Saturday Night Live season 45: Best of Chloe Fineman

Chloe Fineman made a splash during her first season on Saturday Night Live

Breaking through during year one can be difficult for any featured player on Saturday Night Live. Add in the extra challenges from season 45 and the situation becomes even harder to navigate. But despite it all, Chloe Fineman definitely made a splash in her first season.

Prior to joining Saturday Night Live, Fineman had already developed an impressive comedy resume. Appearances with The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade along with an honor from the Just For Laughs festival made it clear Fineman was a rising star.

Fineman’s addition to the cast prior to the start of season 45 was overshadowed by the controversial hiring of comedian Shane Gillis. But that situation was soon sorted and Fineman joined SNL along with writer-turned-performer Bowen Yang.

It didn’t take long for Fineman to establish why she was picked for SNL and why she shouldn’t be overlooked. And when the show found itself in unchartered territory, it was Fineman who stepped up to lead the way.

Chloe Fineman’s three best sketches from season 45 of Saturday Night Live

Moving forward, Saturday Night Live may rely more on social media to help find new cast members. Any comedian with a YouTube channel or popular Instagram feed has a chance of catching SNL’s attention and earning an audition. Scouting stand-ups at clubs in Los Angeles or watching improv groups in New York City aren’t the only avenue for finding talent now.

Fineman is a great example of the best of both worlds. She came to SNL as an experienced improv performer who also had a strong social media presence. Her celebrity impressions helped several of her videos go viral so it was only a matter of time before she got to show some off at the “Weekend Update” desk.

With impressions of Scarlett Johansson, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Dern, and Timothee Chalamet, Fineman showed off an impressive range. The audience clearly loved every minute of it and it was hard for Fineman to hold back her own smile while enjoying her moment in the spotlight.

When Saturday Night Live decided to go remote for three episodes in response to the pandemic lockdown, there were some major concerns over how things would go. The cast was scattered across the country and without professional wardrobe, make-up, and prop departments to help.

It was during this time that Fineman really stepped up, becoming an important part of Saturday Night Live at Home. Her experience making her own videos at home before ever joining SNL came in handy. Look no further than “Airbnb Commercial” as proof.

To avoid repetitive sketches based on Zoom, Saturday Night Live at Home needed cast members who could carry a sketch on their own. It was a no-brainer to give this responsibility to veterans like Kenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, and Mikey Day. Chloe Fineman made it clear she belongs in the category too, showing off a number of different talents in this one sketch.

Fineman combined her celebrity impression skills from “Weekend Update” with the production value of “Airbnb Commercial” with two “Masterclass Quarantine Edition” sketches. The first once again put Fineman front and center on her own:

The Timothee Chalamet impression returned along with one of Carol Baskin from Tiger King and TikTok star JoJo Siwa. The follow-up added Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Britney Spears to Fineman’s list of impressions, ensuring that she will continue to have more opportunities in what should be a very long and bright future at Saturday Night Live.

What did you think of Chloe Fineman’s first season on Saturday Night Live? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Keep checking Last Night On all month as we look back at season 45 of SNL to get you ready for the show’s return this fall.