Comparing SNL Impressions with the Real Person | Side-by-Side

Comparing SNL Impressions with the Real Person

Welcome to MsMojo, and today well be comparing key SNL impressions and see how close they get to the real person.

#10: Dolly Parton

SNL alum Melissa Villaseñor wowed audiences with a pitch-perfect, stunning impression of Lady Gaga, belting out the hit Shallow. An arguably even more impressive imitation is her Dolly Parton, showing up to Weekend Update dressed like the country star. Villaseñor's voice is even a pitch-perfect southern vibrato, launching into a rendition of A Holly Jolly Christmas and a Christmas-style parody of Jolene. Parton even gave a monologue on SNL in 1989. Villaseñor doesnt quite capture Partons lively movements and energy, but the likeness is still quite close. If you close your eyes, you may find yourself guessing which voice is Villaseñors and which one is Partons. Now thats talent.

#9: Dionne Warwick

A recurring skit, The Dionne Warwick Show sees Ego Nwodim as Warwick, playing the host to other celebrities in Warwicks signature style. Warwick herself even made a cameo in the show. The similarities and differences between the two are fascinating. Nwodims voice is raspier than Warwicks, and the accent is a little different. Still, the two look like they could be sisters, and they both deliver some truly zesty zingers. Their voices in Burt Bacharachs What the World Needs Now blend together seamlessly. Warwick herself loved the homage and praised Nwodims performance. How heartwarming. (added an aww before the line more sincere: you can delete if need be)

#8: Kamala Harris

Maya Rudolph had already done a hilarious parody of Oprah Winfrey in a skit about the celebritys birthday. Her best work yet, however, may just be this recreation of the Vice President in her contentious interview with Fox News. Rudolphs physical appearance is a dead ringer for Harris. Her voice, cadence, and mannerisms are on point. The skit itself is a bulls-eye parody that barely ventures too far from the actual interview, including Bret Baiers frequent interruptions almost word-for-word. If it werent for the Breaking Bad references, we just might mistake Rudolph for the real person. Even Harris herself was impressed, which is indeed high praise.

#7: Christopher Walken

This actor is famous for his distinct, eccentric persona and performance. Walken is among the most imitated actors, which makes this SNL skit about a hypothetical Walken family reunion apropos. In this sketch, Bill Haders Walken catches up with his other relatives, also other cast members doing their best Walken. Even Amy Poehler does an imitation, cadence and all. Haders Walken accent and cadence are only a touch exaggerated from the real actors own emphatic speech patterns. Walken appeared on SNL for years, so this imitation was no less than a tribute to him.

#6: Judge Judy

Its an oldie but a goodie. Cheri Oteri made SNL history in this 90s imitation of the TV judge. In this courtroom sketch, Oteris Judge Judy has the voice, look, and accent of the judge. Speaking of which, here is the real Judge Judy, coming to relieve Oteri of her post. The resemblance is truly uncanny, so much so that it seems like Oteri is Judys doppelganger. Oteri went on to say Judge Judy called her and told her she almost got [her]. The reality TV star even set her son up with Oteri, which goes to show the power of a good impression.

#5: Hillary Clinton

There have been many parodies of this famous politician on SNL, with no less than nine actors taking a whack at portraying the First Lady-turned-presidential-candidate. The most recent ones include Amy Poehler, doing her signature Parks and Recreation-style of comic acting. Vanessa Bayer also took a whack at the politician, capturing her cadence better. But the most remarkable of these doppelgangers has to be Kate McKinnons Hillary Clinton. In voice, cadence, and appearance, McKinnon plays Clinton to a Talbeit in a parodic keyas she addresses the scandal over her email server. What a performance.

#4: Miley Cyrus

Vanessa Bayer made waves with her spoof of Jennifer Aniston in the role of Rachel Green from Friends. Her Miley Cyrus, though, may just be her closest parody yet. Bayers Miley is more exaggeratedly hyper than her real-life counterpart, but the voice and look are on key, especially as Cyrus in her Hannah Montana role. Bayer even does hilariously inept impressions as the star. Cyrus herself also appeared in the skit, playing a credible Justin Bieber. Alls well that ends well, and Bayer and Cyrus even sing together. This performance was pretty cool.

#3: Donald Trump

We certainly do not lack parodies of this controversial businessman-turned-politician. SNL has had at least five actors portraying Trump, all the way from the 80s. But by far the most lauded Trump spoofs have been Alec Baldwins and James Austin Johnsons Trump, respectively. Baldwin nails the appearance, the gestures, and the voice inflections. His voice is a little deeper than the real Trumps thinner volume, but otherwise its a dead ringer. Baldwin even won a Critics Choice Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance. James Austin Johnson is the present Trump and is perhaps even more chameleon-like, capturing the wax-like look of the real Trumps contemporary look.

#2: Nicolas Cage

Capturing the quality of this eccentric and mercurial actor can be tricky. Jimmy Fallon was the first to do a parody of the actor on SNL, but Andy Samberg was the one who made it look all too easy. Samberg became well-known for his impression of Nicolas Cage in the Weekend Update portion of the show. Samberg even performs right beside the actor himself, making the similarities of appearance and mannerisms between the two downright uncanny. Samberg is pretty believable as Cages reputed clone, albeit much younger and less broad-shouldered, capturing his idiosyncrasies to the very last detail.

#1: Sarah Palin

When it comes to SNL impressions, the most critically acclaimed of them all has to be Tina Feys performance as Sarah Palin. Feys Palin is uncannily alike in voice, accent, appearance, and mannerisms. Her iconic line I can see Russia from my house! was in fact written for the show by Mike Shoemaker, mistakenly attributed to the politician herself. Palin herself admitted that though she didnt hear a word Fey said, the appearance was spot on. Fey won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her impersonation, and it was well-deserved.

Which other SNL impression of a celebrity or politician did you feel was truly impressive? Let us know in the comments down below!