After six years, SNL cast member Melissa Villaseñor has departed the sketch comedy show. Throughout her run, she has performed in numerous sketches where she shined. She was one of the show's underrated members, with not many praising her wide range of talent.
These sketches are she especially excelled in the comedy department. She starred in them and captured audiences' hearts with her quirky demeanor and impressive talent. Whether acting out one of her spot-on impressions or hitting a note for a funny musical number, Villaseñor would be giving it her all and earning laughs.
Weekend Update: Kid Genius Riley Jenson
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In a Weekend Update segment, Villaseñor plays a five-year-old genius who’s there to bring out fascinating information about space. As the interview continues, however, it may seem like she just memorized enough facts to keep up appearances.
The Riley Jenson character perfectly exemplified why Villaseñor is a comedic chameleon. With the voice and mannerisms she uses for the sketch, she makes herself into someone audiences would be used to seeing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Her ability to transform into a character is the assurance needed so that there will never be a risk of being typecast. One need only see this convincing performance that will make them feel sorry for Riley as she fails to answer questions Michael Che throws at her.
Dying Mrs. Gomez
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Host Sterling K. Brown plays a man visiting a friend on her deathbed. During the visit, everyone becomes befuddled by her final words.
Sometimes the best comedian is a person who does not take themselves too seriously or care about how they look. A sketch like this one might have fallen flat if the cast member did not put their whole heart into it. Villaseñor, on the other hand, had the perfect silly energy to pull this random premise off. The nonsensical plot is hilarious because of how she can take charge in a rendition of Nickelback’s How You Remind Me. Audiences might not know what is going on, but this is still an enjoyable sketch that proves Villaseñor is up for anything.
Weekend Update: Melissa Villaseñor On Oscar Snubs
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2019 was full of many movies that were worth an Oscar or two. Villaseñor certainly had plenty to say about those nominated for that year's Academy Awards. She especially had plenty to say about what they all had in common.
Villaseñor uses her comedic talents to discuss an issue in the film industry. Not only that, but she also had the chance to show off her vocal chops as she belts out those remarks that also include the absence of female director nominations. The segment was funny in how Villaseñor could use her cheery disposition to voice social commentary engagingly. The juxtaposition is almost ingenious since it, in a way, reflects the celebration that comes for white males in Hollywood.
Hobby Song
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Emma Stone has returned to host that week’s episode of SNL, and Melissa is there to let her know how much she has grown since the last time, which was also her first season. She confides in the La La Land star by mentioning how the development formed through how the comedian likes to pass the time.
Villaseñor's musical talents are utilized once again through this sketch that has her flexing her rapping skills. The song is not only well-performed by the comedian (who also wrote it), but her dedication to this version of herself is outstanding as well. Her quirky personality is contagious, as shown here, where she can make anyone want to rap about their hobbies, including great actors of the 21st century.
A Peek At Pico
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Two friends host a talk show and show interest in what their guests have to say and what goes on in Pico Rivera. It’s only for brief moments since they’d rather talk among themselves than anything else.
Some of SNL’s best sketches come from the concept of a silly public-access talk show. A Peek at Pico is no exception, thanks to Villaseñor and host Selena Gomez taking their energy to bounce off each other. Their banter, though limited, is authentic and funny, akin to classic reoccurring sketches like Bronx Beat. Villaseñor is also back to getting lost in her performance as she pulls out a thick accent and Chola-Esque mannerisms. This all makes for a memorable sketch when paired with her usual comedic timing.
Weekend Update: Every Teen Girl Murder Suspect On Law & Order
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Dropping by the Weekend Update desk is a teenager named Britney. She is ready to talk about the latest Young Adult novels, yet she seems a little paranoid about something.
Villaseñor's performance will be familiar to anyone who avidly watches TV crime dramas like Law & Order. She shows off an accurate representation of this kind of character, from the alibi to the dramatic dialogue that’s delivered hilariously. The parody even adds dark humor into the mix when the alibi snowballs into an over-the-top confession she can’t keep to herself any longer. If anyone is curious about how a typical Law & Order episode goes, they need only to take a look at Villaseñor nailing this role.
Hoops
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Two women advertise the importance of wearing hoop earrings. They explain the places to wear them and how they can bring out a person’s personality. Villaseñor pairs up with host Jennifer Lopez in this simple yet funny sketch. Like with most of her performances, her acting is sincere as it is entertaining, almost as though she knows someone like this.
Villaseñor is in her element, being relaxed enough to share the spotlight with the singer/actor. She can deliver her lines passionately as though she is someone meant to be advertising a product. Even if the occasions they're used as examples aren’t 100% relatable to everyone, their sales pitch is full of enough confidence to make anyone want to buy a pair of hoops.
Zoo-opolis Voice Actors
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A trio of voice actors stands in for celebrities set to star in the latest animated film that may or may not be like Zootopia. This sketch is all a person needs to see Villaseñor's versatility in comedy. Her range of impressions is almost absurd! Her already distinct voice can transform into someone else’s, no problem, as she offers up her lines in various ways.
Two moments that shined especially were her giving a spot-on impression of SNL alum Kristen Wiig and then three different ones in a row for a bat character, which included other SNL funny girl Kate McKinnon. When Villaseñor's stage presence is coming off too normal, she can adapt to another, thanks to being one of the best celebrity impersonators.
Dirty Talk
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A couple decides to experiment with their love life. A big issue with this is that there might be some miscommunication. Villaseñor is in the role of the confused partner here. It is safe to say she struggles with the concept of dirty talk, with how she misinterprets her boyfriend’s words.
The responses toe the line between innocent and risqué (and not in the intended way). It would not be surprising if this was a mostly improvised sketch. Each one-liner she throws at each prompt is unexpected yet hysterical, from teasing him like one would their younger sibling to using painful information to hurt him as he had requested her to do. People will become invested as they wonder what she’ll say next.
Weekend Update: Melissa Villaseñor on Christmas and Dolly Parton
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Villaseñor is again stopping by the Weekend Update desk to discuss her favorite Christmas songs. When she does so, she might be throwing in some praise for an iconic country singer.
It has been stated already that Villaseñor has done several of the best celebrity impressions on SNL, but nothing can top her Dolly Parton impersonation. She looked the part with her big hair and sparkly ensemble. It’s her singing that will blow people’s minds, however. It was almost uncanny how she could use her already talented voice to perform Christmas-themed covers of the singer’s hits. She made some valid points on why Dolly should have praise for all she does, but Villaseñor also deserves recognition for being the talented person she is.