Halloween [1] is almost here, and while it can be fun to dress up as a terrifying horror movie [2] villain or to step out in a sexy ensemble [3], sometimes there's nothing better than a hilarious costume to inspire some laughter among all your friends. If you're looking for a goofy outfit that will also give you a pass to imitate a ridiculous character, look no further than these funny, memorable "Saturday Night Live [4]" fixtures.

Since it began in 1975, "Saturday Night Live" has been well-known for developing recurring characters that become beloved staples across seasons. Some are absurdly inappropriate and others are more nuanced or even political, but all of them are a whole lot of fun. To help you come up with a hilarious look, we've rounded up some of the best characters to hit the "SNL" stage, including everyone from the Spartan cheerleaders to the Church Lady to Matt Foley, the motivational speaker who, as you might know, lives in a van down by the river. With tips on what to wear and how to act, this "SNL" inspiration is perfect for funny group costumes [5] and clever solo costumes.

Mary Katherine Gallagher

• What to wear: A plaid skirt, a white blouse, a vest, and knee socks, plus the must-have accessories: a headband and black glasses.
• How to act: Really nervous and clumsy. Regularly stick your hands under your armpits and, you know, smell them. Oh, and don't forget to tell everyone you're a superstar!

Matt Foley

• What to wear: Khaki pants, a plaid coat, plus a shirt and tie. Gel your hair to the side, and sport black glasses.
• How to act: Yell when you speak, and regularly reference the fact that you live in a van down by the river.

Gilly

• What to wear: A collared white blouse, white knee socks, a printed dress, and a short, curly wig with a bow in it.
• How to act: Dart your eyes back and forth and say "sorry" in a way that implies you totally don't mean it. Dance a little jig whenever something goes your way.

Wayne and Garth

• What to wear for Wayne: Black Converse sneakers, old ripped jeans, a long brown wig, a black t-shirt, and a black Wayne's World hat.
• What to wear for Garth: Black Converse sneakers, washed-out jeans, a white band t-shirt under a blue plaid shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a shaggy blond wig, and black-rimmed glasses.
• How to act: Ask people if they want to come to your basement and be a guest star on your show. At some point you're going to have to sing "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The Spartan Cheerleaders

• What to wear: A cheerleading outfit with a sash that says "Spartans."
• How to act: Be very, very enthusiastic, and whip out a few cheers throughout the day.

Linda Richman

• What to wear: A chunky blue turtleneck, a teased brunette wig, red nail polish, tinted glasses, and plenty of rings.
• How to act: Comment on how certain things are "like buttah."

The Festrunk Brothers

• What to wear: Plaid pants, a printed button-down with most of the buttons left open, plus a newsboy hat and a gold chain necklace.
• How to act: Shimmy while you walk, and laugh at your own jokes. Dress up with a friend, and tell everyone you're two "wild and crazy guys."

The Church Lady

• What to wear: A skirt suit, a short gray wig, and glasses. Carry around a Bible.
• How to act: In a high-pitched voice, dish out conservative advice, occasionally blaming Satan for whatever goes wrong: "Could it be . . . Satan?!"

Stefon

• What to wear: An olive-green printed t-shirt over another loud long-sleeved t-shirt. Comb your hair dramatically to the side.
• How to act: Constantly announce which club is New York's hottest. Have a go-to list of odd elements that can be found in said club.

The Gap Girls

• What to wear: Channel Adam Sandler [7]'s character with an open denim shirt and a red t-shirt, or rock a blond wig with a cardigan or cable-knit sweater and a skirt to dress as Chris Farley's and David Spade's characters.
• How to act: Use a Valley Girl accent, and complain with your girlfriends. If anyone tries to take your food, yell, "Lay off me, I'm starving!"

The Blues Brothers

• What to wear: A white collared shirt, a black suit, black sunglasses, and a fedora. Add sideburns.
• How to act: Jam out on a harmonica all night.

Garth and Kat

• What to wear: A bright, colorful, cheesy vest with a turtleneck and a short blond wig.
• How to act: Insist on performing for people, then attempt to make up songs with a friend, following their lead as they sing.

Mango

• What to wear: A pink crop top, a pink beret, a pink scarf, and gold sequined shorts.
• How to act: Like anyone and everyone is attracted to you. Flaunt what you've got, and perfect a sexy strut.

Debbie Downer

• What to wear: A plain, solid button-down shirt with a short wig.
• How to act: So, so negative. Channel a glass-half-empty attitude, and point out the downside of absolutely everything, making a face whenever you drop a depressing one-liner.

The "D*ck in a Box" Guys

• What to wear: A black suit coat with a purple or teal t-shirt, a gold chain necklace, and sunglasses. Attach a wrapped gift box to a belt that you can wear around your waist.
• How to act: Sing that song, over and over and over again. "Step one: Cut a hole in the box . . . "

The Coneheads

• What to wear: Everyday clothes with a tan cone on your head.
• How to act: Let out a nasally giggle every once in a while.

Bruce Dickinson

• What to wear: A brown leather jacket and tinted glasses. Gel your hair back.
• How to act: Demand more cowbell. Over and over again, demand more cowbell.

The Butabi Brothers

• What to wear: A solid blue or purple suit with a black t-shirt and a chain necklace. Wear lots of gel in your hair.
• How to act: Point at people to see if they were asking you to dance, and whenever possible, dance up on random people.

The Delicious Dish

• What to wear: A knitted Christmas sweater with a short dark wig and a pair of headphones.
• How to act: Don't hesitate to bring up "Schweddy Balls."

Opera Man

• What to wear: A tuxedo, a black bob wig, and a red cape.
• How to act: Sing random words in an opera style. Loudly.

Roseanne Roseannadanna

• What to wear: A business suit with a bright blouse, plus a big, frizzy black wig. Carry flashcards.
• How to act: Launch into long, detailed, exaggerated stories about yourself.

The Moët & Chandon Girls

• What to wear: A tight black shirt with a tight red pencil skirt and tall high heels.
• How to act: Speak in a monotone, and drop the names of expensive brands in conversation, pronouncing them incorrectly.

The Killer Bees

• What to wear: A bee costume with antennas, a toy gun, and a toy bandolier.
• How to act: Show up in unexpected places, and do pretty much whatever you want. As if you're being filmed, regularly address the "camera" to give it directions.

Target Lady

• What to wear: A short-sleeved printed blouse, a red vest, and a short wig. Carry a Target bag for extra emphasis.
• How to act: Be all about the TMI. Share too much, eavesdrop too much, and don't forget to raise your hands in the air.

Dieter

• What to wear: All back, with a black turtleneck, wire-rimmed glasses, and your hair gelled back.
• How to act: Speak with a German accent, and act completely uninterested in whatever people say to you.

Sally O'Malley

• What to wear: A red top and tight red pants that you can pull way, way up. Tease your hair, and add some comfortable shoes.
• How to act: Repeatedly say, "I'm 50 years old!" Don't forget to kick, stretch, and kick.

MacGruber

• What to wear: A flannel shirt, a tan vest, jeans, and a blond wig.
• How to act: Ask people for random objects as if you're going to solve a problem, then get distracted by whatever other people are doing.

The Culps

• What to wear: Either a tan suit with a printed tie and a fake beard or a printed dress with a curly wig and glasses.
• How to act: Speak in a sweet, upbeat voice while addressing serious issues. Bonus points for singing and/or playing the piano.

Mister Robinson

• What to wear: A yellow cardigan over a collared shirt, plus dark pants and sneakers.
• How to act: Address the "boys and girls" as you say really inappropriate things in a really kind, cheery voice.

The Ladies Man

• What to wear: A red button-down shirt with a black leather vest and tight pants. Carry around a drink.
• How to act: Comment on how "disgusting" things are.

Dooneese

• What to wear: A '60s-style dress with a full skirt and long sleeves, and a bald cap with a blond wig pulled a little too far back. Take a doll's arm and hold it in your hand.
• How to act: Caress people with your tiny hand.

Hans and Franz

• What to wear: Gray sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt, and a brown leather belt.
• How to act: Like a total meathead with an Arnold Schwarzenegger [8] accent. Say "I want to pump you up" to just about everyone.

Cathy

• What to wear: Make like Andy Samberg [9]'s impression on SNL and wear an old sweater and rat out your hair (the better to continually grab it and yell out "ACK!"), or go with an ironic exercise outfit like the animated Cathy.
• How to act: Grab a chocolate bar and a diet soda, and don't forget to constantly say the signature lines: "Sweat drops, sweat drops, sweat drops!" and "MEN!" and "Chocolate!"

Brian Fellow

• What to wear: A tan jacket and pants, a safari hat, and black glasses. Tie a colorful bandanna or scarf around your neck.
• How to act: Talk incessantly about animals, and every once in a while, excitedly say, "I'm Brian Fellow!"

Penelope

• What to wear: A printed wrap dress. Keep your hair down, and pin it to the side.
• How to act: Be the queen of one-upping anything and everything people tell you, tugging at the ends of your hair as you lie, lie, lie.