Top 10 SNL Cameos That Made Us Scream at Our TVs

Top 10 SNL Cameos That Made Us Scream at Our TVs

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most unexpected and unbelievable guest appearances on “Saturday Night Live” that made us shriek in delight.

#10: Kel Mitchell

“Who loves orange soda?” Say it with us now! In an exciting blast from the past, host Keke Palmer pitches a reboot of the beloved ‘90s classic “Kenan & Kel.” As she steps into the shoes of the kooky and loveable goofball, Kelly, we can’t help but glow with nostalgia. And just as we think it can’t get any better, who should enter but the one and only Kel Mitchell, sending out inner ‘90s kids into a frenzy. While the sketch takes a darker tone than the original Nick show we know and love, our excitement hits new heights. And if it means there’s a reboot on the horizon, you can count us in!

#9: Grimes

In one of the more hilariously bizarre sketches of recent times, Elon Musk takes on the role of the evil Wario, who’s on trial for Mario’s murder. The characterization is unexpectedly brilliant, sprinkled with playful nods to Musk’s own public persona. Basically the entire “Super-Mario” gang is there, including Luigi, various Toads, and Princess Peach — marking an unexpected cameo from Musk’s then-partner, musician Grimes. As Wario spills the beans about Luigi and Princess Peach’s secret affair, the Princess steps up to defend herself and Luigi from this bombshell (or should we say turtle shell) accusation. The surprise cameo definitely level-upped our buzz, making for a surprisingly memorable and entertaining “SNL” moment.

#8: Judge Judy

During her time on the show, Cheri Oteri’s impressions became legendary. But we’re guilty of favoriting one stand-out character in particular. Oteri nails Judge Judy’s no-nonsense attitude, mannerisms, and voice, delivering plenty of laughs along the way. But, there’s a reason the Judge holds such an enduring legacy—there’s truly no one quite like her, and boy, does she know it. Our jaws dropped when she took her rightful seat at the bench, showing us all how it’s done. Kudos to Oteri, who tries not to break character, but she’s in the big leagues now. We reckon we all came to a unanimous verdict on this one: that’s freakin’ Judge Judy!

#7: Elizabeth Olsen

In this sketch, cast member Chloe Fineman showcases her phenomenal impersonation skills. We see her imitating her fellow “SNL” castmates, and quite frankly, it’s uncanny. However, the highlight is when she tries to trick her way into a sketch with host Benedict Cumberbatch by dressing up as the Scarlet Witch and channeling Elizabeth Olsen. If we close our eyes or squint, we would think this is the real Olsen making a guest appearance. So, our joy peaks when the star, dressed as herself, enters the scene. Cumberbatch isn’t the only one convinced that the multiverse exists; our squeals of delight are still echoing across every universe imaginable.

#6: Selena Gomez

Steve Martin and Martin Short, the iconic comedy duo, are back in action with “Only Murders in the Building,” continuing to captivate audiences across generations. Their humor knows no bounds as they playfully roast each other, leaving us in stitches. In one particularly hysterical moment, they reveal they’ve prepared eulogies for each other, showing off their seamlessly savage wit. Just as Martin worries that no one will ever be able to fill Short’s shoes, enter Selena Gomez. It’s a brief cameo, but it’s absolutely iconic, and the fun continues when she later pops into the “Father of the Bride” sketch! We’re reminded that as unlikely as it may sound, she’s now a cherished member of the team, and we couldn’t be more here for it.

#5: Sarah Paulson

In this quirky sketch, Mr. Ben, played by Pedro Pascal, dives into the trend of fancam-making. He addresses the students’ obsession with these intense, music-backed montages, attempting to understand the allure of capturing every moment close-up. The spotlight unexpectedly shifts to another teacher, Ms. Jenny, played by Pascal’s longtime bestie Sarah Paulson, in an exhilarating surprise appearance. The audience’s thunderous cheers make it take several beats until Paulson can finish delivering her lines — the excitement from our living rooms likely echoed around Studio 8H, too! Eventually, she proudly declares that, yes, they are the heads of this happy family. This sketch is giving, and we ate up Paulson’s cameo; no crumbs left.

#4: Leonardo DiCaprio

Imagine you’re a double Oscar-nominated actor, hosting “SNL” for the third time, yet all anyone wants to talk about is your co-star. Sure, you could add some flair, play the big shot, and try to steal back the limelight. But let’s face it, when “Lee,” who has shockingly never hosted before, casually strolls over, there’s no escaping his shadow. Especially when he graciously but humorously deflates Jonah Hill’s ego. Just as we catch our breath from the shock, they recreate that iconic “Titanic” moment, and we’re screaming all over again. Leonardo DiCaprio has proven he’s got what it takes to be an unforgettable “SNL” host.

#LeoforHost – you heard it here first, folks!

#3: Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope

“Parks and Rec” fans were as excited as Leslie Knope in front of a plate of waffles when Aubrey Plaza reprised her role as the iconic April Ludgate for a “Weekend Update” segment. With her trademark deadpan delivery, April fields Colin’s questions before handing things over to her former boss, Leslie Knope, a.k.a. Amy Poehler. Poehler brilliantly blends her two famous parts, creating a moment for the ages. We adore her infectious excitement, limitless enthusiasm, and sunny personality, not to mention her subtle nods to her time on the show. She even tries her hand at cracking jokes — but only a nice one, of course. We love this appearance as much as Leslie loves Ann.

#2: Taylor Swift

In a hilarious twist, “SNL” created a sketch about Taylor Swift stealing the NFL spotlight, only for Swift herself to later steal the show. When Travis Kelce showed up at the end of the witty sketch, we almost didn’t dare to believe that a T. Swift cameo might just follow. But then there she was, introducing musical guest Ice Spice, and our screams could’ve shattered a decibel meter— we were a stadium full of Swifties level excited. Apparently, even “SNL” insiders, including Lorne Michaels, were caught off guard by this surprise appearance, only finding out minutes before the live show. We're still reeling from it, and honestly, we don’t think we’ll ever stop.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson & Jennifer Lawrence
“The Hunger Games” Meets T-Swift, What’s Not to Love?

Barack Obama
They Really Pull off This Trick & Boy Is It a Treat!

Jon Hamm & Shaun White
They Join Host Miles Teller for a Hilariously Meta-Analysis of the Show

Jason Momoa
Shake It Aquaman!

Eminem
An Eminem Cameo Feels Even Rarer Than Getting Your Hands on a PS5!

#1: Madonna & Barbra Streisand

In the classic “Coffee Talk” segment, Mike Myers channels his iconic character, reportedly inspired by his mother-in-law, showcasing a heavy New York accent and an unwavering love for Barbra Streisand. In this segment, he has fascinating company: Roseanne Barr and, to many viewers’ surprise, Madonna, who is hilariously self-deprecating. Anyway, the skit takes an astonishing turn when the legendary Streisand herself makes a brief but sensational cameo. Apparently, most of the cast didn’t know she’d be stopping by, as her appearance was a top-secret, last minute plan hatched between her and Lorne Michaels. We were left utterly speechless, but our screams of pure joy haven’t subsided since. It is, as Queen Babs might say, “gorgeous.”

Which SNL cameo left your jaw on the floor? Let us know in the comments.