Laraine Newman, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live, once found herself in an awkward encounter with Barbra Streisand after impersonating the legendary singer on the show. Back in 1977, Newman performed a musical parody called “Me,” which poked fun at Streisand’s ego and the massive paychecks she earned from her films. The sketch included lyrics like, “Even if one of my films sucks, it still makes 4 million bucks for me.” Newman later recalled that after the sketch aired, she attended a bar mitzvah where Streisand was performing. Although Streisand hadn’t seen the sketch, she approached Newman and said, “I want to talk to you.” Newman, unsure of what Streisand wanted, decided to avoid the conversation and left. To this day, Newman doesn’t know if Streisand had any issues with the parody or if she was simply curious. The incident remains a intriguing footnote in Newman’s career, highlighting the unpredictable nature of how celebrities might react to being impersonated.
Other former SNL cast members have also shared stories about how their celebrity impressions were received by the stars themselves. Cheri Oteri, known for her over-the-top characters and impressions, revealed that Judge Judy took notice of her portrayal. Oteri remembered that Judge Judy called her manager and said, “Tell Cheri, your client, she’s almost got me.” The comment suggested that Judge Judy was both amused and perhaps a little annoyed by the impression, but it also acknowledged that Oteri had captured some essence of her personality. The exchange added a layer of complexity to the dynamic between the impersonator and the impersonated, showing that even celebrities who are tough on screen can have a sense of humor about themselves.
Cecily Strong, another SNL alumna, shared a story about her impression of Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro. Strong admitted that Pirro tried to arrange a lunch date with her on more than one occasion. When asked about it, Strong quipped, “I was busy,” leaving the door open to interpretation about whether she was genuinely unavailable or simply uninterested in meeting Pirro. The anecdote adds to the intriguing narrative of how celebrities react to being parodied. While some, like Judge Judy, might be flattered or amused, others might be more persistent in addressing the impersonation, as Pirro seemed to be in her attempts to connect with Strong.
Not all celebrities have negative reactions to SNL impressions, however. Ana Gasteyer, another former cast member, shared some heartwarming stories about the positive responses she received from the stars she parodied. For instance, Martha Stewart and Celine Dion were both very gracious about Gasteyer’s impersonations. Gasteyer even recalled a touching message from Jo Anne Worley, who left a voicemail saying, “This is Jo Anne Worley. I just loved the show.” These stories highlight the flattering side of impersonation, where celebrities appreciate the attention and the humor, even if it’s at their expense. Gasteyer’s experiences remind us that not all impersonations are met with criticism or discomfort, and some celebrities can take a joke in stride.
Rachel Dratch, another SNL veteran, shared an interesting story about her impression of Calista Flockhart, the actress known for her role in Ally McBeal. Dratch believes that Flockhart enjoyed her impersonation because when Flockhart hosted SNL, the two got to perform side by side in a sketch. This moment of collaboration suggests that Flockhart not only had a sense of humor about the impression but also embraced the opportunity to play along with it. Dratch’s story serves as a testament to the sometimes unexpected ways in which celebrities can respond to being impersonated, turning what might have been an awkward situation into a fun and memorable experience.
The stories from these former SNL cast members offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of celebrity impressions and the varied reactions they can provoke. Whether it’s Barbra Streisand’s cryptic encounter with Laraine Newman, Judge Judy’s mixed response to Cheri Oteri’s impression, or the warm compliments Ana Gasteyer received, these anecdotes highlight the unpredictable nature of how celebrities might respond to being parodied. They also remind us that, at its core, SNL has always been about pushing boundaries and making people laugh, even if it means occasionally ruffling a few feathers. This legacy of bold humor and memorable impersonations will undoubtedly continue to be celebrated, as evidenced by the upcoming SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration, which will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock. The special promises to bring together a star-studded lineup of past and present cast members, as well as some of the celebrities they’ve famously impersonated over the years.
