Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Jan Hooks, who served as a member of what many would agree to be one of the top three Saturday Night Live cast lineups of all-time, passed away earlier today at the far-too-young age of 57. Much like her contemporary Phil Hartman, Hooks selflessly worked as a chameleon “glue” figure on the show, eschewing the kinds of flashy high concept characters that the likes of Dana Carvey and Mike Myers made famous in favor of playing the kinds of supporting characters that allowed sketches to flourish.
Now, this isn’t to say that Hooks wasn’t hilarious (because she most certainly was). Rather, her unquestioned talents as a comedic actress were perhaps best displayed in what we would describe as non-gimmicky roles.
For example…
BRENDA THE WAITRESS (Original Air Date: April 21, 1990)
“Pie is never free!” When we heard the news about Hooks tonight, this was the first performance of hers that came to mind. This virtuoso-level comic duet with guest host Alec Baldwin is, without question, among the top one percent sketches in SNL‘s vaunted 40 year history. They don’t write ’em like this anymore, that’s for sure.
SEX TONIGHT (Original Air Date: December 3, 1988)
“Sex sex sex sex sex. Andy?” Hooks stars as the infamous Jessica Hahn, the woman who got involved in a highly publicized sex scandal televangelist Jim Bakker, in this biting satire of infotainment programming. Less an impression than a riff, Hooks is perfectly paired here with the deadpan Kevin Nealon as they discuss the most important issue of that or any time: The sex lives of celebrities.
CHURCH CHAT (Original Air Date: March 28, 1987)
Hooks and Hartman, what a pair! Of course, seeing as how this is a Church Lady sketch, Dana Carvey plays the center of attention here, but Hooks and Hartman’s performances as the scandalous couple du jour Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker are what really bring this moment to life.
VIDEO WILL (Original Air Date: November 11, 1989)
Hooks takes full advantage of one of her rare opportunities to play a “starring” role in this sketch, one in which she portrays Bette Davis recording her last will and testament. Except, you see, she’s really more interested in dishing the dirt on and getting the last word in, edgewise, with all of her contemporaries than she is at settling her estate for her children. It’s a real treat to see Hooks laying it on THICK here.
A BEASTLY BLIND DATE (Original Air Date: November 12, 1988)
Years before Disney turned Beauty And The Beast into an animated classic, Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton (!!!) starred in a very popular CBS primetime soap version of the classic tale. This sketch spoofs that eminently spoofable show; Jon Lovitz may get all the good lines, but Hooks and Hartman (again!) are the anchors that give this sketch the kind of emotional verisimilitude that makes it work.
NOTE: You thought we forgot the Sweeney Sisters, didn’t you? WE WOULD NEVER! It’s just that there are no high quality copies of any of the 10 Sweeney Sister sketches available online, most likely because of music rights. That said, if you want to watch a very low quality version of the Sweeney Sisters Christmas Special from December of 1986, it’s available to watch on Vimeo.
And lest you think we’d forget her Kathie Lee impression, it was there in our original Jan Hooks obit that went up as soon as we heard the news.
Rest in peace, Jan. We’re sad, of course, but we can’t help but feel a little better knowing that you’re finally reunited with Phil Hartman.
