The Hilariously Bizarre World Of Dooneese: 7 Secrets Behind Kristen Wiig's Little Hands SNL Character

Few characters in Saturday Night Live history are as instantly recognizable and hilariously unsettling as Dooneese, the Maharelle sister with the infamous "little hands" played by the inimitable Kristen Wiig. Even years after Wiig’s departure from the main cast, the sketch remains a staple of SNL retrospectives and a prime example of her unique brand of surrealist comedy. As of late 2025, the character's legacy has been reignited with special appearances and ongoing analysis, cementing Dooneese's place as one of the show's most polarizing and brilliant creations.

The recurring "The Lawrence Welk Show" sketch, where Dooneese first appeared, was a masterclass in committed absurdity. It took the wholesome, bubble-filled world of the classic variety show and injected a dose of pure, unadulterated weirdness. The central figure of this bizarre juxtaposition was always Dooneese, whose peculiar physical features and unnerving vocalizations turned a simple musical number into a must-see spectacle of cringe comedy. This deep dive uncovers the secrets, co-stars, and enduring appeal of the character with the tiny hands.

Kristen Wiig: A Profile in Surreal Comedy

To truly appreciate the genius of Dooneese, one must first understand the powerhouse comedian who brought her to life. Kristen Wiig's career is defined by her ability to fully commit to the most outlandish characters, often blending the deeply awkward with the strangely empathetic.

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• Birth Name: Kristen Carroll Wiig
• Born: August 22, 1973
• Birth Place: Canandaigua, New York, United States
• Profession: Actress, Comedian, Screenwriter, Producer
• SNL Tenure: 2005–2012 (Main Cast)
• Notable Films: Bridesmaids (co-writer and star), Ghostbusters (2016), The Martian, Wonder Woman 1984, The Skeleton Twins
• Key SNL Characters: Dooneese, Penelope, Gilly, Target Lady, Sue (The Surprise Lady)
• Awards & Nominations: Multiple Emmy nominations, Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay (Bridesmaids)
• Education: Dropped out of the University of Arizona to pursue acting in Los Angeles.

Wiig's time on SNL is often cited as a golden era for character-driven comedy. She possessed a rare skill for creating original personalities that were both physically distinct and emotionally complex, even in the brief format of a sketch. Dooneese, with her signature tiny hands, is arguably the most extreme example of this talent.

The Lawrence Welk Show: The Birth of Dooneese and the Maharelle Sisters

The "Little Hands" character, Dooneese, was the odd-one-out among the Maharelle Sisters, a singing group parodying the kind of wholesome, cheesy acts that would have appeared on the real Lawrence Welk Show. The sketch debuted in 2008 and quickly became a recurring fan favorite.

1. The Origin of the 'Tiny Hands' Feature

The most iconic feature of the character—the tiny hands—was entirely Kristen Wiig's invention. According to SNL costume designer Tom Broecker, Wiig came up with the idea of a "crazy looking person" with a giant forehead and tiny little hands. The hands themselves are baby doll arms, which Wiig holds in her own hands, manipulating them to create a jarring visual effect. This simple prop instantly transforms her into a creature of bizarre, unsettling charm.

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2. The Other Maharelle Sisters (The Co-Stars)

Dooneese was one of four Maharelle sisters from the Finger Lakes, New York. The joke was that the other three sisters were conventionally attractive and flirtatious, making Dooneese's bizarre nature stand out even more. The cast members who frequently played the other sisters included:

• Nasim Pedrad
• Vanessa Bayer
• Cecily Strong

In various sketches, they would try to sing a sweet, simple song, only for Dooneese to derail the performance with a sudden, dark confession or a disturbing vocal improvisation, often involving the object of her desire.

3. The Recurring Supporting Cast

The sketch’s topical authority is bolstered by the rotating cast of comedians and hosts who had to interact with Dooneese’s bizarre advances. Fred Armisen frequently played the host, Lawrence Welk, while Jason Sudeikis appeared as the hunky vocalist Dorian Permes. Guest hosts who have been the subject of Dooneese's unnerving affections or appeared in the sketch include:

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• Jon Hamm (as the Italian singer)
• Jonah Hill
• Anne Hathaway
• Kim Kardashian (in a later cameo)
• Scarlett Johansson
• Ana Gasteyer

The Enduring and Polarizing Legacy of Dooneese

Dooneese's nine total appearances during Wiig's main run and subsequent cameos have cemented her status as one of the most memorable characters of the 2000s and 2010s. However, the character's extreme nature has always sparked debate, which is precisely what makes her a subject of fresh analysis today.

4. The Character's Full Peculiar Features

Beyond the "little hands," Dooneese’s appearance was a collection of unsettling details that Wiig fully committed to. She had a large, prominent forehead, a strange, often aggressive hairstyle, and a single, protruding canine tooth. Her signature move was the dramatic, sudden reveal of her tiny hands, accompanied by a high-pitched, warbling voice that would sing inappropriate, often dark lyrics about her personal life or her lust for the male guest star.

5. The SNL50 Reunion and Recent Relevance

The character remains so iconic that she was brought back for the recent SNL50 special (a celebration of the show's 50th season). This return, alongside other legendary characters, proves that Dooneese is considered a cornerstone of modern SNL history. Her appearance in the special, often alongside Will Ferrell’s Robert Goulet, introduced the bizarre character to a new generation of viewers and reminded long-time fans of Wiig’s fearless commitment to the bit.

6. The Critical Divide: Genius vs. One-Note

Recent analysis of Wiig’s SNL tenure often highlights the critical debate surrounding Dooneese. Some critics and fans celebrate the character as an act of "wonderfully weird" genius, a character so fully realized in her absurdity that she transcends the typical sketch comedy limitations. Conversely, others found the recurring sketch to be "overused and one-note," arguing that the joke relied too heavily on the physical gag and the shock of her dark confessions. This ongoing discussion about the character's quality is what keeps the "little hands" sketch relevant today.

7. The Heart of the Comedy: Commitment to the Absurd

Ultimately, the enduring success of the Dooneese sketch lies in Kristen Wiig's absolute commitment. The comedy doesn't come just from the tiny hands, but from the fact that Dooneese believes she is just as attractive and talented as her sisters. She is a woman searching for love and acceptance, albeit one whose physical and verbal expressions are filtered through a deeply strange lens. Wiig's ability to play the character with a straight face, never breaking, is the key to unlocking the sketch's uncomfortable, yet side-splitting, humor. It's a testament to the fact that the most memorable comedy often comes from the characters who are the most fully, and most bizarrely, realized.