Yes, another list.
SNL Eras
Lots of people, SNL producer Lorne Michaels included, have declared that for most fans of the show, the era or cast that they love the most is the one that was on when they were in high school. Personally, as somebody who was in high school in the early to mid 80s, I'm not so lucky. The 1980 to 1986 epoch was the low point other than Eddie Murphy and the all-star Martin Short, Cristopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Billy Crystal oddball season. Other than that, it was the Charles Rocket, Joe Piscopo, Randy Quaid era. All honorable people but �" sorry, I couldn't finish that sentence in a believable way.
In this list, I tried to make sure that all eras are represented well with some favorites. That said, this exercise prompted me to realize that although the original cast 1970s age was really beloved they should, at the very least, should be graded on a curve of being historic that they won a battle with the Milton Berle / Richard Nixon generation. Other that that, Samurai Whatever and Baba Wawa just doesn't make people laugh in 2022.
Selection Criteria & Video Availability
Obviously, some comedy sketches are not empirically funnier than others. This is just a list of what I personally like the most, what still makes me laugh now and a little bit of who knows.
Also, in a couple of instances, I couldn't find an available video (e.g. Greenhilly, Nixon's Final Days, etc.) which relegated it to Honorable Mention. The majority of these clips are from YouTube, but I had to use the NBC website, Venmo et al to fill the gaps.
Hopefully, these clips will all remain online. You never know when some rights issue will prompt a video to be removed from a service. If you are here and see a missing video before we do, please feel free to notify us of a missing video.
Why?
Lists are generally stupid clickbait. But I do love a drunken "Who's the best shortstop of all time?" discussion, and I've already written plenty of What's Best lists here on this blog.
In this case, I'm doing this primarily for myself. I want this page here so I can just go and watch these sketches all in one place, instead of an incomplete YouTube playlist. Also, it’s a Top 120 instead of a Top 100 to squeeze a few more in.
Here we go �"
The Sketches
(Click any box to expand and see video)
1. Stand Up and Win
(1992) Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey
A parody of standup, with actually perfectly distilled and actually funny hacky jokes. It’s a sketch with a beginning, middle and end.
2. More Cowbell
(2000) Christopher Walken, Will Ferrell
Some classic SNL sketches aren’t as rewatchable as you’d think (looking at you, Schweddy Balls) but everybody in this sketch gives you something to love on a 5th viewing.
3. The Sinatra Group
(1991) Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks
It’s probably a 3-way tie among Phil Hartman, Will Ferrell or Bill Hader for best SNL cast member. This sketch is probably Hartman’s best laughs-per-minute ratio.
4. The Original Kings Of Catchphrase
(2011) Zach Galifinakis, Bobby Moynihan, Kenan Thompson
This couldn’t be more up my alley. They also did this sketch again in Mick Jagger and Charlie Day episodes. They could have done this another 20 times and scored just as hard. Every one of the fake comedians makes me laugh.
5. Puppet Class
(2012) Bill Hader, Vanessa Bayer
Bill Hader tour-de-force of weirdness. Have you ever seen one puppet choke another puppet out so hilariously? Or smoke so convincingly?
6. Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
(1991) Phil Hartman
SNL writers are biggest comedy writers in the business, and almost to a man they revere writer Jack Handey and his Caveman Lawyer sketch at the highest place of honor. Me too.
7. 60 Minutes - Minkman
(1984) Harry Shearer, Martin Short
Harry Shearer, Martin Short, Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest make up a parody dream team. This sketch from the heavily-filmed (not live) season is a high point, even for them.
8. Chippendales Audition
(1990) Chris Farley, Kevin Nealon
Chris Farley in dance off with Patrick Swayze. Dispense with the idea that it’s humiliating for Farley, by all accounts he LOVED this sketch. So do I. Kevin Nealon really nails this too.
9. Celebrity Jeopardy
(2015) Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond
s great then reaches another level when invaded by Burt Reynolds then Christoph Waltz followed by Matthew McCaughnahey.
10. The World’s Most Evil Invention
(2017) The Rock, Kyle Mooney
Give it time, there’s a haymaker coming at the 1:40 mark. The Rock as Roy absolutely understands the assignment to make the world’s most evil invention. "This guy gets it."
11. Trek To The White House
(1992) Dana Carvey, Bill Clinton, Al Franken
Watch on NBC.com SNL has THREE killer Star Trek Convention skits on this list. While you might not remember Sen. Paul Tsongas to know how great Al Franken’s impression is, but Dana Carvey as Jerry Brown is undeniably great. "I'm sorry, but he hasn't had a newidea in twenty years, and I'll say it to Andy Griffith's face. I mean, he may be an honorable man, but what he's doing is just businessas usual, and I'd like to see "Matlock" off the air. So that we take that ’Matlock’ money, right there, and you bring in your best people- Isaac Asimov, your Carl Sagan, some puppeteers - and you put morefantasy scripts in development, because I think R&D is a veryimportant part of getting science fiction shows on the air."
12. Reagan Mastermind
(1986) Phil Hartman
Brilliant see-saw of dottering President Reagan and the ruthless behind-the-scenes mastermind. Phil Hartman is incredible. Before seeing the Girl Scouts, "This is the part of the job I hate"
13. Common Knowledge
(1987) Steve Martin, Nora Dunn
Best SNL game show, IMHO. The premise: smart questions but you have to match the incorrect answer of U.S. high school students. Who knew UN Ambassador Jean Kirkpatrick (Nora Dunn) is a perfect comic foil.
14. Matt Foley, Inspirational Speaker
(1986) Chris Farley, David Spade
This Bob Odenkirk written sketch is legendary. You can watch this over and over. When the cast breaks character and laugh in SNL it usually detracts. But Farley is so nuts, you can’t blame them here.
15. Old Glory Robot Insurance
(1995) Sam Waterston
Sam Waterston has acknowledged that this is likely the high point of his career. And It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine this ad running on Fox News.
16. Locker Room
(2007) Will Forte, Peyton Manning
There a few stages to this: 1) Some mild laughs up front, 2) Will Forte just listening to Herb Alpert, 3) Will’s insane dancing, then 4) Peyton Manning joining in. It just keeps escalating. Peyton Manning being a big part of 2 of the top 50 sketches in SNL history is as big an achievement as his 2 Super Bowl rings.
17. First CityWide Change Bank
(1988) Jim Downey, Kevin Nealon
The bank that makes change. So spot on and deadpan that without any real jokes, it’s still one of the funniest things ever aired on SNL. Part 2
18. Men’s Synchronized Swimming
(1984) Martin Short, Harry Shearer
Another brilliant piece from Harry Shearer, Martin Short, Christopher Guest era SNL. "I’m not a strong swimmer" was a catchphrase for my girlfriend and me at the time. Guest’s choreographer is the forerunner of Corky St. Claire in Waiting For Guffman. And who wrote the song they performed to? �" You guessed it, Frank Stallone.
19. Quien es Mas Macho?
(1979) Bill Murray, Gilda Radner
Fantastically absurdist. Todo en espanol basico, como "Donde esta la biblioteca?" It also inspired a great Laurie Anderson song, Smoke Rings. The Aykroyd Elliot Ness ending is a letdown but the rest is gold.
20. Wake Up And Smile
(1995) Will Ferrell, David Alan Grier, Nancy Walls
What happens on local tv when the prompter goes down. Early one w/ new Will Ferrell cast and writers (this one is Adam McKay). Fantastic absurdist premise. When you’re a little nerdy and a little high watching tv in 1995, this is perfection.
21. Happy Fun Ball
(1991) Phil Hartman
This is a Jack Handey written special. The most hilarious list of disclaimers of all time. Funny the first time you see it. And still vexing and funny the 50th time you’ve seen it. YouTube commentor: " ’Do not taunt happy fun ball’ is one of the simplest and funniest lines I know."
22. Buckwheat Shot
(1983) Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo
The news coverage goes throughout all 90 minutes with Jack Ruby overtones. Eddie wanted to kill Buckwheat off after tiring of fans wanting more. But I forgot how great Murphy was as Buckwheat assassin John David Stutts
23. Debbie Downer
(2005) Rachel Dratch, Steve Carell
Never has "Feline AIDS" ever been as funny as when Rachel Dratch says it. Recurring sketch, the Disney one has too much cast breaking, so this one with Steve Carell as Bob Bummer takes the honors.
24. Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey
(various) Jack Handey
It’s a little unfair to list this as just one sketch. So many good ones, dive in with them here
25. Black Jeopardy
(2016) Kenan Thompson, Tom Hanks
So many twists and turns of Trump voter Doug finding a surprising amount of things in common with everybody else at Black Jeopardy
26. Sincere Guy Stu
(1987) Joe Montana, Jan Hooks, Phil Hartman
Good enough "what they’re really thinking on a date" sketch, then in comes Joe Montana. Did you ever think you’d hear him say, "I’ll be in my room masturbating."
27. Tonight Show with Johnny Carson Anniversary Show
(1991) Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jeff Daniels
I loved every SNL Carson sketch. Starts slow, then "lantern-jawed freak, yes!" into the kicker of the anniversary clip with Burt Reynolds (Hartman) and Dom Deluise (Farley). Spoiler alert: Deluise pees his pants. Jeff Daniels’ Leno is fucking incredible.
28. Schiller Vision - Hidden Camera Coffee
(1991) Chris Farley
This slow-build explosion of Chris Farley is almost on par with his Matt Foley eruption.
29. Bill Swerkski’s Super Fans
(1992) George Wendt, Robert Smigel, Chris Farley
For clarity, this is the Da Bears recurring sketch. It’s a tie between the Halas Memorial Hospital one and this Thanksgiving one with Todd choking
30. Sex Offender Trick Or Treat
(2008) Will Forte, Jon Hamm
Jon Hamm’s first episode is so strong, this sketch so well written and perfect use of Will Forte insanity.
31. Cooking With The Anal Retentive Chef
(1989) Phil Hartman
Watching chef Gene’s escalating neuroses is fantastic. They did this skit 3 times but the solo one here is my favorite. "Now there’s some garbage you can live with."
32. Aunt Jemima & Uncle Ben Fired
(2020) Maya Rudolph, Kenan Thompson, Dave Chappelle
Maya Rudolph isn’t on this list as much as she should; "Gays In Space" hasn’t aged well but her intro is vintage Maya nuttiness. This Aunt Jemima & Uncle Ben sketch is fantastic, even before "Allstate Guy" gets dragged into it.
33. Vincent Price Halloween
(2008) Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, Fred Armisen
This first Jon Hamm episode is an all-timer. Being told 2 hours before air to do a spot on James Mason impression? Liberace jokes and Vincent Price aren’t timely, but hilarious. Bill Hader says Lorne Michael’s first reaction to this sketch was "Why now?"
34. Attitudes (with Rainbow Head)
(1989) Jan Hooks, Nora Dunn, Christopher Walken
Watch on NBC.com Part of Walken’s first appearance on SNL. That whole episode of his insane deadpan where the audience only knew him for his intensity �" it changed his career. Plus, vintage Jan Hooks and Nora Dunn
35. 16th Annual Star Trek Convention
(1986) William Shatner
The one where William Shatner says "Get a life, will you people" to the Star Trek fans. It’s punching down a little at nerds but scary how on point it is about rabid fans. And funny.
36. Jackie Rogers Jr $100,000 Jackpot Wad
(1985) Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest
Everybody bringing their A-game: Martin Short’s albino singer from SCTV, Billy Crystal as Sammy (blackface warning), Christopher Guest as Rajeev (blackface warning #2) and even solid Jim Belushi.
37. You’re A Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown
(2012) Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Kate McKinnon, Martin Short
If you like a good old fashioned SNL impression showcase, then this is it. Al Pacino (Hader), Edie Falco (McKinnon), Larry David (Martin Short). The Christmas gift that keeps on giving.
38. United Way
(2007) Peyton Manning
Who knew an NFL QB would end up hosting one of best alltime episodes. Psychotically competitive Manning takes no prisoners with the United Way kids. "Cops! Cops! Every man for himself!"
39. Fall Preview (Albert Brooks film)
(1975) Albert Brooks
Another one of Brooks’ SNL films "Heart Surgery" is phenomenal. I can’t find a YouTube link for that one. But this fake fall TV preview is vintage Albert Brooks. I would watch "Black Vet" right now if it was a real show.
40. Election Night
(2016) Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock
Not only hilarious but it really helped both process how a lot of us felt after Trump winning AND pointed out how silly most of us are in the eyes of black people who pay attention.
41. The McGlaughlin Group
(1990) Dana Carvey
I’m still baffled that Dana Carvey made this very specific parody of a politcal roundtable into a broad, automatic crowd-pleaser. They did this one a few times, but you need John Goodman as Jack Germond.
42. What Up With That?
(2010) Kenan Thompson, Jason Sudeikis
You either have the gene where you think this sketch is laugh-out-loud funny every time or it’s one of the worst recurring sketches ever. I’m in the former camp. I chose this installment for Zack Galafinakis on double flute & slo-mo Jason Sudeikis.
43. Girl Watchers
(1988) Tom Hanks, Jon Lovitz
Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz had great chemistry in a lot of sketches. The two losers throwing out pickup lines to zero success was a sketch that almost wrote itself. I can watch this at any time.
44. Maya Angelou For Fruit Loops
(1995) David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier hosted SNL once and three sketches from that episode are on this list. That’s a damn good episode. Wherever I rank this DAG one, it’s too low.
45. David Paterson
(2008) Fred Armisen
The embattled blind Gov. of NY makes no sense to be a catskills comic who hates New Jersey. But who cares. And he comes back to walk through Amy Poehler’s goodbye too.
46. Daily Affirmation With Stuart Smalley
(1991) Al Franken, Michael Jordan
OK, maybe I have this ranked too high. Full disclosure: I think "Stuart Saves His Family" is one of the best SNL movies ever made. When you watch this, you still can’t believe Michael Jordan did it.
47. Lundford Twins Variety Hour
(2005) Fred Armisen, Steve Carell
Morph of corny 70s variety shows, somewhere between Lawrence Welk and Hee Haw. They did this twice, the other time with Paul Giamatti. It’s like somebody created a sketch just for me. Awwww, nuts.
48. Nick the Lounge Singer - Star Wars
(1978) Bill Murray
Bill Murray singing at the ski lodge might not seem revolutionary now. But you need to remember that sarcasm didn’t exist on TV before Martin Mull, Bill Murray and David Letterman. I’m serious.
49. Peter Sarsgaard SARS Guards
(2006) Peter Sarsgaard
(Video not available, but transcript here) Just noses out Jon Hamm’s "John Ham" for name based humor. A hilarious performance from critically-acknowledged actor Peter Sarsgaard.
50. Smokers Cable Network
(1989) Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks
Watch on NBC.com Completely underrated gem of an all-smoking news show. It’s darkly funny about "lung candy", although veers even darker with Al Franken’s tracheotomy candidate.
51. Cluckin Chicken
(1993) Adam Sandler
Follow Clucky the cartoon chicken from intro to decapitation, gutting, quartering, sizzling, seasoning then being converted into waste matter. Written by Robert Smigel at top of his game voiced by Adam Sandler at top of his game.
52. Kanish
(2013) Zack Galifinakis, Bill Hader
With so many sketches in SNL history, I shouldn’t be plucking out a cut-after-dress-rehearsal skit. But it’s a 70s cop show with Zack Galifinakis and Bill Hader as Judd Hirsch. My hands were tied.
53. Bill Curtis Looping Session
(2005) Darrell Hammond, Jason Bateman
Small talk about food between the most grisly A&E Investigative Reports dialog you’ll ever hear. Nobody did voices better than Darroll Hammond. A goodamn Bill Kurtis impression?! "Man’s rectum" is a hell of a mantra.
54. John Malkovich Reads The Night Before Christmas
(2008) John Malkovich
A YouTube commentor said it best, "I love that this is just 6 straight minutes of John Malkovich being a buzzkill."
55. Olympia Cafe
(1978) John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd
Aka "cheeseburger, cheeseburger." Not a commercial parody, no impressions. Just a sketch with a seriously great amount of acting. Bonus points to Dan Aykroyd for actually cooking burgers for real.
56. Nightline - Jacko On His Backo
(1995) Darrell Hammond, Tim Meadows
SNL is very impression based and nobody was better than Darrell Hammond. This sketch ultimately comes down to how many times you wanna hear Ted Koppel say "Jacko on his backo". Me? About 100 times.
57. Sprockets: Germany’s Funniest Home Videos
(1990) Mike Myers, Kyle Machlachlan
Not sure if my review is two words or one word: "Ant-face." Not an easy sketch for the host to be in but Kyle Machlachlan nails it. Wayne’s World was fine, but most SNL afficianados I knew prefered Sprockets when it came to Mike Myers.
58. Word Association
(1975) Richard Pryor, Chevy Chase
This gnarly n-word job interview sketch absolutely could not be done in 2022. It probably couldn’t have even been done in 1985. SNL’s first great sketch.
59. Colon Blow
(1989) Phil Hartman
When I saw this live I busted a gut. The premise isn’t new to me. But absolutely classic Phil Hartman. Nobody has ever been funnier while still somehow playing things straight.
60. The Falconer
(2006) Will Forte
Will Forte’s premises and performances were perennially the oddest. The escalating time-travel and multi-Falconer actor pileup goes thru the comedy tunnel and becomes a beautiful mindfuck.
61. White Like Me
(1984) Eddie Murphy
Before every black comedian’s white-guy voice became a cliche, Eddie nails it. The free stuff, the parties on the bus, all of our white guy secrets are out of the bag in this sketch.
62. Jimmy Tango’s Fatbusters
(1996) Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell
Things famously get weird in the "10 to 1:00" skits (aka 12:50am) but this is greatest achievement in weird last sketches. Jim Carrey was a great movie star, but an even better sketch comedy performer.
63. The New Adventures Of Mr. T (TV Funhouse)
(2000) Tracy Morgan, Robert Smigel
Of the Robert Smigel TV Funhouse cartoons, how can The Ambiguously Gay Duo compete with this parody of the Mr. T cartoon, Ibsen and Gary Burghoff references and "Drink Your School, Stay In Drugs & Don't do Milk"
64. Goober The Clown Abortion Story
(2021) Cecily Strong
Cecily Strong should be on this list more for comedy like Jeanine Pirro and coked out stripper model. But this sketch? Jesus it gets real. Comedy is the peanut butter for the pill of this abortion story. Brilliant.
65. NFL Today: Scab Football
(1987) Kevin Nealon, Phil Hartman
The 1987 football season was absurd with its replacement players. SNL wrung everything they could out of that whole premise. The "You Make The Call" commercial was the icing on the cake.
66. It’s A Wonderful Life - Lost Ending
(1986) Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller
Once you see George Bailey righteously beating the shit out of Old Man Potter in this sketch, the real ending to It’s A Wonderful Life will never make sense again.
67. Meet Your Second Wife
(2015) Tina Fey, Amy Poehler
This game show premise hits home pretty hard. Great sketch from a Fey-Poehler hosted episode.
68. Kevin Roberts - Police Training
(2016) Larry David, Kenan Thompson
I’m sorry, this is the same premise but funnier than David S. Pumpkins. Larry David’s "coolest bitch in town" in a police shootout simulator is much better written. "Can a bitch get a donut?!" Kenan does A+ Kenan in this one.
69. Moleculo: The Molecular Man
(2001) Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon
This sketch is so Conan. Why does nobody notice Clark Kent is Superman? Here it’s Moleculo instead of Superman and the absurdity heightens into a Mexico. "El hombre de los moleculos!"
70. King Tut
(1978) Steve Martin
Bananas what a big hit this was (and how big King Tut exhibit was at the time)) but how often does a parody song sound this good, have 3 good verses and a horn solo?
71. Massive Head-Wound Harry
(1991) Dana Carvey
Like all early 90s SNL skits, there’s a theme song. But that’s the only negative. Premise is great and the dog steals the show, but Chris Farley and Phil Hartman both get off Hall Of Fame reactions here.
72. Pulp Fiction Auditions
(1998) Norm Macdonald, Samuel L. Jackson
Watch on NBC.com Another solid impression-fest excuse premise. Norm Macdonald is completely underrated as an impressionist; not only as Tarantino here but a great spot for his Burt Reynolds, "Quentin, is this whole picture about burgers?"
73. Magic Mouth Commercial
(2000) Will Ferrell, Horatio Sans
A device that could make your farts sound like intelligent conversation? Not sure which I would buy, "Did you see Charlie Rose last night?" or "France makes such charming wiiiiiiinne"
74. Tom Brokaw Pre-Tapes
(1996) Dana Carvey
Great sketch which they recycled from the canceled Dana Carvey Show; who knew there were so many scenarios for Gerald Ford’s death.
75. Glengarry Glen Christmas: Elf Motivation
(2004) Alec Baldwin, Seth Meyers, Rachel Dratch
It’s amazing how few words change from the same dramatic scene in Glengarry Glen Ross and this fits as a beautiful piece of comedy. "You rode a hedgehog to work and I got here on a talking moose!"
76. Bill Clinton Campaigning at McDonalds
(1992) Phil Hartman
America fell in love with Phil Harman’s Bill Clinton as much or more than actual Bill Clinton. After this, we all understand how warlords do their thing.
77. Harry Caray Looks Back At 1997
(1998) Will Ferrell, Colin Quinn
Yes, cloning hot dogs. Will Ferrell’s best Harry Caray moments were as host of the ESPYs (google it) but this is a close second. Keep in mind, Colin Quinn just replaced a fired Norm Macdonald on Update which adds a fitting tribute.
78. Lank Thompson: I’m A Handsome Actor
(1991) Mike Myers, Alec Baldwin
Watch on NBC.com Mike Myers masterwork of presentational insincerity. Alec Baldwin nails it, as does a young Conan O’Brien. "Hey, get handsome!"
79. Paranormal Activity
(2018) Kate McKinnon, Liev Schrieber
Oft-repeated sketch, Kate McKinnon always killing it. Usually the other two characters are total straightmen but Liev here is a magnetic odd, sweet character.
80. Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute
(1979) Dan Aykroyd, Margot Kidder
Some of those original cast sketches don’t hold up today (e.g. Land Shark, Emily Littela). But Dan Aykroyd’s performance of heavily-trussed Fred Garvin is still a beauty to watch.
81. Haunted Elevator
(2016) Tom Hanks, Mikey Day
Infamous David S. Pumpkins skit. I still think the Larry David Kevin Roberts sketch was better (and first) but there’s some great absurdist flourishes here too.
82. Hamm & Buble
(2010) Jon Hamm, Michael Buble
The menace of Jon Hamm while serving ham champagne cocktails and saying "You are on the thinnest of ice" always kills me. Michael Buble performance in this made me a fan for life.
83. Oops I Crapped My Pants
(1990)
Most quotable SNL commercial ever - "Imagine this pitcher of iced tea is really a gallon of your feces", "Oops I Crapped My Pants can hold a lot of dung", "I'm wearing them. And I just did"
84. Dick In A Box
(2006) Andy Samberg, Justin Timberlake
The Lonely Island songs are all pretty consistently funny. But Timberlake’s fingerprints on this make it great, then Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph’s appreciative looks make it greater.
85. Super Bass-O-Matic
(1976) Dan Aykroyd
A lot of the original cast 70s SNL legendary sketches really don’t hold up 45 years later. This one does �" and more. "Wow. That’s terrific bass." Funny, gross and manic.
86. Larry King: News & Views
(1999) Norm Macdonald
Watch on NBC.com Two parter, with Norm Macdonald doing disjointed Larry King thoughts just like his USA Today column. As somebody who used to write fake Larry King columns, this is perfection.
87. Centaur Job Interview
(2001) Christopher Walken, Chris Parnell
The underrated Chris Parnell is great here. Sometimes, the host’s role in sketches aren’t written to the particular star. In this wacky job interview sketch, it could ONLY work with Christopher Walken.
88. Grayson-Morehead Ad
(1995) Jim Downey
Writer/producer Jim Downey stars in this quintessential sketch. "We will make.a list of our clients and how much money each of them has given us to invest."
89. Dyke And Fats
(2014) Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant
There are so many 2-handers with Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant to choose from. Always great. But throw in 70s cop show jokes and the end yelling "WE can say it!" and I’m sold.
90. Digital Short - The Curse
(2010) Andy Samberg, Jon Hamm
This has everything - a beginning/middle/end, Andy Sandberg at his best, insane Jon Hamm as Sergio, underused Jenny Slate getting a moment, and the twist ending making Bill Hader scream his ass off.
91. Golden Globes
(2016) Vanessa Bayer, Adam Driver
Winning an award and telling kids in speech "Go to bed"; this couple stays out all night and who wakes up in the house to take care of the kids? Liev Schrieber
92. Gumby on David Letterman
(1983) Joe Piscopo, Eddie Murphy
We not only get Eddie Murphy w Gumby bloopers but Joe Piscopo’s perfect David Letterman. One of the more incredible comedy mysteries is how Joe Piscopo could never be funny again after 1984.
93. Steve Baxter, Hollywood Geinocologist
(1999) Chris Parnell, Bill Murray
Funny enough Bill Murray sleazebag one-hander, but it’s Chris Parnell’s insane Tom Jonesesque theme song intro that is one of the more specific belly laughs I’ve ever had.
94. Red Ships Of Spain
(2001) Will Ferrell, Alec Baldwin
Goulet! Is this really one of SNL’s best sketches? Probably not but this is a list of my favorites. Robert Goulet and his brothers bickering and drinking straight Kahlua before the performance is a slam dunk.
95. Taco Town
(2005) Jason Sudeikis, Andy Samberg
Over the top food within food ad. Jason Sudeikis’ glee at additional layers kills me every time - as does Andy Sanberg’s "Pizza? Now that’s what I call Taco" or Bill Hader trying to open his mouth wide enough.
96. The Joe Franklin Show
(1985) Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Christopher Guest
If you’re old enough and remember The Joe Franklin Show in NYC, this is a must. Spot on Billy Crystal as Joe. Plus Martin Short’s Irving Cohen and Chris Guest’s Senor Cosa.
97. Sinead O’Connor Awards
(1991) Jan Hooks, Dana Carvey
Sinead O’Connor already made herself an SNL punchline in real life even without Jan Hooks taking her on. This sketch is 40% Dana Carvey’s batshit Paul McCartney impression and 20% Phil Hartman Sinatra in the home stretch
98. MacGruber
(2009) Will Forte, Kristin Wiig
There’s been thousands of Macgrubers but the one where Richard Dean Anderson reveals that Macguyver is Macgruber’s father and bouncing thru time is perhaps best crossover episode of anything. The Macgruber movie is nothing like this, but still great viewing.
99. Colonel Angus
(2003) Christopher Walken, Amy Poehler
Colonel Angus sounds like "cunnilingus", not sophisticated material. But the myriad of lines are a solid A-minus then Christopher Walken adds that certain I-don’t-know-what
100. One More Mission
(1986) Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz
You’ll never see better old-timey 1940s humor than Jon Lovitz’ studio head. "What’s the word on the street?"
101. The Ambiguously Gay Duo
(1997) Robert Smigel
You know that Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell are Ace and Gary, right? "Hey comissioner, Want to practice some CPR?" .. "No I don't!!"
102. James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party
(1983) Eddie Murphy
This is just Eddie Murphy as JB singing and taking a while to get into a hot tub. I’s ever bit as dadaesque and nutty as What Up With That? but 40 years earlier.
103. Terry Fink's Fall 2021 Movie Review
(2021) Alex Moffat
If you look at a still of Alex Moffat’s Weekend Update character, you wouldn’t guess that this piece is a non-stop stream of great LSD non sequitors.
104. Happy Smile Patrol
(1999) John Goodman, Cheri Oteri
Watch on NBC.com Children’s show interrupted with breaking news about the stars of said children’s show and their terrorizing showdown as members of The Eagle Of Christ. Just watch it.
105. Charades
(2006) Darrell Hammond, Amy Poehler
70s game show with Nipsey’s intro: "From other game shows, Nipsey Russell". It’s really 2 sketches: Contestants pantomiming things that look sexual (ticking off Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and the other half shitting on Rich Little.
106. What’s That Name (Norman The Doorman)
(2011) Bill Hader, Kenan Thompson
Bill Hader has played a game show host dozens of times, this is his best. Contestants can name celebrities but not their maid or doorman.
107. The Love-Ahs
(2001) Will Ferrell, Rachel Dratch
Recurring sketch with Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch as sickeningly-frank "lovers". This one with Christopher Walken is the best laughs-per-minute. "Methinks I heard the god Zeus chuckling from on high"
108. Last Voyage Of The Startship Enterprise
(1976) John Belushi, Chevy Chase
This is a LONG sketch at nearly 12 minutes. But the first one I can think of in SNL history that deserves to be this long. Very meta before meta was a thing. Plus John Belushi at his best as Captain Kirk
109. George F. Will’s Sports Machine
(1990) Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz
If you ever had to listen to George F. Will pretntiously wax poetic about baseball, then laughing at this sketch is a small measure of revenge. Also featured: befuddled Tommy Lasorda and Mike Schmidt.
110. Jebediah Atkison
(2013) Taran Killam
Taran Killam’s best Weekend Update desk piece. Apologies but I’d take this over Stefon 7 days a week. On Peanuts: "No one wants to watch neurotic children trudging around in the snow to smooth jazz"
111. Collette Reardon
(1999) Cheri Oteri, Dylan McDermott
Cheri Oteri’s insane pill-popping lady always got to a next level. I just wish the one in the pharmacy with John Goodman was available as a clip.
112. Lorne Offers The Beatles $3000
(1976) Lorne Michaels
(Video not available, but transcript here) Lorne Michaels gets thought of as such an institution unto himself, it’s too easy to forget how funny he is. Legend has it that McCartney & Lennon were watching this live in NYC and almost came to the studio.
113. Totino’s
(2016) Vanessa Bayer
I couldn’t choose among the 3 different Totino’s ads with Vanessa Bayer and her "hungry guys". So I’m linking to this video of the complete Totino’s trilogy.
114. Delicious Dish (Pete Schweddy)
(1998) Molly Shannon, Ana Gasteyer, Alec Baldwin
I know I’m underrating this. Once you get the jokes, there’s not enough here on a 2nd or 3rd watching. But that first time �" wow.
115. Career Day
(2018) Adam Driver, Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant
Adam Driver as a There Will Be Blood type oil baron bringing nothing but insanity to his son’s class at Career Day. As Aidy Bryant says, "This has been outstanding, Mr. Parnassas."
116. The Tony Bennett Show
(2002) Alec Baldwin, Maya Rudolph, Chris Kattan
Alec Baldwin at his SNL best. Starts with the "I Love Things That Are Great" song then asks Liza’s gay husband, "Why would you build your house in a cherry orchard when you dig bananas?"
117. Shimmer
(1976) Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase
Watch on NBC.com It’s both a floor wax AND a dessert topping? Historically, there really wasn’t an outlet for comedians to parody commercials on tv at the time. Even in just a few seconds, you can see kinda how magical Gilda Radner was here.
118. ESPN SportsCenter
(1999) Ray Romano, Tim Meadows
Sweet sassy molassey! God love Ray’s character Chet trying to come up with sports catchphrases. Back to you, Stewpot.
119. Blue River Dog Food
(2022) Cecily Strong, Heidi Gardner, John Mulaney
If you’ve got a couple minutes, go look at the YouTube comments on this one. LOTS of former pet store employees with PTSD about how real-life this sketch about dog-hero Karens is.
120. Coffee Talk
(1992) Mike Myers, Roseanne Arnold, Madonna
Mike Myers’ Coffee Talk sketches always had enough inventiveness (especially the topic-discuss shtick). In this installment, Madonna is incredible as Liz Rosenberg. Then a special guest at the end.
