A former "Saturday Night Live" cast member returned to 30 Rockefeller Center to help celebrate the sketch comedy show's 40th anniversary.
Melanie Hutsell, born in Maryville, Tennessee, was a featured player on the show from 1991-1993 and a regular cast member from 1993-1994. During her time on "SNL," she was known for her impressions of Jan Brady, Tonya Harding and Tori Spelling.
"SNL" commemorated its 40th season with a three-and-a-half-hour special. The show featured former cast members, celebrities and musicians.
Hutsell said she was eager to attend the show and see so many familiar faces from different eras of SNL.
"I'm excited to see Molly Shannon and Ana (Gasteyer) and Kristen Wiig and people that I've worked with and known for twenty years," Hutsell said.
Hutsell started her career doing improv at Chicago's Annoyance Theater before starring as Jan Brady in their production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch." When the company traveled to New York City, Hutsell was hired as a cast member for the 17th season of "SNL."
She has since appeared in movies like 1999's "Can't Stop Dancing," 2008's "He's Such a Girl" and 2011's hit comedy "Bridesmaids."
Hutsell said she's not sure whether she'll be making a cameo during Sunday night's show, but the experience of just being there is "thrilling."
"I know I'll be in excellent company, and I also have an understanding that this is a show that's been on for forty years," Hutsell said. "To just be in the room and be a part of the institution that's called 'Saturday Night Live' is pretty thrilling for me."
If you look closely in the video below, the orange three-ring binder in one of the sorority sister's hands is inscribed with the words "Tennessee Vols."
Hutsell said she's proud to be representing her roots in East Tennessee.
"Thank you for all the support that everybody has given me over the years," Hutsell said. "It means a great deal. I still have the south running through me through and through."
