Michael O'Donoghue
This celebrity goo was created by Scott Hardie.
publication date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 (part of May 2026)
category: 
Television
clue: This unapologetically dark writer set the comedic voice of Saturday Night Live from the very first line, creating popular sketches like "The Last Voyage of the Starship Enterprise" and "Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Bedtime Tales," but his post-SNL career fizzled in the late 80s due to his scrooge-like personality.
explanation: O'Donoghue was the first head writer of Saturday Night Live. An occasional on-screen performer, he delivered the very first line in the very first episode. He was notorious for his abrasiveness and uncompromising nature, driving other performers and writers away. His last major success was writing the movie Scrooged, although he criticized the final theatrical version from diverging too far from his screenplay. more…
intended difficulty: easy
solved by: Russ Wilhelm and Richard Slominsky
Similar Goos
Brett Goldstein
He was unknown in his writing and acting jobs with British cultural icons like Catherine Tate, Ricky Gervais, and The Doctor, until winning acclaim and two Emmys working with an American coach in Britain. Go »
Kit Harington
He was twice nominated for Emmys for his portrayal of a wintry watchman in an HBO adaptation of a fantasy novel series. Go »
Bob Odenkirk
Next on the newsradio: This normal Nebraska man is a nobody among nobodies. Go »
Jason Alexander
This Seinfeld semi-regular never rode into Prussia. Go »
Rosie O'Donnell
O' great, a broad that likes Broadway. Go »
