Top 10 Older SNL Skits Everyone Must See

“Saturday Night Live” has turned a number of its sketches into films over the years, but very few of them have entered the zeitgeist of pop culture in the same fashion as “Wayne’s World.” This recurring “SNL” skit featured Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, two enthusiastic headbangers on a search for riffs ‘n chicks. The skit focused on the pair’s cable access show, “Wayne’s World,” making the most out of Myers and Carvey’s natural charisma, comic timing, and joint chemistry. There are few “SNL” skits out there that capture the spirit of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s better than this one: and that’s a compliment!

Only a performer as innately talented as Eddie Murphy could bring such an anarchic sense of craziness to the wholesome character of Gumby. That feeling of chaos is doubled when Murphy is playing Gumby as a stereotypically demanding writer/director of his life story. “The Gumby Story Film” leans heavily into broad humor and in-jokes about set life and the Hollywood system, while always remaining funny. Murphy, as expected, is truly great, and makes this wild scenario work with his off-the-cuff comic timing. After all: he’s Gumby, dammit! And we just can’t get enough.

It speaks volumes that a show known so much for its satirical, political humor could reach creative heights back in the late ‘80s that we’re still discussing nearly 40 years later. One doesn’t necessarily need to know the complete ins and outs of the Iran-Contra Scandal or Reagan’s U.S. presidency to appreciate “President Reagan, Mastermind.” Sure, it helps to understand the context, but the joke is clear: a dichotomy of this world leader’s public and private personas. Phil Hartman masters both the “befuddled grandpa” Reagan and the “devious mastermind” Reagan with his performance. It’s honestly scary how laser-focused Hartman is when he dives into his hard-ass Cowboy Ronnie schtick. So much so that it makes his softer doppelganger feel even more disingenuous and evil.

The Coneheads were part of another recurring “SNL” sketch that was adapted into a feature film, a fan favorite that dates back to the 1970s. Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman portray the titular space aliens, and do so with tons of charm and genuine warmth. A 2022 article from UltimateClassicRock.com detailed Aykroyd’s inspiration for the sketch, i.e. being on a whole lot of pot. And we totally get how it appealed to a 1970s audience that was largely receptive to the sort of stoner humor that classic “SNL” could often vibe with during this time. The Coneheads have their own vernacular and idiosyncratic ways of interfacing with us earthlings. One thing remains constant, however: they always make us laugh.

Not every celebrity takes kindly to “SNL’s” “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” mimicking them on national television. Journalistic icon Barbara Walters was one of those celebrities… well, at least, at first. Walters eventually couldn’t help but join the laughter as “SNL’s” audience cackled alongside Gilda Radner’s iconic portrayal on screen. “Baba Wawa” was a not-so-gentle needling of Walters’ noticeable speech patterns and diction. The scene also parodied the real-life Walters’ penchant for soft-focus lighting. Meanwhile, Radner herself remained charming through it all, and it’s perhaps this charm that eventually helped Walters come to terms with her immortalization on the “Saturday Night Live” stage.

Every “SNL” performer hopes for a breakout original character. Dana Carvey’s Church Lady, however, just has to be one for the ages. As the host of “Church Chat,” Carvey’s Enid Strict did a marvelous little jig known as “The Superior Dance,” but that was about it as far as her goodwill goes. The Church Lady only invited guests onto the “Church Chat” stage to admonish them for their sinful lifestyles. Carvey brought a smug sense of self-satisfaction to the character, but never made the Church Lady so reprehensible that she couldn’t connect with the “SNL” audience. The end results were pure comedy gold.

Julia Child was another renowned celebrity who was able to handle the parodic barbs sent her way from “Saturday Night Live.” Of course, it helped that Dan Aykroyd’s portrayal of the iconic celebrity chef came from a place of love and respect. That said, Child’s unique cadence, voice, and mannerisms made her ripe for parody. “The French Chef” skit doesn’t disappoint in this regard, either, as Aykroyd completely NAILS the impression. Beyond this, however, “SNL’s” version of Julia Child seems to be a bit accident-prone. The chef cuts herself in an exaggeratedly bloody fashion, yet Child carries on instructing. Not only on surviving a kitchen accident, but also hammering home her encyclopedic knowledge of liver, and its many uses in the kitchen.

It’s difficult to explain to those who weren’t there about lounge culture, and the lizards who often frequented these dark, smoky establishments. Just trust us when we say that “SNL” skits like The Festrunk Brothers and Bill Murray’s Nick the Lounge Singer embody the aesthetic perfectly. Murray in particular embodies those resilient souls who plied their musical wares to lounge audiences who probably couldn’t have cared less. Still, singers like Nick remain steadfast, singing their hearts out as if they’re playing the shiniest Las Vegas showroom… even if, in reality, they’re probably just in some dump off the Strip.

Is there any “SNL” skit from the 1970s that better encapsulates that show’s breakout success than the Blues Brothers? The original characters (played by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi) were given so much depth and backstory, that the “Saturday Night Live” faithful felt connected almost immediately. Jake and Elwood Blues have charisma and coolness personified, whether they’re singing classic blues and soul songs, or hitting the road at a hundred miles-per-hour. The sketches were so popular that the Blues Brothers earned their own film in 1980. By that point, they’d already soared past “fan favorite” status and lived rent-free as total “SNL” icons.

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

“Ed Grimley”
Martin Short Creates a Character for the Ages

“The Stand-Ups”
What Is the Deal With All of These Seinfeld Impersonators?

“Olympia Café”
A Diner Order Enters the Pop Culture Lexicon

“Master Thespian”
Jon Lovitz Makes Us Laugh with a Single Word

“Sprockets”
Kraftwerk, Krautrock, and Every German Stereotype in Between

The sixth season of “Saturday Night Live” enjoys a contentious and controversial reputation amongst fans, but this sketch proves that even a broken clock is right twice a day. “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood” does exactly what you think it’s going to do: parody Mr. Rogers in a hilariously skewed and funny fashion. Eddie Murphy’s Mr. Robinson largely speaks with the sort of down-to-earth, genteel mannerisms of our beloved PBS host… only this ain’t exactly a safe neighborhood, ya dig? This could’ve been a very one-note sort of sketch, but Murphy brings so much personality to the role, that even the real-life Mr. Rogers was a fan!

Can you remember the first time you were allowed to stay up late and watch “SNL?” Let us know in the comments!