Top 10 SNL Sketches That Became Instant Classics
#10: “Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks”
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This recurring sketch parodies the game show “Jeopardy!” by placing well-meaning but clueless white people in a game designed for Black contestants. In this iteration, however, Tom Hanks plays Doug, a middle-aged Trump supporter who surprisingly performs well. Aired during the hotly contested 2016 election cycle, which left the nation deeply divided, it quickly resonated with audiences and sparked numerous cultural discussions. For one, it highlighted just how much people have in common, despite their many apparent differences. But at the same time, it acknowledged the inherent biases many still possess. It may have been just a game show parody, but this is arguably one of the best political sketches in “SNL” history.
#9: “Back Home Ballers”
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As an adult, nothing beats escaping all your worries for a delightful holiday weekend at your parents’ house. This music video sketch, which aired in 2014, perfectly captures all the best parts of that experience, summed up in a hard-hitting rap song. Joined by host Cameron Diaz, the girls humorously rap about napping, having a well-stocked fridge, using free Wi-Fi and eating out of just about every bowl you can find. The song is not only hilarious, it’s also effortlessly catchy and highly relatable. After all, who hasn’t found themselves stuck in the same awkward conversations with a neighbor, just like Lil’ Baby Aidy? Thankfully, the festive fun doesn’t stop at Thanksgiving; Christmas is just around the corner.
#8: “Mister Robinson's Neighborhood”
One of the greatest stars “SNL” has ever produced, Eddie Murphy left an indelible mark on the show during his four-year tenure as a cast member. Perhaps his most memorable character from that period was Mister Robinson, a spoof of Fred Rogers’ persona from the beloved PBS children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Unlike his inspiration, Mister Robinson is a dubious individual living in a rundown apartment, who often teaches his viewers about illegal activities. After debuting on the sixth season of “SNL,” the morally questionable character quickly became a fan favorite, appearing nine times during Murphy’s time on the show. 35 years later, Mister Robinson made a glorious return to Studio 8H for one final, hilarious lesson on gentrification.
#7: The Lonely Island Digital Shorts
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After decades on the air, “SNL” has only survived due to its ability to adapt to shifts in cultural relevance. In the mid-2000s, amid the rapid global spread of the digital revolution, the Lonely Island ensured the show’s continued success with their series of digital shorts. Since then, several iconic installments have aired, featuring celebrity hosts such as Natalie Portman. Yet, none captured the zeitgeist quite like that which starred Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake as two R&B musicians gifting their lovers the ultimate Christmas package. Unsurprisingly, it became a viral hit, amassing millions of views on YouTube, winning an Emmy, and paving the way for follow-up shorts featuring the same characters.
#6: “Haunted Elevator (ft. David S. Pumpkins)”
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He’s here to “scare the hell out of you” with… two dancing skeletons and some weird music? In the “Haunted Elevator” sketch, Beck Bennett and Kate McKinnon play a couple on a frightening amusement park ride. While they initially encounter some terrifying characters, their adventure takes a strange turn when they come across David Pumpkins and his dancing skeletons. With Tom Hanks as Pumpkins, and Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan as the skeletons, this bizarre sketch marked a departure from “SNL’s” political tone at the time, and became an unexpected hit with audiences. Why are they dancing? Where is the music coming from? Who is David S. Pumpkins? We don’t know. And that’s exactly what makes it iconic. Any questions?
#5: “Debbie Downer: Disney World”
The last thing you want on a family trip to Disney World is someone ruining the mood with gloomy topics of discussion. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what you get with Debbie Downer. Portrayed by Rachel Dratch, Debbie Downer is a pessimistic lady who consistently injects negativity into any conversation. While some of the entries on this list earned their place for their remarkable execution, this sketch only became iconic for how terribly it went. As Debbie Downer continued with her dismal pronouncements - accompanied by the sad trombone, of course - the entire cast, including Dratch herself, devolved into uncontrollable laughter. By the end, the audience was also in stitches and a classic “SNL” character was born.
#4: “Two Wild & Crazy Guys”
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Individually, Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin are two of the most uproarious individuals to ever grace the Studio 8H stage. Pair them together, however, and their comedic chemistry creates instant magic. Beginning with the third season premiere, both men brought to life the iconic characters in the “Two Wild & Crazy Guys” sketches. The plot revolves around the misadventures of two flamboyant Czechoslovakian brothers, Georg and Yortuk Festrunk, as they navigate the American dating scene. However, with their exaggerated accents, flashy attires and overall cultural out-of-touchness, their attempts at wooing always fall flat. Today, the premise of guys cluelessly trying to court women is pretty much cliché, but in many ways, the Festrunk Brothers did it first.
#3: “Wayne’s World”
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By the time this sketch debuted on the 13th episode of “SNL’s” 14th season, Mike Myers had only spent a few weeks as a cast member. After its debut, everyone would come to recognize him as a star. Myers plays Wayne Campbell, an energetic metalhead who hosts a public-access TV show in his basement with his best friend Garth Algar, played by Dana Carvey. As the two shared their offbeat opinions and engaged in hilarious banter, they coined several catchphrases that quickly gained popularity. Viewers embraced the laid-back charm of Wayne and Garth, which would lead to multiple subsequent appearances. The sketch ultimately transcended its original “SNL” roots as it spawned two successful feature film adaptations.
#2: “Matt Foley: Van Down By The River”
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The world lost a treasure with the tragic demise of Chris Farley. The comedic genius appeared in several unforgettable sketches, such as the iconic “Chippendales Audition” in his debut season. However, at the mention of his name, the first character that likely comes to mind is Matt Foley, who was introduced in this season 18 sketch. When a married couple finds illicit substances in their children’s room, they call on Foley, a super aggressive, down-on-his-luck motivational speaker, to set them straight. But whatever expectations they had are completely shattered, alongside their coffee table, by Foley’s abrasive antics. The sketch immediately gained the adoration of fans, and is now deemed one of the best in “SNL” history. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“The Roxbury Guys”
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“Close Encounter”
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“Lisa from Temecula”
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“Career Day”
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“Liza Minnelli Tries to Turn Off a Lamp”
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#1: “More Cowbell”
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“SNL” icon Will Ferrell wrote and starred in this sketch that has long been hailed as one of the show’s greatest. It takes place in 1976 during the recording of the song “(Don't Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult. Ferrell portrays the overly enthusiastic cowbell player, whose exaggerated performance irks his bandmates, but never quite satisfies the eccentric producer, played by Christopher Walken. This leads Walken to demand for “more cowbell.” As always, Ferrell commits to the character, to the point of breaking nearly every cast member in the sketch. Needless to say, the audience ate up every moment of it. We guess for some people, there just isn’t anything like too much cowbell.
