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SNL Cast 2000s - A Look Back At The Funniest Faces

Araceli Bailey

The early years of the new millennium brought some truly memorable moments to our screens, especially when it came to late-night television humor. Saturday Night Live, a show that has been making people laugh for decades, saw a lot of big changes and introduced many people who would go on to become household names during the 2000s. It was a time when the show really found its footing in a new century, shaping what comedy would look like for years to come.

This period, you know, from 2000 through 2009, was shaped by some rather important happenings. The 2000 presidential election, for instance, showed up quite a bit in the sketches, giving us plenty to think about and chuckle over. Then there was the arrival of digital shorts, which changed how we saw comedy on television, opening up entirely new ways for people to tell jokes. But, in some respects, the event that truly left its mark on the start of this period was the September 11th tragedy, which meant the show, too, had to find a way to address serious topics while still providing a space for laughter.

So, we're going to take a closer look at the people who made up the Saturday Night Live cast during this interesting decade. We'll explore what some of these performers are doing now, catching up with the faces that graced our screens from 2000 to 2009. It's a chance to see who continued to shine brightly, who perhaps took a quieter path, and who, just a little, stayed connected to the show that gave them their start. It's almost like a reunion, really, for those who loved watching them week after week.

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The Dawn of a New Era - SNL Cast 2000s

The year 2000 marked a big moment for Saturday Night Live, as it had been on the air for a quarter of a century and was stepping into a brand new millennium. This particular season, the 26th, saw some familiar faces say their goodbyes, like Tim Meadows, who had been a part of the show for ten whole years. It was, you know, a changing of the guard in a way, as the show looked ahead to what was next. The only people who stayed on from the season before were Norm Macdonald, Mark McKinney, Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, and David Spade, which meant a lot of fresh faces were about to join the team.

This period, the 2000s, was quite something for the show, really. It was a time when the show kept doing what it does best: providing comments on big historical events and popular culture. Since October 1975, this sketch television program has been a place where comedians get their start or give their careers a big boost. So, naturally, the people who came through its doors in the 2000s were, you know, set to make their own marks on this long-running tradition. It's honestly pretty cool to think about how many people have passed through those doors at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

The current symbol for Saturday Night Live has, of course, been around for a while, but the show itself keeps moving forward, bringing in new talent. This decade, the 2000s, brought a lot of new people into the fold, and while not everyone truly caught the public's eye, many certainly did. It's a testament to the show's ability to find and nurture people with a knack for making us laugh. We're talking about the performers who really made the first ten years of this new millennium special for fans of the show, and that, is that, something to appreciate.

Who Were the Standouts Among the SNL Cast 2000s?

When you look back at the SNL cast from the 2000s, it's pretty clear that some people just had a way of connecting with everyone watching. While not every new person who joined the show during this time really made a huge splash, many absolutely did. We're talking about the ones who became favorites, the ones whose characters and impressions stuck with us long after the show was over. These are the people often considered the very best performers from that decade, the ones who truly helped define the show's comedic style for those years, you know, really setting the tone.

One person who truly rose to prominence was Maya Rudolph, who was a part of the SNL cast from 2000 to 2007. She left behind a legacy full of truly uncanny impressions and characters that people really loved. Her ability to, you know, become so many different people was quite remarkable, and she quickly became a fixture on the show. She just had this way of making everything she did feel so real, so funny, and so, like, truly unique. It’s no wonder she’s often remembered as one of the funniest female alumni from the show.

Then there was Darrell Hammond, a comedian born in Melbourne, Florida. He was a master of impressions and had this incredible ability to create chemistry with other people in the sketches. He just won audiences over with his performances. His presence on the show was, you know, quite a big deal, and he had a way of making even the simplest moments feel special. He was, apparently, one of those people who could always get a laugh, whether he was playing a political figure or some other character, and that, is that, a pretty special talent to have.

Life Beyond the Stage - What Happened to the SNL Cast 2000s?

After their time on Saturday Night Live, many people from the 2000s cast went on to do some pretty interesting things. It's always fun to see where these comedic talents end up, you know, after they leave the famous stage. We often wonder who went on to achieve big things, who perhaps took a step back from the public eye, and who, in a way, stayed connected to the world of sketch comedy. It's a chance to catch up with the funniest stars from that time and see what they're up to now, and even, like, what they look like today.

Will Ferrell, for example, left Saturday Night Live in 2002, and he was the only person from the cast to ever receive a special farewell from all the current cast members at the very end of the season finale show. That, is that, a pretty rare thing, and it really showed how much he was appreciated. After leaving the show, Will pursued a career in films, starring in many popular movies. He also, in 2000, married Viveca Paulin and, you know, lives in Los Angeles now. His path after SNL really shows how much opportunity can open up for those who make a big impact on the show.

Chevy Chase, who was a part of the original Saturday Night Live cast from its start in 1975 until 1976, went on to have a highly successful movie career, especially in the 1980s with hits like "Caddyshack." But even in the 2000s, he kept appearing in films, like "The Haunted Mansion" in 2003 and "Shrek 2." This just goes to show that some of the show's alumni, you know, have really long careers, continuing to entertain people for many years after their time on the SNL stage. It's honestly pretty cool to see that kind of staying power.

Maya Rudolph, too, has had a busy career since her time on SNL, which ended in 2007. She has starred in a number of films, including "Idiocracy" in 2006, "Away We Go" in 2009, "Grown Ups" in 2010, "Bridesmaids" in 2011, and "Grown Ups 2" in 2013. Her work shows how people who start on Saturday Night Live can find success in many different types of projects, from comedies to dramas. It's pretty clear that her time on the show helped her build a strong foundation for a varied acting career, you know, allowing her to explore many different kinds of roles.

How Did SNL Cast 2000s Members Transition to Other Ventures?

The way people moved from Saturday Night Live to other projects often had a lot to do with the way NBC, the network, handles its talent. You see, NBC has the option to take a Saturday Night Live cast member off the show any time after their second year on the program and put them into an NBC sitcom. This arrangement, you know, offers a pretty clear path for some performers to move from sketch comedy to more traditional television roles. It's a way for the network to keep talented people within its family, so to speak, and give them new opportunities to shine.

A person on the cast, in fact, has some choices when it comes to these offers. They have the option of saying no to the first two shows proposed by NBC. However, they must accept the third deal that comes their way. This structure, you know, gives them a bit of freedom but also means they eventually have to make a decision about their future with the network. NBC also decides how long the sitcom contract will last, which, apparently, can run for as long as six years. So, it's a pretty significant commitment for these performers, shaping a good portion of their careers after SNL.

This system, you know, helps explain why we see so many former SNL people in other TV shows and movies. It's not just about their talent, though that's a huge part of it, but also about the pathways that are set up for them. These arrangements mean that many of the people we enjoyed on Saturday Night Live in the 2000s had a built-in opportunity to continue their work in entertainment, often with the same company that gave them their start. It's a pretty unique way for people to transition, really, from one big thing to another.

A Closer Look at Some Memorable SNL Cast 2000s Personalities

Let's spend a little more time thinking about some of the people who truly stood out from the SNL cast of the 2000s. These are the performers who, you know, left a lasting impression and whose work we still talk about today. Their contributions helped shape the show during a very interesting time, and their unique styles of comedy brought a lot of joy to people watching at home. It's always fun to reflect on what made them so special and why their performances continue to resonate with fans, even all these years later.

Will Ferrell's departure in 2002, for instance, was a pretty big deal. The fact that he received a farewell from everyone else on the cast at the season's end was, you know, something that had never happened before. It really showed the high regard his fellow performers had for him and his work. His presence on the show was, honestly, so strong, and his characters were so well-loved that his leaving felt like a significant moment for the program. He just had this way of making us laugh until our sides hurt, and that, is that, a gift.

Maya Rudolph, too, made a very strong mark during her time from 2000 to 2007. Her ability to create characters and do impressions that were both funny and, like, surprisingly accurate, was truly something to see. She brought a certain kind of energy to the stage that was completely her own, making every sketch she was in feel fresh and exciting. Her legacy on the show is, pretty much, filled with these moments that people remember fondly, cementing her place as one of the show's great performers from that era. She really, truly, knew how to connect with an audience.

Darrell Hammond, too, was a performer who consistently won people over. His skill in doing impressions was, you know, a major reason for his popularity. He could take on so many different voices and mannerisms, making each one believable and funny. He also had a great knack for working with other cast members, creating a real sense of fun and shared humor in the sketches. His performances were, basically, a big part of what made the show so enjoyable during the 2000s, and he's remembered as someone who could always deliver a laugh.

What Was the Journey Like for the SNL Cast 2000s?

For many comedians, getting a spot on Saturday Night Live is a dream come true, and for the SNL cast of the 2000s, it was no different. The show has a long history of being a place where people can either get their start in comedy or, you know, really boost a career that's already in motion. It's a place where they can try out new ideas, develop characters, and perform live in front of a huge audience every week. This kind of experience is, apparently, invaluable for anyone looking to make a name for themselves in the world of entertainment.

The show also plays a really important role in how we talk about things happening in the world. Since 1975, it has provided comments on historical events and popular culture, often using humor to help us process what's going on around us. So, for the people on the cast in the 2000s, they were not just performers; they were, in a way, also commentators, helping to shape public conversation through comedy. This meant their work often had a deeper meaning, going beyond just making people laugh, and that, is that, a pretty big responsibility.

Being a part of the SNL cast in the 2000s meant being part of a group that was constantly creating and performing. They had to be quick on their feet, able to adapt to changes, and always ready to bring their best to the stage. It's a very demanding environment, but it's also one that helps people grow and develop their comedic skills in incredible ways. The journey for these performers was, you know, one of hard work, creativity, and a lot of laughs, both for them and for the millions of people watching at home.

The Business Side of Being an SNL Cast 2000s Member

Beyond the bright lights and the laughter, there's a practical side to being a part of the SNL cast, especially during the 2000s. The relationship between the performers and NBC, the network that airs the show, involves some pretty specific arrangements. As mentioned earlier, NBC has the ability to move a cast member into a sitcom after their second year. This is, you know, a pretty interesting part of their contracts, offering a pathway for continued employment within the network's broader offerings. It's a way for them to keep talent engaged and working.

The cast members themselves have a bit of say in this process, too. They are given the choice to decline the first two sitcom proposals that come from NBC. This means they don't have to jump into the very first thing offered, giving them some breathing room to consider their options. However, after those first two, they are, apparently, expected to accept the third deal. This structure means there's a balance between the network's needs and the performer's preferences, which, you know, is pretty common in the entertainment business.

The length of these sitcom contracts is also determined by NBC, and they can, in fact, be quite long, running for up to six years. This kind of long-term commitment means that once a cast member accepts a sitcom deal, a significant portion of their professional life is tied to that project. It's a big decision for them, obviously, as it shapes their career path for years to come after their time on Saturday Night Live. So, it's not just about performing; it's also about managing these sorts of career opportunities and commitments.

What Did It Take to Be a Successful SNL Cast 2000s Performer?

Being a successful performer on Saturday Night Live in the 2000s, or any era really, involved a blend of different skills and qualities. It wasn't just about being funny; it was also about connecting with the audience in a meaningful way. For people like Darrell Hammond, his ability to create chemistry with other cast members was a big part of why people loved watching him. When performers work well together, it makes the whole sketch feel more alive and, you know, more enjoyable for everyone watching. This kind of teamwork is, honestly, pretty important for the show's success.

The idea of a cast member "popping" or truly standing out was also a key factor. While not everyone who joined the show in the 2000s managed to do this, those who did often had a unique voice or a particular talent that set them apart. It could be a knack for impressions, a gift for

Snl Cast

Snl Cast

Saturday Night Live (SNL) | History, Cast Members, & Facts | Britannica

Saturday Night Live (SNL) | History, Cast Members, & Facts | Britannica

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