The Most Iconic ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sketches of All Time

It was another historic year for Saturday Night Live. Following its 50th anniversary celebration, the show reached another major milestone in Season 51 with its 1,000th episode on January 31, 2026.

The show welcomed new cast members in Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska and Ben Marshall. It also said goodbye to longtime cast members Bowen Yang, who departed midway through Season 51, and Chloe Fineman.

As we look back at now 51 years of sketches, we have a few more entries to enter into the hall of hilarity.

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When does ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 52 premiere?

Saturday Night Live returns for season 52 on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. You can watch it live every Saturday night at 11:30 ET on NBC (Channel 392) and on Peacock.

Best ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sketches of All Time

To get you ready for the new season, we’ve rounded up the most iconic sketches in SNL’s history:

“More Cowbell” (2000)

Perhaps the most legendary SNL sketch of all time, “More Cowbell” features Will Ferrell in a belly shirt wailing on a cowbell during a Blue Öyster Cult recording session. Christopher Walken plays the producer who, after each take, demands “more cowbell!” while Jimmy Fallon constantly breaks character and Chris Parnell plays the befuddled lead singer.

“Matt Foley: Van Down by the River” (1993)

Chris Farley’s explosive performance as an unhinged motivational speaker, Matt Foley, is a feat of comedic endurance. Farley’s physical comedy and manic energy is punctuated by his warnings that the misbehaving teens will end up “IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER” if they don’t get their act together.

“Celebrity Jeopardy!: French Stewart, Burt Reynolds, & Sean Connery” (1999)

Will Ferrell’s barely contained Alex Trebek deals with a lineup of antagonistic contestants. Darrell Hammond’s vindictive Sean Connery and Norm MacDonald’s dim-witted “Turd Ferguson” version of Burt Reynolds drive “Trebek” up a wall and deliver an instant classic.

“D*** in a Box” (2006)

The Lonely Island’s Emmy-winning digital short stars Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake as 1990s R&B singers with a questionable gift idea for their significant others. The video parody cemented SNL’s viral video revolution and became one of the most successful digital shorts ever produced.

“Haunted Elevator” / “David S. Pumpkins” (2016)

Tom Hanks’ inexplicably bizarre Halloween character became an instant sensation with his weird voice, ridiculous suit and awkward dancing. Flanked by dancing skeletons played by Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan, David Pumpkins is more than a quirky character. He’s an SNL moment fans will never forget.

“The Olympia Restaurant” (1978)

“Cheeburger, cheeburger, Pepsi, two cheep” sings John Belushi’s restaurant owner. A parody of a fast-moving Chicago diner, the sketch features a fluid give-and-take between Belushi, Dan Ackroyd and Bill Murray.

“Debbie Downer: Disney World” (2004)

Rachel Dratch debuts as the perpetually pessimistic character that ruins everyone’s fun at Disney World. Dratch’s ability to hang on while the entire cast, including Lindsay Lohan, breaks character from laughter is a feat in itself. The brilliant bump-set-spike of Debbie killing everyone’s vibe — even an excited waiter played by second-year cast member Kenan Thompson — made this one of the best sketches of the decade.

“Sarah Palin and Hillary Address the Nation” (2008)

In the summer of 2008, SNL was handed a gift. Sarah Palin was tapped as presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, and she and Tina Fey looked remarkably alike. Paired with Amy Poehler’s Hillary Clinton, the duo delivered a classic cold open to the Season 34 premiere.

“Sean Spicer Press Conference” (2017)

Melissa McCarthy’s aggressive portrayal of President Donald Trump’s first press secretary captured the combative tone of the early first Trump administration. Her performance is a time capsule for future historians studying this moment in politics.

“White Like Me” (1984)

Eddie Murphy goes “undercover” as a white man in this mockumentary-style sketch to highlight white privilege, bigotry behind closed doors and racial inequities in society. Over four decades later, the sketch hasn’t lost any of its edge. Legendary SNL writer Jim Downey co-starred in the sketch.

“Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer” (1991)

Phil Hartman’s masterpiece character is a prehistoric man who was thawed out by scientists, went to law school and became a practicing lawyer. The sketch features Hartman’s fierce commitment to character and leaves you kind of wishing there was actually an Unfrozen Cave Man Lawyer show.

“Wayne’s World: Aerosmith” (1990)

Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s rock-loving cable-access teens Wayne and Garth interview Aerosmith thanks to Garth’s cousin Barry, played by Tom Hanks. The sketch spawned two movies, Wayne’s World (1992) and Wayne’s World 2 (1993), and gave fans one of the show’s most enduring catchphrases: “We’re not worthy!”

“The Blues Brothers: Soul Man” (1978)

John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s iconic sunglasses-wearing Blues Brothers is arguably one of the most famous sketches in SNL history. Initially a recurring sketch on the show, their electric performances were so well received that they launched a franchise including albums, concerts and multiple feature-length movies.

What’s Up With That? (2013)

Kenan Thompson’s exuberant host Diondre Cole wants to give his guests plenty of time to talk, but he has one problem: he can’t stop launching into the show’s theme song. The recurring gag becomes even funnier when famous guests appear on the set but barely get a chance to speak before the music starts and Thompson breaks into another round of dancing.

“Stefon” (Weekend Update appearances, 2010s)

Bill Hader’s eccentric New York club correspondent provided unexpected descriptions of nightlife venues around the city during Weekend Update segments. Hader frequently broke character thanks to co-writer John Mulaney re-writing jokes right before Hader took the stage and feeding them to him on the cue cards.

“Church Lady” (1987)

Dana Carvey’s Church Lady delivers smug moral judgments from behind the desk of “Church Chat,” treating everyone from celebrities to televangelists as sinners in need of correction. Her behavior turns ordinary criticism into a hilarious satirization of self-righteousness, punctuated by her signature line, “Well, isn’t that special?”

“Lazy Sunday” (2005)

The Lonely Island’s digital short revolution began with this rap starring Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg about a journey to a dream world of magic and eating some bomb cupcakes. Released just as YouTube was launching, Lazy Sunday became SNL‘s first viral video and changed the show forever.

“Home Alone” (2026)

The Christmas episode with Ariana Grande as host and musical guest and Bowen Yang performing his final show was arguably the biggest of season 51. It also included one of the most memorable video sketches of the year, a pitch-perfect horror take on the Home Alone ending that imagines the movie’s famous traps from a much darker perspective.

“Twin Bed” (2013)

This R&B music video parody featuring the female cast and host Jimmy Fallon proved SNL could still create viral musical content even after The Lonely Island’s departure. The nostalgic early-2000s vibe combined with club beats and seventh-grade photos created a catchy hit about returning home for some holiday weirdness.

“Weekend Update: The Hanukkah Song” (1994)

Adam Sandler‘s cultural anthem cemented his stardom and became one of the greatest comedy songs of all time. Both silly and sensitive, the song made Sandler a household name and helped launch his legendary stand-up and acting career.

“Potato Chip” (2009)

A standard interview for an open astronaut job goes awry when a potato chip goes missing. Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis go toe-to-toe in this absurdist sketch in the wild card “10 to 1” slot of the show. Let it be a lesson to us all: you just don’t take people’s potato chips.

“Weekend Update: Roseanne Roseannadanna on Smoking” (1978)

Gilda Radner’s bewigged health correspondent character delivers a five-minute rant about quitting smoking. It answers the ever-important question, “What do health clubs, sweat and saunas have to do with cigarettes?”

“Landshark” (1975)

Chevy Chase’s Landshark is a predator with a surprisingly simple strategy: convince unsuspecting women that he’s someone they know, then attack when they open the door. The sketch turns a familiar horror-movie setup into a ridiculous one-joke premise, with Chase’s increasingly obvious attempts to disguise his voice and identity making the silliness even funnier.

“Farewell Mr. Bunting” (2016)

Pete Davidson, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett and Fred Armisen star in this Dead Poets Society parody, recreating the film’s inspirational classroom finale with an increasingly absurd twist. The students rise onto their desks to honor their beloved teacher, their commitment to the dramatic moment turns the heartfelt moment into a hilariously over-the-top send-off.

“First Citywide Change Bank” (1988)

First CityWide Change Bank is a full-service financial institution dedicated to one thing: making change. Jim Downey plays an eager bank representative who proudly explains all the different ways the bank can break down your money, turning an incredibly basic task into an elaborate corporate operation. The dead-serious delivery is what makes the absurdity work.

“Cookies” (2008)

During a tense company meeting where an executive warns employees about possible layoffs, Fred Armisen’s Marcus becomes increasingly distracted by a plate of cookies sitting nearby. His increasingly ridiculous attempts to grab one eventually reveal the real joke, the cookies aren’t cookies at all, they’re filled with laxatives.

“Papyrus” (2017)

Ryan Gosling plays a man obsessed with the font choice for Avatar eight years after its release. Writer Julio Torres knows better than anyone that the best comedy is surgically specific and highlights something that unites us all: crazy obsessions. Nobody tell this guy about the new Avatar.

“Chippendales Audition” (1990)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more quintessential piece of physical comedy than Chris Farley taking on Patrick Swayze in the final audition to be a dancer at Chippendales. Farley’s relentless commitment is awe-inspiring. The sketch reminds you of the energy only a live performance can bring.

“Bass-O-Matic” (1976)

The days of troublesome scaling, cutting and gutting are over, or so Dan Aykroyd’s wildly enthusiastic salesman claims. The Super Bass-O-Matic promises to turn an entire fish into a smooth, blended mess with the flip of a switch, making the absurdly dangerous product pitch the joke itself.

“Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks” (2016)

Tom Hank’s Doug surprisingly can hold his own on Black Jeopardy. Well, for a while. Written by Michael Che and Bryan Tucker, the sketch turned into its own recurring bit in the years to come.

“Mom Jeans” (2003)

Tina Fey’s commercial parody took direct aim at society’s objectification of women with Mom Jeans, jeans designed to “fit a mom’s body.” Joke’s on society, mom jeans are all the rage again.

“Meet Your Second Wife” (2015)

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler host a twisted game show in which married men are introduced to the women they will supposedly marry after their current relationships end. The catch? Their future brides are sometimes children or teenagers sitting alongside their horrified current wives.

“Dysfunctional Family Dinner” (1998)

A tense family dinner spirals into an all-out shouting match as a frustrated father, played by Will Ferrell, tries desperately to assert his authority while his wife and teenage daughter push his buttons. As dinner goes on, the family members talk over one another and the father’s increasingly specific boasts about his job and car become the only things holding his wounded masculinity together.

“December to Remember Car Commercial” (2020)

A sketch that heightens the “that would never happen in real life” essence of commercials perfectly. Beck Bennett is right at home as an overly confident guy in over his head caught up in the holiday spirit of savings.

“What’s That Name” (2019)

Bill Hader’s devilish Vince Blight hosts a mischievous game show that quizzes contestants on the names of people in their life they definitely should know but don’t. It’s a game with the ultimate prize: chaos.

“The Nerds: Nerd Prom” (1978)

Lisa Loopner and Todd DiLaMuca head to prom in another installment of the recurring “Nerds” sketches. The comedy comes from the pair’s painfully awkward teenage dynamic, with Todd acting like an overconfident teenage heartthrob while Lisa struggles with the embarrassment of spending the big night with him.

“Haircut” (2026)

Promoted to a featured player in season 51, Ashley Padilla was a certified breakout star. She had a handful of sketches that all could have earned this slot, but “Haircut” gets the nod for a perfectly simple premise dialed up to 11 with Padilla’s relentlessly surprising deliveries and increasingly absurd reactions.

“Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood Nutrition” (1981)

Eddie Murphy’s inner-city riff on Mister Rogers delivers a cheerful lesson about nutrition while revealing that the groceries he’s discussing were stolen. Based on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, this sketch shines light on a grittier reality as Murphy explains how to eat well when you can barely afford groceries.

“NPR’s Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls” (1998)

Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon play NPR hosts tasting the culinary creations of Alec Baldwin’s Pete Schweddy. To celebrate the holidays, Pete brings his family’s famous dessert: Scheddy balls. A pitch perfect parody of the softspoken radio personalities with deadpanned, subtle raunchiness made this sketch an instant classic.

“Colonel Angus Comes Home” (2003)

Tina Fey’s period sketch revolves around an old-fashioned Southern family welcoming home a man named Colonel Angus. The joke is built almost entirely around the characters repeatedly saying his name in completely innocent conversations — but you really need to hear, not read about, this sketch to truly appreciate it.

“Jingleheimer Junction” (1998)

This nostalgic “Schoolhouse Rock!” parody turns a seemingly wholesome children’s educational program into a showcase for a very different kind of competition. The hosts, Will Ferrell and Tim Meadows, become increasingly competitive and hostile. To the front of the line, Fred!

“Close Encounter” (2015)

One of three random people abducted by aliens, Kate McKinnon’s experience was just a liiiiiittle bit different than her fellow abductees. McKinnon’s character commitment broke everyone else on stage as she delivered one descriptive soliloquy after another.

“Totinos with Kristen Stewart” (2017)

A woman boxed into the unappreciated role of housewife has her heart awoken right in time for the big game by Ted’s sister Sabine and the new Totino’s Totino Pizza Roll Two Pack. The parody plays like a bizarre action movie as Sabine fights to save her from the drudgery of housework.

“The Actress” (2019)

An exploration of an actor’s relentless commitment to a role. This sketch exemplifies the power of method acting in… any performance.

“Star Wars Undercover Boss: Starkiller Base” (2016)

Kylo Ren goes on “Undercover Boss” for some “real talk with some real folks” at the Empire’s Starkiller Base. Adam Driver’s Sith lord finds himself a fish out of water desperate for approval from his coworkers.

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