Celebrities Who Hated Their SNL Impressions

1.

THE CONTEXT: White Lotus actor Aimee Lou Wooden has gotten a whole lot of consideration — and reward! — for her pure tooth (particularly in mild of the recognition of veneers in Hollywood). She advised The Jonathan Ross Present, “It feels so pretty. An actual full-circle second after being bullied for my tooth endlessly. Now individuals are clapping in an viewers.”

THE SKETCH: “The White POTUS” parodied The White Lotus Season 3 by including Donald Trump, his household, and different outstanding political figures as characters. In a scene with Jon Hamm as RFK Jr., Sarah Sherman performed a model of Chelsea, Aimee’s character, with exaggerated tooth and an over-the-top faux accent.

THE CRITICISM: After dispelling rumors that somebody at HBO had referred to as her “ugly” on her Instagram story, Aimee stated, “However while in sincere mode — I did discover the SNL factor imply and unfunny.” In a follow-up publish, she added, “Such a disgrace, cuz I had such a good time watching it a pair weeks in the past. Sure, take the piss for positive – however there have to be a cleverer, extra nuanced, much less low cost approach?” Sharing a DM from somebody who criticized Sarah’s faux accent, Aimee stated, “At the very least get the accent proper critically. I respect accuracy even when it is imply.”

A couple of hours later, she added an replace to her Instagram story, saying, “I’ve had apologies from SNL.”

2.

THE CONTEXT: Earlier in her profession, Jennifer Lawrence was praised for being “relatable” and seemingly “regular” in comparison with different celebrities. Nevertheless, this “cool lady” persona later turned one thing she was mocked for.

THE SKETCH: SNL host Ariana Grande impersonated Jennifer Lawrence in “Superstar Household Feud,” taking part in up her relatability.

THE CRITICISM: Jennifer advised Vogue that the impression was “spot-fucking-on,” however she did not fairly just like the “common particular person” joke. She stated, “That is what different folks have stated. If I would stated, ‘I am an everyday particular person,’ I’’d need to kill myself.”

3.

THE CONTEXT: Pete Davidson was an SNL solid member from 2014-2022. Throughout his tenure, his relationships with well-known girls — most notably Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian — usually put him within the popular culture zeitgeist.

THE SKETCH: The present (and Pete himself) usually joked about his courting life. For instance, in 2022’s “Biden Spider-Man Chilly Open,” Pete performed a model of President Biden from the “actual” world, the place most individuals had been higher off.

Equally, within the 2018 sketch “A New Kyle,” Kyle Mooney received a makeover modeled after Pete’s take a look at the time (bleached hair and plenty of tattoos). The sketch additionally referenced Pete’s relationship with Ariana and the pig they adopted collectively.

THE CRITICISM: In a 2020 interview with Charlamagne tha God, Pete stated, “I personally suppose I needs to be performed with that present as a result of they make enjoyable of me on it. However I am, like, cold-open political punchlines. I am ‘Weekend Replace’ jokes. After I’m not there, they’re going to be like, ‘Pete’s a fucking jerkface.’ It’s like, whose facet are you on? I’ve a bizarre feeling in that constructing, the place I do not know whose workforce they’re taking part in for — if I am the joke or I am in on the joke. I actually needed final yr to be my final yr, however I am nonetheless round. If I am simply fodder now, although; perhaps I simply should not be there. They suppose I am fucking dumb — like, I am actually painted out to be this large, dumb fool. I simply really feel like I’ve performed as a lot as I can over there.”

Then, in 2023, Pete advised the podcast REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal, “In 12 years, I’ve dated 10 folks. I do not suppose that is that loopy, however to some folks, that is very fascinating. That turned all anybody would speak about. Instantly, you are on this zeitgeist and that has nothing to do with the work. And that is a extremely shitty feeling. I turned extra recognized earlier than the work was there, however I used to be all the time working. I am cool with the joke. I get the late-night jokes. When your personal present [pokes fun at you]…I would be sitting within the again watching the chilly open and — the chilly open [is] topical, political humor, no matter’s within the tradition. After which, making enjoyable of you. You then’ve gotta stroll out and do a sketch subsequent and hit your mark and the present simply made enjoyable of you.”

He continued, “So, why are they gonna snicker at you? Like, they simply dogged you in entrance of everybody. And you are like, ‘I am a fucking loser, man.'” These are the folks I have been with for nearly a decade. I grew up in entrance of those folks. They’ve watched me by way of probably the most tough time in my life, they usually’ve been there for me. And no person ever confirmed extra leeway and style to me than Lorne Michaels, and I owe my life to that man. However it was fucking complicated ‘trigger the character of leisure is the character of this enterprise. On the finish of the day, that is what it’s. This was a extremely tough factor to do. You are feeling small. You are feeling tremendous insecure.”

4.

THE SKETCH: In “Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals,” Andy Samberg impersonated Mark Wahlberg with a faux Boston accent, an out-of-breathness, and an virtually offended tone, ending every dialog with, “Say hello to your mom for me.”

THE CRITICISM: Mark advised the New York Put up, ” Somebody confirmed it to me on YouTube. It wasn’t like Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin, that is for positive. And Saturday Night time Dwell hasn’t been humorous for a very long time. They’ve requested me to do the present a ton of instances. I used to observe it when Eddie Murphy was there and Joe Piscopo and Invoice Murray. I do not even know who’s on the present now.”

He additionally advised Jimmy Kimmel Dwell, “After I see that child, I’ll crack that large fucking nostril of his. Then I’ll inform him, ‘Say hello to your mom for me’….I’ll go all the way down to 30 Rock, and I’ll slap him within the nostril.. I guaran-fucking-tee you.”

Nevertheless, Mark later made a cameo within the sketch “Backstage: Mark Wahlberg Confronts Andy Samberg.”

5.

THE SKETCH: When Ariana Grande hosted SNL in 2016, she performed a Tidal intern who impersonated a number of well-known singers to avoid wasting the streaming service throughout a glitch. She began by singing a rendition of “…Child One Extra Time” in her “finest Britney Spears voice.”

THE CRITICISM: In a radio interview for KISS FM UK, Britney stated, “That is humorous. That is actually humorous, wow. I’ve heard higher.” Nevertheless, she additionally added reward for Ariana’s actual singing voice, saying, “She’s excellent…I really like her voice. It’s extremely easy.”

6.

THE SKETCH: In a sequence of 2009 Right now parodies, Kristen Wiig donned a blonde wig to play host Kathie Lee Gifford. She portrayed her as ditzy and cringey.

THE CRITICISM: On Right now, Kathie Lee stated, “Everybody appears to get pleasure from it, however I do not suppose it is that humorous.”

7.

THE SKETCH: Throughout her tenure on SNL, Maya Rudolph performed Donatella Versace as a recurring character.

The CRITICISM: Donatella advised the LA Occasions that she discovered the impression “hilarious.” Nevertheless, she stated, “I talked to her on the cellphone as soon as, and I gave her a suggestion on find out how to do me higher.” Her two constructive criticisms had been, “I do not drink” and “Take off the jewellery as a result of it seems too faux — I solely put on actual.”

8.

THE CONTEXT: In 2024, Katt Williams did a particularly viral interview with Membership Shay Shay. He made a whole lot of outlandish claims and took pictures at lots of his friends.

THE CRITICISM: Talking on the Vulture Competition a number of months later, Katt criticized the impression, however his criticism included misogynistic feedback. He stated, “There has by no means been an individual that has been parodied 9 instances on Saturday Night time Dwell and but by no means been invited aside from me. So, I, at this level, take it as a badge of honor that they do not fuck with me…A whole lot of time, when individuals are doing an impression of you, they’re actually exhibiting how they really feel about you, you understand what I imply? For Saturday Night time Dwell to have an impression of me and have a girl do this, it implies that they suppose I am a bitch, and I perceive that that is what they’re saying after they do this.”

9.

THE CONTEXT: Huge Cat Rescue proprietor Carole Baskin criticized Netflix’s hit docuseries Tiger King, which she stated was initially pitched to her as an exposé on the exploitation and abuse of massive cats in zoos. On her sanctuary’s web site, she wrote, “There should not phrases for a way disappointing it’s to see that the docuseries not solely doesn’t do any of that, however has had the only purpose of being as salacious and sensational as doable to attract viewers. It has a phase dedicated to suggesting, with lies and innuendos from people who find themselves not credible, that I had a task within the disappearance of my husband Don 21 years in the past. The sequence presents this with none regard for the reality or, most often, even giving me a possibility earlier than publication to rebut the absurd claims. They didn’t care about fact. The unsavory lies are higher for getting viewers.”

THE CRITICISM: On The Pet Present podcast, Carole stated, “I may simply slap that lady! This entire, ‘My kitty, meow, meow, kitty, meow,’ after which she would simply say these actually bizarre phrases all in a row. That every one turned fashionable, I assume, in fashionable tradition and folks needed me to speak like that on the Cameos. And I am like, ‘I do not know find out how to discuss like that. That’s not how I converse.'”

Addressing the announcement that then-SNL solid member Kate McKinnon was going to play her in Joe vs. Carole, Carole added, “[Kate] has not reached out to me, and I actually hope that she does earlier than she will get too far down the road with it. I would like to know what her take is on it and what she’s pondering to do and see if there was any approach we may advise her.”

10.

THE SKETCH: A 2014 Fox and Associates parody mocked the best way the present mentioned local weather change and Obamacare. Cosmos host Neil deGrasse Tyson, performed by Kenan Thompson, appeared as a visitor and tried to persuade the hosts that local weather change is actual.

THE CRITICISM: Neil advised Enterprise Insider, “I believed they might have performed somewhat higher.” He additionally stated that he’d inform govt producer Lorne Michaels, “I am honored and flattered that you’d consider representing me, notably in that context on Fox Information. However I believe your comedians and actors have extra precisely portrayed different folks than [Kenan] portrayed me. So there’s some room for enchancment.” Nevertheless, he additionally added, “If the universe prompts folks — artists — to have enjoyable, then extra energy to it. It’s a signal that science has develop into mainstream and that may solely be a great factor.”

11.

THE CONTEXT: The 2023 Academy Awards had been a giant evening for Irish actors, largely as a result of essential success of The Banshees of Inisherin. 1 / 4 of the appearing nominees had been Irish.

THE SKETCH: The evening earlier than the Oscars aired, SNL‘s “Oscars Crimson Carpet Chilly Open” sketch cycled by way of impressions of a number of nominees. Taking part in The Banshees of Inisherin costars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, Mikey Day and Molly Kearny spoke in incomprehensible faux Irish accents.

THE CRITICISM: The sketch was criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of Irish folks, and the joke about ingesting was referred to as insensitive as a result of Colin Farrell has brazenly spoken about his sobriety. Throughout the Oscars broadcast, the actor referred to as out the sketch when host Jimmy Kimmel made the same joke about Irish accents.

12.

THE SKETCH: Throughout SNL‘s inaugural 1976 season, Gilda Radner did an exaggerated impression of Barbara Walters referred to as “Barbara Wawa.” She spoke in an Elmer Fudd–like voice.

THE CRITICISM: Many years later, Barbara advised The Tv Academy Basis, “I hated the Gilda Radner ‘Bawa Wawa’ till I walked into my daughter’s room one evening [and] she was up watching it. It was a Saturday evening. I stated, ‘What are you doing up?’ and she or he stated ‘I am watching Bawa Wawa, Mother.’ And I stated, ‘Effectively, I imply, how, nicely, you understand, look what she’s doing.’ And my daughter stated, ‘Oh, Mommy, loosen up.’ After which I did.”

13.

THE SKETCH: In a 2021 “Weekend Replace” bit, Bowen Yang and Kyle Mooney portrayed Faux It is a Metropolis costars Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese.

THE CRITICISM: Fran did not see the sketch as a result of she “by no means watch[es] TV intentionally.” Nevertheless, when the LA Occasions introduced it up, she stated, “I used to be dwelling studying. Folks began calling me as a result of they noticed it. I might not have watched it even when I knew. I stated, ‘Should you’ve by no means had a caricature drawn of you, you would possibly suppose this can be a good thing [to be parodied] — however nobody likes them.'”

In response, Bowen advised Late Night time with Seth Meyers, “I believe that is affirmation that she’s seen it and that she does not take care of it, and I believe that is the very best praise you possibly can presumably get from somebody like Fran.”

14.

THE SKETCH: When Jennifer Lopez hosted SNL in 2019, Melissa Villaseñor pitched an thought for a sketch the place she did her J.Lo impression. She advised AV Membership, “I used to be telling her, ‘Oh, perhaps I can imitate you in a sketch. You understand, I may stroll round your own home and faux I am like J.Lo and be like, ‘My favourite colour’s blue.'”

THE CRITICISM: Jennifer declined the concept. Melissa advised AV Membership, “My J. Lo impression could be very particular. It’s type of the J. Lo that’s very critical. After I met J. Lo, I believe I did my impression for her, and she or he was like, ‘I don’t see it.’ I really like J. Lo. I imply, actually a legend…[After hearing the pitch] J. Lo grabbed me. She was like, ‘Child, my favourite colour is inexperienced. Everybody is aware of that.'”

15.

THE CONTEXT: Former SNL solid member Pete Davidson and Machine Gun Kelly are good buddies.

THE SKETCH: Within the 2021 sketch “The Folks’s Kourt,” Pete Davidson and Chloe Fineman performed MGK and his then-partner, Megan Fox. In character, Pete mumbled when he spoke.

THE CRITICISM: Sharing a clip on his Instagram story, MGK stated, “Pete, you understand rattling nicely I do not discuss like that.” On Twitter, he additionally stated, “I believe it’s time for me to come back on the present as Pete.”

16.

THE SKETCH: In 2015, the “Democratic Debate Chilly Open” sketch had a number of of SNL‘s most iconic political impersonations, comparable to Kate McKinnon as former first woman Hillary Clinton and Larry David as Senator Bernie Sanders. Jon Rudnitsky performed panel moderator Anderson Cooper.

THE CRITICISM: On Watch What Occurs Dwell with Andy Cohen, Anderson stated, “I did not suppose it was excellent. Seth Meyers did a spoof of me years in the past that was actually humorous, and I am all for being spoofed. It was like the one factor [Jon] knew about me was that I used to be homosexual, in order that’s kind of what he went with.” He additionally stated that he’d been invited to cameo within the sketch himself, however he turned it down as a consequence of scheduling conflicts.

17.

THE CONTEXT: David A. Paterson was governor of New York from 2008–2010. He’s legally blind, and, in keeping with the New York Occasions, he was “well-known for making mild of his imaginative and prescient issues” whereas in workplace.

THE SKETCH: In a 2008 “Weekend Replace” bit, Fred Armisen portrayed Gov. Paterson by squinting one eye and talking with a lisp.

THE CRITICISM: Per the New York Occasions, an announcement from the governor’s workplace stated, “The governor engages in humor on a regular basis, and he can definitely take a joke. Nevertheless, this explicit Saturday Night time Dwell skit sadly selected to ridicule folks with bodily disabilities and indicate that disabled individuals are incapable of getting jobs with critical duties. The governor is bound that Saturday Night time Dwell, with all of its expertise, can discover a approach to be humorous with out being offensive.”

Fred continued to impersonate Gov. Paterson a number of instances over the subsequent two years. Nevertheless, on a 2010 episode, the governor himself made a cameo alongside the actor.

18.

And at last, THE SKETCH: Equally, in a 2018 “Weekend Replace” bit, Pete Davidson mocked Dan Crenshaw, a congressman-elect who wears an eyepatch, as one of many “actually gross folks operating for workplace this yr.”

THE CRITICISM: Attributable to backlash from viewers, Pete returned to “Weekend Replace” and apologized on air. Then he introduced out Dan, who proceeded to roast Pete proper again.