Watch clips of the new SNL cast members

Most couch potatos subscribe to the opinion that SNL has never been as good as it was in its 1970s heyday, although the indespensable Kristen Wiig brought the show close.

Now, with Wiig, Abby Elliott and Andy Samburg departing, Canuck producer Lorne Michaels has added three new players to the cast. The newbies are set to debut on the season premiere, airing this Saturday, Sept 15.

The three new hires include Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson and Cecily Strong. This trio of repertory players will be in good company, joining the show’s first openly lesbian cast member, Kate McKinnon, who started on SNL late last season. McKinnon is the show’s third gay cast member, after Terry Sweeny and Danitra Vance, who were both with the show during its 1985/86 season. However, Vance was not open about her sexuality.

Each of this new crop has made his or her mark in the Chicago improv scene, but will they fizzle on screen?

Watch clips of each new addition below.

Cecily Strong lampoons Quebec tour guides.

Aidy Bryant as Gretl.

Tim Robinson as an insecure man living in his parents’ basement.

Algonquin College journalism grad. Podcaster @qqcpod.

Keep Reading

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 5, Episode 5 power ranking: Grunge girls

To quote Garbage’s “When I Grow Up,” which queen is “trying hard to fit among” the heavy-hitter cast, and whose performance was “a giant juggernaut”?

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 5, Episode 5 recap: Here comes the sunshine

We’re saved by the bell this week as we flash back to the ’90s

A well-known Chinese folk tale gets a queer reimagining in ‘Sister Snake’

Amanda Lee Koe’s novel is a clever mash-up of queer pulp, magical realism, time travel and body horror, with a charged serpentine sisterhood at its centre

‘Drag Race’ in 2024 tested the limits of global crossover appeal

“Drag Race” remains an international phenomenon, but “Global All Stars” disappointing throws a damper on global ambitions