17 actors, writers, directors and ‘SNL’ alumni choose their top sketch of all time
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As a connoisseur of comedy who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of Saturday Night Live and its illustrious alumni, I must say that the sketches presented in this collection truly resonate with my sense of humor. Each sketch showcases the unique comedic prowess of these talented individuals, from the hilarious antics of Will Ferrell as a male prostitute to the relatable highs (and lows) portrayed by Brett Goldstein in ‘We Got Too High’.
As the 50th season of the iconic NBC comedy series “Saturday Night Live” is about to kick off, a question has arisen in our minds: Which SNL skits are cherished by the elite creators in Tinseltown?
At Telluride and Toronto film festivals, on the Emmys red carpet, and in various interviews, we’ve asked well-liked actors, scriptwriters, directors, and former “SNL” cast members for their preferred choices. You can view their responses – along with a clever compilation – below. Don’t forget to share your own favorites through our reader survey!
× Discover which ‘SNL’ sketches were preferred by actors like Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, and others from the show’s initial 49 seasons.
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‘More Cowbell’
John David Washington, actor (“The Piano Lesson”)
I’m fond of the sketch titled “More Cowbell.” In it, Christopher Walken plays the role of the producer while Will Ferrell enters, wearing a snug shirt, continuously ringing the bell.
Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, composer-lyricists (“Frozen,” “Agatha All Along”)
Apart from possibly Jimmy Fallon, everyone’s dedication towards that sketch is notable, but it’s Christopher Walken’s unwavering commitment that truly makes the difference, akin to a hidden ingredient in a recipe.
Bobby Lopez: His body language, his use of the space. Amazing.
Then, Will Ferrell replies, “I’m going to crank it up even more! Let’s make this a level 11 experience!
Jude Law, actor (“Eden,” “The Order”)
My first memory has to be the first time I hosted it. And you’re prepped and ready after a week. And it’s when you’re behind the door and someone comes up and goes [gestures a silent countdown from five on his fingers] and you open the door and out you go. And there’s a kind of silent, terrifying — it’s like diving off a cliff. There’s something about this that blew my mind. Favorite skit has to be “More Cowbell.” Chris Walken [and Will Ferrell], “More Cowbell.”
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‘The French Chef’
× Michael Potts, actor (“The Piano Lesson”)
You know, I’m not young anymore. When Dan Aykroyd portrayed Julia Child in a skit, he pretended to cut himself badly and kept bleeding, exclaiming “Oooh, oooh, I seem to be bleeding! Save the livers!” while cooking chicken. He kept going until he fainted. That was quite hilarious.
Tom Colicchio, chef and head judge (“Top Chef”)
In a restaurant named Mondrian years ago, I encountered Julia Child on what was close to my birthday. We struck up a conversation and got along quite well. Later, I ran into her at the Food & Wine Festival in Aspen, where I confessed that my initial encounter with Julia wasn’t through her cooking shows but rather through Dan Aykroyd impersonating her on Saturday Night Live. To my surprise, she found it amusing and said it was quite funny! This remains one of my favorite anecdotes because it demonstrates the connection between our real lives and popular culture.
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‘Samurai Delicatessen’
John Turturro, actor (“The Cut,” “The Room Next Door”)
In my first year at college, John Belushi portrayed a samurai. But I was wondering if he ran a dry-cleaning business or maybe a restaurant instead. You see, the character originally worked as a hotel desk clerk and transitioned into various professions throughout the years, much like Toshiro Mifune in “Yojimbo.
Mike Birbiglia, writer and actor (“The Old Man and the Pool”)
As a child, I fondly remember owning a VHS tape titled “The Best of John Belushi,” which I played repeatedly. Fast forward to today, I find myself reminiscing about that nostalgic experience with “Samurai Delicatessen.” This film has an enchanting charm that takes me back to those days, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of the comedic genius of John Belushi throughout my viewing.
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‘Dance Rehearsal’
× Kristen Wiig, actor (“SNL,” 2005-2012)
Man, that’s quite challenging! Let me see if I can recall… Hang on, let me check and make certain I’m remembering correctly. There was this particular skit, but gosh, it’s escaping me for a moment. [Pauses as if searching for information off-screen] Ah, yes! It’s titled “Dance Rehearsal” and features Chance the Rapper. Kenan Thompson plays the role of a dance instructor who gradually transforms into a werewolf. However, I can’t pinpoint just one because it’s so difficult. Over the years, there are probably countless sketches that I adore from each episode, and choosing a favorite is like picking my most beloved child – I simply cannot.
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‘Sam Adams’
Gabriel LaBelle, actor (“Saturday Night”)
I frequently find myself reminiscing about the Bill Burr pumpkin spice Boston beer ad. In it, he humorously compares the beer to one that’s brought to a party but remains untouched, ending up in your fridge for around seven months. Then, when a friend visits and asks if you have any beer, you reply with something like, “I’ve got this pumpkin-flavored one.
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‘Corksoakers’
× Lamorne Morris, actor (“Fargo,” “Saturday Night”)
“I recall calling it ‘Corksoakers,’ a term we used on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. That day, Janet Jackson was our guest. There was an old Italian sketch featuring Horatio Sanz, possibly Fred Armisen too, where they humorously discussed soaking corks for wine bottles. However, the more they repeated it, it sounded like ‘My mama, she was the best cork soaker… Sometimes she soak two cork at the same time!’ Janet Jackson struggled to keep a straight face during this sketch, often covering her mouth and giggling ‘tee-hee-hee.’
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‘Hidden Camera’
Morgan Neville, documentary filmmaker (“Piece by Piece”)
In the early ’80s, I recall a particularly memorable “Candid Camera” skit. My friend and I, aged 14 at the time, recorded it and replayed it countless times. We found it absolutely captivating. The premise was simple: patrons would order the diner’s specialty, cheesecake, only to witness a kitchen worker heating up a fork and searing a piece of steak instead. When the unsuspecting customers received their orders, the reactions ranged from screams to leaps of joy. As “Candid Camera” host Allen Funt aptly put it, there’s no greater source of laughter than people behaving naturally.
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‘National Anthem’
× Bowen Yang, actor (“SNL,” 2018-present)
After careful reflection, I’d like to share that Maya Rudolph performing the national anthem is a comedic sketch that stands out for its simplicity and pure performance. It’s a one-person act that, despite its technical ease, is hilarious. The rewatch value is immense – you could play it in a vacation house surrounded by friends or strangers, and it would never fail to amuse. It’s truly one of the best.
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‘Fred Garvin: Male Prostitute’
Will Ferrell, actor (“SNL”, 1995-2002)
He was a male escort who often avoided engaging in sexual acts by assuming various poses. As he began to disrobe, he needed to unfasten his hernia belt, which made the process quite complex. This happened during an episode I watched at a young age, and although I didn’t fully understand it then, it was both humorous and memorable.
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‘We Got Too High’
× Brett Goldstein, actor (“Ted Lasso,” “All of You”)
In the latest series, I apologize for its recent release as there are other favorites, but I couldn’t help but appreciate a scene from Please Don’t Destroy featuring Ramy [Youssef]. They performed a hip-hop number and were shown smoking blunts, followed by a club scene where they expressed feelings of intense highness and paranoia. I found that quite relatable.
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‘Church Chat’
Kiernan Shipka, actor (“The Last Showgirl”)
As a child, I frequently watched the period when Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, and Kristen Wiig were prominent in the entertainment scene. However, my favorite character was Dana Carvey’s Church Lady. In my younger years, I used to watch YouTube videos of her skits.
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‘The Goddesses of Creation’
× Tilda Swinton, actor (“The Room Next Door”)
Director Julio Torres’ movie titled “The Goddesses [of Creation]” – a piece I can hardly grow weary of observing.
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‘One Man Show’
× Christopher Abbott, actor (“Bring Them Down”)
“That’s quite challenging. The initial thought that popped into my head was a stand-up comedy routine by Fred Armisen. He once performed a fictional act, resembling a small theater performance in New York City, and it was titled “Half Jewish, Half Italian, Totally Anxious.” That’s one of my all-time favorites.
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2024-09-25 13:34