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The 50 greatest Saturday Night Live skits…where do we even begin? A TV and comedic staple for 40 years now, SNL has been the jumping-off point for some of the greatest comedians in history; Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Chris Farley, and Dan Aykroyd are only a few of the show’s alums who went on to become household names.
WithSNL's 40th anniversary special airing tomorrow, we felt compelled to take a look back at the series’ tastemaking sketches and their unforgettable stars that brought us to where we are now, setting the standard for comedy past and present. From old-school to new, we've rounded up the best of the best commercials, digital shorts, impressions, game shows, political satires, celeb appearances, and more.
So sit back, grab a handful of Schweddy Balls, and feast your eyes on The 50 Greatest Saturday Night Live Skits of all time.
50. Consumer Probe
Air Date: Dec. 11, 1976
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Candice Bergen
Pretty Peggy Ear Piercing Set, Mr. Skin Grafter, Doggy Dentist—if you were ever looking for dangerous toys for your kids to injure (or kill) themselves with, Irwin Mainway's products were the end all, be all. Starring Dan Aykroyd as the creepy, Mafioso-like Mainway, this sketch exploited the totally blind curiosity you once had as a kid.
The thing we love most about this bit is the fact that some of these toys actually worked (and no, we aren't talking about the generic, albeit hilarious, Bag Of Glass). Take Johnny Switchblade, for instance: When Candice Bergen pushed the top of the doll, two blades popped out on the sides. Talk about things that would have been useful in those fistfights you were in during elementary school.
49. Natalie Raps
Air Date: March 4, 2006
Starring: Natalie Portman, Chris Parnell, Andy Samberg
Oh, look it's Natalie Portman, that fine girl from the bad Star Wars prequel trilogy. She's pretty funny, too. And...wait a second. She can spit?
Yep, that's right. This Digital Short featuring the supposedly sweet, innocent actress cursing up a storm went viral immediately (no surprises there), and the rhymes weren't half bad, either. Don't believe us? Read this: "All the kids looking up to me can suck my dick/ It's Portman, motherfucker, drink 'til I'm sick/Slit your throat and pour nitrous down the hole/Watch you laugh and cry, while I laugh, you die."
So, yeah, can you marry us? Did we also mention that this video includes footage of her smashing a bottle over her head and destroying the dreams of a little girl dressed as Queen Amidala? Damn, son.
48. Garth and Kat on Halloween
Air Date: Oct. 30, 2010
Starring: Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig, Seth Meyers
Post-Fallon, the cast of SNL seemed to recognize that viewers loved it when they broke character. This was one of the skits that took advantage of that realization. The setup was pretty simple: Garth and Kat, played by Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig, are low-rent singers making an appearance on "Weekend Update" to sing some holiday songs, only they didn't rehearse shit. So instead of singing well, Garth and Kat just leap into random, unmelodic verses separately and hope they can at the very least match up with each other.
The skits are improvisational feats for Armisen and Wiig, and the fun they're having with each other in each one is palpable. The back-and-forth they have with Seth Meyers ("We need this, Mr. MINORS!") is just the cherry on top. Garth and Kat's peak came on Halloween 2010, with sing-song tangents about California and chocolate milk, the perfect amount of breaking, and the somehow hilarious/legendary line from Wiig, "We came all the way from Camp David!"
47. I'm on a Boat
Air Date: Feb. 7, 2009
Starring: Andy Samberg, T-Pain, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone
Who'd have thought we'd ever see an SNL bit go platinum? The flippy-floppy-sporting Andy Samberg and his boy T-Pain's nautical anthem not only became the most-watched video on YouTube the month it aired—it topped the iTunes charts and scored a Grammy nod for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. While the Lonely Islanders unfortunately didn't leave with the award that year, their fresh vid about a trio of dudes just psyched to win a free boat ride will go down in history as one of the series' very best.
46. Samurai Hitman
Air Date: March 19, 1977
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Garrett Morris, Bill Murray
Damn, this thing is seriously racist as hell. Although, we guess everything is fair grounds for being made fun of on SNL. "Samurai Hitman" starred John Belushi, one of the most iconic cast members of all time, doing Samurai Futaba, one of the most iconic characters of all time. Like so many sketches, the great thing about this one isn't so much the idea behind it, but Belushi's execution of the character. Dude is performing in five-minute intervals speaking nothing but gibberish.
You're probably asking yourself, "Why is that impressive?" Well, because the gibberish is quite convincing. Plus, the body language, the haircut, the outfit—they all combine to make the perfect samurai spoof, so much so that any comedian that tries to do something similar today will just get called out for ripping off John Belushi.
45. The Coneheads at Home
Air Date: Feb. 26, 1977
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Steve Martin
Another great sketch that made for an absolutely horrible movie, the Coneheads were a seemingly happy alien family from the planet Remulak. They wandered around in their pajamas, ate shredded swine flesh, drank six packs of beer, and spoke in that horrible, monotone voice.
And don't forget their daughter, Connie (played by Laraine Newman). She was always looking to do more "American" things, which both parents vehemently shook their cones at. Just one big happy alien family.
44. The Al Gore-George W. Bush First Debate
Air Date: Oct. 7, 2000
Starring: Darrell Hammond, Will Ferrell, Chris Parnell
It's really hard to say who killed this more. On one hand, you have Darrell Hammond as Al Gore going on and on and on about a lockbox (something Gore himself actually proposed before the 2000 election) in a nerdy, slow drawl, and on the other you've got one of SNL's best ever, Will Ferrell, playing a dumbfounded George W. Bush who's just trying to keep his head above water and not out himself as a borderline illiterate.
The character beats both guys hit (Hammond's Gore constantly interrupting Bush, Ferrell's Bush describing his platform with the word "strategery" and looking so damn proud of himself) are perfect, and I'm still shocked Nader didn't win that election after this dual evisceration. It's too good, and it's Saturday Night Live's most iconic mock presidential debate ever.
43. Daily Affirmations With Stuart Smalley
Air Date: Sept. 28, 1991
Starring: Al Franken, Michael Jordan
During Al Franken's time on SNL (that is, before his days as a senator in Minnesota), he managed to create one of the more memorable characters in the show's history, Stuart Smalley. For the uninitiated, Smalley was the man behind an inspirational, public access-like segment called Daily Affirmation, where he dished out advice to both random individuals and celebs, despite the fact that Smalley wasn't "a licensed therapist" (which the narrator made sure to mention at the beginning of each segment).
And then there's the famous Stuart Smalley phrase: "I am good enough, I am smart enough, and, doggone it, people like me." It's even funnier when Michael Jordan says it, as shown in the video above.
Side note: Can you imagine MJ doing anything other than a Hanes ad now? Yeah, we can't either.
42. The Continental
Air Date: May 19, 2001
Starring: Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken's recurring portrayal of the series' relentless robed predator makes us feel awful… Because we just can't get enough. In what will likely go down in history as the actor's sketchiest role of all time, he manipulates chicks into entering his apartment, where subsequent events tend to involve one or more of the following: champagne toasts, creepy advances, drugging attempts, Walken getting slapped, discoveries of disturbing voyeuristic paraphernalia (e.g., a two-way mirror in the bathroom, a periscope looking into female neighbors' apartments), and more. Really, how could any female resist?
41. St. Monica Talent Auditions
Air Date: Oct. 28, 1995
Starring: Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hardwick, Will Ferrell, Gabriel Byrne
We think our feelings about Molly Shannon's recurring character "Mary Katherine Gallagher" would best be expressed in a monologue from the made-for-TV movie, A Friendship to Die For. OK, not really. However, we wouldn't be shocked if Mary K. did spontaneously happen to bust out into a scene from an equally corny-looking movie, exemplifying one of the socially impaired teenager's signature ways of expressing herself.
We're sure, though, that she'd preface the performance by sticking her fingers under her armpits and sniffing them, as she's prone to do. That said, if you're a fan of awkward humor, you're a fan of Mary Katherine Gallagher. Shannon commits hard when it comes to her character's, um, extreme personality, making SNL's resident “superstar” more than deserving of her title. Before Miss Gallagher, we never realized a Catholic schoolgirl could be so unsavory.
40. What Up With That?
Air Date: Dec. 4, 2010
Starring: Kenan Thompson, Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig, Paul Brittain
Don't ask me to explain why this is funny. How could I put Kenan Thompson as a flamboyant BET talk show host whose segments never get off the ground because he can't get past the funky intro into words? Why would I try explaining why Fleetwood Mac's Lindsay Buckingham (played by a silent Bill Hader) is in every iteration of the sketch, or why Jason Sudeikis is so good at the running man?
No. Instead, just watch Robert De Niro and Robin Williams try to find meaning in the madness around them as trigger words like "films" and "Mean Streets" send Thompson's DeAndre Cole into an extremely sweaty hysteria.
39. Uncle Jemima's Pure Mash Liquor
Air Date: Feb. 5, 2000
Starring: Tim Meadows, Tracy Morgan
Before Dave Chappelle dressed up as Samuel L. Jackson to sell his eponymous brand of beer ("It'll git ya drunkkk!!"), there was "Uncle Jemima's Mash Liquor." It all makes sense, too. Of course, Aunt Jemima had a liquored-up husband who hawked his own brand of booze. Hell, if our wife made millions of dollars off a syrup empire, we would be sitting on our ass getting trashed, too.
With Tracy Morgan starring as the Uncle (and the Aunt), he attempted to sell us on his delicious brand of mash by throwing insults at his wife—"Black folk ain't exactly swelling up with pride on account of you flipping flapjacks"—and swatting at imaginary cartoon birds. However, one thing that wasn't imaginary: Uncle Ben on the cover of that bottle of booze.
38. Jaws II
Air Date: Nov. 8, 1975
Starring: Candice Bergen, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Don Pardo, Gilda Radner
Apparently, no one told SNL's cast members to not answer the door for creepy dudes who claim they have flowers to give you. In this classic sketch, Chevy Chase stars as the "Land Shark," who's basically just Chase wearing a giant shark mascot on his head.
We admit that the character was probably a lot funnier when it first debuted in 1975, five months after the blockbuster Jaws had premiered in theaters (the best we have now is Shark Night 3D—womp womp). It's still totally enjoyable, however, to watch the so-called "cleverest species of them all" bite the heads off of unsuspecting individuals who are dumb enough to answer the door for a stranger.
37. Old Glory Insurance
Air Date: Nov. 18, 1995
Starring: Sam Waterston
Old people have a lot to be worried about—gangs, rap music—but what about robots? The wave of robot attacks on the elderly (because robots need old people's medicine for fuel) was running rampant in the '90s. At one point, robot attacks were even responsible for 58% of deaths of people over the age of 50. So thank god for Sam Waterston and Old Glory Insurance. Those two made sure old people were covered against these heinous acts of violence and had relative peace of mind. And they also made sure olds remained woke with the warning, "Persons denying the existence of Robots may be Robots themselves."
God, this skit is amazing. And Waterston agrees. "That was my finest hour," he told The AV Club in 2012. He ain't wrong.
36. The Barry Gibb Talk Show
Air Date: April 9, 2005
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore
If ever there were two dudes you wanted to hear discuss politics and the issues of the day, well, they probably wouldn't be Bee Gees members Barry and Robin Gibb. That is, until Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon came along, leisure suits pressed, medallions gleaming, and encouraged us all to think again.
Who'd have guessed that the '70s supergroup could give the O'Reillys, Maddows, and Olbermanns of TV a run for their money? Actually, they don't. But it sure is fun to watch the easily offended Barry (Fallon) start screaming at all of his guests, unleashing high kicks and hurling (harmonized) insults with the help of his soft-spoken brother, Robin. We only wish more political talk shows followed this formula.
35. Bill Clinton at McDonald's
Air Date: Dec. 5, 1992
Starring: Tom Arnold, Ellen Cleghorne, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, Melanie Hutsell, Tim Meadows, Kevin Nealon, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Julia Sweeney
Before Darrell Hammond took over Bill Clinton duties on SNL, the late, great Phil Hartman played everyone's favorite sex-addicted president, from 1992 to 1994. There are plenty of Hartman-as-Clinton sketches to choose from, but we picked this particular skit, not only for its hysterical premise (Bill Clinton walking into a McDonald's after a three-block jog and mooching off of other people's meals) but also for one particular line in the beginning (keep in mind, this bit took place in 1992).
Secret Service agent: "Please, don't tell Mrs. Clinton [about the trip to McDonald's]."
Bill Clinton: "Jim, let me tell you something. There's a gonna be a whole bunch of things we don't tell Mrs. Clinton."
A little foreshadowing, perhaps?
34. Weather Scope
Air Date: Oct. 25, 1997
Starring: Chris Farley
Whether you're a product of the '80s, '90s, or you're being born as we speak (no questions asked), chances are high that you didn't (or won't) make it through school without hearing this sketch quoted at least once a month, particularly by the school's "bros."
But don't let that put you off: Even legit Spanish speakers can't help but cackle at the sight of Chris Farley in his ruffled wrestler outfit, posing for The Weather Channel as, yes, the tropical storm “El Niño.” Which, for those of you who don't know, is Spanish for… "THE NIÑO!"
33. Mom Jeans
Air Date: May 10, 2003
Starring: Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Chris Parnell
Starring several of SNL's greatest female heavy hitters, this priceless commercial was all about shining a light on the one article of lady-clothing that sends even the bravest of men running away screaming: the mom jean.
Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler all take turns strutting their stuff in exaggeratedly high-waisted denim, each cut more unflatteringly than the last. (You've got to love the revolted look on Chris Parnell's face about 24 seconds deep, as his wife emerges in the capri-length option.)
However, the faux jean line modeled after the unfortunate real deal couldn't have been summed up more perfectly than when the narrator states, “Give her that something that says, 'I'm not a woman anymore—I'm a mom!'” Ladies, let this serve as a cautionary tale.
32. Church Chat
Air Date: March 17, 1990
Starring: Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe
Modeled after some of the buzzards he grew up seeing in church, Dana Carvey's "Church Lady" thoroughly enjoys giving her celebrity guests shit about their sin-packed lifestyles on her Christian talk show—and, we have to say, we thoroughly enjoy watching.
While you'll often see A-listers getting their asses kissed during national TV appearances, Carvey's character isn't afraid to take digs at them for some of their headline-making scandals. Like Rob Lowe's sex scenes, for example. Watch here as the Church Lady grills Lowe about his TNPs ("Tingly Naughty Parts"), then moves onto spanking him while he yelps, "Thank you Church Lady, may I have another!?"
31. The Blues Brothers
Air Date: Nov. 18, 1978
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi
Talk about a sketch that took on a life of its own. "The Blues Brothers," led by Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively) evolved from SNL characters to full-fledged rock stars. Their 1978 debut album, Briefcase Full Of Blues, even hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
Oddly enough, the first "Blues Brothers" skit to air on SNL didn't even include Belushi and Aykroyd's signature outfits. Instead, the duo dressed as bees, which didn't last very long, of course. Eventually, they both began wearing the famous black suit-and-hat getups.
Over the years, the band has worked with a group of exceptional musicians, including members of both the Bar-Kays and Booker T & the M.G.'s. And, more than three decades after their debut, the Blues Brothers continue to perform, mainly with guest vocalists.
30. Delaware 1 News Special Report
Air Date: Feb. 1, 2014
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Taran Killam, John Milhiser, Brooks Wheelan, Kyle Mooney
In the winter of 2014, when Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm got in a young reporter's face and said, "I'll break you in half. Like a boy," the writer's room at SNL must have lit up. Especially because they had Melissa McCarthy coming in to host. What we ended up with was a special news report on a freshman congresswoman terrorizing every motherfucking camera in her way.
McCarthy's congresswoman first goes from pulling a Grimm ("You're a little baby and I'm gonna put you in a stroller and buckle you up and throw you down a flight of stairs.") to destroying a filming bystander to shooting out surveillance cameras with a glock. McCarthy's signature physical humor and bawdy personality carry the sketch, and the way the stakes get higher and higher—she actually steals a cop car!—just means the skit gets funnier and funnier.
29. Debbie Downer
Air Date: May 1, 2004
Starring: Rachel Dratch, Lindsay Lohan, Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon, Keenan Thompson, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen
What makes "Debbie Downer" (more specifically, its first episode) a classic isn't actually Rachel Dratch's buzzkill of a character—it's how the cast members surrounding her completely lose their shit. There are naturally times when certain cast-mates can't resist cracking a smile during a scene, but they almost always pull it together quickly and move on. That's not the case here.
We think the culprit might've been the cartoonish “WAH WAHHHH” sound made by a trombone off-screen, which would play every time Debbie Made killed the vibe by voicing her opinions on feline AIDS, Mad Cow Disease, and other mood-murdering topics.
Keep your eyes on Rachel Dratch, though: The second you hear the trombone, you can see she's on the verge of busting out laughing, which has a domino effect on the rest of the troupe. After a certain point, the cast doesn't even bother trying to hide it any longer, cracking up even as Debbie reveals that she can't have children. Dark!
28. Coffee Talk
Air Date: Feb. 22, 1992
Starring: Mike Myers, Madonna, Roseanne Barr
Over the years, we've witnessed countless dudes performing in drag on SNL for the sake of bringing the laughs, but it has to be said that there's no SNL lady-boy more memorable than Linda Richman. Mike Myers' middle-aged, exaggeratedly Jewish character (modeled after his own mother-in-law) hosts a call-in talk show and is known primarily for three things: Her intense Long Island accent, her crazy hair and jewelry, and her huge obsession with Barbara Streisand.
In the series' most popular episode, Madonna and Roseanne Barr appear on "Coffee Talk" as Linda's best friend and her gassy mother. Madonna, as the friend, starts talking shit about Madonna, calling her a tramp and saying she's a shitty role model for Jewish girls, while Roseanne just does her thing in the background. Just as the sketch is about to end, however, and the three are signing off, out pops, who else, Barbara Streisand from backstage in a surprise appearance that, reportedly, not even the actors had anticipated.
Yeah, SNL was cool like that. Fortunately, the three were able to keep it together and remain in character, unlike Jimmy Fallon during pretty much all of his sketches.
27. Oops I Crapped My Pants
Air Date: Sept. 26, 1998
Starring: Ana Gasteyer, Chris Parnell, Steve Higgins
The sketch that made you never want to look your grandparents in the face again, "Oops I Crapped My Pants" was an instant hit when it first aired in 1998. The spoof starts out like any other generic stomach problem commercial—that is until you see the name of the product on the package. Right then, you knew things were only going to get worse (meaning better). Next up are shots of grandpa bragging he had just crapped his pants, then grandma running across the tennis court with giant a diaper sticking out the bottom of her dress. It was gross, but, hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go.
26. Schmitts Gay
Air Date: Sept. 28, 1991
Starring: Adam Sandler, Chris Farley
In one of SNL's funniest commercials ever, Adam Sandler decides to invite his buddy, Chris Farley, over to a house he's looking after to crack a few beers. When Farley starts to give him a hard time about the dump he's condemned himself to, Sandler gives him a knowing look before a series of buff gay dudes magically appear from the depths of the pool to hook them up with some Schmitts Gay. The place immediately transforms into one of those ridiculous-looking poolside parties you'll see in Bud Light posters—but with banana hammocks in lieu of beautiful ladies. Six-packs galore!
25. The Roxbury Guys
Air Date: May 18, 1996
Starring: Jim Carrey, Chris Kattan, Will Ferrell
Chances are, at some point in your life, you've been one of these guys. Or at the very least, you've had a couple of embarrassing friends just like them. Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell's “Roxbury Guys” perfectly embody those schmoes you'll run into at the club, the ones who think they're smooth as hell as they're dancing off beat and dryhumping some poor chick unfortunate enough to get caught in the middle of their sandwich. (Essentially, they're the guys who allow you to look like a hero as you swoop in and save that damsel in distress from their wrath.)
However, while we aren't sure we'd want to hit the town with Doug and Steve Butabi, we do certainly enjoy watching them. With Haddaway's “What is Love” blasting and a third wingman (normally the night's host) in tow, the brothers are unstoppable. Check them out here with their greatest guest to date, Jim Carrey. We didn't even know neck isolation like that was possible.
24. Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey
Air Date: March 3, 1991
Starring: Jack Handey
With sweet nuggets of wisdom, like “It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man,” what wasn't there to love about SNL's Jack Handey interludes? Set to tunes that sounded like they could've been lifted from a Pure Moods soundtrack, the new age-y segments always featured an absent Handey reflecting upon his new observations on life as waves crashed upon the shore, or a pack of birds flew through the air. (So essentially, it's kinda like those '80s-looking background videos you'll always notice during karaoke.)
The guy's musings always started out seeming pensive, but then Handey, with his soothing voice, would unleash some sort of hilarious or sociopathic twist at the end. While many assume that the narrator is merely an SNL character, Handey is in fact real. Hardcore fans can find him in El Paso, Texas, making bank off his one-liners and kicking it with his wife.
23. The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party
Air Date: Sept. 27, 2012
Starring: Cecily Strong, Seth Meyers
This is the skit that (temporarily) got Cicely Strong the "Weekend Update" gig, and wow is it true to life. The amazing parts of Strong's annoying party girl is all of the minor details: the way-too-dressy outfit, the slurred words ("society" always becomes "sciety"), the constant iPhone tapping, the way Seth Meyers can't get out of the conversation no matter what, and the needless, incessant yelling across the room ("Mackenzie! Mackenzie!").
The little notes are so good you almost forget the great lines like, "Seth, can I use the N-word right now?" or "I'm the mayor, Seth, to sciety, and a fire, and a Band-Aid, and it's like sometimes when you rip a bandage off a Band-Aid, it hurts. But sometimes, it heals." We've all been there, listening to some idiot drone on while we look for the nearest window to jump out of—but sure is fun to watch it go down from the comforts of our couches.
22. Bill Swerkski's Super Fans
Air Date: Sept. 28, 1991
Starring: George Wendt, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Robert Smigel, Siobhan Fallon, Michael Jordan
"Bill Swerkski's Superfans" is almost as good as drinking a cold beer on a Sunday while watching your favorite team kick the crap out of your most hated rival. While Mike Myers and Robert Smigel are great as fellow Chicago sports fans, it was Chris Farley who ultimately took this bit to a new level, especially with his character having heart attacks throughout (you can blame it on the Polish sausage).
Even Mike Ditka himself made appearance in 1993. After the original sketch aired, Chicagoans everywhere had two brand new catch phrases ("Da Bears!" and "Ditkaaa!") and a new set of ultimate sports fans to look up to. However, the one thing Bill Swerski could not provide was a Bears championship.
21. The Ladies' Man
Air Date: Dec. 13, 1997
Starring: Tim Meadows, Helen Hunt, Will Ferrell, Steve Higgins, Collin Quinn
It was Love Line, except instead of Dr. Drew you had a philandering, Courvoisier-drinking ladies man known as Leon Phelps. People say that he never solved any of his callers' problems, which we only half agree with. Sure, people would sometimes call in to complain about the size of their wang, only for Leon to agree with them and tell them that there was nothing he could do, but once in awhile, Mr. Phelps did have some semi-decent advice.
Take the bit of knowledge he imparted in the sketch above. A man calls in saying he's having trouble finding hotter women to date. Well, Leon says, if you can't find a hot enough woman, then lower your standards and start banging skanks (his words, not ours). Either way, it makes sense to us.
20. The Ambiguously Gay Duo
Air Date: May 14, 2011
Starring: Steve Carrell, Stephen Colbert, Jon Hamm, Jimmy Fallon, Ed Helms
Are they or aren't they? This was the question that consistently follows the pastel tight-sporting superfriends, Ace and Gary, everywhere they go. (One could say the twosome served as SNL's ambiguously gay predecessors to Brian Fellow.) The recurring TV Funhouse series usually has the guys cruising around in their schlong-shaped ride, facing off against the criminal mastermind, Bighead and his henchmen. The villain and his evildoing flunkies almost always get sidetracked, debating whether Ace and Gary are gay, due to their questionable behavior and innuendo.
If you thought the guys' voices sounded familiar, you'd be correct: Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert lend their voices to the characters, and in an awesome twist, take the SNL stage to play the bad guys in this classic live action reincarnation starring Jon Hamm and Jimmy Fallon.
19. The Festrunk Brothers
Air Date: April 22, 1978
Starring: Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner
The accents, the outfits, that outrageous shimmy they did while walking across the room—just think of the Festrunk Brothers as a precursor to the Butabis, the "Night at the Roxbury" duo played by Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan. Like the Butabis, Yortuk and Georg (Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin) were "two wild and crazy guys," except the Festrunks constantly admitted out loud that they were "wild and crazy."
Besides reminiscing about the old days in Czechoslovakia (the bars there were all run by the state), Yortuk and Georg loved talking about their huge bulges, their tight slacks, "swinging," and, most importantly, grabbing "big American breasts." Today, we call these people bros (well, minus the Czech part).
18. Brian Fellow's Safari Planet
Air Date: May 15, 1999
Starring: Tracy Morgan, Chris Parnell, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Tracy Morgan's appearances as the Safari Planet host, who lacks any sort of legit zoology degree but boasts “a sixth grade education and an abiding love for all of God's creatures,” are easily his greatest (no matter how much we loved watching him hawk products as Maya Angelou). In a typical episode, the alternatingly enthusiastic and volatile title character sports clear lip gloss and get all sorts of Antoine Dodson-sassy with guests the second he feels his less-than-expansive animal knowledge is challenged.
Despite his flamboyance, though, we never actually see him kicking it to any of his more appealing (male) visitors, so your guess on his ambiguous sexual orientation is as good as ours. That said, humans aren't the only guests with whom Fellow has been known to butt heads; his adorable animal visitors are also fair game for his rage. In this particular episode, an "uppity" cow gets Brian's blood boiling.
17. Dysfunctional Family Dinner
Air Date: Jan. 17, 1998
Starring: Will Ferrell, Ana Gasteyer, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Here's how you know this is a legendary sketch. Go walk outside (but leave your browser open, please), walk up to the first person you see and yell, "I OWN A DODGE STRATUS!" That person will then begin laughing uncontrollably because your pop culture references are so off the chain.
One thing Will Ferrell does so well—and it's something he doesn't really tap into anymore—is play a man hanging onto the last shred of his masculinity, full of simmering insecurity and out-of-control anger. And what elevates this skit is not when Ferrell freaks out, but those boiling moments when you know the freakout is coming. Just hearing those utensils scratch against the dinner plates makes me giddy with anticipation.
16. The Chanukah Song
Air Date: Dec. 3, 1994
Starring: Adam Sandler
“The Chanukah Song” is one of those bits that you forget actually came from SNL. After Adam Sandler debuted it on "Weekend Update" in 1994 (back when he was still funny), Jews everywhere were singing it at the top of their lungs, especially during holiday season. While all the other kids were joining in on Christmas carols, the Jewish children were now singing a cool song that they could finally call their own (eat your heart out, "Jingle Bell Rock").
Now every winter, Jews huddle around the Chanukah Bush to eat chocolate, spin dreidels, and sing "The Chanukah Song" (at least, we hope they do). Sandler went on to record two more versions of the track (titled “Chanukah Song Part II” and “Chanukah Song Part III,” respectively), but the original is still by far the best—mainly for that line about O.J. Simpson, who, apparently is not a Jew.
15. Lincoln
Air Date: Nov. 3, 2012
Starring: Louis C.K., Kenan Thompson, Aidy Bryant
Imagining Abraham Lincoln as Louis C.K.—what could be better than that? This gem from C.K.'s first hosting gig infused his—and his show's—interpersonal awkwardness and sharp, reality-based wit into the 16th president, and the results were all onions. First you've got Lincoln expecting black people to thank him after signing the Emancipation Proclamation: "I just wanna thank President Lincoln here for everything he's done for me," Kenan Thompson says as a newly freed slave. "Especially my new job of shoveling HORSE SHIT. INTO A WAGON."
As if that wasn't great enough, then you've got Lincoln C.K. doing a set at the Comedy Cellar, riffing on having to keep a straight face while negotiating with slaveowners, his impending assassination, and his "literally, historically crazy" wife. C.K. just does an amazing job of maintaining his style and persona while sporting a beard and a tophat. Mashing eras together usually doesn't work, but this is somehow a match made in heaven.
14. Lazy Sunday
Air Date: Dec. 17, 2005
Starring: Andy Samberg, Chris Parnell
Who'd have ever guessed that there was a crew out there with the ability to make us view The Chronicles of Narnia in a gully new light? Well, maybe not, but thanks to this sketch, we'll probably forever associate C.S. Lewis' acclaimed series with herb. Not that that's a bad thing.
In a digital short that would officially mark the beginning of rap comedy troupe The Lonely Island's reign, we witness Andy Samberg and partner in crime Chris Parnell rhyming about their afternoon plans to catch a matinee showing of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe—but not before stopping over at Magnolia to mack on some cupcakes. The castmates were as hardcore as two white guys sounding off about Google Maps could be.
If you managed to catch the twosome coordinating their distinctly un-hood Sunday itinerary the night it first aired, you probably realized two things almost immediately: First, that Andy Samberg (the new kid on the block at the time) was inevitably destined for greatness. And secondly, for better or worse, this could very well mark the start of a whole new era of white rappers.
13. Celebrity Jeopardy
Air Date: Jan. 23, 1999
Starring: Norm MacDonald, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, Darrell Hammond
If you were to add up all of the scores from the contestants on "Celebrity Jeopardy," you'd be lucky to break zero. With categories like "Colors That End in 'Urple" and "Your Ass or a Hole in the Ground," it's amazing how far cast members went in depicting celebrity stupidity. Of course, no one really cared about how smart (or dumb) those participating in this sketch were.
In the end, it was all about one thing and one thing only: Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell) vs. Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond). No matter how much he tried to ignore Connery's constant barrage of jokes about his mother, Alex Trebek could never win. If only real Jeopardy were this entertaining.
12. The Delicious Dish with Pete Schweddy
Air Date: Dec. 12, 1998
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon
This skit is so popular that it inspired a new Ben & Jerry's flavor (vanilla with a hint of rum and fudge-covered rum and milk chocolate balls). The premise is this: A man named Pete Schweddy, played by Alec Baldwin, runs a bakery called Season's Eatings. He appears on NPR's Delicious Dish to share his recipe for his world-famous Schweddy Balls—yep, you can see where this one is going—and before long, both hosts are gobbling Pete's delicious balls, telling him how tender they are and how good they smell.
We're still trying to figure out how all three of them got through this skit without laughing once. Those balls must put you into a real food coma.
11. Space, the Infinite Frontier with Harry Caray
Air Date: May 17, 1997
Starring: Will Ferrell, Jeff Goldblum
Don't ask why Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray would be doing a talk show about outer space. Don't even ask why SNL would expect an entire nation to know about the funny idiosyncrasies of a local sports guy. Just enjoy it.
Every line Will Ferrell says as Caray in this skit is hilarious and quotable ("That's why my friends call me Whiskers" is iconic), his mannerisms are on-point, and having Jeff Goldblum to play the straight man doesn't hurt either. It says a lot that this sketch catapulted Ferrell's impression all the way to the 1998 ESPYs, and that when Steve Bartman fucked the Cubs in 2003, Will Ferrell was one of the first person called on for an opinion.
10. Mister Robinson's Neighborhood
Air Date: Oct. 17, 1981
Starring: Eddie Murphy
Could you be, would you be Mister Robinson's neighbor? Yeah, probably not. Eddie Murphy's grimy version of Mr. Rogers seems like the kind of dude who'd steal your TV and keep you up all night watching Robin Byrd. But that's what made him great. (Come to think of it, that's exactly how we'd like to imagine the real Mr. Rogers was once the cameras stopped rolling.)
In typical Fred Rogers fashion, the cardigan-clad Murphy would open the door, change his shoes, and greet the boys and girls at home. However, rather than teaching them wholesome lessons about sharing and friendship, Mr. Robinson would school them on much more pertinent matters, like how to answer a door in the hood or the importance of a pair of disco shoes, and, of course, he'd also expand their vocabulary with key new phrases like “bitch,” “scum bucket,” and more. Thanks to this classic episode, we officially consider ourselves well-versed in dealing with both eviction notices and trifling wives.
9. Chippendales
Air Date: Oct. 27, 1990
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Chris Farley, Jan Hooks, Victoria Jackson, Marcy Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon
Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze competing at a Chippendales audition? That's comedy gold right there. And surprisingly, the big man sorta keeps up with his "Dirty Dancing" competitor. I mean, Chris actually does the worm at one point. The worm! That move isn't easy when you are under 200 pounds, let alone pushing 300. It's all pretty impressive if you ask us.
As for the rest of the competition, Farley's butt crack protruding from the top of his tights is no match for Swayze's rock-hard abs and good looks, but that doesn't really matter in this case. After all, this sketch was about bringing two geniuses together in one setting and settling their differences the only way they knew how: a half-naked dance off while three Chippendales judges looked on in astonishment.
8. James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party
Air Date: Nov. 5, 1983
Starring: Eddie Murphy
Sometimes a video just makes us wanna break out in a COL' SWEAT! We can't be sure if it's the wild dancing, the wig and gold Speedo combo, or the pitch-perfect screeches as the Godfather of Soul sticks a toe in the water, that make Eddie Murphy's depiction of James Brown's fictional hot tub talk show one of the most laugh-out-loud-funny sketches of all time, but, really, it's undeniable.
If you think about it, the 1983 skit was pretty experimental for its time. There's no rhyme or reason here—just one ongoing joke that involves the funk and soul legend getting down with his bad self in front of a bubbling hot tub. While there are numerous SNL classics that would likely deliver the same laughs were you to swap in a different cast member for the lead, this is a definitive sketch that Eddie, and Eddie alone, could pull off. We only wish we could've sat in on that brainstorming session.
7. Katie Couric Interviews Sarah Palin
Air Date: Sept. 27, 2008
Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler
During the 2008 presidential campaign, a little-known Governor from the state of Alaska was chosen as John McCain's running mate. She had all the makings of a perfect spotlight Republican: winning smile, big family, anti-tax personality. However, after two weeks on the campaign trail, people began to realize that she was (and still is) batshit crazy.
At that point, the question was no longer, Could this woman become vice president? It was, Will Tina Fey impersonate her on SNL? (After all, the physical similarties between herself and Palin were uncanny). Fey had moved on to bigger and better things on 30 Rock when Palin was thrust into the media spotlight, but Tina happily returned to play the "aw shucks" All-American Alaskan Governor. When she showed up alongside Amy Poehler's Hillary Clinton in September 2008, the applause from the SNL audience was thunderous. However Tina's most brilliant performance as Palin would come two weeks later when she spoofed the infamous Katie Couric interview.
6. Wayne's World
Air Date: Feb. 17, 1990
Starring: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Tom Hanks, Aerosmith
Schwing! Just take a moment to meditate on how many times the two hard-rocking Aurora, Ill. residents have saved your ass on Halloween when you procrastinated 'til the last moment on costume decisions. Even the most jacked up Waynes and Garths are still a hit at the party, and that's because they're a hit in real life—even now, 22 years after the characters first appeared.
Unlike other celebrated SNL sketches that took a nose dive once they hit the big screen, the Wayne's World movies are classics to this day: They had characters strong enough to carry them and quotes hysterical enough to keep fans echoing them decades after the 1992 premiere. Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar became megastars in their own right, but they first made a name for themselves on the show, hosting their infamous public access program from the basement of Wayne's parents' house.
In one of the most memorable episodes, the twosome's rock idols, Aerosmith, swing by to hang out. If that wasn't cool enough, Tom Hanks is also there—out of character as he's ever been—as the crew's roadie. And if that wasn't cool enough, Dana Carvey even jumps on the drums and starts banging out the "Wayne's World" theme song along with the group. Still skeptical? To that we say, "Aspinchtersayswhat?"
5. Dick in a Box
Air Date: Dec. 16, 2006
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg
While Pharrell Williams' willingness to take Justin Timberlake under his wing lead to the 2002 image resurrection and musical comeback of the century, it was the former 'NSyncer's guest hosting spot on SNL that made just about the entire country bow down to the guy's undeniable flair for comedy. Paying homage to corny R&B videos of the past, the star's digital short with Andy Samberg features two chin-strapped crooners expressing exactly how they'd like to show their ladies the holiday love—by presenting them with the ultimate Christmas package (literally): A dick in a box.
Dudes can hate on Justin all they want, but the numbers don't lie. The edgy video tested the series' limits and the payoff was huge: It became one of the biggest viral sensations on the Internet, raking in millions and millions of views on YouTube—and that's only the official vid. In addition to inspiring countless T-shirts, Halloween costumes, and, presumably, sexual harassment suits, the X-rated Christmas carol was honored with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, giving it further bragger's rights of being the first (and likely only) honoree to force a presenter to utter the word “dick” at the otherwise classy ceremony. For all the fellas out there with ladies to impress, it's easy to do; just follow these steps.
4. Stefon on Halloween
Air Date: Oct. 23, 2010
Starring: Bill Hader, Seth Meyers
Stefon is the most iconic character to come out of Saturday Night Live in the 21st century, and this specific appearance on "Weekend Update" is when he was at the peak of his powers. Every recurring SNL skit—even the classic ones—dies out the more it's rolled out. Just ask Kristen Wiig and every character she's ever done. This iteration of Stefon (there were 18 total) came early in his run though, when loyal viewers were just starting to beg for his appearances and the world of pop culture was just beginning to understand his stick. After this moment, Stefon became a phenomenon.
I can't say exactly what it is—the homeless robocops, Bark Ruffalo, Little Israel, or the fact that Bill Hader absolutely loses it when he mentions Sidney Applebaum, the Jewish Dracula. We all know Hader's thing is breaking character as Stefon—caused because SNL writer John Mulaney would change the jokes right before air—but this was on another level. The guy is actually crying. That's pure joy right there, and that's why Bill Hader has to be considered a Top 5 SNL cast member.
3. Behind the Music: Blue Oyster Cult
Air Date: April 8, 2000
Starring: Will Ferrell, Christopher Walken, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz
There's a reason Googlers will find that merely typing in the word “more” almost immediately calls up “cowbell” among a handful of more normal-seeming suggested search terms: It's straight up one of the funniest Saturday Night Live sketches of all time—some will undeniably argue the funniest. Despite the fact that Christopher Walken wasn't even an actual cast member, priceless cameos in sketches like these managed to nab him an entire “Best Of” DVD devoted to his SNL appearances. (There are full-time cast members that don't even get those!)
In this spoof of VH1's Behind the Music, we witness Blue Öyster Cult's fictionalized recording of their future hit “(Don't Fear) The Reaper.” While Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, Chris Parnell, and Horatio Sanz do a great job at mimicking the legendary bandmates, it's Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken who steal the show here, taking the sketch to ridiculous new heights between Ferrell's portrayal of fictional cowbell player Gene Frenkel and Walken's performance as The Bruce Dickinson, a legendary superproducer with whom the band is honored to collaborate.
As the guys begin to play, Dickinson's encouragement of Frenkel to “really explore the space” results in Ferrell dancing feverishly around the studio, crashing into the other band members as his tiny shirt rides up, his cowbell overwhelming the entire track (not to mention the pissed-looking lead singer). It's hard not to lose it after that, as the sketch's other players can attest—between Ferrell's over-the-top performance and Walken's deadpan acting (particularly while unleashing golden one-liners like, “I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!), you can tell the cast are fighting hard to keep straight faces.
2. Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker
Air Date: May 8, 1993
Starring: Christina Applegate, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, David Spade, Julia Sweeney
The skits where cast members can barely keep it together don't always turn out to be the best, but the first "Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker" bit with Chris Farley is so hilarious that we'd be upset if his fellow actors weren't losing their shit. David Spade and Christina Applegate are laughing pretty much the entire time as Farley chides them for everything they've ever done, and that if they continue down their current path, they are going to end up living in a van down by the river.
Farley is on screen for all of 10 seconds before Spade and Applegate start to laugh (Frankly, we can't blame them. There's no way we would be able to keep it together either). Then, a few minutes later, one of the best moments in SNL history occurs: Farley trips and falls right through the coffee table. Apparently, it all happened by accident. In fact, you can tell that the moment surprised even Farley, who breaks character for about a half second and begins to crack up. However, he then goes right back into his motivational speaker routine, as the rest of the cast looks on in total astonishment. Man, we miss Chris Farley.
1. Buh-Weet Sings
Air Date: Oct. 10, 1981
Starring: Eddie Murphy
While movie star Eddie might not show his full range of comic chops in flicks like Norbit and Imagine That, it's hard to argue that any cast member's SNL material has withstood the test of time like Eddie Murphy's has. Even the sketches of some of the show's greatest former power players, considered the most talented comedians of their time, aren't always immune to losing their hilarity as our nation's perception of what's funny evolves over the years. Stuff that killed your pops in the '70s might leave you stone-faced, just as boundary-pushing classics like “Dick in a Box” might leave your elders at a loss for words, longing for the days of Rosanne Rosannadanna.
We aren't saying the comedy of the Steve Martins and Gilda Radners who graced the screen during some of SNL's most notable eras hasn't managed to stay funny—of course it has. However, watching Murphy, whose stint on the show was only four years, is like witnessing pure, timeless genius. 30 years have passed since Buckwheat made his debut in 1981 and this sketch remains as hilarious as ever.
Despite the fact that there's no threshold the comic won't cross for a laugh, be it donning a Gumby suit, going undercover as a white dude, or unleashing the world's finest Stevie Wonder impression, the guy's ability to make you laugh—hard—always feels effortless. With his demented grin and “O-tays” at the ready, Murphy kills it with his reincarnation of Our Gang's controversial token brother, who just wants you to buy his compilation album. If you've seen it, you laugh before the jokes even drop because you know what's coming. If you haven't, you rewind it multiple times because you've just gotta see that rendition of “Wookin' Pa Nub” again to confirm that it actually just happened.
Say what you want: Eddie Murphy set the bar sky-high for SNL comedy past, present, and future.