It's almost easy to forget now, but, a year ago today, Kristen Wiig was the dominant force on Saturday Night Live. Today, for whatever reason, that's not the case. (The recent airing of last season's A Very Gilly Christmas notwithstanding.) So, with that in mind, now that we are at the halfway point of Saturday Night Live's season, let's hand out some awards to those cast members who have replaced Wiig at center stage.
(As always, offer your own nominations in the comments.)
Comeback Player of the Year: Bobby Moynihan
Moynihan did not have a great 2009-2010 season. Honestly, considering the small amount of airtime he received last season, I really didn't expect him to be back. I mean, yes, I was rooting for him, but even what looked like what was becoming his signature character (Mark Payne) never made an appearance last season. This season is a different story. Still missing a signature recurring character (we all love Ass Dan, but it's not really his sketch), Moynihan has nevertheless broken though this year from "guy who may or may not get to stand in the background during a sketch," to a legitimate talent that will be a driving force on the show for years to come. Look through the great sketches this season -- "Fockers Fan," "A Message from the TSA," "Kickspit," "Black Friday" -- Moynihan is everywhere. And, honestly, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. (Hoping that next year this award goes to the very much missed presence of Jason Sudeikis.)
Rookie of the Year: Vanessa Bayer
Yeah, I know, you were probably expecting me to go with Jay Pharoah considering I'm the unofficial president of his Internet fan club. Indeed, Pharoah has shined at times this season ("Unstoppable"!) but his glaring lack of screentime for anything other than impressions can't be ignored. I think Paul Brittain has given me the most laugh-out-loud moments ("Sex Ed") from the season as far as the new players are concerned, but, those moments are too few and far between. Killam is in the same boat: Yes, he's had his moments too (also with "Unstoppable" and a polarizing Brad Pitt impression), but there's only one new player who has a bona fide recurring sketch, and that's Vanessa Bayer.
I am not at all comparing Bayer to Mike Myers, but it took Myers until his second season to get "Wayne's World" on the air. Bayer already has three "Miley Cyrus Shows" under her belt and she's only halfway though her first season. Sure, you could argue she's just doing an impression, too. The difference is that she's not doing walk-ons in other cast members's sketches as Cyrus; all three sketches are based upon the concept of Cyrus hosting her own show. Not to mention, she's a workhorse who's approaching Kristen Wiig for most appearances this season by a female cast member.
Most Valuable Player: Bill Hader
As if this was any surprise. Hader has absolutely flourished this season and has taken the mantle from Wiig as SNL's go-to player. Think back to how odd it seems to have Gilly hosting a Christmas episode. Well, I can think of at least four Hader characters that would fit in nicely in a role like that.
Not to mention, Hader has either claimed the top spot or the second spot in five of the 10 Relevancy Polls from this season. The most notable addition to Hader's recurring characters this season has been, without a doubt, Stefon. Hader unveiled him late last season on "Weekend Update," but it's been this season that solidified Stefon as an "Update" staple. Also a huge benefit for Hader has been the rise of Wikileaks founder Julain Assange. As of this writing, Hader has portrayed Assange on an unheard of -- save for election-year personalities -- three episodes in a row. So far, this season of SNL has belonged to Bill Hader. I know it's just midseason, but it's going to take an awful lot for Hader to not take home the 36th season MVP award come May.