SNL 50 Years, 50 Sketches
Five random sketches per week until we hit 50. Then, probably more.
Where do you even begin with Saturday Night Live? With over 900 episodes it has become the comedy institution in our country. Not only is the show deeply ingrained in our culture but it is the primary training ground for many of our greatest comedic actors.
I tried to find out how many total sketches have aired but couldn’t find the number. I did find a Wikipedia entry of 250 reoccurring characters which is pretty crazy until you realize you could probably name 50 off the top of your head. There’s on average about eight sketches per show (Weekend Update not included) which puts that total number in the 7,200 range.
I’ve decided to add five sketches here every week. Coming up with a list of favorites would be damn near impossible, so these are pretty much off the top of my head. The only criteria I’m employing is to try to cover a number of “eras” each week. I’m also not including lots of those reoccurring characters. While understandable (ratings) one of my criticisms of the show has been how they beat some into the ground.
What I will include are some of the gems that I’ve always loved — often more surreal sketches usually run in the back half of the show.
Doing five sketches a week will only take 10 weeks to get to 50. I might keep things going beyond that if folks are enjoying the idea.
And away. We. Go!
Vincent Price's Halloween Special — Season 36, 2010
Just gold. And Jon Hamm’s obscure James Mason impression. I doubt half the audiences knew half of the people being impersonated. Fantastic.
Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy — Season 39, 2013
This was pretty cute the first couple of times.
Matt Foley: Van Down By The River — Season 18, 1993
What can you say? An all-time classic. I can totally get people breaking. Farley was the best physical comedian ever on the show, even better than Belushi, IMO.
It's a Wonderful Life: The Lost Ending — Season 12, 1986
One of my favorites. Loved Dana so much and loved his Stewart impression. And just really dark too.
Every Totino’s Ever — Seasons 41-43, 2015-17
More Cowbell — Season 25, 2000
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve explored the studio space. Enjoy.
Farewell Mr. Bunting — Season 41, 2016
I somehow missed this the first time around. Perfect parody.
One More Mission — Season 12, 1986
The late, great Phil Hartman is just wonderful in this.
Californains — 2012-2018
Cheating again, This is clip 1 of 2 covering all the Californians.
Toonces the Cat Revenge — Season 15, 1990
The Toonces saga adds some complex narrative!
Puppet Class — Season 38, 2012
One of my all-time favorite sketches. Twisted and completely unexpected.
Spelling Bee — Season 31, 2005
I was never a giant McGruber fan, but Will Fortay kills it here. And the D!
Mom Jeans — Season 28, 2003
Tina Fey was head writer when this aired. It’s in the upper levels of commercial parodies, SNL bread and butter from the onset.
Mister Robinson's Neighborhood: Nutrition — Season 9, 1983
I had an original SNL 8-track from the first season, but it was the Murphy years that made me a giant fan of the show. He was lightening in a bottle.
BONUS: Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood 2019 — Season 45, 2019
Murphy’s return to SNL was an absolute triumph. He killed with old characters and new alike. One of the best full shows ever.
AI — Season 50, 2025
Undercover Boss: Starkiller Base — Season 41, 2016
60 Minutes — Season 10, 1984
Clukin’ Chicken – Season 18, 1993
Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks — Season 41, 2016
Wade Blasingame — Season 26, 2001
What a cast during these years. Will Ferrell can do no wrong and there’s something hilariously subversive about a lawyer who was obviously attacked by a dog and has made his career enacting his revenge. Also, Chris Parnell was jacked.
The French Chef — Season 4, 1976
A classic from Dan Ackroyd, one of the original Not Ready for Prime-Time Players.
Every Stefon Ever (Part 1 of 5) — Seasons 34-39, 2008 to 2013
Because there’s so much to choose from, I’m already cheating. The character was created by Bill Hader and then SNL head writer John Mulaney. From the beginning of SNL there’s been a rule to not break during sketches. That was based on the Carol Burnett Show where the characters lost it all the time. That rule was eased with Stefon. What made Hader break in almost every Weekend Update appearance is that Mulaney would add things to the script at the last minute with Hader reading new jokes for the first time live. Feel free to go down the rabbit hole and watch them all.
First CityWide Change Bank — Season 34, 2008
Commercial parodies have been a staple on SNL since the beginning. This is one (of many) good ones.
Pepper Boy — Season 20, 1994
A personal favorite that’s been lost in the shuffle. Dana Carvey just kills it. I wasn’t a huge fan of Adam Sandler on the show, but he was great in this.