Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1987–88


The following is a list of recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced between October 17, 1987, and February 27, 1988, the thirteenth season of SNL.

Pumping Up with Hans and Franz

and Kevin Nealon play two Austrian jocks, inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Debuted October 17, 1987.
;Appearances:
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
13October 17, 1987Steve Martin
13November 21, 1987Candice Bergen
13December 19, 1987Paul Simon
13January 23, 1988Robin Williams
13February 27, 1988Judge Reinhold
14October 8, 1988Tom Hanks
14November 12, 1988Demi Moore
14December 3, 1988Danny DeVito
14February 25, 1989Glenn Close
14May 20, 1989Steve Martin
15October 7, 1989Rick Moranis
15November 18, 1989Woody Harrelson
15February 10, 1990Quincy Jones
16October 27, 1990Patrick Swayze
16March 23, 1991Jeremy Irons
16April 20, 1991Steven Seagal
17October 26, 1991Christian Slater
18October 31, 1992Catherine O'Hara
20October 22, 1994Dana CarveyWeekend Update
25October 16, 1999Heather GrahamWhere Are They Now?

Dennis Miller

Dana Carvey impersonates the Weekend Update anchor beside him.
;Appearances:
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
13December 19, 1987Paul Simon
14October 22, 1988John Larroquette
14December 17, 1988Melanie Griffith
15October 28, 1989James Woods
16December 8, 1990Tom Hankswith "Dennis Miller"

Tonto, Tarzan and Frankenstein's Monster

This trio showcased three popular film characters who were probably least likely to get together and sing because they are all known for their inability to speak proper English. Tonto and Tarzan mostly spoke the lyrics in broken English, leaving out certain verbs and pronouns, while Frankenstein's Monster usually just growled and moaned, rarely forming any semblance of the actual words, though he could opine that "bread good" and "fire bad". They came together to sing "We Are the World", and during the holidays they would usually sing Christmas carols. On one occasion, they recited Edgar Allan Poe's classic poem "The Raven". For Easter, the trio were joined by Frankenstein's Monster's evil twin, who spoke whole sentences; they sang "Here Comes Peter Cottontail". All four, plus Tarzan's own Jane, starred in their own sporadic soap opera, "As World Turn". Debuted December 19, 1987 and appeared in the early 1990s.
;Appearances:
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
13December 19, 1987Paul Simon
14December 17, 1988Melanie Griffith
14January 28, 1989Tony Danza
14April 1, 1989Mel Gibson
14May 20, 1989Steve Martin
15October 28, 1989James Woods
15November 18, 1989Woody Harrleson
15December 16, 1989Andie McDowell
15February 10, 1990Quincy Jones
17December 14, 1991Steve Martinwith Chris Farley

;Appearances:
Tarzan:
Frankenstein's Monster:
A Nora Dunn sketch. Debuted January 23, 1988.
;Appearances:
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
13January 23, 1988Robin Williams
13February 13, 1988Justine Bateman
14October 15, 1988Matthew Broderick

Girl Watchers

A Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz sketch. Two men comment to each other as they leer at passing women. Their cocksure tone of voice never changes, even as they acknowledge that no woman would ever find them attractive. Debuted February 20, 1988.
;Appearances:
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
13February 20, 1988Tom Hanks
14October 8, 1988Tom Hanks
15February 17, 1990Tom Hanks