“SNL”: Kristen Wiig's most memorable recurring characters
Here's to Target Lady, Gilly, and all the other oddballs in between.
Lorne Michaels once named Kristen Wiig among the best performers in Saturday Night Live history — and Wiig's stable of quirky original characters certainly dominated the show during her tenure. From her first SNL episode as a featured player in 2005 to her last show in 2012, she played about 18 characters who appeared in three or more sketches — no small feat, especially considering Wiig's equally huge roster of impressions. The Emmy-nominated actress has also brought back several characters throughout her multiple stints as host (her April 6, 2024 episode officially puts her in the Five-Timers Club) and numerous cameo appearances.
But which of these made-up ladies stands with beloved creations like Wayne Campbell, Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, and Darrell Hammond's Sean Connery (who might as well be fictional) in the SNL Recurring Characters Hall of Fame…and which deserves to be lambasted alongside the likes of Rob Schneider's "Makin' copiiiiieeees!" guy?
Re-familiarize yourself with Wiig's 11 most memorable characters below.
Target Lady
Debuted 12/3/2005; 9 total appearances
This enthusiastic, chatty cashier helped Wiig break out as a scene stealer. No wonder Daniel Radcliffe's stock boy fell for her during Wiig's final season as a cast member.
One of the Two A-Holes
Debuted 12/17/2005; 8 total appearances
Alongside fellow a-hole Jason Sudeikis, Wiig noisily snaps her gum, stares blankly, and irritates everyone she meets. But, you know, in a funny way.
Aunt Linda
Debuted 11/11/2006; 6 total appearances
The only thing America's Midwestern aunt hates more than Hollywood is running out of hairspray. I'd give her three eye-rolls and a big "Oh, brother!"
Penelope
Debuted 3/24/2007; 7 total appearances
The consummate one-upper is always undermining, but her brags aren't always lies: Penelope really is best friends with Liza Minnelli and a tomato!
Judy Grimes
Debuted 4/12/2008; 6 total appearances
A nervous travel agent who talkslikethis — just kidding, she talks like this — just kidding, she talks really fast and doesn't give very many travel tips just kidding, just kidding, just kidding.
Dooneese
Debuted 10/4/2008; 9 total appearances
The black sheep of the singing Maharelle family is one of Wiig's weirder creations — but admit it, even you were touched when she found love, Italian-style, with Jon Hamm's swaggering Gionni Prosciutto.
Shana
Debuted 12/6/2008; 4 total appearances
If you like gross-out humor, then you'll love Shana, a breathy bombshell who's not as sexy as she seems.
Gilly
Debuted 1/17/2009; 7 total appearances, plus 1 Christmas special
Her name is Gilly, and she's at it again...and again...and again. Considering her divisiveness, this mischievous grade-schooler won't be winning any popularity contests. Sorry.
Kat, of Garth and Kat
Debuted 12/19/2009; 10 total appearances
As one half of this never-prepared musical duo, Wiig showed her chops by keeping up with Fred Armisen's wacky improvised songs. The bit was impressive — but it always seemed like these two cared more about cracking each other up than making the audience laugh.
Anastasia Sticks of Hollywood Dish
Debuted 11/7/2009; 3 total appearances
One Wiig character who could have stood to recur more often: this rubber-faced entertainment show host, who weirds out celebrities alongside Bill Hader's Brady Trunk.
Mindy Elise Grayson
Debuted 11/21/2009; 10 total appearances
Mindy Grayson, '60s stage siren, is as bad at playing Secret Word as she is at acting — as the Post once wrote about one of her plays, "The only way it could be called a hit is if you put an 's' before the 'h.'"
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