If you missed SNL on Saturday night you missed seeing Penn alum Vanessa Bayer’s (C’04, Bloomers) enthusiastic energy and smile planted in a good number of sketches. In fact, her face was the first to open the show in a sketch where she played a secretary announcing Christine O’Donnell’s arrival at the Republican National Committee Headquarters.
Having been a fan of SNL now for almost 25 years, it is clear to me that Vanessa’s got “it”. As I watched her through the show, it became clear to me that she reminded me of a young Cheri Oteri…. super committed to her characters with that great smile! …I realized this during the sketch when she played a woman lunching commenting on how fantastic her friend’s “tiny hat” was.
After the jump check out the “Wedding Venue: it could happen” and “Tiny Hat” sketches she appeared in and screengrabs from all her appearances throughout the show (including the magical look from Vanessa in the show’s final “goodbye” moments)!
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Vanessa playing a secretary announcing that Christine O’Donnell has arrived at the Republican National Committee Headquarters
Vanessa in this season’s opening credits
Guest host Amy Poehler quickly refers to this season’s “new cast” in her monologue
Vanessa as host in opening sequence for sketch she doesn’t appear in. Fred Armisen “fills in” for host as audience members ask him awkward questions.
Vanessa in “Wedding Venue: it could happen” (see video above) short playing a lesbian couple with Amy Poehler
Vanessa in “Wedding Venue: it could happen” (see video above) short playing a lesbian couple with Amy Poehler
Defining moment: Vanessa plays a woman lunching with Abby Elliot and comments on how fantastic her friend’s “tiny hat” was.
The magical look from Vanessa in the show’s final “goodbye” realizing she’s a fixture on SNL! (click image above to view larger)
"Because of Penntertainment, I got scouted for Nickelodeon. I had such a great time talking with them. I may be a resource for a show on science, travel, geography, gender etc. Thanks for all you do. It really makes a difference." -Lisa Niver C’89
 enthusiastic energy and smile planted in a good number of sketches. In fact, her face was the first to open the show in a sketch where she played a secretary announcing Christine O’Donnell’s arrival at the Republican National Committee […])
