Top 10 Times SNL Made Fun Of Reality TV
#10: “The Real Intros of Reality Hills”
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Bravo’s slate of reality programming sometimes seems like a parody in its own right. In many ways, it’s a gift that keeps on giving to a show like SNL. In this sketch they found a way to mock several of the network’s signature tropes in one go. We get the real estate himbo, the gold digger with her aging husband, and of course several versions of the Real Housewives. John Mulaney also does double duty as a pair of lifestyle show twins with a recognizably snotty attitude. What really sells this sketch is the fact that it doesn’t even seem like much of a stretch. At this point, Bravo could produce this exact show and no one would notice.
#9: “Catfish”
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Like most reality shows, MTV’s “Catfish” falls apart if you look too closely at it. So of course SNL is there to point out all the inconsistencies, be they in the premise or the production. Aidy Bryant is your typically clueless catfishing victim, falling for flimsy excuses and fake photos. Meanwhile, Adam Levine as Nev pokes fun at the host’s particular quirks. They also highlight a widely used editing staple in the reality genre, teasing an ambiguous climax for the sake of tension. As is often the case, the confrontation isn’t nearly so dramatic, but unlike most “Catfish” episodes it ends with a happy couple. You can’t be cynical about everything, you know.
#8: “The Fliplets”
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HGTV has made bank with series after series about generically amiable duos flipping houses. In this sendup of “The Property Brothers,” we see what can happen with a third personality in the mix. While two of the Fliplets are happy to stick to the HGTV brand, their brother Tristan seems determined to hash out their family issues on camera. Mikey Day and Alex Moffat are great as they keep trying to steer back to the upbeat script. It’s Ryan Gosling who really shines though, especially when his casual line delivery swerves into dramatic territory. Really, it’s the relentlessly peppy music that sells this whole thing. If HGTV ever got this off the rails we might actually pay for a cable subscription again.
#7: “House Hunters”
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At first, this sketch didn’t actually seem like too much of a departure from another quintessential HGTV show. As Liev Schrieber and Leslie Jones discuss their housing options- and need for a man cave- even phrases like “half car garage” seem more like gentle teasing than parody. The longer the bit goes on though, the sillier it gets. Especially once they start throwing wordplay into conversations we’ve all heard a million times before. Sure, a toilet on the ceiling is good fun. But the best jokes go by so casually that you almost miss them. In the end our couple gets their dream vampire infested house. It might not have a man cave, but the basement looks like it’s working out just fine.
#6: “E! News Lineup”
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SNL’s not wrong when they point out that “E! News” hasn’t always lived up to its name in the traditional sense. Instead they give us a rundown of new programming for the channel that would actually fit in pretty well with their existing shows. The centerpiece of all this? Another Kardashians spin off of course. Gal Gadot appears as Kendall Jenner in a series that mainly features the reality star trying to navigate her own gigantic home. Other highlights include Leslie Jones with a show that, to be honest, we would probably watch. We’ve got to hand it to SNL, they have a pretty firm grip on what makes the E! Network tick.
#5: “Bland Man”
Blake Shelton’s “Farm Hunk” skit was a fun opportunity for the ladies of SNL to poke fun at shows like “The Bachelor.” So much so that they decided to do it all over the next season with an even blander man. Once again, a rotating cast of hopefuls jockey to get face time with the pleasantly generic bachelor character. From the repeated tag-in phrase “Can I steal him for a sec,” to the attention getting tactics of the contestants, no cliche goes untouched. The bit takes aim squarely at the manufactured intimacy of most network dating shows. It also doesn’t hold back from addressing the representation issues these series usually have. It makes you wish Selena Gomez could always swoop in and cut a season short.
#4: “Floribama Shore”
MTV’s gulf-coast follow up to “Jersey Shore” is the kind of thing that seems spoof-proof, but SNL still took a swing. It’s elevated by the addition of host Saoirse Ronan. Better known for dramatic roles, it’s fun to see the actress fully embrace her reality-ready character here. This entire sketch falls into the category of things that are funny because they’re true. We’ve all seen a dozen versions of these people from the party obsession, to the arguments, to the freewheeling hookups. However, we have to love the hurricane throughline. Anybody who's ever experienced storm season in the south knows those people who still insist the beach is the best place to be. We’re with you, Justin.
#3: “The Great British Bake Off”
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The sweet British import is known for its refreshing lack of typical reality show drama. And SNL decided it was time to do something about that. Emily Blunt and Cecily Strong feature in this bit as Brielle and Paisley, who have only landed in the tent as a last resort. These two are kind of like a cruder Statler and Waldorf. As the rest of the cast tries to carry out business as usual, they are determined to drag the show down into the reality TV mud. They don’t hold back with their TMI confessionals, or with their attempts at sabotage. Until they find out there’s no prize money, that is. Oh well. There’s always the Extreme Baking Championship.
#2: “Disney Housewives”
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SNL has devoted plenty of time to skewering “The Real Housewives” franchise, but this angle was definitely the best one they ever tried. Happily Ever After apparently wasn’t such smooth sailing for these princesses. As they mingle at Rapunzel’s dinner party, the SNL ladies absolutely own their physical performances, clearly loving the chance to act out the kind of overdramatic pettiness that only exists on reality TV. Something about the Disney characters puts it over the top, though. Maybe it’s just funny to think that even an animated princess can be a little bit of a mess, whether they’re having tawdry affairs, or putting out one really cringe-worthy single. We raise our glasses to you, ladies.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Reality Stars”
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S43E12
“The House with Chris Hemsworth”
When Dinner Plans Go Stone Cold Serious
S41E8
“Date or Diss”
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S39E5
“Long Island Medium”
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S38E3
“Chopped”
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S44E20
#1: “Star Wars Undercover Boss”
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There are probably people who would argue that this sketch is more entertaining than any of the “Star Wars” sequel movies. Adam Driver steps back into his Kylo Ren blacks, and then into a disguise, to go undercover on Star Killer Base. Except it’s pretty clear that the working conditions aren’t what he’s really concerned about. Adam Driver’s earnest performance kills here. Between his awkward attempts to fit in with the crew, and lack of emotional control, it honestly feels like it could be a canon glimpse of the character we met in Episode VII. His inability to read a room is pretty on track too. What can we say? We love a good crossover, and SNL nailed it.
