Abby Elliott, SNL, HIMYM & Nepotism

According to Entertainment Weekly, Abby Elliott has scored her first job post 'Saturday Night Live'. After spending four seasons on 'SNL', Elliott announced earlier this month that she was leaving for good. This move was unexpected since Elliott lost her role in FOX's new comedy 'Ben and Kate' (she was replaced before filming by Dakota Johnson). Who, let's all be honest now, actually looks kind of like Abby Elliott. It's the eyes and hair. See?

Regardless, after she was recast it was speculated that Elliott would remain on 'SNL' for at least one more season. Her announced departure on August 15th was relatively late in the game, considering pilot season is far gone.

That being said, Elliott has already scored her first post-'SNL' gig. She will be featured on a guest arc on the hit comedy 'How I Met Your Mother'.

Although I think Elliott is a fine actress (certainly I'm not one to judge, since my capabilities for performing impersonations is zilch) I do think it interesting that she is once again following in her father's footsteps.

Elliott is the daughter of Chris Elliott, who appeared on 'SNL' from 1994-1995. Chris Elliott has also had a guest arc on 'How I Met Your Mother', appearing as Lily's (Alyson Hannigan) father.

While I don't think that Elliott would have been cast on 'SNL' if she did not have the requisite skill (Lorne Michaels!), and I don't think they would have allowed her to remain for four seasons if they felt that her acting was subpar, I do think that her connections helped her to score an initial audition. The industry is always like that, so it's not so much an issue as a fact of life. It's highly probable that these same familial connections helped her to score the interview for 'How I Met Your Mother'.

Abby Elliott (R) and her father Chris Elliot (L)

The original EW article can be read HERE, while more about nepotism in the Elliott family can be seen HERE.