The Ultimate Ranking: SNL's Top 30 Skits of All Time

Summary

SNL has been on TV for decades and has produced many iconic skits that continue to be popular over the years.

The top SNL skits are exceptionally funny and memorable, delivering ample laughter to avid fans. The program consistently integrates timely subjects and celebrity hosts to produce original and humorous moments within its skits.

Saturday Night Live has defied the typical lifespan of TV shows by remaining popular for decades. Its longevity is evident in the continued recognition of the best SNL skits of all time. Although the series has experienced its fair share of highs and lows, with comedians coming and going, SNL has maintained its presence. Since its inception in 1975, the show has consistently delivered numerous musical performances, skits, and, most importantly, laughs.

Each new season of Saturday Night Live adds to the show's extensive repertoire and presents a challenge to identify the best SNL skits of all time. While not every skit becomes an instant classic, there are undeniably those that leave a lasting impact with their humor and unforgettable moments. As a pillar of television culture since its debut, SNL has an abundance of exceptional skits that fans can always reflect upon.

30. Spelling Bee

Season 31

Embracing his weirdest ideas in skits, Will Forte had a knack for creating hilarious moments. Among his repertoire, one sketch stands out as both underrated and brilliantly simple. In this skit, Forte portrays a contestant in a spelling bee, tasked with spelling the word "business." Rather than simply attempting the word, Forte takes a unique approach. He bombards the judge with a multitude of questions, even asking if the judge could spell it for him. Finally, after a comical exchange, Forte proceeds to spell the word, but not without throwing in a series of absurd letters, including numerous Qs in a row. The absurdity of the situation carries on for just the right amount of time to elicit laughter.

29. Career Day

Season 43

Adam Driver showcases his exceptional acting skills and proves himself as an outstanding host on Saturday Night Live, leaving a lasting impression with his noteworthy appearances on the show. In this side-splitting sketch set during a high school career day, Driver exhibits his comedic prowess as he portrays the elderly father of Pete Davidson's character. Playing the role of an oil baron, he captivates the audience with his hilarious performance, enthusiastically enlightening the students about the cutthroat nature of his business. With his uproarious portrayal and dynamic persona, Driver convincingly establishes himself as a potential recurring character on the show.

28. Diner Lobster

Season 43

Renowned for his stint as a writer on Saturday Night Live and adored by audiences, John Mulaney has risen to fame as one of the show's most beloved hosts. Marking a triumphant return to his earlier skit ideas, which were considered too unconventional during his writing days, Mulaney flawlessly executed his vision as a host. Notably, one such skit features Pete Davidson as an oblivious customer at a diner, blissfully ordering a lobster, leading to an unexpected Les Misérables-inspired musical extravaganza. While undoubtedly an unusual concept, it surprisingly captivates, resulting in a captivating and highly entertaining centerpiece that has sparked the creation of numerous subsequent sequels.

27. Cobras & Panthers

Season 22

Norm MacDonald gained notoriety for his controversial Weekend Update jokes during his time on Saturday Night Live, but his talent as a sketch artist should not be overlooked. One of his most underrated sketches showcases MacDonald's unique sense of humor. The sketch revolves around a 1950s street gang, whose members perform musical numbers reminiscent of West Side Story. However, MacDonald's character stands out as the only member who cannot comprehend why everyone suddenly bursts into song. In an amusing fashion, he questions his fellow gang members on how they manage to come up with songs so effortlessly. This clever twist humorously addresses the suspension of disbelief that is inherent in all musicals.

26. CBS Evening News: Katie Couric Interviews Sarah Palin

Season 34

After departing as the head writer of the show in 2006, Tina Fey made numerous memorable guest appearances on the show impersonating Republican politician Sarah Palin. With Palin's unexpected selection as John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential race, Fey's striking resemblance to Palin and her ability to deliver a hilarious impression made it a comedic surprise for audiences. Fey and Poehler's rendition of Palin's notorious interview with Katie Couric became a side-splitting segment, solidifying Fey's portrayal of Palin as one of the finest impressions on SNL.

25. HBO Mario Kart Trailer

Season 48

The best thing about the top SNL skits lies in its live nature, allowing the cast and crew to capitalize on current events and create uproarious moments. In season 48, when HBO's The Last of Us gained immense popularity as a grim post-apocalyptic series based on a video game, SNL capitalized on the trend. They invited Last of Us star Pedro Pascal as the host and he brilliantly parodied his own show by presenting a faux trailer for HBO's next adaptation, this time infusing the vibrant and light-hearted video game, Mario Kart, with a dark real-world aesthetic. This clever twist on the source material brought forth immense laughter and solidified its place among the greatest SNL skits to date.

24. A Christmas Carol

Season 48

Only Murders in the Building served as a powerful reminder of the unparalleled comedic genius of Martin Short and Steve Martin. This remarkable duo's talent was showcased in this timeless addition to the realm of SNL skits, where Short masterfully portrayed Scrooge in the iconic tale, A Christmas Carol. After the turbulent encounters with his spectral visitors, Short's character awakens with a newfound desire to bring goodness into the world. Nevertheless, his well-intended attempt to distribute coins to the people below goes awry, resulting in calamitous consequences. The skit escalates progressively, with each mishap surpassing the previous in its gruesome nature, until Martin's ghost vanishes and Short subtly retreats from the chaotic aftermath.

23. Simon: Summer Drawings

Seasons 16-19

Among the many memorable SNL skits by Mike Myers, his performances as Wayne's World and minimalist artist Dieter stand out. However, one of his most impactful portrayals is also one of the darkest characters to ever grace the Saturday Night Live stage. Myers takes on the role of Simon, a young British child who, while sitting in his bathtub, innocently reveals his drawings to the audience. These sketches often depict truly horrifying scenes, yet Simon remains oblivious to the trauma he unintentionally embodies. Marked by phrases like "cheeky monkey," this portrayal leaves a lasting impression, simultaneously fascinating and deeply unsettling.

22. The Blues Brothers

Debuted In 1978

Most fans are familiar with The Blues Brothers due to the iconic movie that originated from one of the greatest skits in SNL history. In the skit, Dan Akyroyd and John Belushi showcased a distinct demeanor compared to their portrayal in the film. While the movie depicted their thrilling quest to rescue the orphanage where they grew up, the SNL skits primarily focused on Akyroyd and Belushi's electrifying performances of their own songs. The skit made its inaugural appearance in 1978, and later on, John Goodman became a part of the group. Over the years, numerous episodes featured the band collaborating with various renowned soul musicians.

21. The Church Lady

Debuted In 1986

Dana Carvey is often remembered solely for his portrayal in Wayne's World skits. However, he also made a significant contribution to the best SNL skits of all time through his iconic character, The Church Lady, in her show, Church Chat. During a time when televangelists held sway over television screens, Carvey embodied this role, preaching to the masses in a highly condescending manner. He would belittle individuals in the world of entertainment and politics, labeling them as fornicators and sinners. One of the most memorable aspects of this skit was Carvey's catchphrase, "could it be Satan?", turning it into one of SNL's most widely quoted moments.

20. Farewell, Mr. Bunting

Season 41

"Farwell Mr. Bunting," a relatively new skit, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most hilarious SNL skits in history. It initially appears to be a faithful recreation of the iconic scene from Dead Poet's Society, where the inspiring teacher (portrayed by Fred Armisen) is dismissed, leading his students to stand on their desks and pay homage to him. The skit builds anticipation, as the audience waits for the climactic moment. Eventually, one student dares to rise on the desk, only to be immediately decapitated by the ceiling fan. The shocking incident, combined with the ensuing bloody chaos, leaves an indelible mark.

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19. The Roxbury Guys

Debuted In 1996

Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan's recurring skit as the Roxbury Guys, which was so popular it was made into a movie, stands out as one of the best SNL skits. The premise is simple yet effective—annoying and clueless guys attempting to dance with girls at various nightclubs, to no avail. While the skit was featured numerous times, the most memorable iteration was when Jim Carrey joined Ferrell and Kattan, seamlessly embracing the absurdity of the skit.

18. Black Jeopardy

Recurring Sketch

17. Debbie Downer

While there is another skit on SNL that revolves around the theme of Jeopardy and is highly regarded by fans, "Black Jeopardy" has emerged as one of the most hilarious and ingeniously recurring sketches on the show in recent years. This skit presents a game of Jeopardy specifically designed for Black American contestants, with one of them invariably feeling out of place. Notable moments include Chadwick Boseman's memorable portrayal of T'Challa and Tom Hanks taking on the role of a surprisingly capable white conservative contestant.

17. Debbie Downer

Debuted In 2004

16. Harry Caray

The Debbie Downer skit gained popularity due to its unexpected outcome. Rachel Dratch portrays the lead character, an individual named Debbie, who consistently dampens the atmosphere of joyous gatherings she participates in. During the initial airing of the skit, which depicted Debbie ruining a family trip to Disneyworld, the entire cast broke character and struggled to deliver their lines due to uncontrollable laughter. Needless to say, the audience thoroughly enjoyed this comedic turn of events.

Debuted In 1996

15. Mister Robinson's Neighborhood

Will Ferrell is widely considered one of the most brilliant SNL cast members in history, and his portrayal of Harry Caray is undoubtedly one of his finest achievements. Drawing inspiration from the real-life baseball announcer, Ferrell delivers a hilariously exaggerated rendition of the character, offering his humorous insights on topics unrelated to the sport. Harry's unkempt appearance, distinctive voice, and complete disconnection from the world around him make this recurring skit an endlessly entertaining masterpiece, showcasing Ferrell's comedic genius.

15. Mister Robinson's Neighborhood

Debuted In 1981

One of SNL's most emblematic alumni is Eddie Murphy. Throughout his appearance in 65 episodes, one of his standout performances was in the skit "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood." This parody of the renowned show "Mister Roger's Neighborhood," featuring Fred Rogers, depicted Mr. Robinson as a criminal who shamelessly taught children about illegal activities such as shoplifting. Although Mr. Robinson appeared in various sketches, his lesson on nutrition remains a timeless SNL classic.

14. NPR’s Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls

Season 24

Another aspect that SNL parodied was NPR (National Public Radio). In a particular episode, Jo McCullen (Ana Gasteyer) and Terry Rialto (Molly Shannon) hosted a segment on the radio titled Delicious Dish, featuring guest star Pete Schweddy. The renowned Alec Baldwin, a frequent SNL host, brilliantly portrayed Mr. Schweddy, the proprietor of Seasons Eatings, renowned for his iconic holiday dessert, Schweddy Balls. This skit abounded with clever double entendres, mainly centered around Pete's unique confections. It's commendable that all three actors in the skit managed to maintain their composure, as many contemporary comedians would struggle to do so.

13. MacGruber

Debuted in 2007

Will Forte appeared in 156 episodes starting in 2002, and MacGruber became one of his most renowned characters. MacGruber, a clear parody of the famous 80s show MacGyver, differed from its inspiration in that while MacGyver always found clever scientific solutions to escape tight situations, MacGruber consistently failed and often ended up blowing himself up. The SNL skits featuring MacGruber were so successful that they eventually led to the character getting his own film in 2010, starring Forte and Kristen Wiig. Although it's difficult to choose the best MacGruber skit, the one involving Jonah Hill and an embarrassing workplace rumor is particularly memorable.

12. Two Wild & Crazy Guys

Debuted In 1977

11. Celebrity Jeopardy!

Two standout personalities from Saturday Night Live's 70s era were Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin. While both actors later established themselves as massively successful in their acting careers, SNL provided a platform for some of their most hilarious performances. One notable sketch that brought these two comedic powerhouses together was "Two Wild & Crazy Guys," revolving around the misadventures of two Czech-born brothers named York and Georg Festrunk. Constantly in search of female companionship, these swinging siblings didn't always achieve the desired outcome with the ladies. The characters made multiple appearances on the show, with their most recent stint being in 2013 when Justin Timberlake served as the host.

Recurring Sketch

"Celebrity Jeopardy," a recurring skit on Saturday Night Live, has been featured in numerous episodes. SNL finds Jeopardy! an ideal platform to parody, as it provides opportunities for cast members to impersonate various celebrities. The skit first aired in 1996, but one of its most memorable performances took place in 1999 during SNL's 25th season. This particular skit showcased exceptional celebrity impersonations by SNL, including French Stewart (played by Jimmy Fallon), Sean Connery (played by Darrell Hammond), and Burt Reynolds (played by Norm MacDonald). Even after leaving SNL, Will Ferrell reprised his role as Alex Trebek in this sketch multiple times.