So there I am walking on the streets of Chicago with a co-worker on our way to the conference hotel. As we were walking I asked R.W. if he had ever eaten at the Billygoat Tavern. He said he hadn’t and I followed up with do you know what it is? After he gave me that perplexed look I explained it was the restaurant that was featured in the Saturday Night Live (SNL) Skit “hamburger, cheeseburger” over 30 years ago. He remembered that and we chuckled at how funny Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner were in the skit
Our conversation then morphed into what are the funniest SNL skits of all time? When I think about that a few more come to mind:
The Chippendales dancers featuring Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze was absolutely hysterical. I still crack up thinking about it.
The other one I remember was Christopher Walken and Will Farrell with Blue Oyster Cult in more cowbell – very creative and funny! Watching Farrell dance around pounding the cowbell…is well…ridiculously funny!
- What are some of your favorite skits of all time?
- What do you think of my choices?
- Who were your favorite characters on SNL?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Shannon Goyda says:
The Chippendales sketch is definitely my favorite. You gotta love Chris Farley. What about his Matt Foley character (“you’re going to be living in a VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!)? So funny!
The new shows are more polished but not nearly as good as they were back in the day!
J.R. Venza says:
More Cowbell ! ! ! !
Old school would have to be ……wow ……. so many
Chee’burger Chee’burger
Belushi Samurai skits
Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood
2 Wild and Crazy Guys…..
This could go on for days.
Stephenie Gordon says:
I have to say i can’t stand Chris Farley (which makes people cringe), but the Chippendale skit is hilarious.
I love the “Daily Affirmation With Stuart Smalley” skits. they were hilarious.
Now, i can’t help myself but laugh at the Kenan Thompson skits where he does the sexual position videos.
I think anything Andy Samburg does, is gold, and couple him with Justin Timberlake, and you have platinum. The “In a Box” skit will be talked about for generations to come, like we talk about the “Down by the River”.
Marianne says:
Just about any skit with “Roseanne Roseannadanna”. We all know people just as dense as she was! Oh — never mind …..
Ed Sugar says:
Dan Akroyd as Julia Child & Bill Murray’s lounge singer’s version of the Star Wars theme with words would be my two favorite.
Rick Johnson says:
One of my favorites is Celebrity Jeopardy with Will Farrell as Alex Trebek. So funny when the Sean Connery asks for the category “Therapist,” but says he’ll take “The Rapist” for $$. Hilarious!
What about the Corksoaker skit, or Eddie Murphy as Gumby. There are so many funny skits. Oh yea, I always liked the Presidential skits, Bill Clinton, “W,” and George Bush (I) when they over emphasized his hand gestures.
Good stuff!! I’m laughing inside just thinking of all these skits! What a great topic for Friday Merrill!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Rick
Lisa Lockwood says:
Chevy Chase as the Land Shark (candy gram, pizza man) was awesome. Eddie Murphy in Mr. Robinson’s neighborhood (can you say “breaking and entering, kids?”) I really loved Chris Kattan’s Mr. Peepers. The skit with him and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who played Mr. Peepers’ long lost father was beyond hilarious! And who could forget Adam Sandler’s love song to his red hooded sweatshirt?? Too many funny moments to name – I could go on forever. Da Bears!!
Bob Graham says:
All time favorite skit is Patrick Stewart as “Phil MacKracken, Scottish Therapist” who visits Mike Myer’s “If It’s Not Scottish It’s Crap” store and tries to address his anger issues.
Other favorites are Christopher Lee as the Angel of Death coming to claim the life of young Lorraine Newman (and ultimately giving up); Strother Martin doing a take-off on his “Cool Hand Luke” Warden role as the warden of a French language camp for kids and (this one’s really obscure) Matthew Modine as “The Liberal” constantly on the run because his beliefs didn’t fit the Regan era, a take-off on “The Fugitive” (“He’s a liberal, Run liberal, run…).
Favorite Characters: Dan Akyroyd and Steve Martin as the Festrunk Brothers (two wild and crazy guys); John Belushi’s Samurais; RoseAnn Roseannadanna (still sing her song of thanks ecery Thanksgiving); Mike Myers Middle-Aged-Man; Darryl Hammond’s Sean Connery and Christopher Walken as “The Continental” (“Would you like a sip of cham-pag-ne?”)
Ileen Branderbit says:
As I often spill coffee on my keyboard I would have to say the “Pepsi Syndrome”
78p: Richard Benjamin / Rickie Lee Jones
The Pepsi Syndrome
Matt…..Bill Murray
Ross Denton…..Richard Benjamin
Two Mile Player #1…..Tom Davis
Two Mile Player #2…..Al Franken
Jimmy Carter…..Dan Aykroyd
Rosalyn Carter…..Laraine Newman
Violet…..Garret Morris
Dr. Edna Casey…..Jane Curtin
…..Rodney Dangerfield
Baba Wawa…..Gilda Radner
Jon Last says:
Charles Barkley playing one-on-one basketball against Barney the Dinosaur.
Every parent of a pre-schooler at the time, had to get a cathartic charge out of seeing Sir Charles trash talk and pummel Barney into submission. I’m laughing again, just thinking about it.
Bob Farley says:
Here are my top three:
3) One of the Christmas episodes featuring Alec Baldwin as “Pete Schwetty”.
2) Dan Akroyd as the smarmy saleman, pushing the “Bass-o-matic ’76″.
1) Buck Henry and Laraine Newman as “Lord and Lady Douchebag”.
John Castellano says:
Bob-These bring back memories….
Bob Graham says:
Actually, Gilda Radner was Lady Douchebag.
Sybil Stershic says:
My favorites included the ad parodies – including the circumcision in the car (“what a smooth ride!”) … the Bees (bzz, bzz) … and Joe Cocker performing on stage with John Belushi imitating him.
I also remember the Dan Ackroyd/Julia Child skit as I was drinking tomato juice at the time. It was quite a while before I could drink the stuff again!
chris hauck says:
The old bumblebee sketch where John Belushi is buzzing off in his bunk at baseball camp came out when I was living in a dorm environment in high school. We were repeating it all year! Alan’s buzzing off! it was hysterical – Walter Matthau was the coach.
Oh yeah – and the bass-o-matic with Dan Akroyd. Classic.
Can you tell I don’t have a TV and I’m old!
Kelly Heatly says:
More cowbell! Christopher Walken — my favorite host ever. I also love Justin Timberlake’s sketches.
Also, love the Janet Reno’s Dance Party sketch with Will Farrell where the actual Janet Reno busts through the set.
John Castellano says:
Jane, you ignorant slut…. (am I dating myself), I was only a boy when I would sneak down on Saturday night to watch with my my brothers who are 8-10-14 years my senior.
In a parody of the “Point-Counterpoint” segment of the news program 60 Minutes, Curtin portrayed a controlled liberal viewpoint (referencing Shana Alexander) vs. Dan Aykroyd, who (referencing James J. Kilpatrick) prototyped the right-wing view, albeit with an over-the-top “attack” journalist slant. Curtin presented the liberal “Point” portion first. Then Aykroyd presented the “Counterpoint” portion, sometimes beginning with the statement, “Jane, you ignorant slut,” to which she replied, “Dan, you pompous ass.”
Jeffrey Lorber says:
Cawfee Tawk – especially the episode when Barbara Streisand walked in. I’m still kvelling!
Eddie Murphy in his skivvies (as James Brown) singing “Hot Tub”
Favorite lines:
“No Coke, Pepsi”
“We are from France.”
“Jane you ignorant slut.”
“Well isn’t that spay-shul”
“Roseanne, we are talking about violins, not violence.” “Oh, never mind.”
I agree with Sybil – Belsuhi and Cocker as the single funniest moment ever!
Malcolm Williamson says:
Are you kidding? Nothing better than Canis Cologne For Dogs. Epic!
Since I have 3 Golden’s and look exactly like the guy in the clip, this may be a bit bias.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=22112926
Willie Martin says:
1978…the year of Animal House and…King Tut! Steve Martin. Thats all!
Joan Burns says:
Noone has mentioned the Spanish Inquisition skits. Also the Martin Short and ??? skit in which they were accountants who left their profession to follow their dream of becoming synchronized swimmers. One couldn’t swim and one with extremely short hair was constantly pomading the hair with jello to keep it sleek under water. I can’t recall which was which as I was laughing so much.
Isabel Russell says:
i remember Patrick Swayze with Jennifer Grey on Dirty Dancing movie,:*