Saturday Night Live: 5 Kristen Wiig characters that could return this week

Kristen Wiig’s return as host of Saturday Night Live means some of her best characters could also return

One of Saturday Night Live‘s best performers returns this week as Kristen Wiig hosts the Christmas episode. It will be Wiig’s fourth time hosting and with it comes the chance for some of her most famous characters to return.

Wiig will be joined by musical guest Dua Lipa. The former SNL cast member is promoting her role as the villain Cheetah, hitting theaters and HBO Max on Dec. 25.

It’s a big deal for Wiig to be hosting the Christmas episode as it is traditionally one of the biggest shows of the year. Last year, the episode was reserved for Eddie Murphy’s return in what became one of the most-watched episodes in SNL history.

Wiig is the perfect choice given her popularity among SNL fans, her experience as both a cast member and host, and the blockbuster film she has to promote. It also doesn’t hurt that Wiig is responsible for some of the most memorable characters of the past 15 years.

While not guaranteed, there is a chance that some of those characters will be revived on Saturday. Here are five Kristen Wiig characters that have the potential to return in season 46.

5. Target Lady

Kristen Wiig auditioned for Saturday Night Live with Target Lady and it’s easy to understand why. The absurd and over-excited cashier always got a big reaction from audiences and never got stale.

It wouldn’t be too hard to imagine how Target Lady could be adapted for 2020. The pandemic has completely changed the way people shop in stores. That, plus the holiday shopping season is upon us, so Target Lady would be facing something she’s never experienced before.

4. Mindy Grayson

Saturday Night Live loves nothing better than a good game show parody. Whether it is Jeopardy! or a game created by SNL, it has been one of the longest-running setups in the show’s history.

As Broadway actress Mary Elise Grayson, Kristen Wiig ran wild on the set of “Secret Word.” The Password-inspired game allowed Wiig to go big as the over-the-top character. It’s an easy sketch to recreate and would give Wiig another chance to shine.

3. The A-Hole

This one is a bit of a stretch because it only works if Jason Sudeikis comes back for a cameo. Cameos haven’t been easy during season 46 due to the COVID-19 safety protocols in place. But then again, the Christmas episode typically has a surprise or two.

If Sudeikis does come back for “Two A-Holes” then it would offer Saturday Night Live to imagine how the couple would behave during the pandemic. It’s hard to picture these two wearing a mask or social distancing while out and about.

2. Kat

If we’re allowing for the possibility of cameos from other SNL alumni, then Garth and Kat need to be in the conversation. The return of Fred Armisen would allow he and Kristen Wiig to revive their woefully unprepared “Weekend Update” characters.

By design, the sketch doesn’t require much rehearsing. And in the past, SNL has adapted the sketch to fit certain holidays or seasons. Some new Christmas songs from Garth and Kat may be the perfect present for SNL fans this year.

1. Gilly

Gilly is your classic prankster and troublemaker. She’s known for taking things a little too far and disrupting Mr. Dillon’s classes. It was one of Kristen Wiig’s most recognizable characters thanks to the odd grin and the curly red hair. Wiig recently told Late Night with Seth Meyers Gilly is semi-autobiographicalthat based on a childhood photograph of Wiig.

Again, if Saturday Night Live wants to find ways to apply Wiig’s characters to life in 2020, then Gilly is a viable option. Many schools have gone remote during the pandemic so it could be fun to see how Gilly would adapt her pranks

There are plenty of other Wiig characters that could return this week. Doonese from “The Lawrence Welk Show,” flirting expert Rebecca Larue, the one-upper Penelope, and the not-so-seductive Shana are all options if SNL wants to look into its past.

Which Kristen Wiig character do you want to see this week? Share your thoughts in the comment section and be sure to check back with Last Night On for all the highlights from Saturday Night Live.