BY Derek Mekita
Sometimes, the writing is so catchy on “Saturday Night Live” that it quickly makes the leap into the larger American cultural zeitgeist. For Season 7, we covered the Best “SNL” Recurring Character.”
But what about their most famous lines? Without further ado, the Great Pop Culture Debate presents our list of the Top 10 Most Memorable “SNL” Catch Phrases (in no particular order):
1. “Well la-tee-fricken-da.” / “I live in a van down by the river!”
In tribute to Chris Farley’s amazing portrayal of motivational speaker Matt Foley, we’ll keep hiking our pants up as we scream in the faces of unwitting teenagers. It’s definitely at the top of Farley’s overflowing oeuvre on “SNL.”
2. “You look mahvelous!”
No one could offer a pitch-perfect portrayal of legend Fernando Lamas like like the equally legendary Billy Crystal. He had many recurring characters in his time on “SNL,” but his turn as Lamas might be the most memorable.
3. “Talk amongst yourselves. I’ll give you a topic…”
Who better to fill in for shpilkes-ridden host of Coffee Talk, Paul Baldwin, than New York’s own Linda Richman, as played by Mike Myers? Her devotion to Barbra Joan Streisand is the stuff of legends, as is her never-ending list of topics for when she gets a little verklempt.
4. “We’re not worthy!”/“Party on!”
No list of SNL catchphrases would be complete without tipping our mullets to icons Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) of Wayne’s World. Schwiiiiing!
5. “… and I can see Russia from my house!”
Many “SNL” regulars have effectively lampooned public figures and politicians over the decades, but few are as memorable as when Tina Fey donned that red suit to give us 2008’s gaffe-prone GOP VP candidate, Sarah Palin.
6. “We are two wild and crazy guys!”
We can’t say they were ever successful at wooing any American chicks, but the Festrunk Brothers — played by Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin — will always have a special and memorable place in our hearts as two wild and crazy guys!
7. “Good times.”
Roll out the hushed tones and double-entendres, as the NPR ladies of Delicious Dish (played by Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon) always had us rolling with laughter in every one of their interviews — from Schweddy Balls to dusty muffins.
8. “I’ve got a fever… and the only prescription… is more cowbell!”
Will Ferrell’s over-zealous cowbell playing in “SNL”’s sendup of Blue Oyster Cult is instantly recognizable, but while he seemed to annoy all of his other bandmates, Christopher Walken delivers the most memorable line of the sketch. He truly cannot get enough cowbell!
9. “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”
Folksy and corny are putting it mildly, as Al Franken delivers Stuart Smalley’s iconic tag line on his cable access self-help show, Daily Affirmations.
10. “Well isn’t that special”/“Could it be… Satan?”
The true and final moral authority lies with Dana Carvey’s Church Lady, who would waste no time in sizing up sinners and the followers of Satan, nor busting out the best dance moves in the congregation!
Do you agree with our list? Did we miss some of your “SNL” catch phrases? Let us know in the comments!
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