Making cartoon characters look like actual human beings is a challenging task, as revealed by “Saturday Night Live” hairstylist Jodi Mancuso and makeup artist Louie Zakarian in a recent interview. The duo explained the process of transforming Mikey Day and Ryan Gosling into “Beavis and Butt-Head” lookalikes for a sketch that aired on April 13. The idea for the skit was first proposed in 2018 but was initially tabled due to time constraints and issues with the wigs. When the sketch was revisited for Season 49, Mancuso and Zakarian faced some resistance from Day and the sketch’s writer, Streeter Seidell, who wanted to reuse the wigs from the previous attempt.
Mancuso and Zakarian made significant adjustments to achieve the desired look for the characters. They redesigned the wigs and teeth, with Zakarian creating a new set of teeth for Day’s Butt-Head character. The end result was so convincing that even cast member Heidi Gardner, known for rarely breaking character, couldn’t contain her laughter when Day appeared in full costume during the live airing of the sketch. The moment added to the humor of the sketch, showcasing the skill and attention to detail that Mancuso and Zakarian put into their work.
Gardner revealed that Day’s performance, particularly his subtle movements and expressions, played a significant role in making her laugh. She mentioned that Day knew how to “mess” with her and put extra emphasis into his performance during the live sketch, which contributed to her breaking character. The “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch had been in development for a long time, with Day and Seidell persistently pitching the idea. Their determination paid off when Gosling agreed to participate in the sketch, bringing the characters to life in a hilarious and memorable way.
The sketch featured Gardner as a reporter hosting a town hall discussion, with Thompson playing an MIT professor who becomes distracted by the Beavis lookalike behind Gardner. When Day’s Butt-Head character is revealed, Gardner’s uncontrollable laughter, along with the enthusiastic reaction from the audience, added to the comedic effect of the scene. Mancuso and Zakarian believe that Gardner’s genuine reaction stemmed from not fully seeing the costume until the live show, highlighting the impact of their attention to detail and the actors’ performances.
Overall, the “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch on “Saturday Night Live” was a culmination of meticulous preparation and skilled execution by the hairstyling and makeup team, as well as the cast and writers involved. The dedication to bringing cartoon characters to life in a human form, along with the comedic timing and performances of the actors, resulted in a memorable and entertaining segment that resonated with audiences. The collaborative efforts of the creative team behind the sketch, combined with the willingness of the actors to fully embody their characters, contributed to the success of the comedic interpretation of the classic cartoon duo.
