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Polite Lads

Sean 'P Diddy' Combs has a picture of himself on his stationery

That’s the best fact we gleaned from SNL: The Exhibition.

FOR COMEDIANS, GETTING hired as a Saturday Night Live cast member can launch your career.

If you’re an actor, musician or politician, getting to host, or even just make a brief appearance, in an episode can be a career highlight.

In exchange for a little bit of time on America’s most famous sketch show, celebrities who appear on the show often send producer Lorne Michaels thank-you cards.

Many of these cards can be seen on display at Saturday Night Live: The Exhibition, which can be seen at 417 Fifth Avenue in New York City (if you’re heading Stateside this summer).

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The personal stationery  on display often says a lot about what “SNL” means to many people. Here are a few of the best ones:

P. Diddy has a drawing of himself on his stationary.

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To Lorne,

Thank you for all of your help! God Bless, Puff Daddy 98

Sean P. Diddy Combs has been on SNL several times. His most recent appearance was in 2010 when he also did a sketch with Andy Samberg.

Oprah wrote a lengthy letter on simple stationery.

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Lorne,

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your inspired staff.

It was exhilarating! I’ll never forget this experience or you.

I do love the way you walk into a room.

Sincerely,

Oprah

Oprah hosted SNL on 12 April 1986 with musical guest Joe Jackson. This was about two months after she was nominated for an Oscar for The Color Purple.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani sent Lorne a personal note.

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Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani appeared multiple times, perhaps most memorably on the show’s first taping following 11 September.

Besides that serious moment, Giuliani was known for bringing a lot of humor to SNL, having appeared on the show several times. He was not afraid to make himself look ridiculous. In one sketch, he boxed Will Ferrell, who was playing Attorney General Janet Reno.

The late Phil Hartman was grateful for ”the opportunity to serve”.

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Dear Lorne,

It was not without its blood, sweat, and tears; but the thrills and the glory remain prominent in my mind.

Thanks for the opportunity to serve.

Forever yours,

Phil

Hartman was a cast member from 1986 to 1994. During that time, he created such classic characters as Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer and did an uncanny Bill Clinton impression.

Jimmy Fallon thanked Lorne Michaels after his audition.

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Lorne,

I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to test for SNL. It was very exciting for me. I hope you have a great season.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Fallon
P.S. Happy Halloween!

Fallon always seems like the most polite guy in the room, so it is no surprise that he would write Lorne a personal thank you after his audition during which he made Lorne laugh with his spot-on Adam Sandler impression. The very serious Lorne is typically known for keeping a straight face during auditions. Fallon later did the impression on the show during a Celebrity Jeopardy sketch.

This also might have been practice for the Thank You Notes segment that Fallon did on Late Night and still does on The Tonight Show.

More: There was a dodgy impression of Hozier on Saturday Night Live this week

Read: Take a break and watch famous people celebrate SNL

Related: 8 things you missed from last night’s SNL anniversary special

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