Seth Meyers has finally shared his top pick from the iconic characters of Saturday Night Live — and the choice is close to his heart.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the former SNL head writer and cast member (2001-2014) ranked his five favorite characters from the legendary show. While he praised several memorable creations, it was Bill Hader’s Stefon that claimed the top spot.
Meyers began by placing Rachel Dratch’s infamous “Debbie Downer” in fifth place. Debbie, known for her habit of dampening social events with negative commentary, was a staple in sketches during the early 2000s. Coming in at fourth was Eddie Murphy’s beloved portrayal of “Buckwheat,” a character based on Billie Thomas’ role in the 1930s and ’40s Our Gang shorts.
Kate McKinnon’s alien-abducted, often pantless Colleen Rafferty, from the popular “Close Encounters” sketches, took third place. Will Forte’s “MacGruber,” the explosive parody hero from sketches, a movie, and a spinoff series, landed the second spot. Meyers was quick to endorse MacGruber, calling it “a great film! Under 90 minutes, check it out.”
Finally, Meyers revealed his ultimate favorite: Stefon. The outrageous “City Correspondent” with a crush on Meyers during his appearances on Weekend Update was portrayed by Bill Hader. The chemistry between Meyers and Stefon became a beloved aspect of the segment, culminating in a comedic “wedding” during Hader’s final episode in May 2013.
Meyers fondly reflected on this connection during a conversation with actress Beanie Feldstein on Late Night with Seth Meyers in February. Feldstein shared how much the character meant to her, prompting Meyers to joke, “I only knew how to get married because I married him first. He was my dry run.”
The famous wedding skit, in which Meyers hilariously interrupted Stefon’s wedding to Anderson Cooper to marry him instead, remains a fan favorite. The moment closed a chapter in SNL history with Meyers and Stefon running hand-in-hand to the SNL studios to celebrate their fictional union.
In reality, Meyers married his longtime partner Alexi Ashe just months later in September 2013. But it’s clear, even years later, Stefon still holds a special place in the comedian’s heart — so much so that Meyers keeps a Matryoshka doll of Stefon on his desk during his Late Night shows.
For Meyers, Stefon is, as he puts it, “my one true love.”
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