BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) PHYLICIA RASHAD
I could have gone with A LOT here, but I’m going with one of my person favorites. I can’t remember Maya Rudolph doing her Clair Huxtable impression a whole lot. I just know I’ve seen it, I remembered it, and I was very entertained. She’s not only doing an impression of Phylicia Rashad, but she’s impersonating her doing on of the most renowned TV moms of all time. She got the weird diction and attitude down perfectly.
(THREE) WHITNEY HOUSTON
Maya Rudolph’s “Whitney Houston” was great. She was over the top, crazy, and captured her very nicely. This character showed up a few good times and got in a few great lines. I saw a lot of characterization of her that just seemed mean. I think it was safe to say that Maya’s work was homage. Sadly, Whitney would pass away a few years ago and the character was respectfully retired.
(TWO) OPRAH WINFREY
Maya Rudolph’s impression of Oprah pretty much came after everyone got tired of all of the weight jokes. By this point, Oprah was firmly established as one of the World’s Power’s. Maya’s approach was to push her dominance and to really push the weird characteristics. I’m wishfully convinced that if Oprah ran for President that she’s not only win, but it would force Maya Rudolph back to SNL.
(ONE) DONATELLA VERSACE
I think I’ve been more exposed to Maya Rudolph as Donatella Versace than I am with the actual person. At first I thought this was a made up character because it was just so over the top and eccentric to be true. Then I saw Donatella. Rudolph’s impression of her is not that far off! It’s an over exaggeration of certain characteristic, but it’s a just take on her. This impression proves that if the impression is good enough the person will enjoy it without even knowing who the person is.
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