Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 2012–13


The following is a list of recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced during the thirty-eighth season of SNL, which began on September 15, 2012.

Puppet Class

Anthony Peter Coleman, a war veteran, attends a puppeteering class with his identical puppet Tony. His nightmarish memories of combat put a damper on the light puppetry class.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38September 15, 2012Seth MacFarlaneMacFarlane plays the instructor.
40October 11, 2014Bill Hader

The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party

appears on Weekend Update and provides incoherent diatribes, largely political in nature, with plenty of malaprops, while texting and rummaging in her purse.
Following the character's first appearance, TV Guide called the character "hilarious"; Entertainment Weekly labeled it "the funniest performance of the night." The sketch was the fifth most popular SNL clip on Hulu in 2012.
In an interview with Chicago Magazine, which said the character "has become a sensation", Strong said:
a mix of a lot of people—including myself, unfortunately. But it came about when I was talking to one of the writers, Colin Jost. And I said something that sounded like a drunk-girl ramble. And we just started riffing on that. And as it turns out, I’m not the only one who’s had a conversation with this type of girl.

Strong told the State Journal-Register that the character was a favorite of hers. SNL alum Jimmy Fallon praised the character during an interview with Strong on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38September 27, 2012None
38November 3, 2012Louis C.K.
38December 15, 2012Martin Short
38May 4, 2013Zach Galifianakis
38May 18, 2013Ben AffleckAppears with other characters in the background of Stefon sketch.
40September 27, 2014Chris PrattHer first appearance since Strong became a co-anchor for season 39.
40March 7, 2015Chris Hemsworth
40May 9, 2015Reese WitherspoonWitherspoon also appears in the sketch as McKenzie, another Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party.
41March 5, 2016Jonah Hill
42October 22, 2016Tom Hanks
45March 7, 2020Daniel Craig

Regine

Regine is a rude, pretentious woman introduced in each appearance as the host's new girlfriend. The host demonstrates to his friends how Regine goes into physical contortions of ecstasy when he touches certain parts of her body.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38October 6, 2012Daniel Craig
38February 16, 2013Christoph Waltz
41May 21, 2016Fred ArmisenJason Sudeikis portrayed the boyfriend.

Kirby

plays astronaut Kirby J. Buttercream, who annoys his fellow astronauts with stories about his love for his "little kitty cat", Fuzz Aldrin. At the end of each sketch, it is revealed that he smuggled his cat on board the spacecraft.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38October 6, 2012Daniel CraigMission to Mars.
39October 12, 2013Bruce WillisMission to destroy an asteroid on a collision course with earth.

Last Call (Sheila Sovage)

Sheila Sovage and a character played by the host are the final two customers at a bar, and convince themselves to hook up despite their lack of physical chemistry. Their awkward attempts at hitting on and kissing each other dismay the bartender.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38November 3, 2012Louis C.K.
38April 13, 2013Vince Vaughn
39December 14, 2013John Goodman
40November 15, 2014Woody Harrelson
41February 6, 2016Larry David
42November 12, 2016Dave Chappelle
43March 3, 2018Charles Barkley
43May 12, 2018Amy SchumerFirst time Sovage hits on a woman.
44May 5, 2019Adam SandlerFeaturing Kristen Wiig.

Girlfriends Talk Show

and Cecily Strong play Morgan and Kyra, the teenage hosts of "Girlfriends Talk Show." Morgan is surprised to find that Kyra has invited her new and impressively cool friend to join them. Throughout the sketch, the new friend rudely dismisses Morgan's contributions, making Morgan increasingly insecure and upset.
"Girlfriends Talk Show" received mixed reviews from reviewers, with several crediting Bryant's performance for making it worthwhile. In discussing the sketch's first appearance, both Vulture and Hitfix singled out Bryant's line, "No, you should be called Roach Wearhouse!" for special appreciation. Rolling Stone called the sketch "side-splitting." However the Huffington Post called the skit "bad" saying it was based entirely on "annoying teenage voice."
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38November 10, 2012Anne HathawayHathaway plays Kyra's new friend Tara.
38January 19, 2013Jennifer LawrenceLawrence plays Kyra's new friend Jessy, a punk rocker.
39October 5, 2013Miley CyrusCyrus plays Kyra's new friend Lil' Teeny, a hip-hop wannabe.
39November 23, 2013Josh HutchersonHutcherson plays Morgan's crush Trevor Masterson.
39February 1, 2014Melissa McCarthyMcCarthy play Morgan's adult friend Donna.
39May 10, 2014Charlize TheronTheron plays their former drama teacher Miss Christine.
40December 20, 2014Amy AdamsAdams plays head of the school's dance squad Megan, One Direction appears as the Dance Squad.
40May 2, 2015Scarlett JohanssonJohansson plays last year's prom queen Camden Cruthers.

Niff and Dana

When two employees find out at a staff meeting that someone is about to be fired, they assume it's them and use it as an opportunity to call out all their co-workers on various failings and transgressions. The host plays their manager who finally tells Niff and Dana that the fired employee is someone else.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38November 10, 2012Anne HathawayNiff and Dana speak out when someone is going to get fired at McDonald's. The fired employee is actually Carl.
38March 2, 2013Kevin HartNiff and Dana speak out when someone is going to get fired at Barnes & Noble. The actual fired employee is, again, Carl.
39November 23, 2013Josh HutchersonNiff and Dana speak out when someone is going to get fired at Best Buy. Robinson was no longer in the show's cast for season 39; the fired employee turns out to be Mandrew, described by Niff and Dana to have a serial killer-type look.

The Ellen Show

portrays Ellen DeGeneres, while Vanessa Bayer and Nasim Pedrad play Sophia Grace and Rosie respectively.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38November 10, 2012Anne HathawayHathaway portrays Katie Holmes.
39March 1, 2014Jim ParsonsParsons portrays Johnny Weir.

Maine Justice

A court show run by Judge Marshall T. Boudreaux and Jessop the Bailiff in which a bewildered defendant finds himself surrounded by people who repeatedly emphasize that they are in Bangor, Maine while giving every possible indication that they are in Louisiana. The characters all have thick Southern accents, and make many references to alligators and the bayou. In the sketch's first instance, Judge Boudreaux refers to a character going to school "up there" in Connecticut, but says she could also "learn a thing down here in Maine, as well!" Judge Boudreaux and Jessop the Bailiff extoll Maine as the home of jazz and Mardi Gras.
In both episodes, the defendant, who is not a local, inevitably loses the case and is sentenced to eat spicy or soggy New Orleans food.
In the first sketch, when the confused defendant asks about the absurdity of the situation, Judge Boudreaux, Jessop the Bailiff, and the plaintiff offer possibilities like:
They don't suggest which, if any, of these explanations is the truth.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38December 8, 2012Jamie FoxxSarah Ann Tucker sues Ethan Vandermark for running up the utility bill in a house he rented from her where Ethan claimed that a leak in the basement was responsible. Judge Boudreaux finds in favor of the plaintiff and sentences Ethan to eat the spiciest jambalaya in town. Jamie Foxx plays Jessop the Bailiff. Charlie Day makes a cameo appearance as Congressman Finton Worthington Carey who testifies against Ethan on Sarah Ann's behalf.
38March 9, 2013Justin TimberlakeLila Jean Devereaux sues a college student named Peter Goldstein over a traffic incident on Union Street resulting in neck injuries where he rear-ended her at the stop sign the same time when an alligator was crossing the road. During the sketch, Peter mentions that he's a graduate of LSU to which Judge Boudreaux and Jessop react with disgust and revulsion. Judge Boudreaux finds in favor of the plaintiff and sentences Peter to eat an entire bag of the soggiest and messiest beignets in town. Justin Timberlake plays Jessop the Bailiff. A live-hand alligator puppet is used to play the alligator that entered the courtroom pretending to be a judge.

Former Porn Star Commercials

Three former porn stars consisting of Brecky, an unnamed woman, and a guest film a barely coherent commercial for a glamorous product, in the hope of receiving free samples from the company.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38December 8, 2012Jamie FoxxSwarovski crystals. The ladies constantly pronounce "Swarovski" as "Sabosky," while Foxx calls it "Sharky Crystals." Foxx plays "Sammy Stamina."
38March 9, 2013Justin TimberlakeMoët & Chandon champagne. The ladies consistently pronounce "Chandon" as "Chambum," while Timberlake calls it "Monica & Chandler." Timberlake plays "Ricky V. I. Penis."
38May 18, 2013Ben AffleckHermès handbags. The women refer to the brand as "Herman's," while Affleck calls it "Herpes", and appears to initially believe that the commercial is an informational spot about that disease, but the women clarify things for him—somewhat. Affleck plays "Girth Brooks," which, coincidentally, is the name of a gay porn star.
39September 28, 2013Tina FeyManolo Blahnik shoes. The women refer to the brand as "Manuel Blondicks," while Fey calls it "Manilow Blankets", and inexplicably associates them with Barry Manilow. Fey plays "LeJean Noween."
39January 25, 2014Jonah HillLamborghini automobiles. The women refer to the brand as "Lambortini," while Hill calls it "Limbergina". Hill plays "Martin Porn-Sese".
39May 17, 2014Andy SambergBulgari watches. The women refer to the brand as "Bivilgagi," while Samberg calls it "Biv G. Roy." Samberg plays "Tweedle-Dee" while Kristen Wiig plays "Tweedle-Dong".
40December 6, 2014James FrancoSunseeker Yachts. James Franco plays "Captain Jack Swallow" and Seth Rogen appears in cameo as "James Franco". The women pronounce the brand, "Sunsinker Yok-its" while the men call it "Seersucker Yaks" and talk about dressing yaks in seersucker suits.
40March 7, 2015Chris HemsworthDolce & Gabbana. Hemsworth plays "Dong Juan De Dark Hole". The women pronounce the brand, "Dole-ky and Gabbaba", while Hemsworth call it "Douche and Go Bye-Bye".
41November 7, 2015Donald TrumpTrump 2016. Bobby Moynihan plays "Ronald McDonald McTrump". The women pronounce it, "Donald Tramp". Cameo by Trump.

Eddie

When a guest to his family's home makes a verbal slip-up, obnoxious son Eddie proceeds to mock the guest mercilessly.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38February 9, 2013Justin BieberEddie's sister Heather introduces her new boyfriend Michael, who accidentally combines the words "glad" and "nice" into "glice." The sketch is called "Protective Brother".
39October 12, 2013Bruce WillisEddie's mother introduces her new boyfriend, who accidentally combines the words "child" and "son" into "chun." The sketch is called "Protective Son".

Olya Povlatsky

Russian native Olya Povlatsky appears on Weekend Update to describe the hellish conditions of life in her impoverished village.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38February 16, 2013Christoph WaltzOlya discusses the Chelyabinsk meteor that exploded over Russia.
39January 25, 2014Jonah HillOlya discusses the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
39May 3, 2014Andrew GarfieldOlya discusses an attack on her village by Ukraine.
40March 28, 2015Dwayne JohnsonOlya discusses the Russian economy.
41Nov. 14, 2015Elizabeth BanksOlya discusses the Russian Track and Field team's doping scandal.
41May 14, 2016DrakeOlya compares Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
42October 15, 2016Emily BluntOlya discusses internet hacking by Russians.
42January 21, 2017Aziz AnsariIn the episode's cold open, Olya and Vladimir Putin assure the American people that everything will be alright with Donald Trump as president.

Sheila Kelly

Sheila Kelly is an extremely rude, aggressive, and violent woman.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38April 6, 2013Melissa McCarthyKelly first appeared as a basketball coach at the fictional university Middle Delaware State, in a satire of the Rutgers University scandal involving coach Mike Rice Jr..
39February 1, 2014Melissa McCarthyKelly re-appeared as a congresswoman, satirizing an altercation between New York representative Michael Grimm and a reporter.

90's Dating Tips

Donna Fingerneck and Jodi Cork host a series of instructional videos on dating etiquette in the 1990s.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
38April 6, 2013Melissa McCarthy
40November 1, 2014Chris Rock