Funniest “SNL” Skits of All Time, Do you Agree? (Video)
Wow! 43 years, can you believe that Saturday Night Live has been on the air for 43 years? October 11th 1975 is when it all started.
This is awesome show that you, your dad and possibly even your grandfather watched in his youth. Talk about multi-generational programming.
Could any other show keep a jittery public grounded from President Nixon to President Trump, satirize the culture so perfectly from the swinging seventies to the Internet-addicted aughts? People can complain all they want that the show “isn’t as good as it used to be” or “should’ve been canceled years ago.” Which I think SNL Just keeps getting better. There were a few years where their skits weren't as strong but it would still make you laugh.
Picking just 30 sketches to represent SNL’s best was more difficult than the gang at MSN thought. You might disagree with some of our choices. And that’s a good thing! That just demonstrates how much great material the Not Ready For Prime Time Players have produced over the years.
Here are the 30.
1. Wild and Crazy Guys!
The Festrunk Brothers, Yortuk (played byDan Aykroyd) and Georg (Steve Martin), are two immigrants hoping to make time with some beautiful American foxes. They’re pretty confident in their chances too, given that, according to Yortuk, “there is no other pair of Czech brothers who cruise and swing so successfully in tight slacks.” And for more great laughs, don’t miss the75 Jokes So Bad They’re Actually Funny.
2. A Van Down By The River
The late Chris Farley’s finest hour, as he introduced the world to Matt Foley, a motivational speaker whose “35 years old, thrice divorced, and living in a van down by the river.” Farley manages to capture the same manic energy of John Belushi in his prime. Also, he was always cracking his cast mates and guests hosts up—which is definitely one of the20 Things Everyone Secretly Finds Hilarious.
3. More Cowbell!
Blue Öyster Cult can’t seem to get through a recording of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” without their producer insisting that “I gotta have more cowbell, baby!” We agree. To paraphrase this scene’s most famous line, we’ve got a fever! And the only prescription… is more cowbell.
4. David S. Pumpkins
It’s still hard to believe that Tom Hanks was initially reluctant about doing this sketch. I mean, we get it. On paper, it makes no sense. But it’s comedy surrealism at its absolute best. Who the heck is David S. Pumpkins anyway, and why is he featured in 73 of the Haunted Elevator’s 100 floors? We may never know for sure. And for more things that are undeniably funny, here are the30 Hilarious Words for Everyday Problems.
5. Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood
Eddie Murphy had so many brilliant characters in SNL, it’s hard to pick just one. But his version of the children’s TV host Mr. Rogers was sublime satire. “I always wanted to live in a house like yours my friend,” he sings in the beginning, slipping into his trademark sweater. “Maybe when there’s nobody home, I’ll break in!”
6. Lazy Sunday
The video thatlaunchedAndy Samberg’s career—and really put Youtube on the map and made his comedic songs the most hotly anticipated segments on the show, features two white dudes gangster-rapping about a visit to the movies. Some of the references may be dated, but one thing that still rings true: Mr. Pibb and Red Vines still equal crazy delicious.
7. Tom Brokaw Pre-Tapes
This 1996 sketch byDana Carvey is funny even if you’ve never heard of Tom Brokaw. Preparing for a vacation, the NBC news anchor pre-tapes some possible news items, including “Gerald Ford was mauled senselessly by a circus lion in a convenience store.” As Brokaw’s producer reminds him, they’re “just covering our bases.”
8. Celebrity Jeopardy
It would’ve been just another mildly entertaining game show parody, if not for the bizarre rivalry between Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond) and Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell). Connerycan’t stop insulting the beleaguered host, constantly making inappropriate comments about Trebek’s mother. If only the real Jeopardy was this delightfully weird. And for more fun with celebrities, here are the20 Craziest Celeb Rumors of All Time.
9. Point/Counterpoint
In a different time, debates about gender equality and sexism were oddly funny, or at least they were in this 1978 sketch, which pittedJane Curtin against Dan Aykroyd. Imagine if a Twitterthrowdownhappened face to face, with insults thrown around like hand grenades? It’s hard to imagine something like this being allowed on the air in 2018. And you know what? That’s a good thing.
10. Mom Jeans
Some SNL sketches are timeless, like this 2003 commercial parody for Mom Jeans, a pair of denim pants that came with a 9-inch zipper and casual front pleats. “Cut generously,” the voiceover tells us, “to fit a mom’s body.” Some things never go out of fashion. And for more style items you definitely shouldn’t wear, here are the50 Things No Woman Over 40 Should Own.
11. A Holiday Wish From Steve Martin
12. Chippendales Audition
13. Debbie Downer
14. White Like Me
15. Spartans Cheerleaders
17. Bill Murray Sings the Star Wars Theme
18. Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet
20. Stefon’s Halloween Tips
21. Wayne’s World Meets Aerosmith
22. Sean Spicer
23. Space: The Infinite Frontier with Harry Caray
24. The Hanukkah Song
25. “Cheeseburger, cheeseburger!”
26. Church Chat
27. James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party
28. Old Glory Insurance
29. The Falconer
30. Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Address the Nation