Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1989–90
The following is a list of recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced between September 24, 1989, and May 19, 1990, the fifteenth season of SNL.
Lank Thompson
played Lank Thompson in three different sketches. Thompson was a very handsome man who marketed a line of videos to help men look and act more handsomely. Debuted October 21, 1989.;Appearances:
| Season | Episode | Host | Notes |
| 15 | October 21, 1989 | Kathleen Turner | Lank Thompson: I'm a Handsome Man |
| 16 | February 23, 1991 | Alec Baldwin | Lank Thompson: I'm a Handsome Actor |
| 17 | April 18, 1992 | Jerry Seinfeld | Lank Thompson: I'm a Handsome Black Man |
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
A parody of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, with Dana Carvey impersonating Johnny Carson and Phil Hartman impersonating Ed McMahon.;Appearances:
| Season | Episode | Host | Notes |
| 15 | October 28, 1989 | James Woods | |
| 15 | January 20, 1990 | Christopher Walken | |
| 15 | May 19, 1990 | Candice Bergen | |
| 16 | October 27, 1990 | Patrick Swayze | |
| 16 | May 18, 1991 | George Wendt | The Carsenio Show |
| 17 | October 5, 1991 | Jeff Daniels | |
| 17 | May 16, 1992 | Woody Harrelson |
Lyle the Effeminate Heterosexual
An effeminate character played by Dana Carvey who needs to convince others that he is not gay. Debuted November 11, 1989.Annoying Man
Portrayed by Jon Lovitz, he spoke in a high-pitched nasal voice and did annoying things in front of Weekend Update's Dennis Miller, such as chewing with his mouth open, or scratching a fork across a slate chalkboard. These sketches often ended with Lovitz saying something in a calm, cultured, refined tone, i.e., "You don't have to yell," or "I love you." Debuted November 11, 1989.;Appearances:
| Season | Episode | Host | Notes |
| 15 | November 11, 1989 | Chris Evert | |
| 15 | December 2, 1989 | John Goodman | |
| 15 | January 20, 1990 | Christopher Walken | |
| 15 | February 24, 1990 | Fred Savage | |
| 15 | March 17, 1990 | Rob Lowe | |
| 15 | May 12, 1990 | Andrew Dice Clay | |
| 16 | December 15, 1990 | Dennis Quaid |
Singing Cowboys
A Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman sketch.;Appearances:
| Season | Episode | Host | Notes |
| 15 | November 18, 1989 | Woody Harrelson | |
| 16 | September 29, 1990 | Kyle MacLachlan | |
| 16 | March 23, 1991 | Jeremy Irons | |
| 17 | January 11, 1992 | Rob Morrow | |
| 17 | May 16, 1992 | Woody Harrelson |
Hanukkah Harry
Jon Lovitz plays a Jewish variation of Santa Claus. Debuted December 16, 1989.The Continental
plays a self-imagined ladies' man. Debuted January 20, 1990.;Appearances:
| Season | Episode | Host | Notes |
| 15 | January 20, 1990 | Christopher Walken | |
| 18 | October 24, 1992 | Christopher Walken | |
| 21 | January 13, 1996 | Christopher Walken | |
| 25 | April 8, 2000 | Christopher Walken | |
| 26 | May 19, 2001 | Christopher Walken | |
| 28 | February 22, 2003 | Christopher Walken |
Middle-Aged Man
A Mike Myers sketch that later featured Chris Farley who portrayed a character known as "Drinking Buddy," Middle-Aged Man's sidekick. Debuted April 21, 1990.;Appearances:
| Season | Episode | Host | Notes |
| 15 | April 21, 1990 | Alec Baldwin | |
| 16 | October 20, 1990 | George Steinbrener | |
| 16 | May 18, 1991 | George Wendt |