5 SNL Skits That Are Timeless & 5 That Are Very Much a Product of Their Era

5 SNL Skits That Are Timeless and 5 That Are Very Much a Product of Their Era and Should Stay There

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the five “SNL” sketches that keep us laughing years later and the five that have started to show their age.

#5 Timeless: “Lazy Sunday”

After the release of this sketch, “SNL” arguably staked its claim for internet glory. The Lonely Island crew showed that their “Digital Shorts” could be musical, topical, and hilarious. “Lazy Sunday” combines all three elements for a certified classic. Who knew that a music video about going to a movie could be this fun? Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell order cupcakes and head to see “Chronicles of Narnia,” showing off their rap skills in this wild adventure. It’s full of surprises, references, and some excellent rhymes. The song itself is well-produced and expertly written, bringing together some amazing talents that helped to make more iconic shorts.

#5 Product of Its Era: “The Olympia Restaurant: Cheeseburger, Chips and Pepsi”

If you’re a fan of the early years of “SNL,” you’ve undoubtedly heard about or seen this iconic sketch. The Olympia Café is known for cheeseburgers, chips, and Pepsi. The actors give it their all as they utter catchphrases and serve customers with a strict menu. It’s an amusing premise, but it doesn’t really go anywhere or feature many prominent jokes. Despite its legendary status among “Saturday Night Live” sketches, it really feels like a concept that’s been somewhat lost to time. Ultimately, it’s much more of a fun experience than it is a timeless piece of comedy.

#4 Timeless: “More Cowbell”

In a parody of “Behind the Music,” this hilarious sketch continues to be a huge and entertaining piece of “SNL” history. It features one of the show’s most talented cast members playing a cowbell player who struts his stuff. The recording session also includes a fantastic appearance by Christopher Walken as an opinionated producer. With some famous lines, this goofy sketch really gets going with its silly energy. There are also some amazing deliveries from Walken as his character motivates the band. The great performances and strange ideas mix together for one of the series’ funniest creations.

#4 Product of Its Era: “Richmeister”

Fans of 1990s “SNL” will probably remember this skit. It’s arguably Rob Schneider’s most famous contribution to the show, setting him up as the irritating co-worker who loves to give people nicknames. As people come by to make copies, Schneider’s character doesn’t let up with his endless naming ideas. It’s one of those concepts that you’ll either love or hate. While it might’ve done well back in season 16, the “Richmeister” role doesn’t quite hold up as anything more than a one-off joke. It mostly adds up to a scene that fits the definition of “you had to be there.”

#3 Timeless: “Debbie Downer”

Played by Rachel Dratch, this character became a recurring sketch starting in the 2000s. She always comes around to be negative in entertaining ways. Debbie Downer ruins any occasion in surprising ways, making even a trip to Disney World worse. The amusement park also provides a setting for their most memorable version of this skit. With host Lindsay Lohan present, the idea devolves into laughter in one of the show’s best examples of breaking. It makes all of Dratch’s lines even funnier as she can barely hold it together. In another scene at a birthday party, the actress and her co-stars keep laughing through some absurd dialogue. It’s a concept that seems to be an endless source of entertainment.

#3 Product of Its Era: “Jennifer’s Date”

What if you asked someone out on a date and their dad was Steven Seagal? This sounds like a decent idea for a sketch, but it all takes a turn when the lead performer isn’t funny. Seagal somehow takes a decent premise and a great co-star like Chris Farley for granted. The scene contains a bizarre amount of dead air and awkwardness, with the action hero taking himself a little too seriously for this script. This couldn’t be more evident in this skit as most of the laughs come courtesy of his fellow performers. There’s a reason that this episode gets mentioned as a low point for the show.

#2 Timeless: “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood”

In a short period of time, Eddie Murphy went from a new cast member to a comedy powerhouse on “SNL.” His parody of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is among his best works, subverting the children’s TV show with a much different perspective. The premise is a hilarious mix of childlike wonder and adult themes. Whether he’s teaching lessons or interacting with neighbors, the role provides one funny moment after another. Murphy is in complete control here as he conducts a one-man show surrounding an unlikely television host. Even after bringing the character back decades later, the actor could still get big laughs with this entertaining parody.

#2 Product of Its Era: “Commie Hunting Season”

During its catastrophic sixth season, “SNL” was desperate to continue after the original cast left. They then made the unfortunate decision to make jokes about the Greensboro massacre. On top of all that, Charles Rocket even uses a slur during this misguided skit. With Malcolm McDowell as a host, the new cast members put on accents and try to play up southern stereotypes. The result is a sketch with hardly any humor that plays to almost complete silence. McDowell’s character dies at the end, but by that point the audience seems to have completely checked out. This scene definitely supports the argument that this season was a huge bummer.

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

Product of Its Era, “Holes”
This Hair Metal Parody Has a Big Production, But There’s Only One Iffy Joke

Product of Its Era, “Gen Z Hospital”
A Cringey Sketch & Script with a Strange Elon Musk Performance

Timeless, “Celebrity Jeopardy!”
This Game Show Parody Always Draws Laughs For the Fights Between Trebek & Contestants

Timeless, “Schiller Visions: Hidden Camera Commercials”
Chris Farley’s Violent Reaction to Coffee Crystals Is Nothing Short of Hilarious

#1 Timeless: “Matt Foley: Van Down By the River”

Among Chris Farley’s best sketches, this lively character allows him to show off all of his comedic talents at once. He has a way of raising his voice and moving his body around that is undeniably funny. As a motivational speaker, Farley takes over the scene and even makes his co-stars break with his ecstatic delivery. He also falls through a table in another sign of his physical prowess. No highlight reel of 1990s “SNL” is complete without this timeless idea, giving us a memorable catchphrase and recurring role. It’s quotable, frenetic, and nothing short of hilarious.

#1 Product of Its Era: “Word Association”

Depending on how you look at it, “Word Association” is either a classic sketch or a dated one. It definitely features two legends sparring in a job interview. Richard Pryor shines as he tries to get the job, but Chevy Chase’s interviewer ends up using racial slurs against his scene partner. While you could argue that comedy was a lot different in the 1970s, you could also make a case that there’s some jokes that don’t age that well. One thing is for sure, “SNL” would never make this sketch today. Some viewers may or may not find it offensive, but ultimately it’s a glimpse into a much different era.

Which timeless “SNL” sketch did we leave out? Let us know in the comments below.