I will name these "ages", as I call them, but the actor I admire most of that time. I know that actor may not have been in all the years in the "age", but you'll get the drift.
THE CHEVY CHASE/DAN AYKROYD AGE (1975-1980) - This is the one that started it all. Though I disagree that this was the best cast of all, I will agree that this cast was full of very, very talented performers whom we owe a lot too. I don't think that SNL would be around, and certainly not as successful, if for them.
Honorable mentions of this age: John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Gilda Radner, Al Franken, Dan Ackryod
The main (best in my opinion) guy of this age: Bill Murray
THE EDDIE MURPHY AGE (1980-1985) - I'm embarrassed to say that I couldn't think of many honorable mentions for this one (aside from Martin Short), or much to say about it. I don remember it being great, and Eddie Murphy being the funniest of them all.
THE PHIL HARTMAN AGE (1985-1995) - This is the best age of all the SNL ages, by far. This is also the longest, because it lasted so long. Phil Hartman is the man. Although he's not my favorite of this age, he is probably the most talented and gifted. This produced the funniest actors and skits in my opinion.
Honorable mentions: Billy Crystal, Chris Farley, David Space, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Janeane Garofalo, Jan Hooks, Dennis Miller, Jon Lovitz, Norm MacDonald, Victoria Jackson, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider
The main guy of this age: Dana Carvey (Phil Hartman & Kevin Nealon at close second)
THE WILL FARRELL AGE (1995-) - This is the weakest age of all, but not as bad as all the bad reviews it gets. I mean, come on, it's still pretty funny. It doesn't quite live up to the nearly impossible acts it has to follow, and it sure doesn't beat the Phil Hartman age, but it's still pretty good. And Will Farrell is awesome.
Honorable mentions: Chris Kattan, Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri, Ana Gasteyer, Darrell Hammond, Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, Colin Quinn
The main guy of this age: Will Farrell
By the way, just for the record...the best host was Tom Hanks, the best recurring character was Steve Martin, the best musical guest was Paul McCartney, the best update newsguy was Norm McDonald, the best impression was Dana Carvey doing George Bush and the best overall performer is Dana Carvey. I love this show with a passion, it's one of the greatest shows on TV and it's my lifelong dream to be on it someday (yeah right). Don't make fun of the Will Farrell age; they're all still very talented and funny.
