Abby Elliott’s Best SNL Skits: Notable Impressions, Sketches, and Cast Legacy

Abby Elliott served as a Saturday Night Live cast member from 2008 to 2012 (Seasons 34 through 37), making history as the show's first third-generation cast member. Known for her mimicry and deadpan delivery, her standout sketches feature impressions of Zooey Deschanel, Angelina Jolie, and Rachel Maddow alongside key ensemble performances.

Abby Elliott’s SNL Tenure and Historical Significance

Abby Elliott joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) midway through Season 34 in November 2008. Hired at just 21 years old, she arrived alongside Michaela Watkins during a mid-season cast expansion following Amy Poehler’s departure. Her hiring marked a historic milestone for NBC's long-running sketch comedy institution: Elliott became the first third-generation cast member in the show's history.

Her grandfather, Bob Elliott, was half of the legendary radio comedy duo Bob and Ray and guest-starred on SNL in 1978. Her father, Chris Elliott, built a comedy legacy on Late Night with David Letterman before joining the SNL cast for the 1994–1995 season.

• Bob Elliott (Grandfather)
  • Chris Elliott (Father)
    • Abby Elliott (Third-Generation SNL Cast Member, 2008–2012)

Despite carrying a famous surname, Elliott established her own distinct performance identity on Studio 8H's stage. She was promoted from featured player to repertory cast member at the start of Season 36 in 2010. Over her four seasons, she became one of the show's premier female impressionists, bridging the era between cast leaders like Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph and the incoming roster that included Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong.

Standout Impressions and Iconic SNL Skits

During her four-year run on Saturday Night Live, Elliott performed dozens of celebrity impersonations. Her work combined vocal accuracy with exaggerated character quirks that fit the high-energy rhythm of live television sketch comedy.

1. Zooey Deschanel on "The Miley Cyrus Show"

One of Elliott’s most recognizable recurring sketches was her impersonation of actress and singer Zooey Deschanel on "The Miley Cyrus Show," where Vanessa Bayer played a hyperactive Miley Cyrus.

Elliott captured Deschanel’s signature indie-pop persona—complete with wide-eyed gazes, breathy vocal inflections, and an ubiquitous ukulele. In these sketches, Elliott played off Bayer's manic energy by remaining detached, eccentric, and soft-spoken. Her depiction of Deschanel singing quirky songs while staring blankly into the camera became a fan-favorite recurring element of Season 36 and Season 37.

2. Angelina Jolie (Weekend Update and Parodies)

Elliott’s impression of Angelina Jolie became a fixture of the show's pop culture commentary. Appearing frequently on Weekend Update opposite anchor Seth Meyers, Elliott portrayed Jolie as intensely dramatic, regal, and softly menacing.

Her Jolie impression focused on the actress’s public image during the late 2000s, poking fun at her globe-trotting humanitarian efforts, high-profile family life with Brad Pitt, and brooding red-carpet posture. Whether discussing foreign adoption or promoting films, Elliott used elongated pauses, deep gazes, and an overly serious tone to satirize celebrity image-making.

3. Rachel Maddow (Political and Media Satire)

While SNL political sketches often focused on figures like Sarah Palin (played by Tina Fey) or President Barack Obama (played by Fred Armisen and Jay Pharoah), Elliott carved out a niche with her sharp caricature of MSNBC host Rachel Maddow.

Wearing Maddow’s signature dark rimmed glasses, blazer, and cropped hair, Elliott captured the cable news host’s enthusiastic, rapid-fire intellectual speaking style. Her Maddow impression relied on expressive hand gestures, leaning forward into the desk camera, and breaking down complex political scandals using colorful, sarcastic analogies.

4. Meryl Streep, Chloë Sevigny, and Film Spoofs

Beyond broad pop icons, Elliott excelled at parodying specific film styles and art-house sensibilities:

• Meryl Streep: Elliott impersonated the Oscar-winning actress in several fake movie trailers, satirizing Streep’s ability to take on diverse accents and intensely dramatic roles regardless of the movie's premise.
• Chloë Sevigny: In a series of digital-style sketches, Elliott played actress Chloë Sevigny hosting avant-garde fashion and lifestyle guides. The skits mocked hipsters, boutique fashion, and pretentious art culture, showcasing Elliott’s ability to anchor niche, alt-comedy bits.
• Brittany Murphy and Drew Barrymore: Elliott delivered impressionist commentary on breaking entertainment news during Weekend Update segments, offering quick-turnaround caricatures of high-profile media figures.

5. Ensemble Highlights: "Les Jeunes de Paris" and "What's Up With That"

In addition to solo impressions, Elliott contributed to high-energy ensemble pieces:

• "Les Jeunes de Paris": Led by Taran Killam, this silent, hyper-kinetic dance sketch featured cast members acting out French pop-culture tropes to fast-paced music. Elliott was a core participant, executing complex slapstick choreography.
• "What's Up With That": Host Keenan Thompson anchored this chaos-filled talk show parody. Elliott regularly appeared as a background singer and dancer alongside Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen, demonstrating her versatility in physical ensemble comedy.

Breakdown of Abby Elliott’s SNL Performances

The table below outlines her notable recurring characters, impressions, and signature sketches from 2008 to 2012.

Evolution of Her Performance Style on Studio 8H

Abby Elliott’s comedy style on SNL was defined by restraint and accuracy rather than broad, chaotic slapstick. Arriving at a time when the show featured bold performers like Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, and Jason Sudeikis, Elliott often functioned as the grounded anchor in sketches or as an impressionist capable of capturing precise vocal nuances.

• Abby Elliott's SNL Style
  • Celebrity Mimicry
    • Vocal accuracy
    • Body language
    • Pop culture satire
  • Straight-Woman Anchor
    • Reaction shots
    • Grounding chaotic bits
    • Multi-performer harmony

Impression Technique

Unlike impressionists who rely heavily on prosthetics or costume changes, Elliott focused on subtle vocal mannerisms and physical posture. Her takes on figures like Anna Faris, Ke$ha, and Sarah McLachlan leaned into specific vocal cadences—such as vocal fry, breathiness, or regional accents—making the characters recognizable within seconds of taking the stage.

The Utility Player Role

In addition to her featured impressions, Elliott performed extensive work as the "straight woman" in sketches. She frequently played talk show hosts, news anchors, nervous wives, or straight-laced companions whose grounded reactions highlighted the absurdity of eccentric characters played by Will Forte, Fred Armisen, or Bill Hader. This balance made her a vital utility player across live broadcast lineups.

Departure from SNL and Subsequent Acting Career

Abby Elliott departed Saturday Night Live in August 2012, prior to the premiere of Season 38. Her exit coincided with a major transitional period for the show, which also saw the departures of long-time stars Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg.

Following her four-year run on NBC, Elliott shifted her focus toward scripted television comedy and dramatic acting, building a career separate from live sketch television:

• Guest TV Roles: She appeared on popular sitcoms including How I Met Your Mother (playing Jeanette, Ted Mosby's obsessive girlfriend), Inside Amy Schumer, and 2 Broke Girls.
• Series Lead Roles: Elliott starred as Brooke Von Weber in the Bravo scripted comedy series Odd Mom Out (2015–2017) and later joined the main cast of the NBC sitcom Indebted (2020).
• Critically Acclaimed Work on The Bear: Elliott reached a major career milestone co-starring as Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto in the FX/Hulu hit drama series The Bear. Her grounded performance as the emotionally resilient sister of Carmy Berzatto (played by Jeremy Allen White) earned widespread critical acclaim, highlighting her dramatic range beyond sketch comedy.

How to Stream Abby Elliott’s SNL Skits

For fans and media researchers seeking to watch Abby Elliott’s work on Saturday Night Live, her sketches and full episodes are accessible across official digital platforms.

• Where to Stream Abby Elliott's SNL Content
  • NBC / Peacock
    • Full Seasons 34–37
    • Original Broadcast Edits
  • YouTube Official
    • Selected Impression Clips
    • High-Definition Shorts
  • Digital Purchase
    • Apple TV / Prime Video
    • Full Season Downloads

Peacock (NBC Universal Streaming)

The primary streaming home for the full SNL archive is Peacock. Subscribers can access full episodes from Season 34 through Season 37 (2008–2012).

• What's Available: Complete broadcast episodes including Weekend Update segments, musical guest performances (subject to licensing), and full host monologues.
• Search Tip: Browse directly by Season (Season 34–37) to view her trajectory from featured player to repertory cast member.

Official Saturday Night Live YouTube Channel

NBC regularly uploads individual legacy sketches to the official Saturday Night Live YouTube Channel.

• Search Queries: Key terms like "Abby Elliott SNL Zooey Deschanel", "Abby Elliott Angelina Jolie Weekend Update", or "Abby Elliott Rachel Maddow" yield officially published high-definition video clips.
• Compilation Videos: NBC frequently features her impressions in curated playlist retrospectives highlighting female cast members or late-2000s comedy eras.

Digital Retailers (Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video)

Full seasons of SNL from Elliott’s era are available for individual or season-pass digital purchase on platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. These purchases provide permanent access to unedited episode cuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which years was Abby Elliott on Saturday Night Live?

Abby Elliott was an SNL cast member from late 2008 until 2012. She joined mid-way through Season 34 in November 2008 and made her final regular appearance at the conclusion of Season 37 in May 2012.

Is Abby Elliott related to Chris Elliott?

Yes, Abby Elliott is the daughter of actor and comedian Chris Elliott, who was an SNL cast member during the 1994–1995 season and starred in Get a Life and Schitt's Creek. She is also the granddaughter of radio comedian Bob Elliott, making her the show's first third-generation cast member.

What were Abby Elliott’s most famous SNL impressions?

Her most famous impressions include Zooey Deschanel (notably on "The Miley Cyrus Show"), Angelina Jolie, MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, Meryl Streep, Chloë Sevigny, Anna Faris, Brittany Murphy, and Khloé Kardashian.

Why did Abby Elliott leave SNL in 2012?

Elliott left SNL in August 2012 ahead of Season 38 as part of a routine cast transition. She chose to pursue scripted television roles and film projects, moving away from live late-night sketch comedy.

What show does Abby Elliott star in now?

Abby Elliott plays Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto on the critically acclaimed FX/Hulu comedy-drama series The Bear. She has also starred in the Bravo series Odd Mom Out and guest-starred on sitcoms like How I Met Your Mother.

Next Actions for Comedy Fans and Archival Viewers

To explore Abby Elliott’s tenure on Saturday Night Live and trace her career evolution:

1. Watch Highlight Playlists: Start with official clip collections on the SNL YouTube channel, focusing on "The Miley Cyrus Show" and late-2000s Weekend Update impression segments.
2. Stream Full Seasons: Navigate to Peacock to watch complete episodes from Season 36 (2010–2011), which represents her first full season as a promoted repertory player alongside Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Andy Samberg.
3. Compare Her Acting Range: Watch her sketch work on SNL back-to-back with her dramatic performance in FX’s The Bear to appreciate her versatility across comedy and drama.