Saturday Night Live has been a constant force of laughs for four decades now known for its range of envelope pushing to totally-out-there comedy and its uncanny ability to create stars. When looking back at its rich history dating back to October 1975, there is no shortage of comedy legends. What better way to kick off it’s 40th year by going through the annals of SNL and gathering the the ultimate dream episode!
So, read on! Below we’ve got the ultimate host, musical guests, cast, and Weekend Update panel!
The Host and Musical Guest
Alec Baldwin Hosts
It’s hard to pick anyone else than Alec Baldwin. His 16 times hosting have brought the laughs every single time and he has forged his own comedic legacy on SNL with classic sketches and moments. Proving his adaptability as he put on great shows with various casts over the decades, Baldwin is a sure bet.
Dave Grohl and Friends as the Musical Guest
Sure, this might be cheating a little. However, living rock legend Dave Grohl is the most frequent recurring musical guest in SNL history as member of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and even backing Paul Simon, Tom Petty, and Paul McCartney in events past. So, I figure if we get Dave, who knows who will come with!
The Cast
Bill Murray
Replacing Chevy Chase in Saturday Night Live’s second season, Bill Murray was just a young 26 year old guy with a lot to prove in big shoes to fill. He clearly combatted the pressure and rose to the top, like the cream usually does. A perfect character actor, he’d be a welcome addition to the dream cast.
Maya Rudolph
A powerhouse of comedy and a role model for any young comedienne, Maya forged her way and took part in the lady take-over in the mid-2000’s. Her brassy, over the top characters are not forgotten and she most certainly deserves a spot on the show!
Will Ferrell
We all know how hilarious Will Ferrell is. His leading roles in multiple blockbuster comedies prove his chops, but it was his dominance during his SNL years that launched him into superstardom. Plus, what would the ultimate episode of Saturday Night Live be without an episode of Celebrity Jeopardy?
Dana Carvey
Master impressionist and ultimate character player, Dana Carvey would disappear in any assignment he was given. Church Lady still is remembered as one of the best bits to ever come out of Saturday Night Live, so it’s hard to imagine the show without him!
John Belushi
The fact that John Belushi was a member of the inagural season of SNL, a stand out in the series’ first phase and he’s still burning bright decades later his departure from the show and his untimely loss speaks volumes of his impact. His Samurai and Blues Brothers characters have a very helpful hand in popularizing SNL in its early years.
Andy Samberg
Love him or hate him, Andy Samberg changed the way SNL works. His off-brand humor brought a new personality to sketches and, of course, he revolutionized the game by developing the Digital Short concept.
Kristen Wiig
We are still adjusting to a Kristen Wiig-less SNL. Her quirkiness and absolutely absurd characters made for some of the most rioteous sketches of the late 2000’s. From the Lawrence Welk Show to Gilly, Wiig is a stone-cold comedy fox and wouldn’t dare be omitted from this list.
Eddie Murphy
Before going on to being the multi-millionaire comedy juggernaut we all know him as, Eddie Murphy was a resuscitative force on Saturday Night Live during the early 80’s. Bringing life to a previously struggling cast, his contributions of Buckwheat and Gumby (among others) practically saved the show.
Gilda Radner
The first lady of SNL, Gilda Radner was a fantastic character actress and a force to be reckoned with when the cast was very much a boys’ playground. Her Baba Wawa impression of Barbara Walters is still a househould reference and her legacy lives on as a comic genius despite her tragic loss to cancer in 1989.
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey present Weekend Update
Filling out the cast, hosts of the dream Weekend Update panel – real life best buds and legendary comedy duo, the hosts of the Golden Globes – Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Pioneers for female comediennes on SNL, their being here shouldn’t need much explanation. They are hilarious, they are consistent, and we love them.