Phil Donahue: The Talk Show Host Who Was Also a Saturday Night Live Mainstay
Phil Donahue was a trailblazing talk show host, known for his insightful and thought-provoking interviews. However, he was also a mainstay of Saturday Night Live (SNL), with multiple impersonations by different cast members. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Donahue’s appearances on SNL and what made them so memorable.
The First Impersonation: Joe Piscopo
The first Donahue impersonation was by Joe Piscopo, who embodied the host during a sketch that aired on October 2, 1982. In the scene, Donahue negotiates peace in the Middle East between Israel’s Menachem Begin (played by Tim Kazurinsky) and Palestine’s Yasser Arafat (played by Gary Kroeger). Although the sketch was topical, it only generated minor laughs. However, it established a formula for Donahue as a character, and his talk show set proved to be a fertile ground for comedy in future episodes.
Phil Hartman’s ‘Genius’ Donahue Run
Arguably the most memorable Donahue impression came courtesy of Phil Hartman, who joined SNL in October 1986. Hartman debuted his version of Donahue in his second episode, and it was a masterclass in comedy. The scenario was much closer to the silver-haired host’s real talk show: Donahue (Hartman) interviews two women (Victoria Jackson and Jan Hooks) who are in exploitative relationships. Hartman’s timing and cadence were played to perfection, expertly mimicking every one of Donahue’s mannerisms.
The Sketch’s Kicker
The sketch’s kicker also lands superbly: A nice guy in the crowd (Jon Lovitz) takes the mic to talk about how women should be adored, only to have onstage ladies brush him aside so they can ogle a jerk in the crowd (Kevin Nealon). Accurate, without taking itself seriously, absurd, without becoming ridiculous, Hartman’s version of Donahue became one of his most popular impressions.
Hartman’s Donahue on ‘Donahue’
Years later, Hartman showed up on Donahue’s own show, flawlessly impersonating the talk show host on his own set. "Oh my word, you made me famous," the real Donahue proclaimed after Hartman delivered the show’s opening monologue in character. "Every time I see [the impersonation], I don’t laugh the first time. I watch it and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. And the second time, I laugh. And always laugh."
Darrell Hammond’s Donahue
Hartman played Donahue a total of five times during his SNL tenure, one less than the last man to don the silver wig, Darrell Hammond. While Hammond didn’t quite command the role the same way Hartman did, his voice matched the real Donahue’s perfectly. Unlike previous versions of the host, Hammond’s Donahue was more likely to appear in a random location than on a talk show set. Appearances on "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketches and "Weekend Update" segments highlight Hammond’s history with the impression.
Conclusion
Phil Donahue’s appearances on Saturday Night Live were a testament to the show’s ability to poke fun at serious topics and its willingness to take risks. From Joe Piscopo’s early attempt to Phil Hartman’s masterclass impersonation, each Donahue impression brought something unique to the table. Darrell Hammond’s take on the character may not have been as iconic, but it showed that the character remained relevant even years after Hartman’s departure.
FAQs
Q: Who was the first person to impersonate Phil Donahue on Saturday Night Live?
A: Joe Piscopo was the first person to impersonate Phil Donahue on Saturday Night Live.
Q: Who is credited with creating the most memorable Donahue impression?
A: Phil Hartman is credited with creating the most memorable Donahue impression.
Q: How many times did Phil Hartman play Donahue on Saturday Night Live?
A: Phil Hartman played Donahue a total of five times during his SNL tenure.
Q: Who was the last person to impersonate Phil Donahue on Saturday Night Live?
A: Darrell Hammond was the last person to impersonate Phil Donahue on Saturday Night Live.
