Top 10 Hilarious Ego Nwodim SNL Performances

#10: Ms. Fink, the Substitute Teacher

This sketch starts off on an uplifting note, before veering into absurd territory. Ego Nwodim plays Ms. Fink, a substitute teacher who is determined to convince her students that neither their race nor intellect should limit their dreams. There’s just one problem: Ms. Fink has completely misread the room. These students aren’t struggling at all; they’re actually geniuses in an advanced STEM school. Nwodim’s reaction when she truly realizes that she’s hopelessly out of her depth is priceless. Naturally, Ms. Fink becomes the punchline, as she can’t keep up with the students’ brilliance and awkwardly shifts the blame for her incompetency back onto them. In the end, she delivers an impassioned speech about how, sometimes, the teachers are actually the dumb ones.

#9: Mid-Day News Anchor

In her seven-year tenure, Ego Nwodim proved time and again that she could steal the spotlight, whether playing the lead in a sketch or performing in an ensemble. In this one, she plays a straight-faced news anchor reading crime headlines alongside Kenan Thompson, Alex Moffat and host Phoebe Waller-Bridge. But things soon descend into chaos, however, when the anchors turn the segment into a full-blown racial grudge match. Everyone here gets their moment, but it’s Nwodim who dominates. Her reactions to Moffat’s readings are hilarious and they only get more ridiculous once the scoreboard starts leaning against her team. Perhaps the highlight of the sketch comes when she and Moffat unite to breeze past a headline about a Latino man.

#8: Ms. Williams

In this parody of the FX miniseries “A Teacher,” Nwodim stars as a high school teacher whose student, played by Andrew Dismukes, tries to seduce her for special treatment. But unlike her counterpart in the actual show, Nwodim’s Ms. Williams has no time for such nonsense and shuts him down before the thought can even get off the ground. Well, she does a little more than just shut it down. She humiliates the student by listing all the reasons he is a below-average student and why that makes him entirely unappealing. It’s the sort of stern but unintentionally hilarious role that Nwodim is adept at playing, but she manages to elevate it with her sheer disgust and impatience.

#7: A Thirsty Cop

In just her third episode as a cast member, Ego Nwodim introduced a character that deserved a lot more appearances than it ultimately received. The first iteration starred Nwodim and Leslie Jones as two highway patrol cops who pull over a speeding driver, only to flirt with him in the most blatantly obvious way. The concept, which seemed to have been conceived by Nwodim herself, showcased her razor-sharp comedic timing, as she fired off one innuendo after another. She reprised the role the following season, this time with host RuPaul playing her colleague. The second version proved to be even funnier than the first, as Nwodim not only delivers flawless punchlines of her own, but also sets up RuPaul for maximum laughs.

#6: Mrs. Wilkerson

It’s rare for an “SNL” sketch to be genuinely steamy and hilarious, but this one manages to do both with ease. The segment begins innocently enough, with Ego Nwodim and Kyle Mooney as a couple attending a parent-teacher conference with their child’s teacher, played by Jason Sudeikis. Soon, however, the conversation drifts from school matters to a surprisingly titillating back-and-forth between Nwodim and Sudeikis, much to the discomfort of her on-screen husband. It’s not the type of character Nwodim typically plays, but there is an inexplicable chemistry between her and Sudeikis that takes the sketch from funny to unforgettable. Call it fate or a fatal attraction, but to the question of Nwodim’s versatility, this sketch proves it’s a fait accompli.

#5: Veronda, the Rich Auntie With No Kids

Ego Nwodim was an incredible performer in sketches, but she also delivered a string of eccentric characters on the “Weekend Update” desk, none more memorable than Veronda. As the unapologetically childless rich auntie, Veronda has perfected her own method of ensuring her life remains free of children. But don’t get it twisted; just because she is rich doesn’t mean she is interested in hosting her sister’s family or even spoiling her nieces and nephews with gifts. What makes Veronda so hilarious is how strikingly familiar she feels; we either know someone like her, or secretly wish we were her. Just make sure to call her by her name and not “auntie,” or else she might end up stealing your job.

#4: Dionne Warwick

Although Ego Nwodim was known more for her sketch work, her impression of Dionne Warwick remains one of the best the show has seen this decade. Playing the legendary singer as a blunt talk show host, Nwodim took the best bits of Warwick’s Twitter persona and delivered them with undeniable charm. Her version exaggerated Warwick’s no-nonsense attitude, roasting her celebrity guests with cutting honesty and a radiant smile. Fortunately, Lorne Michaels loved the impression and decided to bring it back multiple times. This culminated in the November 2021 episode where the real Warwick joined Nwodim. Watching them side-by-side only reinforced the brilliance of Nwodim’s portrayal, and who wasn’t left in awe when they sang a duet of “What the World Needs Now Is Love”?

#3: Katt Williams

Yet another rare impression from Ego Nwodim that completely stole the show. Following Katt Williams’ viral interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, “SNL” reimagined the moment as an eight-hour extended cut, with Nwodim as Williams and Devon Walker as Sharpe. Nwodim’s performance deserves all the praise it gets. She somehow captures Williams’ voice and energy with uncanny accuracy, but also exaggerates his mannerisms without tipping into slapstick. Just like in the real interview, her version of Williams takes aim at Kevin Hart, but also at former President Barack Obama, claiming credit for his 2008 campaign slogan. Every word out of Nwodim’s mouth is funnier than the last, and her physical comedy only makes the punchlines land even harder.

#2: Miss Eggy

In her final season on “SNL,” Ego Nwodim introduced perhaps her most viral character ever. After the White House Correspondents’ Association canceled its scheduled comedian for the 2025 dinner, Nwodim appeared on “Weekend Update” as her stand-up persona, Miss Eggy, pitching herself for the job. Rather than roasting politicians, Miss Eggy vowed to target only the catering, launching into a string of hilarious food jokes. But the highlight of the sketch came when she pointed her mic at the audience, only for them to yell out a curse word. Even in what must have been an awkward moment, Nwodim manages to defuse the situation with a clever quip. It’s a testament to her refined improv skills and unbeatable confidence on stage.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Nwodim’s Impression Pokes Fun at the Actress’ Habit of Oversharing

A Weary Mother in Her Darkest Hour

Disneyland Is Only a Happy Place for Kids, Not for Their Weary Parents

Nosy Prison Guard

This Officer Can’t Help but Chime in on an Inmate’s Conversation With His Wife

Mrs. Obi

Nwodim Plays a Nigerian Mother Disappointed With Her Son’s Career Choices

Indignant Hairdresser

Nwodim Takes a Back Seat to Host Ayo Edebiri, but She Still Shines Effortlessly

#1: Lisa From Temecula

Ego Nwodim has often said she loves playing characters who are “strong and wrong,” and none fits that description better than Lisa from Temecula. Introduced as an out-of-town lawyer visiting for her sister’s birthday, Lisa throws the table into chaos when she orders an extra-tough steak and struggles to cut through it. Nwodim commits fully to the bit – sawing, kicking and even standing up to get the right angle on her overcooked meat. The sheer absurdity cracks up everyone, including Nwodim herself. Lisa was such a hit that she returned just a few episodes later. After four seasons on the show, this was the character that showcased Nwodim’s ability not only as an excellent performer, but one who can carry a sketch all by herself.

What is your favorite Ego Nwodim performance on “SNL”? Let us know in the comments below.