Oh, Kate McKinnon, how I love thee! Let me count the ways. 10, to be exact. Kate McKinnon truly is a chameleon; whether she’s playing Justin Bieber or Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on "Saturday Night Live," she brings her A-game. With her political impressions (sometimes four or five in one episode), it is always a hit -- but these are the 10 that are especially accurate, and hilarious.
10. Lindsay Graham.
Literally just on this list for the face. I mean, McKinnon is a genius.
9. Janet Huckabee.
Only in one sketch, McKinnon breaks out the Southern charm with her impression of Janet Huckabee, wife of the delusional presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. It’s a quick appearance, but charming nonetheless.
8. Betsy Devos.
It’s a challenge for comedians to play someone who's not so bright without relying on airhead stereotypes. With only a brief appearance (although now that Devos is confirmed, surely many more), we have more confused, out-of-touch caricature to look forward to.
7. Ann Romney.
Remember when Mitt and Ann Romney were the crazy pick of the Republican party? Oh, the good old days. With a few appearances in live sketches and Weekend Update segments, McKinnon is hilariously bland, in an actually very sweet impression.
6. Jeff Sessions.
Yes, McKinnon as Jeff Sessions is overshadowed by Melissa Mccarthy's amazing Sean Spicer, but the bit we do get -- the racist, wiley gnome -- is scary accurate (and just plain scary; we know Sessions was too racist to get hired to a federal bench in 1989, right?).
5. Elizabeth Warren.
OK, so this impression both nails Elizabeth Warren’s voice and mannerisms while also highlighting Warren’s newfound role as the Democratic party’s ethical attack dog. McKinnon is full-force in this impression, and I can’t wait to see more over the next four (and maybe more?) years. Side note: Elizabeth Warren 2020, anyone?
4. Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
So, McKinnon’s appearance as Ruth Bader Ginsburg could be a one-trick pony (she’s old! She’s small! She speaks the truth then dances!), but McKinnon elevates the source material with genuine joy, whether it’s delivering the patent-pending “Guins-burns” or dancing her heart out. Mckinnon has a lot of fun with this impression, and as a result, so do we.
3. Kellyanne Conway.
Has "SNL" really figured out who Kellyanne Conway is yet? They have written her as overworked and sympathetic, power-mad and egotistical, and even basic instinct-level insane. With every appearance, Mckinnon brings the breathy non-answers and odd mannerisms to great comedic effect, bringing whatever is needed to make the sketch work.
2. Angela Merkin.
So McKinnon does a really good German accent, but that’s not what makes this impression so good. She somehow makes Angela Merkin a badass, a hardass, a flirt, a grandma, and a believable Prime Minister. It’s so good -- also how McKinnon says “Barrack” in this impression is worth the price of admission. Seriously.
1. Hillary Clinton.
Did you really expect anything different? Of course not. McKinnon’s Hillary Clinton impression may go down as the best "SNL" political impression ever -- it’s just that good. This impression isn’t about the mannerisms or the voice (although they are perfect, as well), but the odd, complicated character that is created. Clinton is a Saturday Cartoon villain, a sweet grandma, desperately ambitious and unbelievably square, and somehow insanely likable. With a Trump administration, it will be so sad to see less of this pitch-perfect impression.
Did I leave out your favorite impression? Disagree with any of my rankings? Leave a comment below and let me know!