christmas goose. Bad news, the cure for Polio is still a hundred years away, you’re going to die!”(Killam)

1. Stefon

First Appearance: November 1st, 2008

Actor: Bill Hader

Creators: Bill Hader and John Mulaney

Last Appearance: March 17th, 2018

Stefon is one of the most iconic SNL character of all time. Created by John Mulaney and the very actor, Bill Hader, Stefon is Weekend Update city correspondent. A flamboyant party animal, Stefon always seems to find the worst spots for tourists to spend their holidays in New York. However, his two highlights that put him over the top are Hader’s hilarious crack ups during the live show, often covering his smile with both of his hands, and the characters relationship with previous Weekend Update anchor, Seth Meyers. Originally a one-sided relationship consisting of a flirtatious Stefon and a rebutive Meyers. But as Stefon’s time on the show continued, the relationship developed with an Irish kiss, a temporary valentine invitation, and one of the weirdest most romantic weddings in the history of New York City.

Quote: “No, like human suitcases…, it’s that thing of when a midget on roller skates wears all of your clothes and you pull them through an airport.”(Hader)

Image Citings:

Garth and Kat: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/update-garth-and-kat/n12831

Anthony Crispino: https://twitter.com/secondhandtcnj

Laura Parsons: http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/cast/vanessa-bayer-15181/character/laura-parsons-77726

The Devil:  https://tenor.com/view/satan-evil-gif-5578542

Guy Who Just Bought A Boat: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/weekend-update-guy-who-just-bought-a-boat-on-christmas/3637496

Resident Young Person Pete Davidson: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/weekend-update-pete-davidson-on-the-walking-dead-season-finale-ft-norman-reedus/2857087

Eric and Donald Trump Jr.: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/snl-weekend-update-trump-brothers_us_598d6236e4b0909642961d48

Drunk Uncle: https://tvline.com/2017/05/18/saturday-night-live-video-bobby-moynihan-drunk-uncle-first-sketch-snl/

Jebidiah Atkinson: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/weekend-update-jebidiah-atkinson/3506030

Stefon: https://www.pride.com/lgbt/2015/9/17/7-best-lgbt-moments-snl