I believe you are right about the writing in the early days. I think many people look back on the first few seasons as the "glory days." However, when I watch the old reruns, they don't do a thing for me.

Sure, there are some skits that still hold up and are hilarious....but there were many more misses than hits. The most consistent casts, I believe, were the Spade/Farley/Myers/Carvey/Hartmen years, and the Oteri/Shannon/Ferrell/Kataan/Gasteyer/Hammond cast.

I think Oteri/Gasteyer/Shannon trio is the most talented group of females that has ever been on the show. They hold their own with their male counterparts, where the previous female casts always seemed to be trying to catch up (with the exception of Gilda Radner).

That 92-93 and 93-94 cast were some of the best:
Carvey, Farley, Hartman, Myers, Schenider, Nealon, Sweeney, Meadows, Sandler, Spade, McDonald.

I voted for Farley, because he is just one of my favorite persons period.

How could you leave off Jay Mohr and Sarah Silverman?

My choice would've been either for Billy Crystal or John Lovitz. Frm. the options listed, i gotta go w/ the majority & pick Hartman, the man was a rock.

I loved the original cast members, especially Gilda Radner.

Of those listed, Eddie is my favorite. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood is a classic.

Unless I'm mistaken (very possible), Silverman was never an actual cast member. She was a with, but I don't ever recall her being a starring. Hey she's a great writer, but a few scattered sketches through part of one season as a with makes a clear case.

das

Eddie Murphy w/o a doubt.

He and Piscopo were the best 2-man team.

The cast of the late 80s/early 90s was the best overall.

He's making a strong comeback in the poll.