A look back at the Canadian cast members on ‘Saturday Night Live’

TORONTO – Its famous tagline is: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”

But given the number of Canadian comics that have graced Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Center, we could legitimately add “eh!” to the end of that motto.

“Saturday Night Live” celebrates its 40th anniversary with a star-packed special on Sunday, and it never would have survived to that point without Lorne Michaels, the Toronto-bred visionary who created the venerable sketch comedy institution in 1975 and shepherded it through most of the ensuing decades.

Here’s a look at five of the most influential “SNL” Canadian cast members — and their best character creations:

1. Dan Aykroyd (1975-79) — One of the original Not Ready For Primetime Players, Aykroyd established his demented point of view through such wacky characters as the alien patriarch Beldar Conehead, Czech brother and self-described “wild and crazy guy” Yortuk Festrunk, and the “Bass-o-Matic” TV huckster. But his most enduring character may well be Elwood Blues of the Blues Brothers, the spirited rhythm-and-blues siblings (led by John Belushi’s frontman Jake Elwood) whose popularity transcended the show to see an album release and a hit Hollywood movie, not to mention live tours, a film sequel and various incarnations since Belushi’s death.

Runners-up: Julia Child-inspired “The French Chef,” Jimmy Carter, “Weekend Update” co-host to Jane Curtin.

2. Martin Short (1984-85) — Short arrived on “SNL” along with beloved alter-egos Ed Grimley, Irving Cohen and Jackie Rogers Jr., already formed from his “SCTV” days, injecting polished lunacy into the sketch series. But one of the most hilarious has to be Lawrence Orback, who along with brother Gerald (played by Harry Shearer) was a male synchronized swimmer hoping for a berth at the ’88 Olympics. Never mind the fact that there is no such category and Lawrence can’t swim.

Runners-up: Jerry Lewis, Katharine Hepburn.

3. Phil Hartman (1986-1994) — It’s hard to choose just one from the several dozen characters and impressions the late Hartman unleashed during his acclaimed run. Equally adept at being the straight man as delivering zingers, the versatile funnyman established himself as one of the most consistently reliable players to earn a laugh. A quirky favourite: Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, whose winning legal arguments swayed jurors despite the fact he was “just a caveman” with a “primitive mind,” who nevertheless drove a BMW and earned a nomination to the U.S. senate.

Runners-up: Bill Clinton, Frankenstein, Frank Sinatra.

4. Mike Myers (1989-1995) — Myers earns the distinction of having spawned what’s considered the biggest Hollywood crossover from the “SNL” stage — “Wayne’s World” and metalhead cable-access TV star Wayne Campbell. The long-haired hat-wearing slacker, along with sidekick and best friend Garth Algar (played by Dana Carvey) coined catchphrases (including “Party on!” and “Schwing!”) while playing air guitar, discussing “babes” and worshipping Aerosmith.

Runners-up: turtleneck-clad German artist Dieter, Jewish New Yorker Linda Richman, Chicago Bears superfan Pat Arnold.

5. Norm Macdonald (1993-98) — Macdonald is arguably best known for his ignoble exit from “SNL,” which followed a controversial stint in the “Weekend Update” chair where he took sardonic cracks at Michael Jackson, Frank Stallone and especially O.J. Simpson. He was one of those cast members viewers either loved or hated, and his willingness to tackle taboo topics only made each camp more rooted in their passion.

Runners-up: Burt Reynolds, Larry King, Bob Dole.

———

The “Saturday Night Live” anniversary special airs on Global and NBC.