Top 10 Classic SNL Sketches That Broke the Whole Cast

Jimmy Fallon had a bit of a reputation for breaking during sketches. So when the shoe was on the other foot, it was truly a sight to behold. In this sketch featuring Justin Timberlake, the two comedians host a parody talk show as Bee Gees brothers Barry and Robin Gibb. Fallon’s portrayal of Barry as a snappy presenter who constantly interjected falsetto into his sentences is loved by viewers and Timberlake alike. Indeed, the latter can’t help but keep looking down throughout in an attempt to hide his laughter, which makes the whole thing even funnier. Timberlake isn’t the only one breaking, though. Other cast members, such as Horatio Sanz, struggle to keep it fully together. We can’t say we blame them.

In this sketch, Chris Farley and Adam Sandler play an elderly married couple with a review show, which is already a recipe for hilarity. Sandler looks like he’s trying to conceal a smile early on, and when Farley suddenly leans over and touches him, it’s basically over. He has to take a few moments to stifle his laughter before continuing. At one point, both actors make eye contact, and let out a little chuckle. By the end, the duo, and host David Duchovny, fully lean into the silly behavior, even touching Sandler, who’s trying so hard to keep a straight face. Considering Farley and Sandler left “SNL” after this episode, we’d say the breaking here was deserved.

Sometimes, even if the concept for a sketch isn’t the strongest, the execution ends up making it hilarious. Here, Jimmy Fallon plays the owner of a leather store, with Horatio Sanz portraying his employee. If you’re thinking leather equals squeaking noises, you’d be right – and there’s plenty of that. But it’s Sanz’s physical comedy that immediately steals the show. Fallon even interrupts a line to laugh, all while the late Brittany Murphy does her best to remain in character. The more the intensity ramps up, the more the actors break. The guys even take a moment to laugh together, which the crowd finds hilarious. Seeing how much fun they’re having certainly helps breathe life into the segment.

After the tragedy in September 2001, patriotism was at an all time high. “Saturday Night Live” decided to embrace this in the funniest way possible – by having Will Ferrell wear a barely there USA-themed outfit. As soon as he walks in, the cast looks genuinely shocked, and it’s hard to tell who’s acting and who’s reaction is real. Ferrell goes full camp, even posing with his legs spread as his co-stars do their best to hide their laughter. At one point, many turn away from the camera in order to conceal their true reactions– although some can’t help but giggle openly. It was a much needed moment of levity during such a dark time.

This moment proves that even comedy greats can break while live. In this sketch centered around Will Ferrell as snarky Dr. Beaman, the titular character tries to have a colleague – Dr. Poop – provide guidance regarding a poor diagnosis. When the latter character – played by Tim Meadows – enters, he is unhelpful to say the least. Molly Shannon is the first to break, disguising it as shock. Then, Ferrell himself breaks character during one the biggest punchlines. There’s no real going back afterwards, and Shannon just openly loses it. The moment, combined with Meadows’ still-relevant joke, has helped this sketch stand the test of time.

This epic sketch has it all: Rachel Dratch and Will Ferrell playing a campy yet cringey couple, Drew Barrymore, and one of the most recognizable cast breaks in the show’s history. The concept, wherein Dratch and Ferrell’s characters try to set Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon’s on a date, is already funny. But having the whole thing set in a hot tub only adds to the hilarity. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Fallon is the first to lose his composure, with Barrymore and Dratch following soon after. Even Ferrell isn’t immune to a giggle fit, and we’re right there with him. The funniest part of all is that Ferrell once revealed that he always went into this recurring segment with the goal to make Jimmy Fallon crack. Mission accomplished!

Actors breaking while live has been part of the show since the very beginning. One of the first instances occurred back in Season 2, during a parody PSA supporting peoples’ right to be stupid. In the sketch, Candice Bergen is Fern, a composed, intelligent woman. Gilda Radner is her friend Lisa, who’s, well, not the brightest. But the tables turn when Bergen calls Radner’s character by the wrong name! Needless to say, the former doesn’t keep a straight face amid that flub. The hilarity continues when Radner effortlessly carries on, smiling wildly and even alluding to the break in an apparent moment of improv genius. We’re in awe of her ability to stay relatively composed, because we’d be losing it like Bergen.

During the debut of Rachel Dratch’s most amazing “SNL” character, Debbie Downer, the jokes and delivery are so absurd that she and the whole cast have no choice but to laugh throughout. Each gag is punctuated with a sad trombone, which surprises the actors and makes them laugh even harder. At one point, every cast member falls silent as they succumb to the giggles, with Horatio Sanz even wiping away tears. The more it escalates, the more everything falls apart in the best way. Of course, the audience absolutely loves it. After all, we think it’s safe to say that a “Debbie Downer” sketch that doesn’t descend into total madness just never quite hits the same.

Sometimes, a sketch is like a game of dominos. Once one person breaks, everyone else ends up following. “More Cowbell” hinges on Will Ferrell chaotically playing, you guessed it, the cowbell, and he excels. While Jimmy Fallon is able to keep it together at the drums, his true feelings are exposed after he laughs through his lines. After that, a chain reaction starts, with most cast members struggling to resist the hilarity of the situation – only some succeed. Honestly, we get it! It’s so hilarious that it’s impossible not to at least smile throughout. It’s a prime example of how laughter from the cast can elevate a sketch to heights you didn’t know possible.

Chris Farley knew how to get his co-stars to break, and there’s no better example than him playing motivational speaker Matt Foley in “Van Down By The River.” In the bit, he’s tasked with inspiring teenagers to stay away from illicit substances. He goes on a hilarious rant about how they’re basically doomed, infused with impeccable physical comedy. It doesn’t take long for both David Spade and Christina Applegate to lose their composure as Farley does his thing. They can try to conceal their reactions, but it’s clear what’s happening! This isn’t one of the most iconic sketches – and breaks – “SNL” has seen by accident.