There were several different archetypes in the early days of "Saturday Night Live." John Belushi was the over-the-top manic guy, Dan Aykroyd was the character guy, Gilda Radner was the charming eccentric, Jane Curtin the sensible one. Chevy Chase, meanwhile, was the ... moresmart-ass. He was the
guy in the back of the room with a bit of a smirk, glibly delivering the wit,
his intellect letting him distance himself just a bit. Chase was also the first
breakout star of the show and first to leave for the big screen. His films have
succeeded when that snarky tone is maintained, as in "Caddyshack" and "Fletch," or when that tone is tweaked to place Chase
in situations where his glibness can't save him, as in "Vacation." Chase's flops, of which there are many, are often
characterized by material several notches dumber than the star. (John
Spellman/Retna Ltd.)
