Celebrities often find themselves in the limelight, but not all moments in the public eye are met with praise. Saturday Night Live (SNL) has a long history of impersonating public figures, from reality TV stars to politicians, and the results are not always well-received. While some celebrities have enjoyed the humour and flattery of their SNL doppelgängers, others have been less than impressed with their portrayals. Here are 12 celebrities who hated their SNL impersonations.
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Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in ‘The White Lotus,’ recently spoke out about her SNL impersonation, calling it ‘mean and unfunny.’ The English actress expressed disappointment with the portrayal of her character on the sketch show. Despite the intention to provide a lighthearted nod to Wood’s unique smile, she found the impersonation lacking in cleverness and nuance, causing her to voice her discontent on social media.
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was famously impersonated by Tina Fey on SNL. While audiences found Fey’s portrayal hilarious, Palin herself was not amused. Feeling like she was depicted as an idiot, Palin even made an appearance on the show to counter some of her negative portrayal, suggesting that Fey should share her gains from the impersonation.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper also had his moment of displeasure with an SNL impersonation. Cooper felt that the portrayal of him lacked nuance and merely focused on his sexuality. While known for his stoicism, Cooper admitted to being disappointed with the lack of depth in the SNL sketch.
Melissa McCarthy’s portrayal of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer remains iconic in SNL history. However, Spicer wasn’t entirely pleased with the exaggerated portrayal, feeling that it leaned too heavily on caricature. Despite his mixed feelings, Spicer acknowledged the comedic value of the impression.
Even well-known actors like Mark Wahlberg have found themselves on the receiving end of SNL impersonations. Wahlberg, known for his serious roles, did not appreciate the comedic portrayal of him on the show. Expressing his disapproval of the sketch’s humour, Wahlberg criticised SNL’s current state, suggesting that the show had lost its comedic edge.
Hosting a morning talk show can also lead to SNL impersonations, as Kathie Lee Gifford discovered. The cohost of the ‘Today’ show expressed her dislike for Kristen Wiig’s depiction of her as a drunken and disoriented host. Gifford questioned the comedic value of the impersonation, indicating her dissatisfaction with the portrayal.
SNL cast member Aidy Bryant’s parody of Meghan McCain on the show left the TV personality feeling less than amused. McCain revealed that the impersonation took a toll on her mentally and emotionally, leading to feelings of being a laughingstock. Despite her attempts to maintain a sense of humour, McCain struggled with the public perception created by the SNL skit.
Carole Baskin, known from the hit series ‘Tiger King,’ was parodied on SNL by Chloe Fineman. While fans found the impression spot-on, Baskin strongly disagreed, expressing her frustration with the exaggerated portrayal. Feeling misrepresented, Baskin criticised the popularization of certain mannerisms attributed to her.
Legendary singer Britney Spears also had her moment of critique when Ariana Grande mimicked her on SNL. Spears, known for her iconic voice, expressed appreciation for Grande’s talent but noted that she had heard better impressions of herself. Despite her criticism, Spears acknowledged Grande’s vocal abilities and smooth voice.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson found himself on the receiving end of an SNL impression by Kenan Thompson. While known for his good-humoured nature, Tyson admitted that he felt the portrayal could have been improved. Expressing his thoughts on the impression, Tyson hinted at room for enhancement in capturing his personality accurately.
Barbara Walters, a prominent figure in journalism, was famously impersonated on SNL by Gilda Radner. Walters initially disliked the exaggerated impression of her, but eventually lightened up about it after her daughter’s encouragement. The portrayal, known for its distinctive pronunciation of Walters’ name, became a comedic staple in SNL history.
In conclusion, while SNL impersonations are meant to entertain and amuse audiences, they do not always land well with the subjects of the parodies. Celebrities, ranging from actors to politicians to media personalities, have expressed their varied reactions to being portrayed on the iconic sketch show. Despite the comedic intentions behind these impressions, it is clear that not everyone sees the humour in being SNL’s target.