SNL Season 44 premiered September 29, 2018, and fans of the sketch comedy show are eager to see old and new faces every Saturday night throughout the fall television season. SNL is known for launching the comedy careers of many performers as it is where many up and coming comedians get their start. You can see SNL alums all throughout the comedy sphere both past and present. It is clear that Lorne Michaels has an eye for talent.
This season features newcomer Ego Nwodim as the only new castmember and most of the season 43 members returning. Michael Ché and Colin Jost continue to host weekend update this season, as they have done for the past several years.
The past few seasons of SNL have had fans clamoring for a return to the golden days of sketch comedy. This however largely depends on the age of the fan. If you are a millenial, you will remember the 2010s cast fondly.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 SNL cast member of this decade below:
10. Cecily Strong
Strong’s “Girl you wish you hadn’t started a conversation with at a party” helps cement her as one of the best of the decade.
9. Kate McKinnon
McKinnon’s acting success can be attributed to her improvisational skills and ability to make other cast members break.
8. Jay Pharoah
Pharoah’s Obama will go down as one of the top examples of an SNL presidential satire gone right.
7. Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson adds his own personal brand of gawky stoner humor to SNL, landing him a top spot among the decade’s cast members.
6. Taran Killam
Who can forget Killam’s spot on Brad Pitt impression?
5. Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones made her mark on SNL by becoming one of the first female black cast members to get starring roles in sketches. She took this and ran with it, making her among the best of the decade.
4. Kenan Thompson
Kenan is an SNL institution and he’s almost too good for this list. Because he had been on SNL for most of the 2000s, it didn’t seem fair to make him the #1 best of the 2010s.
3. Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig is at the top of the list of best SNL performers of all time, let alone this decade.
2. Bobby Moynihan
Bobby Moynihan is, without a doubt, the best drunk uncle that Weekend Update could ask for.
1. Bill Hader
Bill Hader is possibly the best SNL cast member of this millennium. Though his run ended in 2014, his legacy on the show and its writers is evident. His continued success after SNL is a testament to his comedy chops.