There's no better source for impressions! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most hilarious times a performer impersonated someone on this sketch comedy series.
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00:00 Hello, SD. Lovely show. It's a bit of fun, innit?
00:04 Welcome to Miss Mojo.
00:05 And today, we're counting down our picks for the most hilarious times a performer impersonated someone on this sketch comedy series.
00:13 And I can see Russia from my house!
00:15 Among the strongest characters from Cecily Strong's years on SNL,
00:26 Janine Pirro became something of a phenomenon on the show.
00:30 I have vowed to enjoy a drink every time President Trump ignores a congressional subpoena.
00:37 And let me tell you, Mama is a lizard.
00:41 This interpretation includes copious amounts of alcohol to throw at Colin Jost.
00:46 Always ready with a glass, Pirro turns her co-star into a target as she becomes more and more exasperated by the talking points.
00:54 I'm going to hold your arm for this part.
00:56 By ignoring the subpoenas, Trump might actually give Democrats more reason to impeach.
01:01 What?!
01:02 You are?!
01:04 No! No!
01:06 The performer is able to satirize the television personality and include some truly insane opinions in the same breath.
01:13 Nothing will come close to the time the character turned a giant container into a wine bath
01:18 in the ultimate showcase for Strong's physical comedy chops.
01:21 And I stood tall and did it my way!
01:33 Number 9. James Brown by Eddie Murphy
01:37 In a career of standout comedy work, Eddie Murphy's time on SNL includes several amazing roles.
01:43 His James Brown impression might be his most succinct and effective work on the show.
01:48 It's nothing short of a legendary one-man show featuring everything from singing to dancing.
01:54 Should I get in the hot tub? Yeah!
01:56 Will it make me sweat? Yeah!
01:57 Should I get in the hot tub? Yeah!
01:59 Will it make me wet? Yeah!
02:00 Well, well, well!
02:02 Murphy takes the Brown impersonation to new heights as he also tries to host an absurd talk show.
02:08 Before entering a hot tub, the character worries about the temperature in a hilarious moment.
02:13 It's one of the more entertaining sketches of its era, providing a perfect showcase for the comedian's talents.
02:19 Good job! Come on down in the hot tub!
02:22 Come on down with me!
02:24 Good job! Come on down in the hot tub!
02:26 Don't stop! Breathe!
02:28 Number 8. Miley Cyrus by Vanessa Bayer
02:32 Vanessa Bayer is one of the most underrated cast members of the last decade.
02:36 This includes her exceptional work playing Miley Cyrus.
02:40 It's Miley, y'all! So this is just like my show where I like talk to people who are pretty cool,
02:44 and we'll like talk about things that they got pretty cool, and yeah, it's pretty cool!
02:48 Her version of Miley is extremely upbeat and exciting, always eager to talk about her life, career, and family.
02:55 I like it 'cause it kinda shows I'm rebellious, but also kinda sexy and stuff like that,
03:00 but also like true to myself, but also I'm like edgy and stuff like that.
03:04 Bayer puts Cyrus in a talk show setting to have her communicate with fellow artists about music.
03:09 She isn't always the most articulate character, but her thoughts always flow freely in unfiltered and entertaining rants.
03:16 What is your favorite album, and what is Canada like, and do you speak Canadian,
03:20 and does Usher have to seat people in his own concerts because he's an Usher,
03:24 and do you really never say never, and have you gone through puberty?
03:28 There's also Jason Sudeikis playing Billy Ray Cyrus, which gives the lead performer a chance to play off other funny people.
03:36 7. Jennifer Lawrence by Ariana Grande
03:40 Surprisingly great at impressions, Ariana Grande reminds everyone of her acting talents in this funny family feud sketch.
03:48 They told me not to do a game show, but I was like, "Screw it, I can have fun, I'm a regular person."
03:53 She transforms into Jennifer Lawrence and captures the star's grounded sense of humor.
03:58 Grande slips into the actress's voice, managing to have a laid-back delivery that works especially well.
04:05 She's also great at turning her into a cartoon.
04:07 The singer can easily change into the Oscar winner without having to yell or scream.
04:12 I'm just like a snackaholic. I mean, I love Pringles. If no one's looking, I'll eat like a whole can.
04:17 Like, every day is my cheat day, you know what I mean?
04:19 Oh, how annoyingly relatable.
04:22 She especially captures Lawrence in a state of perpetual humble brags.
04:26 Kenan Thompson's Steve Harvey has to point this out, providing criticism and support to the character.
04:32 Show me another pretty girl says that she likes to eat.
04:35 Number 6. Sean Connery by Daryl Hammond
04:38 In the recurring parody of Celebrity Jeopardy, Will Ferrell's Alex Trebek often comes up against Daryl Hammond's Sean Connery.
04:46 The contestant frequently antagonizes the host without caring about the actual competition.
04:51 Sean Connery has set a new Jeopardy record for futility with "Shuck on it, Trebek. Shuck it long and shuck it hard."
05:01 Hammond might not look or even sound like the acting legend, but he does provide a hilarious take on the former James Bond performer.
05:10 His character's fixation on Trebek's mother also makes for an effective running joke.
05:15 Mr. Connery, "moo."
05:18 No.
05:20 Well, that's the sound your mother made last night.
05:23 The impression makes up for its inaccuracy with lots of dirty lines and unlikely charisma and a delightfully rebellious demeanor.
05:31 He's probably the best part of every version of the sketch.
05:35 No, Sean Connery, would you pick a category?
05:37 I'll take Catch the Seaman for 800.
05:41 Number 5. Steve Harvey by Kenan Thompson
05:44 To parody the latest version of Family Feud, Kenan Thompson perfectly imitates the program's host, Steve Harvey.
05:52 Justin, I got some bad news for you, player.
05:55 That don't work on women, that's grown.
05:59 Top six answers on the board.
06:01 The Super Bowl is Sunday.
06:03 Name one thing that you would take to a party.
06:06 He's able to match the presenter's energy through his interactions with a host of oddball contestants.
06:11 This also includes brief asides about Harvey's life, career, and sharp wardrobe.
06:17 Well, hey there, Caesar. Wow, you sure have grown since I last saw you.
06:21 Yeah, it's been a minute.
06:23 Thompson glides effortlessly through tricky scripts, having to carry the entire skit and tell hilarious jokes throughout.
06:30 The performer is at his best when he gets to banter with strange celebrities.
06:34 Hillary Clinton is North Korean.
06:39 Okay then, show me a bunch of lies.
06:42 Everyone from famous directors to musicians endure the character's wrath, often being slyly criticized or poked at by him.
06:50 Number four, Sarah Palin by Tina Fey.
06:53 While she had an incredibly successful run as cast member, Tina Fey later returned to SNL for some hilarious guest appearances as Sarah Palin.
07:03 One in five jobs being created today under the umbrella of job creation, that, you know, also...
07:14 It could also be argued that this was the role she was born to play.
07:18 Not only does she share a physical resemblance, but Fey is more than able to capture the former governor's accent and attitude.
07:26 This makes for many fun moments where the vice presidential candidate offers up her feelings about hot topics, such as foreign policy.
07:34 I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
07:39 And I can see Russia from my house.
07:43 So much of Palin's actual personality feels like a comedy character, making her a natural target for parody.
07:50 Fey plays the woman with such a positive and oblivious nature that you can't help but laugh at everything she says.
07:57 Are we not doing the talent portion?
08:00 That's the hot song.
08:08 Number three, Sean Spicer by Melissa McCarthy.
08:11 When SNL decided to cast someone as Sean Spicer, they made an unlikely and brilliant choice.
08:17 Exactly. You just said that. He's quoting you. It's your words.
08:23 He's using your words when you use the words and he uses them back.
08:27 It's circular using of the word.
08:30 Melissa McCarthy radiates from the screen in a performance that juggles high energy and rage.
08:36 She becomes a much more animated version of the White House press secretary, not afraid to yell at the people asking questions.
08:43 Then you wrote it, which makes you wrong.
08:45 Because when I say something wrong, you guys should know what it is I'm meaning. Wrong or right, you're wrong.
08:51 This imitation of Spicer includes gum chewing, visual aids and even violence.
08:57 McCarthy's character isn't afraid to use her podium to charge journalists or attack them with a leaf blower,
09:03 proving that she's an expert at off the wall performances.
09:06 The actress excels in making this role jump off the page.
09:10 You know, I had to put your pants out because you're both chugged lying in there.
09:15 Pants lying.
09:17 You lie all the time. Your pants get all tight.
09:23 Number two, George H.W. Bush by Dana Carvey.
09:27 Arguably one of the greatest impressionists in the show's history.
09:32 Dana Carvey could do no wrong during his tenure on SNL.
09:36 So once again, stay the course. We're on track. A thousand points of light. Thank you very much.
09:44 One of his signature impressions during that time became George H.W. Bush, beating out other highlights like his take on Johnny Carson.
09:52 That's very nice. That band is terrific.
09:55 Finding a way to impersonate the president's voice, the performer found his way around a person who didn't have an obvious tell.
10:02 Then nothing. Then you wait. Then kaboom.
10:11 Carvey eventually turns the impersonation into a cartoon character who doesn't need to enunciate his words.
10:18 Borderline mumbling at times, the comedian creates something that transcends the usual interpretation of politicians,
10:25 that beats out the likes of Will Ferrell's brilliant George W. Bush.
10:29 The comic actor even had his real-life counterpart confront him about the job.
10:34 Saturday Night Live made fun of me on a fairly regular basis.
10:38 Do I have any hard feelings about that? Yes, I do.
10:43 And I'll have my revenge when the time is right.
10:45 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
10:49 Bernie Sanders by Larry David.
10:51 The comedian fuses together his comic persona and the outspoken politician.
10:56 I am running for president. I do not shake disgusting hands.
11:01 Machine Gun Kelly by Pete Davidson.
11:04 With a funny vocal impression, Davidson matches the singer's fashion sense and personality.
11:10 I don't want a chance at baby. Get him out of here.
11:15 Beyonce by Maya Rudolph.
11:18 Playing up the performer's cool energy, Rudolph nails the essence of the real woman.
11:23 Damn, this wing is wrecking me. I need to hydrate.
11:29 Oh, this isn't helping. Damn, water makes it worse.
11:35 Judge Judy by Sherry Oteri.
11:37 Finding the intensity of the judge, Oteri is a perfect fit for TV personality.
11:42 Remind me of myself when I was just starting out.
11:45 This is ludicrous. Hey, I got your back.
11:50 Nicolas Cage by Andy Samberg.
11:52 Using a hairpiece, Samberg's ridiculous impression explores the eccentric side of Cage.
11:58 For example, this Nick is calm and stealthy like a ninja warrior.
12:03 Whereas this Nick is an exaggerated screaming psychopath who really just doesn't exist.
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12:26 Justin Bieber by Kate McKinnon.
12:31 During the height of his popularity, singer Justin Bieber became a prime target for ridicule.
12:38 The yolk's on me, baby.
12:40 This inspired Kate McKinnon to create an impression of the artist that's sometimes accurate and always entertaining.
12:49 What's up, Steve? I don't know if you heard, but I'm not bad no more.
12:54 But I can still do this.
12:58 Capturing his general attitude, the actress proves herself as someone who can do regular celebrities
13:04 as well as political figures like Hillary Clinton, Jeff Sessions and Kellyanne Conway.
13:10 The character is a narcissist, posing and trying to woo the women around him.
13:15 This comes out in a hilarious ad for Calvin Klein's underwear just as much as it does on a Family Feud skit.
13:22 Steve, I don't party as much because I'm a man now. I got like five little mustache hairs and I'm bringing them all for you, girl.
13:30 At every turn, McKinnon's movements and facial expressions make this interpretation even funnier.
13:36 It's even better knowing that this version of Bieber barely needs to talk.
13:41 Did we forget one of your favorite impressions from the show? Let us know in the comments below.
13:46 What do you think of that, Trebek?
13:49 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from MsMojo.
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13:56 [music]