Top 10 Hilarious Leslie Jones Moments on SNL

“SNL” has been parodying rap videos for years. From classics like “Lazy Sunday” to lesser known gems like “Natalie’s Rap” and its sequel, the sketch show has produced a ton of hilarious music video spoofs throughout its history. In this clip, Leslie Jones puts her own unique spin on the tried and true practice, flipping the script by declaring allegiance to the hardest hood of all: New York City’s Upper East Side. Jones parodies many of the “U.E.S.’” stereotypes, from its affluent residents and upscale boutiques, to subway trains that have that “nobody peed in here” smell. With host James McAvoy playing a rapping German baker, we think “U.E.S.” should be considered amongst “SNL’s” best rap spoofs.

Leslie Jones’ first “Saturday Night Live” appearance was not without controversy. The long-time comedian was hired as a writer in January of 2014, but found herself sitting behind the Weekend Update desk with Colin Jost in May of that same year. The two discussed the fact that actress Lupita Nyong'o had recently been named People Magazine’s Most Beautiful, with Jones playing an “Image Expert” who was upset that there isn’t an award for Most Useful Person. Soon Jones was ranting about how she’d have never been single during the “slave days” and that if there was a slave draft, she’d be the #1 overall pick. The skit immediately caught flak, but Jones defended the joke, calling it “brilliant”.

In 2016, Leslie Jones became the target of racial and misogynistic attacks on Twitter, primarily due to her involvement with that year’s “Ghostbusters” remake. Additionally, her personal website was hacked and private photos of her were made public. Jones responded to these heinous acts head-on, with an epic appearance on Weekend Update in which she said that she’s very comfortable with who she is, wryly stating that, “if you want to see Leslie Jones naked, just ask.” Clearly on a roll, Jones went on to quip that if she had the same level of computer skills as the people who hacked her, she’d use them for something useful…like renewing her driver’s license online or building the perfect robot man. #LeslieWorld.

In this sketch from season 44, Jones and host Liev Schreiber play a married couple searching for their dream home in a spoof of the well-known HGTV reality show “House Hunters”. If you ever doubted Jones’ ability to play it straight during a sketch, then this clip will surely make you see the light. In it, she and Schreiber sort through houses that have some seriously bonkers defects, like being filled with Australian vampires, having a gas stove on the bed, and bathtubs overflowing with magicians. Oh, and if you liked this sketch, be sure to check out our list of the “Top 10 SNL (Season 44) Sketches”.

One of the best parts about being a repertory player on “SNL” is that you get to appear in sketches alongside some of the entertainment industry’s most exciting and talented individuals. Case in point: this hilarious sketch featuring Leslie Jones and two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson. Here, Jones plays Meghan Markle’s third cousin, in England to attend the christening of Markle and Prince Harry’s son. Thompson plays Mrs. Vivian Hargrave, a no-nonsense etiquette coach hell bent on making sure Jones’ character learns how to behave at high tea. Be honest, when this sketch began, did you really think it would end with Emma Thompson slamming Leslie Jones’ face into a bowl of clotted cream? Yeah, we didn’t think so.

The best sketches are the ones you don’t see coming. Take this seemingly innocuous bit involving Jones and host Matt Damon. The two are attending a dinner party when the conversation turns to Weezer. We soon discover that Jones and Damon’s characters are die-hard fans of the alt-rock band; albeit in very different ways. Damon believes that the band’s entire catalogue is god’s gift to music, whereas Jones thinks the band fell off following the release of their 1996 album “Pinkerton”. What follows is a twisted debate over the band’s legacy, complete with threats of violence and awkward silences. So…yeah…hilarious. Also, can we take a second to appreciate Jones’ haircut in this one?

Few “SNL” regulars from the 2010s have had the ability to take viewers on an emotional roller coaster in just a few minutes quite like Leslie Jones. In “Leslie Wants to Play Trump”, the indomitable comedian makes it her mission to take over for Alec Baldwin when the actor decides to hang up his Donald Trump impression. Despite the pleas of her co-workers, including her fictional boyfriend, “SNL” writer/actor Kyle Mooney, Jones moves forward with her plan. She even gets the costume department to outfit her with a blonde wig and Trumpian suit. However, the crowning achievement of this sketch comes when Lorne Michaels rejects Jones’ idea, causing her to destroy his office in a fit of rage. Seriously, how do they come up with this stuff?

Based on the popular Discovery Channel series “Naked & Afraid”, in which two contestants must survive in the wildness with literally nothing other than their wits, this “SNL” sketch paired Leslie Jones with “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage. It soon becomes clear that these polar opposites are no match for the wild, let alone each other. Jones shows up already in the buff, having brought with her a bottle of Franks Red Hot Sauce as her one “survival” item. Things only manage to get worse for the embattled duo, with Jones referring to Dinklage as “Tyrion” and cuddling him to the point of suffocation. Kudos to whoever came up with this one.

We mentioned earlier that Leslie Jones was in a fictional relationship with her “Saturday Night Live” co-star Kyle Mooney or years. Well, this is where it all began. “Love and Leslie” is all about Jones’ search for the right man, a journey that, over the years, had considerably more ups than downs. Well, until she met Mooney, that is. It’s pretty clear why this sketch works. Jones and Mooney have wildly different personalities and physically are polar opposites; with their union reminding more than a few people of Kip and LaFawnduh’s from “Napoleon Dynamite”. The commitment to this sketch runs deep, with everyone from Beck Bennett to Lorne Michaels appearing in the mockumentary; and Mooney pretending to be upset over Jones constantly objectifying Colin Jost. Oh, and Dave Chappelle’s in it. Nuff’ said.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:

“The Raunchiest Miss Rita”

“New Annie”

Weekend Update: Hidden Figures

Weekend Update: The Olympics

“First Ladies”

In 2019, Alabama passed the Human Life Protection Act, more commonly referred to as the Alabama Abortion Ban, which made performing an abortion a criminal offence; with punishments for doctors ranging from 10 years in prison, to life. Moving right along... Shortly thereafter, Leslie Jones appeared on Weekend Update and boy, did she not disappoint. Dressed up in a “Handmaid’s Tale” costume, Jones proceeded to verbally decimate the ban, as well as the men who signed it into law. She does a fantastic job of adding levity to a disturbing situation. However, Jones ultimately transcends the comedic nature of “SNL” to deliver a powerful message about the ramifications of the Human Life Protection Act, making the viewer acutely aware of just how horrifying it truly is.