"Saturday Night Live" has added three new featured players, all associated with Second City and Chicago's iO theater.
Aidy Bryant (left) trained with iO Chicago and Annoyance Theatre and was an ensemble member of the Second City E.T.C Stage.
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Tim Robinson, also an alumnus of The Second City, performed on its mainstage and in its national touring company. He has also performed at the iO Theater in Chicago and at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.
Cecily Strong has performed as a member of the Second City national touring company and has studied at the iO Theater.
The three will try to fill the shoes of departing castmates Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Abby Eliott. Jason Sudeikis, who plays Mitt Romney, may also exit after the election.
The hires represent a big year for Chicago's Second City and iO. While Amy Poehler's Upright Citizens Brigade theaters have been a proving ground for many recent "SNL" talents, Second City has a long history with the show, spawning such players as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, among many others. SNL begins its 38th season on Saturday, with Seth MacFarlane hosting and musical guest Frank Ocean. Are the new featured players funny? Judge for yourself. Here are some of their past videos.
Aidy Bryant:
Tim Robinson:
Cecily Strong:
