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Funny Isn't Always Money: Rating The SNL Stars
Tribune illustration by GREG WILLIAMS
Will Ferrell, star of the new film "Step Brothers," found fame post-"Saturday Night Live" - as have other former SNL stars.
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Published: July 22, 2008
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Depending on your tastes, the release of another Will Ferrell comedy ("Step Brothers") may be cause for celebration or indifference.
That said, he's just one of many former "Saturday Night Live" cast members to seek grander attention, namely in films or elsewhere on TV.
From the highs to the lows (and have there been plenty of lows), we assess the endeavors of a select few beyond "SNL." And yes, your choices for examination may have been different - Ben Stiller, Joan Cusack, Michael McKean, Chris Rock? - but we'll stick with our picks.
Top Tier
BILL MURRAY
When On ''SNL:'' 1976-'80
High Point: ''Lost In Translation'' (2003)
Low Point: ''The Razor's Edge'' (1984)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': Nick the Lounge Singer. Post ''SNL'': Dr. Peter Venkman in ''Ghostbusters''
Still Host Material? Anytime he wants
Comment: His string of memorable films — including ''Caddyshack,'' ''Stripes,'' ''Ghost Busters,'' ''Scrooged,'' ''Groundhog Day'' and ''Rushmore'' — make him the benchmark against which all ''SNL'' alums are compared.
TINA FEY
When On ''SNL:'' 2000-'06
High Point: ''30 Rock'' (2006-present)
Low Point: ''Baby Mama'' (2008)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': News anchor. Post ''SNL'': Liz Lemon on ''30 Rock''
Still Host Material? Absolutely
Comment: ''Mean Girls,'' which Fey wrote, is hilarious, and she's already won an Emmy for ''30 Rock'' and was nominated again last week. But she could use better big screen roles.
ADAM SANDLER
When On ''SNL:'' 1990-'95
High Point: ''The Wedding Singer'' (1998)
Low Point: ''Little Nicky'' (2000)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': Opera Man. Post ''SNL'': Happy Gilmore
Still Host Material? Sure
Comment: He's still in the upper tier, mostly for taking chances, but needs a comedy hit or a great performance (like Murray's in ''Lost In Translation'')
JOHN BELUSHI
When On ''SNL:'' 1975-'79
High Point: ''Animal House'' (1978)
Low Point: ''Neighbors'' (1981)
Iconic Characters: On SNL: Samauri Futaba. Post SNL: ''Joliet'' Jake Blues from ''The Blues Brothers''
Still Host Material? Difficult, as he is dead
Comment: Died before he could really start sucking.
Middle Tier
WILL FERRELL
When On ''SNL:'' 1995-2002
High Point: ''Elf'' (2003)
Low Point: ''A Night at the Roxbury'' (1998)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': George W. Bush or that crazy cheerleader. Post ''SNL'': Ron Burgundy
Still Host Material? Yes
Comment: Ferrell, more than most, seems to draw a ''love him or hate him'' reaction.
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS
When On ''SNL:'' 1982-'85
High Point: ''Seinfeld'' (1990-'98)
Low Point: ''Father's Day'' (1997)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': Her impression of MTV veejay Nina Blackwood. Post ''SNL'': Elaine Benes from ''Seinfeld''
Still Host Material? Probably
Comment: She's one of those people who even if we don't like what's she's in, we like her.
EDDIE MURPHY
When On ''SNL:'' 1980-'84
High Point: ''Coming to America'' (1988)
Low Point: ''The Adventures of Pluto Nash'' (2002)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': Mr. Robinson (or Gumby or Buckwheat). Post ''SNL'': Det. Axel Foley from ''Beverly Hills Cop''
Still Host Material? Maybe, but he never has
Comment: He vows to return to stand up — which is great, because that's where he was at his best.
MIKE MYERS
When On ''SNL:'' 1988-'95
High Point: ''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'' (1997)
Low Point: ''The Cat in the Hat'' (2003)
Iconic Characters: On SNL: Wayne Campbell, of course. Shwing! Post SNL: Austin Powers or Shrek
Still Host Material? If he had a hit movie, sure.
Comment: Looking back, he had two funny movies, but that's about it.
DAN AYKROYD
When On ''SNL:'' 1975-'79
High Point: ''Ghost Busters'' (1984)
Low Point: ''Crossroads'' (2002)
Iconic Characters: On SNL: Beldar Conehead. Post SNL: Elwood Blues
Still Host Material? Possible, but unlikely
Comment: The guy's a legend — and still funny — but you can see the point where his career tide peaked and started rolling back, and that point was ''Caddyshack II.''
Bottom Tier
CHEVY CHASE
When On ''SNL:'' 1975-'76
High Point: ''Caddyshack'' (1980)
Low Point: ''Cops and Robbersons'' (1994)
Iconic Characters: On SNL: SNL's first news anchor. Post SNL: Clark Griswold from ''Vacation'' or Irwin Fletcher from ''Fletch''
Still Host Material? No. Who is Chevy Chase?
Comment: He never learned to say ''no'' — which explains ''Oh, Heavenly Dog,'' ''Under the Rainbow,'' ''Deal of the Century'' and ''Nothing but Trouble,'' among many others.
ROB SCHNEIDER
When On ''SNL:'' 1990-'94
High Point: ''Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo'' (1999)
Low Point: ''The Animal'' (2001)
Iconic Characters: On SNL: The ''makin' copies'' guy, Rich-meister. Post SNL: Deuce Bigelow
Still Host Material? Please, no!
Comment: The only reason you even know Rob Schneider is because Adam Sandler keeps casting him in movies.
CHRIS KATTAN
When On ''SNL:'' 1996-'06
High Point: ''Corky Romano'' (2001)
Low Point: ''A Night at the Roxbury'' (1998)
Iconic Characters: On ''SNL'': Mango. Post ''SNL'': Corky Romano
Still Host Material? Uh, no.
Comment: When ''Corky Romano'' is your career high, it's time to consider another career.
Kevin Walker can be reached at (813) 259-7975 or kwalker@tampatrib.com
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