Top 10 SNL Impressions That Went Viral

Top 10 SNL Impressions That Went Viral

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the “Saturday Night Live” impersonations that received internet attention, tons of views, and/or prompted online discussion.

#10: Rami Malek, Kenan Thompson, & Daniel Craig as Prince

You don’t have to love this artist to get this skit, but fans might appreciate the nods to a musical icon. Rami Malik and Kenan Thompson appear as themselves to play “The Purple One” in a biopic. Saluting the track “Kiss,” each performer gives a well-timed reaction to the artist’s famous delivery. This includes some killer moves and a few key costume choices. Thompson and Malik are both game for anything here, but then Daniel Craig shows up for even more fun. His own take on the proceedings make for a goofy surprise to finish out the scene. There’s enough star power here to attract plenty of views on YouTube.

#9: Sarah Sherman as Aimee Lou Wood

The target of this impression did not take kindly to the jokes. In this send-up of “White Lotus,” Sarah Sherman played Aimee Lou Wood in a politically-charged parody. Focusing on Wood’s accent and teeth, the impersonation led some viewers to criticize the result. Sherman did a decent job here as the British performer, but it wasn’t exactly the kindest portrayal either. Negative reactions followed and the real woman weighed in with some disapproving comments. One thing is for sure, it would probably take a lot for Wood to appear on “SNL” after this kind of comedic jab.

#8: Ego Nwodim as Katt Williams

If you remember the viral interview with Shannon Sharpe and Katt Williams, this skit is the perfect companion piece. Ego Nwodim plays the interviewee and harnesses the glory of the original clip. With Devin Walker as Sharpe, the sketch is on the right track with frequent surprises and laugh-out-loud moments. “SNL” certainly captures Williams in his element, with Nwodim’s impersonation sounding off on pop culture and fruit. The main performer dishes out celebrity roasts with glee. The scene embraces the absurdity of the original, finding new ways to subvert your expectations. Even the real interviewer shouted out the skit, taking the hit in stride and likely drawing more viewers to this parody.

#7: Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer

Not many people would have paired these two together. The underrated minds at “SNL” decided to give Melissa McCarthy the unlikely role she was born to play. Ever the physical comedian, the actress musters up the crazed spirit of a White House Press Secretary and makes him hostile to the press. On multiple occasions, McCarthy came back to reprise the role and do even more ridiculous gags with props and cartoonish weapons. The sketches gave some Americans a much needed laugh during Donald Trump’s first term. It’s safe to say that this made an impact online, later helping to earn McCarthy an Emmy.

#6: Ariana Grande as Jennifer Lawrence

If you’ve ever seen Jennifer Lawrence in an interview, this particular “Family Feud” sketch will be for you. Ariana Grande shows up as a host and finds a way to channel the Oscar winner’s down-to-earth attitude. Grande seems effortless here. It’s one of those impressions that you don’t see every day, making it much more memorable in its execution. There’s no doubt that it struck a chord with audiences, with even Lawrence herself praising the performance. When she returned to “SNL,” the pop singer continued to prove herself as a skilled impressionist ready to break the internet.

#5: Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh

Having been on the show several times, Matt Damon worked wonders in a chaotic cameo about the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. The Oscar winner gives an amazing performance as an unhinged guy trying to justify his frat-boy past. Drawing from the real event, “SNL” pushes it even further as the guest actor shouts his way through a series of hysterical moments. The writing allows the performer to show off his comedic chops as the rants become more bizarre. Damon gives it all the dedication of one of his dramatic films, but he also knows when to ratchet up the intensity for the full effect.

#4: Mike Myers as Elon Musk

After his successful “SNL” career and beloved movie franchises, Mike Myers is more than up to the task of impersonating this tech billionaire. Elon Musk is not the easiest impression either, making this a more difficult role to pull off. Myers took on the part during a particularly contentious time in American politics. Given the timing of everything, this appearance made waves for its critique of the man’s personality, his relationship with Trump, and his role with DOGE. The former “Saturday Night Live” star is even better when he’s given free rein to be silly.

#3: Sebastian Maniscalco as Marcello Hernández

As one of the newer cast members on “SNL,” Marcello Hernández made waves for his take on Sebastian Maniscalco. The cast member shows off his range and an energetic impersonation of this stand-up. Hernández does not hold back as a lively comedian willing to get physical. The performer can really move his body around, along with making some impressive jumps over co-stars. While interrupting a bachelor party, this version of Maniscalco finds all of the comic exaggerations to bring this public figure to life. The target later acknowledged the effective portrayal with a good-hearted response.

#2: Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton

During her tenure on “SNL,” Kate McKinnon became one of the standout performers in the 2010s. Her work spanned plenty of different political figures and celebrities, but her role as Hillary Clinton might’ve been the most noteworthy. She played the politician during the 2016 election cycle opposite Alec Baldwin’s Donald Trump. The two formed a comedic chemistry while McKinnon found a quirky energy for her own impersonation. Following the election, the cast member opened the show with a sobering rendition of the song “Hallelujah.” This marked a unique moment for the show to look back on a historic point in American political history. You can say what you want about the execution, but McKinnon always seemed game to try anything.

#1: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

During the 2008 election cycle, “SNL” struck gold with this miraculous casting choice. Tina Fey famously returned to play the Governor of Alaska. Her version of Sarah Palin might look familiar, but she’s also eager to make statements about diplomacy. The folksy delivery and sharp writing connected with viewers and became one of Fey’s most famous contributions to the show. It was such a popular impersonation that the former cast member kept returning for more. Fey’s extraordinary work could steal away scenes, with the actress using a clever one-liner or two. The real politician even showed up, acknowledging the power of the impression’s far-reaching influence.

Did we forget another popular “SNL” impersonation from recent years? Let us know in the comments below.