'Saturday Night Live' Picks Up Three New Cast Members From Chicago
by Sean Comer
Breaking with TV convention, those aren't typically roster spots given to marquee names.
With a new season soon upon it, "SNL" on Monday announced the signing of three brand-new family members, all hailing from Chicago's famed The Second City troupe. If that name sounds remotely familiar, it's because that's the enterprise that's spawned some of the funniest entertainers in North America. The group's Canadian "SCTV" sketch show helped launch Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas to what would eventually become the pair's comedy classic "Strange Brew."
More notably in this case, it was also where future "SNL" legends Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Chris Farley and Mike Myers all cut their teeth.
Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson and Cecily Strong may have just found themselves on the fastest of fast tracks to comedy stardom. One pattern often goes that entertainers first break in with a troupe like Second City. Those referenced above all eventually moved on from The Second City to "SNL," then each to notable film careers.
Robinson over the summer created and starred in the eventually passed-on Comedy Central pilot "My Mans," produced by Bob Odenkirk. Bryant is an improv and Second City veteran writer-performer who left the troupe Aug. 26. Strong is another veteran stage performer discovered by "SNL" producer Lorne Michaels over the summer during a stint with Chicago's iO troupe.
Think of it like the leap from Single-A baseball, to Triple-A, then finally to a Major League club.
Mm, on second thought, scrap that. Though it's obviously seen better years, "SNL" is more than just a minor-league gig. It's more like being a Kansas City Royals baseball fan.
Fans watch a star like, say, Johnny Damon elevate himself and develop, becoming an eye-catching talent. Then, with the team in the midst of another losing season that leaves even hardened Chicago Cubs fans in hysterics, we get to watch them go win World Series rings with the likes of the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees because they were just too big and talented for our little team to pay them anymore.
*Ahem* Wow. Did, um....did I really type "we?" Oh, wow. How...embarrassing. Just assume I meant "they."
Hell with it. Yeah, I'm bitter.
Anyway, courtesy of Granland.com, check out these introductory clips of the latest crop of rising "SNL" stars.