What comes to mind when you think of Saturday Night Live? Is it the iconic sketches, some more memorable than others? The celebrity hosts? Or perhaps those priceless moments when cast members break character?
According to “There’s No Other Show Like It,” an oral history of SNL compiled by Vulture in honor of the show’s upcoming 50th anniversary, it’s not just what people think about—it’s who.
In this detailed oral history, Vulture surveyed both current and former cast members to uncover which cast members and sketches had the most profound impact on the show, its stars, and its writers. The results were clear: Will Ferrell is officially the most “quintessential” cast member, who “best represents the spirit of SNL.” Instead of labeling him “best” or “funniest,” Vulture chose “quintessential” because it perfectly captures Ferrell’s embodiment of the show’s unique, often unpredictable spirit.
As Rachel Dratch, a former cast member, said: “Will Ferrell came to my mind right away. He was always trying new things, thinking outside the box. He would put something out there that was really out there and wasn’t afraid to take risks. You can see the joy in his work.”
In the survey’s race for the “funniest SNL sketch of all time," “James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party,” a standout from Season 9, clinched the top spot. The infamous sketch, where Eddie Murphy hilariously channels the godfather of funk in a hot tub, has become an enduring favorite among fans.
When it comes to the most quoted sketch in SNL history, one reigns supreme: "More Cowbell." Written by Ferrell, the sketch features the star as an overzealous musician who relentlessly insists on adding more cowbell to every song—no matter how absurd the request. It’s a moment so memorable that it has transcended the show itself, often quoted by fans and even celebrities 25 years after it first aired.
If any of this makes you nostalgic for the “old” SNL, then you are in luck. On Sunday, Feb. 16, NBC will air the three-hour-long anniversary episode, which will see the return of former cast members including Ferrell, Kristen Wig, Amy Poehler, and many more, along with some special appearances from popular former hosts like Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, and Tom Hanks.
It’s unclear how much cowbell there will be.
