Top 10 Times SNL Made Fun of Rom-Coms

In a rom-com for the pandemic era, Nick, played by Alex Moffat, finally finds love as the world comes to a standstill. Quarantining when you’re single and living alone isn’t easy, so Nick uses the time to become an expert in self-love, if you catch our drift. We still get all the highs and lows of a romantic comedy relationship but, we also seem to be watching a lonely man’s descent into madness. Hilarious sketches like this prove why Alex Moffat is an underrated SNL gem. And, unlike more traditional rom-coms, this one was probably more relatable than many of us would care to admit.

A “Ryan Gosling saved jazz” meme emerged amidst criticism that “La La Land” had whitewashed the musical genre. So, while hosting the season 43 premiere, Gosling decided to humor the meme and explain that he did, in fact, save jazz. Although he’s actually there to promote a different movie, he’s quite delusionally still riding high on the success of the 2016 film. And of course, the fact that he saved jazz. Even Gosling can’t keep a straight face as he piles on the self-praise. While Kenan unsuccessfully tries to give him a reality check, it seems like his co-star Emma Stone might fare better. Or so we thought.

After a study highlighted the under-representation of women in movies, we were introduced to the one-dimensional Heather. In a monotonous voice, she speaks in a string of cringey rom-com clichés to remind us that she comes from a male-driven comedy. The very talented Cecily Strong knows just how to make us laugh, while still making extremely valid points about the double standards of the movie industry. Her back and forth with a usually confused Colin Jost also provides an excellent send-up of the genre. It’s been a while since Heather stopped by the Update desk, but we doubt we’ve seen the last of her either.

Across-the-hall neighbors Sarah and Evan, played by Vanessa Bayer and Kyle Mooney, are clearly into each other. But flirting doesn’t come naturally to either of them. Instead, they awkwardly dance around the situation and avoid making any direct advances. For instance, if you’re trying to flirt, we’d recommend staying away from bodily functions. Although it seems to work for them, so who are we to judge? Bayer and Mooney effortlessly make these characters so endearing and somewhat relatable. Eventually, Evan musters the courage to ask Sarah out. While she gladly accepts, there’s just someone, we mean, something she’s got to do first.

Following in the path of “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve”, SNL offered another holiday rom-com that nobody asked for. This time it centers around the most life-altering (or ending) occasion of them all: the apocalypse. And if you thought those first movies were star-studded, they don’t hold a candle to this “New Year’s Eve” sequel extravaganza. It was essentially an opportunity for everyone, including host Katy Perry, to showcase their arsenal of impressions from Bill Hader’s Alan Alda to Kristen Wiig as Drew Barrymore and Kim Catrall. SNL is renowned for its brilliant spoof trailers, and this one had us exploding with laughter.

You know how in movies the characters will be like “It’s a date!” without actually exchanging any details? Well, this sketch gives a more realistic approach as to what happens next. Claire, played by Kristen Stewart, blissfully prepares for the date. Meanwhile, Steve, played by Pete Davidson, frantically tries to locate her with nothing but her first name to go on. By the magic of romantic comedies though, they find each other - but they have clearly not learned from their mistakes. Funnily enough, Davidson is set to star in an actual rom-com called “Meet Cute” with Kaley Cuoco. Let’s hope that their communication is a little better.

Is it really a meet-cute if only one of you knows what’s going on? Well, if you ask romantic comedy expert, Daisy Rose, the answer’s yes. Played by Vanessa Bayer, Daisy is meant to be on the show to discuss some recent TV rom-coms. But instead, she tries to bring some rom to this com with almost every trope under the sun. She even nails a plethora of sweeping declarations, like the ones fans of the genre only know too well. Michael Che is having none of it and his stony responses only make it even funnier. She did not have him at “Hello”.

Riffing off of the plot of so many teen rom-coms, Michael Keaton plays a teacher who becomes the subject of a “She’s All That” style bet. It’s a boy-meets-teacher story, making fun of overused plot devices - from removing glasses to see the beauty underneath to making extravagant declarations of love in the pouring rain. Only in this version, Andy learns that glasses aren’t all that appearance-altering. Of course, no teen movie is complete without some drama and Mr. Osterberg learns of the bet in the teacher’s lounge. Luckily, everything is neatly and swiftly resolved and he even takes home the crown.

Black Widow finally got her own movie in 2021, but Marvel did keep her waiting for quite a while. Led by host Scarlett Johansson, this sketch from season 40 theorizes as to why that might be. In “Black Widow: Age Of Me,” Natasha Romanoff is just another busy woman in a big city who doesn’t go looking for love, but love finds her anyway. She’s joined by her cheeky best friend Thor, played by Taran Killam, and sweet Captain America played by Beck Bennett. Even though we’d totally watch this, MCU decided to take their movie in a different direction. Let’s just hope that SNL’s version has a happier ending for this Avenger.

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

“Hillary Actually”
The Former Presidential Hopeful Has a Lot She Needs to Say

“50s Romance”
Something Tells Us That This “Summer Lovin’” Won’t Last Long

“Hallmark Channel Christmas Promo”
It May’ve Been Cut for Time, But This Promo Still Shows Why It’s Not Christmas Without a Hallmark Rom-Com

“Eternal Spark of Love: Office Romance”
This Could Be the Start of a Very Crowded Relationship

As time has passed, this memorable scene from “Love Actually” has not aged particularly well. Yet, SNL managed to bring it back from just plain creepy and actually turned it into a great piece of comedy. Though the skit was unfortunately cut for time, it’s too funny not to make this list. In it, Pete Davidson turns up at Amy Adams’ home with a boombox and a lot to get off of his chest. The premise is perfect for Pete’s wacky sense of humor and you can see that both actors struggle to keep from laughing throughout. Admittedly, it’s a pretty long gag, which is perhaps why it didn’t make it to air. But if you ask us, it’s worth sticking with until the very end.