Top 20 Times SNL Made Fun of TV Shows

It was only a matter of time until “SNL” parodied the wild lives of the Kardashians. Taking aim at the high-profile marriage between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, this sketch nails the vapid personalities that populate the family’s show. Kristen Wiig in particular plays Kris Jenner in a performance that’s both funny and pretty accurate. Not to be outdone, Nasim Pedrad also provides a nasally version of Kim that remains one of the best impressions of the celebrity. With a precise and mocking attitude, this skit brings the laughs as it makes fun of the pomp and circumstance surrounding the famous American family.

In this faithful adaptation of “Floribama Shore,” the cast of “SNL” tries to match the craziness of the MTV reality show. Host Saoirse Ronan plays a convincing housemate to a group of zany misfits. They throw the skit for a loop when a hurricane threatens to spoil their fun, but they also appear to be mostly oblivious. Heidi Gardner and Aidy Bryant play two long-lost daughters of wrestler Hulk Hogan in a side note that feels right at home in this parody. To cap off a delightful sketch, the storm gets the best of one member when a stop sign flies through the window. It might not have happened in the show, but this version heightens reality in the best possible way.

The tale of upstairs/downstairs drama gets a comedy spin in this fake trailer. Poking fun at the show’s jump to the big screen, this sketch has everything “Downton Abbey” fans could want. Kate McKinnon’s brief turn as Maggie Smith is one of several spot-on impressions throughout the piece. Cleaning the house for a royal visit, the staff’s preoccupation with trivial things like cleaning makes for another accurate element of this skit. Other flourishes from outrageous menu items to the “Joker” ending make it an underrated comedy short. In a mostly loving tribute, this parody also makes fun of the minimal drama of the original show.

Larry David’s casting as Bernie Sanders is nothing short of a stroke of genius. Going along with that amazing combination, “SNL” crafts a sketch that blends the best of both men into a parody of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” David plays Sanders as a candidate hoping to win votes despite his neurotic tendencies. From refusing to shake hands to being picky about milk, the performer imbues the politician with all of his classic quirks. The writers include so many parallels to the comedian’s show that it feels like a legitimate spinoff of the HBO program. With several cast members brilliantly mimicking the “Curb” cast, this piece delivers laughs in more ways than one.

Branchez and Big Wet’s “Turn Up On the Weekend” becomes a song about “Squid Game” courtesy of this sketch. The set design and costuming transport the viewers back to the Netflix show with a country trap spin. Playing desperate cowboys, Pete Davidson and Rami Malek provide subtle performances that run in comedic contrast to their surroundings. You probably never thought that you wanted a music video about the hit series, but this skit manages to justify the wacky mix. The use of the red light/green light game deserves an additional spotlight for its humorous inclusion. By the end of the piece, you’ll probably have the song stuck in your head.

What if a bunch of dead rock stars formed a band in heaven? This piece takes that concept to great heights, working as both a showcase for the early 2000s cast and the crew’s eye for authenticity. Studio footage of the band performing and arguing works well against the sketch’s wonderfully absurd premise. Each skit can only be as good as its writing, which in this case has all of the dramatic highs and lows that made the music documentary series so entertaining. Each performers' musical impression goes over well, especially Val Kilmer's turn as Jim Morrison. If that wasn’t enough, it all ends with the reincarnated members performing a funny rendition of “The End.”

You can’t lose when you put the greatest female comedians in "SNL" history together. What could have been a series of applause breaks quickly turns into a legitimate sketch, reminding everyone that these actresses are the best in the game. They nail the vibe of the “Real Housewives” so well that you’d be forgiven if you thought they were using the transcript of an actual show. Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, and Kristen Wiig are just three of the icons that deliver amazing performances in this powerhouse skit. Their interactions create several chaotic moments that any fan of the original show will appreciate. Providing the final stamp of approval, Andy Cohen hosts the event in a cameo that gives the parody another layer of legitimacy.

In “The McLaughlin Group” sketches, Dana Carvey leads a panel of serious pundits with a comical twist. His impression throws the typical political show on its end with his fast-paced delivery. As the questions come faster, the host takes matters into his own hands as his inquiries become more abstract. The panelists struggle to keep up in an effective parody of self-serious news programming. In one of Carvey’s many standout performances, he commands the entire format with a self-assured role. You’ll want to watch it multiple times to catch all of the nuanced lines from the supporting cast.

Kristen Wiig’s inimitable talents take this parody of the folksy variety show to another level. “The Lawrence Welk Show” is known for its many musical acts, but “SNL” replaces the usual format with a surprise courtesy of the most unique of The Maharelle Sisters. Wiig’s character Dooneese throws a wrench in the usual song and dance numbers with her large forehead and baby doll hands. Breaking the monotony of dry show tunes, the performer also adds crazy lyrics that derail the song with creepy details. The comedian provokes great reactions from her co-stars who play up the horror of the moment. In a pantheon of her greatest skits, this one ranks among the actress’ very best.

Anne Hathaway channels CIA agent Carrie Mathison in this parody of “Homeland.” Preparing for an interrogation, her bosses contemplate whether or not Mathison is ready to interrogate a suspect. Hathaway brings her best Claire Danes impression to the skit, going for broke as a more manic version of the show’s heroine. Her many physical ticks and movements throughout the sketch give the audience ample opportunity to laugh. Parodying the character’s complicated relationships and behavior, the writers give the performers tons of opportunities to salute the original show. It’s especially fun to watch the actors spend so much time talking about cork boards.

Fans of “Stranger Things” might have a number of questions about the show, especially in regards to Lucas’ family situation. This hilarious spoof allows his parents to show up and answer their side of the story. Leslie Jones and Kenan Thompson ground the sketch as they question the many shenanigans that their son has gotten into with his friends. Their bewildered expressions create a number of funny moments as they clash with the various characters. Bringing in Chief Hopper, the skit gets another twist as the parents worry about his presence. Avid watchers of the 80s sci-fi series will enjoy a ton of added references from the Netflix show.

“Fleabag” star Phoebe Waller-Bridge helps give this sketch a proper British influence. From the catchphrases to the spray tans, “SNL” clearly did their homework in recreating this dating game. The clashing personalities and random hookups all combine to capture the true essence of the show. Waller-Bridge plays one of the trashy castmates with expert precision, choosing a date in one of many accurate and funny jabs at the series. They play into the extent of diverse accents that grace the program, with even the contestants being unable to understand each other. For anyone that watches “Love Island,” this skit delves into the finer points of reality TV.

As one of the more underrated "SNL" parodies, the classic 70s show “Good Times” receives a proper tribute in this spoof. Janet Jackson lends her talents to this look at the ups and downs of the Evans family. Just when it seems like they turn a corner, another comically tragic incident puts them right back where they started. Kenan Thompson’s role is a surprisingly accurate portrayal of the show’s matriarch, even finding a use for her iconic line. While the family members hope to go to college or win the lottery, the sketch keeps reminding the audience of their bad luck. Their continued misfortune somehow ends up being the winning formula for this skit.

Instead of a typical parody, “SNL” drops Leslie Jones into “Mr. Robot” to interrupt a regular episode. Hoping to get hacker Elliot’s help with some leaked pictures, she clashes with the genius over her limited computer skills. The comedian energizes the serious drama with her infectious demeanor. While the tech wizard helps her, she interacts with the other cast members who don’t know how to react to her upbeat personality. Her intensity doesn’t get in the way of the stellar filmmaking on display that captures the unique vibe of the USA show. Along with being an effective sketch, this skit also highlights the chemistry Jones has with her castmates.

“Game of Thrones” had such a cultural hold on entertainment that “SNL” was bound to do the perfect sketch about it. This particular one takes aim at the moment where Jon Snow comes back to life. Kate McKinnon plays a less adept version of the priestess Melisandre, slowly trying to reanimate the fan-favorite character. The skit nods to the viewer’s eager anticipation of the event and the series’ deliberate pacing. Cecily Strong and Brie Larson are the real highlight as they plead with the other cast members to finally take action, in a comical retelling of the famous episode. Their fourth-wall-breaking asides come from the heart as the writers critique the show with humor.

Bill Hader’s performance as Keith Morrison from “Dateline” works well as both a good impression and a brilliant display of his acting skills. While giving the NBC show a darkly humorous remix, the sketch still uses archive pictures and bizarre interviews that viewers have come to expect. The performer’s version of Morrison seems to be interested in the grisly details of murders in one of the skits’ wonderful quirks. His interview skills also give performers like Kristen Wiig and Steve Buscemi to match his zany energy. If you love this take on the popular news program, you might not be able to go back to the original.

This sketch takes a look at “Undercover Boss” in the “Star Wars” universe as evil employer Kylo Ren monitors his own base in a questionable disguise. In a dry performance for the ages, Driver includes as much comic menace as he can into this entertaining parody. Unable to hide himself, the villain's blatant misunderstanding of the premise makes for the best moments. The lead actor also shows he can compete with the show's veteran performers as he lets Ren grow angrier with each minute. You don’t need to be an “Undercover Boss” fan to love this piece, which utilizes its main performer to maximum effectiveness.

Even if you don’t know the show “MacGyver,” this recurring skit works best with its concise payoffs. Knowing what will happen at the end makes for added drama and hilarity in equal measure. Will Forte’s continuous antics ensure that this sketch will never not be entertaining. With so many variations on the idea, the rotating guest stars carry a peppy spirit to keep each version engaging. His frequent distractions and arguments fuel the silliness of the bomb-defusing scenes. Among the more popular series of its time, “MacGruber” received a movie and TV spinoff show that continued his adventures.

The Digital Shorts turned “SNL” into a viral sensation in the mid-2000s, with this video being one of the many that connected the show to the internet generation. After Bill Hader reciprocates Andy Samberg’s attack, things get complicated when Shia LaBeouf enters the absurd sketch. By the time Kristen Wiig shows up, the premise turns into a montage of shots. Some people forget this is a parody of a tense moment from “The O.C.” Season 2 finale. It’s both a ridiculous spoof and a much crazier version of the teen drama. While the cultural trends have changed since then, this skit still manages to be entertaining with its goofy surprises.

Eddie Murphy saved “SNL” in the 80s with recurring characters like Mr. Robinson. His take on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” parodies the innocence of the original program with a much grittier take. Murphy sings and changes his clothes just as Fred Rogers does, but this version has much tougher life lessons to dish out. The comedian proved that he was the shining star of his era with a tour-de-force performance. Utilizing a similar set and Rogers’ kind tones, the skit tackles adult issues in a brilliant spoof of educational programming. Playing off of the audience’s nostalgia, the sketch guarantees laughter with its subversive look at children’s television.