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Home , Ana Gasteyer, Cheri Oteri, David Spade, Denny Dillon, Ellen Cleghorne, Janeane Garofalo

Awaiting the call after ‘ Night’ From Chase, Aykroyd, and Belushi to Sandler, Ferrell, and now , who’s starring in his own show Tuesday nights on NBC, “” has long been a launching pad for its men. But its women, who’ve been outnumbered in the cast more than 2-1 over the show’s 28 years, haven’t found nearly the same sort of fame or wealth of opportunity. Here’s a look at three graduates of recent vintage and an update on a selection of other alumnae. — MICHAEL PRAGER

Gasteyer laughs it up with in an episode of “Just Shoot Me.” Shannon (left) plays a mom in “Cracking Up,” coming soon to Fox. Oteri portrays a television reporter in “Scary Movie.” , 1996-2002 , 1994-2001 , 1995-2000 Notable: Played Rose Mary Woods in “Dick,” a 1999 film in which two girls wander from a Notable: “Superstar,” 1999; played Hal’s mother in “Shallow Hal,” 2001. Notable: “Scary Movie,” 2000; “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd,” 2003. White House tour and meet President Nixon. Most recently/upcoming: She has the lead in “Cracking Up,” a sitcom that Fox is preparing Most recently/upcoming: Has completed filming on two independent films not yet Most recently/upcoming: Secondary roles in Disney’s “Raising Helen,” and Paramount’s for debut in March or April. released: “Surviving Eden,” a reality-TV spoof starring , and “Smile.” “”; opens Jan. 30 in “Roulette” at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in City.

JANEANE GAROFALO, 1994-95 , 1986-92 , 1985-86 , 1981-85 Notable: “ About and Dogs,” Notable: “The Pick-up Artist,” 1987. Notable: Many film highlights, including Notable: Co-lead in “Feds,” 1988. 1996; political activism that seems to Most recently: Has a recurring role on “Broadcast News,” 1987; “,” Most recently: Guest spots on “According particularly rankle conservatives. the show “Romeo!.” Tours as a 1988; and “The School of Rock,” 2003; and to Jim,” “A Minute With Stan Hooper.” Most recently/upcoming: Completed stand-up . Is happy to discuss her “What About Joan,” a failed 2001 sitcom. , 1981-82 work on “Stay,” starring Naomi Watts and Christian upbringing and outlook. Most recently/upcoming: “Raising Notable: Won the 2001 Actress in a Ewan McGregor, and is writing a book. , 1986-91 Helen,” a Disney film directed by Garry Musical Tony for “42nd Street” revival. Once , 1993-94 Notable: “Designing Women,” 1991-93 Marshall. nominated for Daytime Emmy as well, for Notable: An infamous appearance on “Late Most recently/upcoming: Completed , 1984-85 “One Life To Live.” Night with O’Brien” (2001) that work on “Lalawood,” a film in which the Notable: Wrote a well-received Most recently: Spent the summer in angered Asian-Americans; a small role in character gets of actor Billy Connolly, her husband since “Talking Heads” on Broadway. “There’s Something About Mary,” 1998. caught up in murder at the Toronto Film 1989; they have three children. Has a , 1980-81 Most recently: “The School of Rock,” From left: ; Victoria Jackson in costume for her role in Festival. No release date set. doctorate in psychology. Notable: Tony nomination for “My One and 2003; “” on . “Romeo!”; and in a scene from “In the Family Way.” , 1985-90 Most recently: Retired from acting. Only,” 1983; “Dream On,” HBO, 1990-96. ELLEN CLEGHORNE, 1991-95 Notable: “Three Kings,” 1999; “Runaway JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, 1982-85 Most recently: Hoping to perform in “8 Notable: “Cleghorne!” a 1995 sitcom that JULIA SWEENEY, 1990-94 Most recently: “In the Family Way,” a Jury,” 2003 Notable: “,” 1990-98 by Tenn,” plays by , on didn’t make it; “Armageddon,” 1998. Notable: “God Said Ha!,” her successful one-woman show about her adoption of a Most recently/upcoming: “The Hebrew Most recently: “Watching Ellie,” a sitcom Broadway after concluding a run at Hartford Most recently/upcoming: Touring on stage show about cancers that struck her Chinese girl that played off-Broadway and in Hammer,” 2003; Has finished work on “Laws for NBC that lasted less than a season. Stage . comedy circuit; “Full Clip,” a Lion’s Gate film brother, fatally, and her. It was made into a . She’s also writing a drama of Attraction,” a New Line feature starring She’s awaiting “other possibilities,” a with not set for release. film in 1998. for ABC and a sitcom for NBC. and . representative said.