Top 20 Funniest Saturday Night Live Sketches
#20: “MacGruber” Debuted: January 20th, 2007
Inspired by “MacGyver,” “MacGruber” always has the same setup and payoff: the titular special ops agent’s got several seconds to defuse a bomb and the bomb ultimately goes boom. Every time, though, this sketch puts an explosively sidesplitting new twist on an old concept, whether he’s teaming up with Nana or endorsing Pepsi. The results are guaranteed to make you laugh yourself silly. Despite being only one minute long, “MacGruber” motivated Will Forte and his crew to make a ninety-nine minute feature film that has developed a worthy cult following since its 2010 release.
#19: “Sarah Palin Interviews with Katie Couric” Debuted: September 27th, 2008
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The “SNL” library has no shortage of hysterical political sketches and this one wins the election in a landslide, notably becoming NBC’s most-viewed viral video of the time. Katie Couric’s real life interview with the former governor of Alaska was already so ridiculous that the dialogue here practically writes itself. What elevates the skit to comedic gold territory is Tina Fey’s pitch perfect Palin impression, which earned her a Primetime Emmy. Amy Poehler deserves just as much credit for summing up Couric’s thoughts on Palin with one constant, deadpan glare.
#18: James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party Debuted: November 5, 1983)
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If a skit’s success is measured by its quotability, then this one’s a winner. As the lone star in the “SNL” dark ages, Eddie Murphy was given ample opportunity to shine – and shine he did, in a gold speedo. What’s most impressive about this one is it’s basically just Eddie mumble-squealing and dancing wildly. We still can’t get in a hot tub without picturing James Brown. That’s weird, right?
#17: Colonel Angus Debuted: February 22, 2003
All it takes is a southern accent and a knowing wink for this skit to hit its climax. Written by head writer Tina Fey and brought to life by Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Chris Parnell and the host to end all “SNL” hosts, Christopher Walken, “Colonel Angus” is one sly innuendo after another. FYI if you don’t get the joke, try Google – we are not explaining it here.
#16: Total Bastard Airlines Debuted: March 19, 1994
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Sarcastic? Clearly. Obnoxious? Absolutely. Memorable? Oddly, yes. Though this recurring skit only ran a couple of times, it was enough to implant this catchphrase into our brains for good. Sure, these bitter flight attendants were hated in their time, but “Total Bastard Airlines” has staying power – we bet you’ve said “buh-bye” at least once, and for that you can thank David Spade and “SNL.”
#15: Olympia Café Debuted: January 28, 1978
You may know this skit better as… Starting a trend that would continue for decades, this was one of the first truly quotable and quoted sketches “SNL” produced. Playing in perfect harmony beside Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi displays his uncanny ability to gibberish his way through a sketch, as a Greek restaurateur in a greasy-spoon diner. Just don’t try to order a Coke.
#14: “The Sinatra Group” Debuted: January 19th, 1991
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In addition to being one of the finest impersonators ever to grace the “SNL” stage, Phil Hartman was often considered the glue that held his fellow cast members together. His impact especially shows in this illustrious ensemble piece that mocks the declining state of music. The whole panel, from Jan Hooks as Sinead O’Connor to Sting as Billy Idol, gets in on the laughs. It’s Hartman’s sendup of Frank Sinatra that bonds the dysfunctional group, though, reminding us all that this late comedian could take control of any sketch.
#13: “Baba Wawa” Debuted: April 24th, 1976
It’s hard to think of a female cast member who had a greater influence on “SNL” than Gilda Radner. Renowned for her celebrity impressions and iconic characters, perhaps Radner’s most famous contribution to the show was “Baba Wawa,” a takeoff of Barbara Walters. The first time a comedian parodied a well-known journalist, the Queen of Comedy dominated the stage with her massive hairdo and one of the funniest speech impediments you’ll ever hear. Whether Wawa’s guest was Marlene Dietrich, Godzilla, or herself, Radner’s performance would consistently be pwetty tewwific.
#12: “The Festrunk Brothers” [aka “Two Wild and Crazy Guys!”] Debuted: September 24th, 1977
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Immigrant brothers from Czechoslovakia, Yortuk and Georg Festrunk understand women about as well as they understand American culture. Every second of their lives is a wild and crazy soirée, dancing with every step they take. The problem is that these oblivious swingers can almost never get any foxes to join them on the dance floor. Although their insufferable conduct rarely attracts the ladies, they defiantly rope in the laughs. Even with Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin in their senior years, these two are still the life of the party.
#11: Digital Shorts Debuted: December 3, 2005
Did you ever expect to hear a rap about the Chronicles of Narnia? Us either. But Andy Samberg and his Lonely Island pals know how to take the ordinary and turn it into a digital piece of hilarity for our viewing pleasure. Take your pick from: Jizz in My Pants, I’m on a Boat, Like a Boss, I Just Had Sex, Jack Sparrow, etc. But we have to say, when “SNL” host extraordinaire Justin Timberlake gets in on the action, that’s the greatest gift.
#10:Chippendales Auditions Debuted: October 27, 1990
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Believe it or not: this was one of Chris Farley’s first episodes, and already he loomed large as a cast member. In this classic sketch, we see how agile the big guy really is, ‘cause he keeps up with the Dirty Dancer and then some. We still can’t decide which is more distracting: Swayze’s mullet or Farley’s ass-crack. Either way, this sketch wormed its way into our hearts.
#9: “Wayne’s World” Debuted: February 18th, 1989
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By the time we get to the final sketch, most of us are ready to call it a night. “Wayne’s World” went from an idea that hardly anybody believed in to being a staple of “SNL,” proving that gems are sometimes found in the most unlikely timeslots. Wayne and Garth remain two of the most excellent characters in all comedy, continuously making us laugh with top 10 lists, dream sequences, and catchphrases. Their antics would inspire two successful movies and it’s always fun whenever they return to party on.
#8: “Sprockets” Debuted: April 15th, 1989
Originating from a Second City Theatre sketch, “Sprockets” pokes fun at various German stereotypes with Mike Myers as Dieter. Only possessing a black turtleneck in his wardrobe and about three facial expressions in his repertoire, this West German is the epitome of every pretentious artist rolled into one. While Dieter generally seems disinterested in what his guests have to say, he will give his monkey the time of day. Still one of the most recognizable characters of Myers’ career, Dieter never fails to make us as happy as a little girl.
#7: The Delicious Dish with Pete Schweddy Debuted: December 12, 1998
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In the off-chance you’ve never seen this sketch, we’ll set the mood: it’s the holidays, Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon are monotonous NPR radio hosts, and joining them is Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweddy, chef and proprietor of Season’s Eatings. Together, they discuss their favorite Christmas nibblies. What follows are enough double-entendres to last you until New Year’s. We’ve never been more impressed to see “SNL”ers not break character.
#6: “The Spartan Cheerleaders” Debuted: November 11th, 1995
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Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri as a couple of cheerleaders? We’re laughing already! Where cheerleaders are typically the coolest kids in school, Craig and Arianna even make the chess club look badass by comparison. They’re so peppy and passionate, however, that the two could typically care less about what their fellow classmates think. The Spartan Cheerleaders will look for any excuse to spread school spirit, be it at a basketball game or a math club competition. With unlimited energy and chants, we’d gladly check out either of these classic characters.
#5: Super Bass-O-Matic ‘76 Debuted :April 17, 1976
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During “SNL”’s inaugural season, writers and cast members were still trying to find their niche. Along comes Dan Aykroyd with one of the strangest, most surreal, and bizarre sketches you ever did see. Parodying hyperactive, fast-talking infomercial pitchmen, Aykroyd introduces a tool that will let you use the whole bass, with no waste. We’d complain that he should’ve drunk the bass himself, but we’ve got bigger fish to fry.
#4: “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood” Debuted: February 21st, 1981
During his four years on “SNL,” Eddie Murphy owned the spotlight with legendary sketches like “Buh-Weet Sings” and, even more significant, “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood.” The anti-version of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”, this is one children’s program you boys and girls likely never saw on PBS. Nevertheless, Mister Robinson taught us essential lessons about the darker side of growing up, not to mention numerous new words. He may not be welcome in his own neighborhood, but this disturbingly happy criminal is welcome on our TV screens any day of the week.
#3: Celebrity Jeopardy Debuted: December 7, 1996
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Inexplicably stupid celebs, antagonistic repartees and ridiculous categories make this recurring sketch perfection. With Will Ferrell leading the charge as mustachioed Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, a revolving cast of characters offers up spot-on impressions of random celebrities. Some show up more than others, with Norm Macdonald’s cocky Burt Reynolds and Darrell Hammond’s surly Sean Connery squaring off against Trebek on multiple occasions. We couldn’t possibly pick a favorite, so we won’t even try. But remember: mothers are fair game.
#2: More Cowbell Debuted:April 8, 2000
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If a skit spawns a catchphrase beloved by an entire generation, it’s a hit. Will Ferrell is one of the biggest stars ever to grace the “SNL” stage, and we’ve established that Chris Walken is a killer host. Tack on porno ‘staches, Ferrell’s tiny shirt, Fallon’s incessant giggling, Walken’s deadpan dialogue and – of course – the cowbell itself, and you get fireworks – or at least a temperature of some kind.
#1: “Matt Foley: Motivational Speaker” Debuted: May 8th, 1993
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Created by Bob Odenkirk, Matt Foley is the worst motivational speaker money can buy. If his thick glasses, tight pants, and greasy hair don’t say enough about his inept social skills, the fact that he lives in a van down by the river certainly does. Constantly out of breath, yet somehow restless, Chris Farley was tailor-made to portray this larger-than-life character. Although we wrestled with the idea of topping this list with the hilarious “Japanese Game Show” sketch, we had to give this honor to Farley’s career-defining role.
