Top 50 SNL Musical Sketches & Music Videos of All Time

Since a certain lobster-themed sketch, John Mulaney’s musicals are highly anticipated. So of course, he had to go bigger than ever for the 50th anniversary episode. And it seems absolutely everyone wanted to be part of the mayhem. No seriously, is anyone not in it!? Mulaney, Pete Davidson, and, for a while, David Spade go on a time-traveling journey through New York from the 1970s when “SNL” debuted right up to today— boy, it’s been quite the transformation! They take the bright lights of Broadway and mix it with the gritty realness of New York City and in its own dark and cynical way, it’s the perfect love letter to the city.

In this parody of the viral Ylvis tune, Jay Pharoah’s girlfriend spots him receiving a text from another woman. He explains what all of his other family members say before setting up his partner’s funny response. This sketch includes the talents of Kerry Washington, delivering a memorable performance for the chorus. Fans of the original can appreciate the production values and the randomness of this song. Once the tables are turned, there are also some funny revelations about Pharoah’s character and his iCloud account. It all comes together as a catchy, entertaining, and surprising take on the viral sensation.

This song pays tribute to the men who take it slow with their partners. On this laidback R&B track, the three singers get literal about their inability to go fast. It’s a hilarious riff on self-serious lyrics with a few surprises along the way. Adam Driver’s deep voice makes it sound that much better, providing many of the video’s best elements. There are also several enjoyable moments where the gentlemen do everything at a reduced pace. After driving under the speed limit, they finally meet up with their girlfriends. The funny anti-climax puts one more stamp on an ingenious sketch.

Ever wondered how a bill becomes a law? Yeah, you’ve come to the wrong place. In a parody of “Schoolhouse Rock’s!” “I’m Just a Bill” Kenan Thompson plays an immigration bill trying to teach a kid about how government works, well theoretically. Enter then President Barack Obama who pushes the bill out of the way repeatedly to explain why go through all that process when you can essentially just snap your fingers and hey presto you’ve ot an executive order. Obama had garnered quite the reputation for defaulting to cutting through the red tape. It’s almost as if “SNL” predicted that one day that might come back to bite him.

During the first major outbreaks of COVID-19, we all needed a reason to smile. Pete Davidson takes that relatable feeling and puts it to music. He sings about being stuck in the house, prompting some funny observations about living with family. Davidson’s grounded personality delivers laughs and poignant observations all in one track. Adam Sandler also makes a welcome appearance, giving hilarious updates about his life during the 2020 pandemic. Cameos from other people like Rob Schneider will make “SNL” fans even happier. Ultimately, this catchy song nails the boredom, humor, and isolation of being quarantined.

What’s the best way to raise morale among the troops? Maybe a bit of a singalong? These Civil War Soldiers decide to sing “Old New York” a jaunty tune guaranteed to put a spring in anyone’s step. Especially thanks to this remix courtesy of one soldier played by Jimmy Fallon. Look, we get it “Old New York” is quite the toe-tapper but “Party at My Parents House” just has that raise the roof kind of energy. Harry Styles even chimes in with a bridge that’s just what the song’s missing. We have to agree that hook is fire and totally lit. And that kids, is how America’s first big fat hook was born.

This sketch is a hilarious ode to larger-bodied men, celebrating their warmth, softness, and cuddle potential—perfect for winter snuggles. Why deal with high energy bills when you can warm up with a big, cozy guy instead? Fans went wild for it, and it didn’t take long for the song to go viral, with TikTok users embracing it as the soundtrack to their videos. There was even a push to release it as a full-length studio track. It’s a celebration of body types often overlooked in pop culture, and with SZA’s powerhouse vocals, it’s no surprise this track became an unforgettable jam.

If you love country music and “Squid Game,” we’ve got a music video for you. Pete Davidson collaborates with Rami Malek as two desperate cowboys who need money. The best part of this sketch comes when they both join the competition, making for an awesome surprise. There’s also an attention to detail that honors the Netflix show’s general aesthetic. Parodying the red light/green light game, this video includes hilarious references for diehard fans. It’s also fun to see both Davidson and Malek as country stars willing to risk it all. With some funny lyrics and references, this duo gives this production memorable performances.

Hot on the heels of “Barbie” summer, Pete Davidson now returning as host gave his own self-deprecating take on “I’m Just Ken.” No one could’ve roasted Pete harder than he roasts himself in this music video, and it’s absolutely hysterical. He’s also joined by some of the cast as other versions of himself. Davidson confessed that despite not being particularly keen on bringing his musical skills to the screen, he was very excited about creating this parody. What’s even more incredible is that they managed to put it all together and pull it off in about 12 hours! To practically no one’s surprise, it went viral.

For this parody of Eminem’s “Stan,” Pete Davidson spins the song into a Christmas anthem. This time around the obsessive fan sends angry letters to Santa. The fun twist on the hip-hop classic has hilarious lyrics, diving into the holiday theme with reckless abandon. Kate McKinnon and Bowen Yang also give some amazing accompaniment. Davidson feels like he’s been preparing his whole life to spoof the rapper, matching the look and flow of the icon. Seeing the dark story up against the cheery sights of the North Pole also makes for a funny mix. Before it’s all over, the real Slim Shady even shows up for a cool cameo.

For this Digital Short, Andy Samberg’s character has a lot of attitude. He lets out this aggression by throwing things on the ground. It’s an absurd concept, featuring a person that’s over-the-top in the best possible way. Samberg plays into the role’s anger by tossing phones and even kids’ birthday cakes. Each scene gives viewers a new reason to laugh, letting the performer cause destruction in hilarious reveals. Ryan Reynolds and Elijah Wood also show up for a cameo that defies description. When the two actors seek revenge, they provide an unforgettable climax to this comedic gem.

After taking their bows on the final night of the school play, the cast prepares to [“rip it up all night until 11:45 pm”.] There’s a lot of hormones spilling everywhere, but no one really knows how to act upon their urges. Instead what we get is a delightful list of stereotypes that will make any theater kid watching feel extremely seen. Everyone gets a chance to shine in this highly entertaining skit, but Lin-Manuel Miranda rapping as “experienced” senior, Cody Shuck, is a particular highlight. However, it’s the spot-on references that speak to any theater kid’s soul that makes this sketch so memorable.

In this smooth R&B jam, three guys played by Kenan Thompson, Chris Redd, and musical guest, The Weeknd, lament over the minor indiscretions that landed them in hot water with their partners. They really do an excellent job of painting themselves as the victims, which is why the subsequent revelations are so hilarious. Turns out that their misdemeanors are much bigger than they initially let on. Kenan is a serial cheater, Chris committed financial fraud, and The Weeknd? Well, we’ll let his ex and her new husband played by Daniel Craig explain that one. It’s the unexpected twists that make this song so unforgettable.

Who knew that Timothée Chalamet would bring us the musical saga we never even knew we wanted? This song chronicles a guy who’s gutted when his family is forced to sell their farm and he has to part ways with his animal bestie. At first, Tiny Horse doesn’t want to leave but Chalamet has us in stitches as he yells for him to “git”. This is only paralleled by his epiphany that he’s been holding Tiny Horse back. Chalamet’s dedication to the sketch is Oscar-worthy. It’s a happy ending though, as we watch Tiny Horse gallop away on a regular-sized horse.

As we’ve already seen, John Mulaney’s musical skits are always major crowd pleasers. This one, taking place at LaGuardia airport, became the third installment of the series and highlighted the more… dodgy elements of air travel. As Pete Davidson tries to buy airport sushi, John Mulaney summons the Phantom of LaGuardia to warn him of the consequences. This ignites a hilarious Broadway-spoof medley with references to “West Side Story”, “Annie”, “Wicked” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. We even get cameos from Jake Gyllenhaal and “Talking Heads’” David Byrne, who parodies his own song “Road to Nowhere”. Sketches like this make fans nostalgic for Mulaney’s time as a writer on the show.

Teaming up with host Saoirse Ronan, the women of “SNL” have a special message for men. They provide an inviting and satirical look at current events. Referencing the MeToo movement, the singers bring guys up to speed about sexual harassment. The serious topic ends up providing ample opportunity for both laughs and reflection. There’s also the colorful design and costumes to fill out the inventive video. With the great visuals, the entertaining concept gives the performers a chance to speak the truth. The final list underscores the clever writing and subversive nature of this song.

There are few people who can be effortlessly cool and hilarious like Rihanna. Ronnie, however, seems pretty intimidated by her, barely managing to get a word out when she’s around. We know RiRi’s a total powerhouse, but who knew she had the comedy chops to back it up? She’s a natural, especially when bouncing off Andy Samberg’s Ronnie, making the sketch totally unforgettable. Their first collaboration was so brilliant, so naturally, they teamed up again, but this time for a bank robbery. It’s everything we loved the first time around but with higher stakes. Sure, they may not be the next Bonnie and Clyde, but they definitely robbed our hearts.

Together with The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, The Lonely Island offers a cautionary tale about the power of the boombox. They take us to three relatively mundane settings where Andy Samberg unleashes utter chaos as he raises the boombox above his head. This includes a totally random running gag about a boiled goose, everyone wearing fingerless gloves and [“a Spanish guy doing the Bartman”]. As with many Lonely Island songs, you’ll find yourself wondering what on earth you just watched, while still enjoying every moment and laughing out loud. We guess that’s the power of the boombox. Just don’t forget that a boombox is not a toy.

The Lonely Island get the chance to sing with Michael Bolton, but they aren’t prepared for the latter’s ideas. The music video starts at a club and quickly turns into a fantasy about Jack Sparrow. Bolton’s lively performance gives this track prestige, while never sacrificing the goofy nature of it all. The production goes so off the rails that the singer keeps interrupting the trio’s more traditional concept. It’s all for the best, turning the guest performer into a comic hero in the process. He also jumps in for some other movie parodies that generate even more laughs.

Before Ariana Grande’s “Tidal” sketch, Bruno Mars was over at Pandora HQ showing off his impressive impressions. You might’ve forgotten about this one since it’s hard to find online, but trust us, you need to see Mars impersonating Green Day. Plus, he does a surprisingly spot-on Steven Tyler and an even better Katy Perry! His Justin Bieber impression is decent, but when he’s asked to take on Louis Armstrong, even Devon the Intern knows he's in way over his head. No worries, though, because with the power of the glove, he nails Michael Jackson. We don’t get why people would skip MJ songs, but hey, at least we got this medley!

Ever spent hours scrolling online in an attempt to understand NFTs? Well, look no further because SNL has your back. This parody of Eminem’s “Without Me” sees Pete Davidson excellently parodying The Real Slim Shady to ask the question on everyone’s mind. Chris Redd responds with an admittedly entertaining verse explaining cryptocurrency. However, if you’re anything like us, you’re probably left just as confused as before. Don’t worry though, because the janitor, played by Jack Harlow, saves the day with his verse, which is both rather catchy and genuinely informative. Turns out this sketch isn’t just funny, but it’s educational too.

Almost a year after their first home-for-the holidays music video, the ladies of SNL were back. This time, joined by host Cameron Diaz, they rap about being treated like royalty when they go home for the holidays. They enjoy perks such as a fully stocked fridge, vegging out whilst watching TV, and not lifting a finger. And who can’t relate to a 30-character long WiFi password? However, nothing makes us laugh harder than Leslie Jones rapping about infinite amounts of bowls. This sketch only reminds us just how talented these women are. These kinds of skits should become a SNL holiday tradition.

Popular culture has introduced multiple Christmas saviors over the years. But now, Emma Stone, Kate McKinnon, and Aidy Bryant have one more to add. They sing this ode to “more powerful Christmas savior” in a vaguely nineties-esque power ballad. Their commitment to the sketch is what makes it so memorable and their sincerity only makes it funnier, especially when Aidy delivers her warning. Ultimately there’s nothing more amusing than the chorus of women uniting to give thanks to the ultimate present, “the gift of having a gift to give away”. After this, you’ll never see the Christmas candle in the same way again.

When Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers are forced to cancel their Super Bowl Halftime performance, a group of Broadway actors step in at the last minute. Taran Killam gives a brilliant performance as Peyton Manning, joined by Melissa McCarthy as the “Whomp Whomping” Mama Pass. They’re soon joined by the tap-dancing antagonist, Richard Sherman, played by Kenan Thompson. Together, this strong and hilarious ensemble joyfully hit one musical theatre cliché after another. They even throw in a “Cats” reference in their finale because, well, why wouldn’t you? By the end, we’re like, Bruno Mars who? This sketch is an underrated musical masterpiece.

Quarantine fatigue hit us all, but if you’re single and living alone, it hit particularly hard. Ego Nwodim arrives at the club looking hot and starts chatting up a guy, played by host, Regé-Jean Page. That’s where things take a sharp turn as we discover the havoc that a year in quarantine can play on the brain. We’re then introduced to her best friend, Reggie, a tenacious snake plant that urges her to keep going. According to costume designer, Jill Bream, snake plants share humans’ determination to survive under pressure. At least this song was so catchy that it kept us company through our quarantine fatigue.

With a little help from director John Waters, this music video kicks off in style. It then becomes an odd and hilarious salute to creeps. The Lonely Island gather together with some wild dance moves, scaring all kinds of people with their behavior. Their wardrobe, mustaches, and glasses only make it funnier. Nicki Minaj also joins in with an engaging verse, bringing her own perspective to the twisted tune. The song itself is catchy and it’s even better with chaotic sequences showing the trio in full creep mode. In an underrated skit, the “SNL” Digital Short team outdoes themselves with this beautifully strange work.

As we’ll see later on, “SNL” redefined the digital short in the '00s, and the format has only evolved since then. One of our recent faves is “Three Sad Virgins,” where Pete pitches an idea to the “Please Don’t Destroy” trio, leading to a hilariously savage roast of the writers. It’s definitely not the heartwarming tribute he suggested, and he’s not exactly listening to their feedback, either. Even Taylor Swift gets in on the action. According to the trio, they pitched the idea to Swift, who instantly got on board and offered up some jokes of her own. Apparently, it’s continued to haunt them outside of Studio 8H, too.

The “Treasures of Tutankhamun” exhibition was a cultural phenomenon in the ‘70s—if “going viral” had been a thing back then, this would’ve been Exhibit A. It’s often credited with kicking off the age of must-see museum exhibitions, but one person who wasn’t entirely on board was Steve Martin. With the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (a.k.a. Toot Uncommons), he hilariously skewered the commercialization of ancient history. This was one of “SNL’s” priciest sketches at the time, thanks to Lorne Michaels’ commitment to top-tier production. Martin even released “King Tut” on his album “A Wild and Crazy Guy,” and decades later, it still pops up on SiriusXM’s ‘70s on 7.

Back in the early 2010s, Drake released “The Motto” and suddenly everyone was saying “YOLO”. But it seems like The Lonely Island, joined by Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar, interpreted the acronym a little differently than the rest of us. This rap is a caution about living life carefully and being hyper-aware of any potential hazards. They even reference some real examples of newsworthy recklessness. What’s hard to believe about this 2013 song is how some of its lyrics about isolation, quarantining and never having too much Purell, rang especially true in 2020. Ultimately, the moral of this rap is: “You Oughta Look Out”. Or, “YOLO” for short.

If “self-care” to you means unwinding in front of the television and watching a true crime series, this is the sketch for you. After all, there’s nothing quite like descending down the rabbit hole of shows about murder, right? And don’t forget those podcasts, either. It's all sung to a peppy tune that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head. Perhaps, you agree with Nick Jonas though and think it doesn’t get much better than cult shows. Or maybe you identify more with Melissa Villaseñor and baking shows are your jam. Is it possible to be a fan of all three?

You may remember Ariana Grande debuting her talent for musical impressions on “The Tonight Show”. However, for many, this sketch was the moment we first learned just how far her range can go. A power cut threatens an “incident free” day at Tidal. Fortunately, Chloe, the shy intern, single-handedly saves the day with her impressive arsenal of impressions. She expertly covers Britney Spears and Shakira, although her Rihanna is a tad wobbly - and don’t ask her to do Ariana Grande. She then brings it home with 90s icons Céline Dion and Whitney Houston. It might not be the funniest SNL sketch but it’s certainly one of the most memorable.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, no part of the anatomy was more mysterious than the part hidden behind the mask. In this hip-hop parody, featuring musical guest Megan Thee Stallion, three guys rap about their desire to see the bottom half of their date’s face. However, the women clapback with why going maskless is a stupid idea. They even manage to throw in a WAP reference for good measure. Chris Rock then enters the scene with his own hilarious take on the subject as well. It’s incredibly catchy and kinda relatable for anyone trying to navigate the dating world during the pandemic.

This sketch spoofs a variety show of the same name which ran on ABC in the mid-twentieth century, and later on PBS. Fred Armisen plays the big band leader with an impossible-to-place accent. He introduces the “attractive and flirtatious” Maharelle sisters who’ve come “all the way from the Finger Lakes”. Three of the sisters were inspired by Betty and Judy from “White Christmas” … and then there’s Dooneese, played by Kristen Wiig. It was the popularity of Wiig’s quirky character that turned this into a recurring sketch. Since then, the likes of Anne Hathaway, Betty White, Elton John, and, perhaps most amusingly, Melissa McCarthy have featured in the sketch.

Ariana Grande and the insanely talented ladies of “SNL” tried to address the complexity of intersectional feminism with this incredibly catchy song. However, when that proved to be too challenging and time-consuming, they bailed. So instead they show footage of them frolicking on the beach, basking in lens flares, and a montage of other feminist icons. However, contrary to the song’s title they soon realize that maybe it is a feminist song after all! And like all good social movements, it even comes with its own hashtag. It’s witty, utterly charming, and the feminist anthem we never even knew we needed.

We’ve all sat through those speeches where someone tries way too hard to be ‘quirky,’ but have you ever witnessed one that spills this much tea? Or should we say... Espresso Martini? In this case, the bridesmaids perform a hilarious, off-key tribute to their wild bachelorette party, and it’s a mess in all the best ways. Probably not how the groom pictured his wedding day. Naturally, it went viral—even Sabrina Carpenter loved it and invited “Domingo” to her concert. The sketch was such a hit it inspired spin-offs, including a baby shower and vow renewal. But nothing tops the original which turned something so simple and painfully relatable into pure comedy gold.

A predecessor to the madcap “Airport Sushi'', this time Mulaney chose a subject that he called a “taboo New York rite of passage” in an interview with Vulture. When a customer asks to use the bodega’s bathroom, he finds himself in a “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory''-like situation. The bodega man is joined by an array of colorful characters in a parody of Broadway hits. We hear warnings from the bodega cat, cockroaches, a Grizabella-inspired Virgin Mary Candle, and even the toilet itself - oh, and of course ancient Sour Patch Kids. By the time everyone comes together for the final tune, we’re ready for an encore.

After Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Drivers License” first hit the airwaves, it received a lot of attention, even inspiring an entire SNL sketch. A group of guys - including guest host Regé-Jean Pages - take a brief interlude from their game of pool to listen to this song on the jukebox. At first, they pretend not to be particularly familiar with it, but it soon becomes clear that they’re a lot more invested than they initially let on. The best part is when they come together for an emotional and impassioned sing-along. It also just happened to air on Rodrigo’s 18th birthday, prompting the singer to call it “the best birthday present ever”.

Without any notable scandals in her career, Natalie Portman seems to be a well-adjusted person. This sketch takes that idea and jokingly throws it out the window. The actress enters into a hardcore rap about how she’s actually crazy, showcasing some erratic behavior. This is all played for laughs as Portman yells, swears, and attacks people. Her transformative performance is wonderful and ridiculous at the same time. Breaking a chair over her interviewer’s back, the performer shows that she’s an underrated comedic talent. The popular skit even received a sequel that expanded on the glory of the original.

Channeling a nineties R&B boy band, De-Von-Tré sing this tribute to former President Barack Obama. Although, when it first aired it was only called “Come Back” and they surprised us with this hilarious reveal. The trio fondly reminisces about the good ol’ days and throws out some suggestions for more suitable successors. Heck, they’ll even vote for Joe Biden in 2020. This wasn’t the first time Chance the Rapper and Kenan collaborated on an Obama-themed musical sketch either. “Jingle Barack” was even nominated for an Emmy. However, “Come Back, Barack” went viral on YouTube and won an Emmy for Outstanding Music and Lyrics.

This satirical 90s hip-hop style music video takes aim at the Boomer generation, who were at the head of the queue to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The song mocks how many of the same people who downplayed the severity of the virus ended up being the first to get immunized. It also underlines the other advantages that Boomers have enjoyed over the decades too. Each moment of this sketch is pure genius and everyone’s performance is sensational. We guess there may be some begrudging millennials in “SNL’s” writers’ room. Well, it gave us this sketch, which is comedy gold!

Until this number it was the guys who dominated the musical Digital Short sketches. However, after this unforgettable music video, all that was about to change. Giving us some real Pussycat Dolls vibes, this sketch addresses the awkwardness of getting it on at your parent’s house over the holidays. There is a lot to enjoy about this Emmy-nominated sketch, from its catchy tune, hilarious and somewhat relatable lyrics, and - for some at least, Jimmy’s rap, However, the throwback photos of the cast are an absolute highlight. This is one of our favorite holiday-themed musical sketches and we can’t wait until next Christmas to watch it again.

If you ever thought that Santa was a little judgmental, Sump’n Claus has you covered. Played by “SNL” treasure Kenan Thompson, this former North Pole employee hands out envelopes of cash to those who’ve made Santa’s naughty list. Just don’t ask him where he got the money. The concept is hilarious and we couldn’t imagine a better actor to pull it off either. We also love Cecily Strong and Sasheer Zamata giving it their all as his backing singers as well. Sump’ n Claus is such a brilliantly bizarre sketch and, like many fans of the show, we’d love to revisit this character again.

Adam Sandler made his musical mark on the show through recurring characters like “Opera Man” and the super popular “Chanukah Song”. However, one of his most absurd and hysterical musical moments is this ode to the lunch lady. Singing from the lunch lady’s perspective, he recounts the tale of the food uprising and how Sloppy Joe, played by Kevin Nealon, saved the day. Even Sandler struggles not to laugh at Chris Farley’s overly-enthusiastic performance as the titular lunch lady. It’s such a bizarre concept that we just have to wonder what was going on in the writer’s room when they came up with this idea.

The Blues Brothers started as a musical act on “SNL” but quickly turned into something way bigger. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi first showed up as Jake and Elwood Blues in 1978, rocking those classic black suits, fedoras, and sunglasses. What started as an amusing sketch ended up being a real blues band, which led to a hit album and even a couple of movies. As the story goes, Aykroyd got Belushi into the blues at his Holland Tunnel Blues bar, where their late-night jam sessions turned into something special. With inspiration from some classic jazz legends, The Blues Brothers were born—and the rest, as they say, is history.

The premise of this sketch starts off simple enough. A guy unexpectedly orders lobster in a diner. So we hardly expected the full-on elaborate “Les Misérables”-inspired performance that followed. We see Kenan as Jean Valjean, Kate as Clawsette and the wait staff soon form the barricades. Mulaney actually wrote this sketch with Colin Jost while he was still a writer on the show, but it never made it to air until much later. Fun fact: it even won an award from PETA. Mulaney has a unique way of taking a simple idea and escalating it drastically, and this sketch in particular is absolute perfection.

While every decade has its definitive Christmas hit, for many SNL fans, this was it for the early 2000s. Horatio Sanz and Jimmy Fallon sing and play the instruments, while Chris Kattan and Tracy Morgan complete the performance with some excellent dance moves. We’re not sure that the guys even realized just how huge this song would end up being. What was meant to be a one-time performance soon became a recurring hit. It even started popping up during other holiday seasons, just so they could remind us of their love of Christmas. Heck, even the lead singer of The Strokes, Julian Casablancas, covered it.

Writers Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone were struggling to get their sketches to air. However, after “Lazy Sunday'' everything changed. This hardcore rap performed by Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell chronicles some pretty mundane activities like, hitting up Magnolia Bakery and buying snacks to sneak into a matinee viewing of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. Not only did it put Lonely Island on the map but it also brought attention to a little-known site called YouTube. Hitting 2 million views in just one week, it became one of the first viral videos on the platform. Who knew that a song about a lazy Sunday would be totally groundbreaking?

In this spoof of VH1’s documentary series “Behind the Music”, we go behind the scenes of Blue Öyster Cult recording “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”. Christopher Walken plays the band’s producer who insists that the track needs, you guessed it, more cowbell. What made this sketch so legendary was Will Ferrell’s overzealous performance and his tight-fitting t-shirt that only seemed to get shorter by the second. It was so hilariously ridiculous that it didn’t take long until the entire cast started to break. According to Will Ferrel, on an episode of “The Tonight Show”, fans to this day, refer to “More Cowbell” around Christopher Walken. You know a skit has done exceptionally well when it spurs a catchphrase so iconic that it still haunts the actor.

Arguably, this seductive nineties R&B style holiday tune is the most famous and successful “SNL” musical Digital Short. Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg sing about their wildly inappropriate Christmas gifts to their girlfriends. Although it initially aired uncensored, it was later replaced with a censored version that was bleeped over 16 times. By 2011, they completed the trilogy with follow-up songs, “Motherlover” and “3-Way” (The Golden Rule)”. However, nothing has seen quite the same level of success as the original. Not only did it become a viral hit but it also won the Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

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

The Remake No One Asked for but Everyone Needed

The Name on Everybody’s Lips Is Gonna Be…

If You Haven’t Seen This Sketch, You Must Be Hopping Mad!

We Bet Jasmine Wishes She’d Stayed on the Ground Now

There’s No Battle Quite Like a Dance Battle

In a parody of clichés often seen in rap videos, Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and T-Pain aggressively rap about being on a boat. Samberg won the boat trip for three in a cereal box, sadly leaving The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone out of the fun. On the boat, however, we enjoy tropes like lavish luxury, constant drinking, and excessive use of expletives. It’s no wonder T-Pain was so confused by the premise when he was first approached. Still, the video peaked at number one on the U.S. iTunes chart, was nominated for a Grammy, and also went Platinum. In February 2009, it was even the number one video on YouTube.


What’s your favorite musical “SNL” sketch? Let us know in the comments