Mary Katherine Gallagher

Mary Katherine Gallagher

Mary Katherine Gallagher is a fictional character invented and portrayed by Saturday Night Live cast member Molly Shannon from 1994 to 2001, and when Shannon reprised her role when she hosted in 2007.

Contents

Character

Mary Katherine is a sardonic caricature of an unpopular, teen Catholic school girl. She is prone to comically severe mood swings, alternately hyper-active and ponderous. She suffered from stage fright, but was also hyper-competitive (she once engaged in a sing-off with Whitney Houston) and egomaniacal, believing she was a "superstar".

Lacking in proper social skills, her most famous trademark was that, when nervous, she would stick her hands under her armpits and then smell them. She would demonstrate this habit to most new people she meets. She also had a habit of flashing her underwear either accidentally or on purpose.

The sketches would usually begin with a school-related dramatic arts function, such as choir practice or school play rehearsals. Mary Katherine would run on stage and introduce herself, and then attempt to participate, hogging the spotlight until she would lose her cool and do something socially inappropriate.

At some point, she would usually announce that her feelings would be best expressed by reciting a monologue, sometimes from a film such as West Side Story but more often than not from an obscure TV movie such as The Betty Broderick Story starring Meredith Baxter-Birney". While reciting the monologue, she would usually become overly dramatic and intensely emotional, to the extent to where others around would have to intervene and stop her.

Ultimately, the sketch would usually end with her losing control of herself, such as falling over, crashing into a wall or destroying something. She would then jump up, compose herself, and extend her hands in the air, proclaiming "Superstar!".

Superstar

For details on the film, see the main article: Superstar (film)

In 1999, a feature length film, entitled Superstar was released, starring Shannon as Gallagher. Several of her SNL cast mates, including Will Ferrell, Mark McKinney and Cheri Oteri also appeared in the film. The film featured many adult actors playing high school students.

In the film, Mary Katherine lives with her disabled grandmother (was often referred to in the SNL skits but never shown), who believed Mary Katherine bore a very striking resemblance to a young Elizabeth Taylor. Wanting to attract the attentions of Sky, the most attractive boy in school (played by Will Ferrell), Mary Katherine decides to enter the school talent competition, so that she can make him notice her. Her grandmother, however, prevents her from pursuing her dreams and forbids her to compete (the reason is later revealed that Mary Katherine's parents were stomped to death while taking part in a dance competition).

Catchphrases

  • "Superstar!"
  • "Sometimes, when I get nervous, I put my fingers under my arms, and then smell them like this..."
  • "I think my feelings would be best expressed by a monologue from [name of movie or TV show]."

Episodes featuring Mary Katherine Gallagher

See also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mary Katherine Gallagher — es un personaje de ficción inventado y retratado por Molly Shannon de 1995 a 2001 en Saturday Night Live. Caracter Mary Katherine Gallagher es un personaje ficticio retratado e interpretado por la actriz Molly Shannon en Saturday Night Live y en… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Gallagher — may refer to: Contents 1 People 2 Sport 3 Politics 4 …   Wikipedia

  • Katherine Mayfair — Personnage de fiction apparaissant dans Desperate Housewives …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mary O'Rourke — This article is about the politician. For the barrister, see Mary O Rourke (barrister). Mary O Rourke Leader of Seanad Éireann In office 2002–2007 Preceded by Donnie Cassidy Succeeded by Donnie Cassidy …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Tyler Moore — This article is about the actress. For the 1970s television series, see The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Mary Tyler Moore At the Emmy Awards in August 1988 Born December 29, 1936 (1936 12 29) …   Wikipedia

  • Mary (mother of Jesus) — Virgin Mary redirects here. For other uses, see Virgin Mary (disambiguation). Saint Mary redirects here. For other uses, see Saint Mary (disambiguation). This article is an overview. For specific views, see: Anglican, Ecumenical, Islamic,… …   Wikipedia

  • Superstar (film) — Infobox Film name = Superstar caption = Theatrical Poster genre = Comedy director = Bruce McCulloch producer = Lorne Michaels writer = Steve Koren starring = Molly Shannon Will Ferrell Harland Williams Elaine Hendrix Tom Green Mark McKinney music …   Wikipedia

  • Molly Shannon — Shannon at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival Born Molly Helen Shannon September 16, 1964 (1964 09 16) (age 47) …   Wikipedia

  • Molly Shannon — au Festival du film de TriBeCa en 2008. Données clés Nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Superstar (film, 1999) — Superstar est un film américain réalisé par Bruce McCulloch et sorti en salles en 1999. Synopsis Mary Katherine Gallager, une étudiante, rêve de cinema, d Hollywood et de baisers passionnés. Elle participe à un concours pour pouvoir être… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”