SNL50 - Top 20 Cold Opens

 

Pretty much every SNL begins with a Cold Open. In the first year, most of them involved Chevy Chase taking a giant fall before announcing “Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night!” Soon though, the majority of the cold opens would be politically influenced, whether it be a debate, address to the country or some scandal. Picking ones that are funny or memorable without having to be incredibly versed in the politics of that particular week was challenging at times. Anywhere, here’s my list

20. CRUZ STREET
EPISODE: S47E06 (11.13.2021)
HOST: Jonathan Majors
MUSICAL GUEST: Taylor Swift
Aidy Bryant as Ted Cruz gives us a much darker version of Sesame Street complete with songs, guns, Joe Rogan, and a fun portion with Bert and Ernie.
LINK: Click here

19. PRESS CONFERENCE
EPISODE: S27E04 (11.03.2001)
HOST: John Goodman
MUSICAL GUEST: Ja Rule
Darrell Hammond takes on John Ashcroft as he warns the country about a probable terrorist attack. He tries his hardest to make everyone feel better but fails miserably.
LINK: Not Available

18. DOLE IMPRESSION
EPISODE: S22E06 (11.16.1996)
HOST: Robert Downey Jr.
MUSICAL GUEST: Fiona Apple
The cast has a term for this that I heard on a podcast but can’t remember it for the life of me. The internet calls it a ‘meta-moment’ when the real life person encounters their impersonator. This one has Bob Dole, fresh from a presidential defeat, talking to Norm MacDonald. Awkward humour ensues.
LINK: Not Available

17. THE PRESIDENTIAL COUPLE
EPISODE: S26E05 (11.11.2000)
HOST: Calista Flockhart
MUSICAL GUEST: Ricky Martin
Oh, that time when no one knew who won the election; there were a bunch of episodes that dealt with the recount. This is a fun idea of having Will Ferrell’s Bush and Darrell Hammond’s Gore work together as an Odd Couple-like pairing. Great move to not pick a side.
LINK: Not Available

16. THE LAST SUPPER
EPISODE: S48E17 (04.08.2023)
HOST: Molly Shannon
MUSICAL GUEST: Jonas Brothers
What has become a tradition, Trump interrupts a religious Easter sketch and compares himself to Jesus. James Austin Johnson does an awesome job ranting about the most random things. He also enjoys adding personal commentary about the frozen cast behind him.
LINK: Click here

15. SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK!
EPISODE: S40E07 (11.22.2014)
HOST: Cameron Diaz
MUSICAL GUEST: Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars
Such fun memories of Schoolhouse Rock! There’s just something funny about Obama pushing a bill down the stairs. The executive order is also pretty fun.
LINK: Click here

14. OBAMACARE WEBSITE
EPISODE: S39E04 (10.26.2013)
HOST: Edward Norton
MUSICAL GUEST: Janelle Monae
Kate McKinnon plays Kathleen Sebelius trying to defend the new Obabmacare website with its many glitches. The scaled down version is funny as are the FAQs. There is a lot of fun silliness in this one.
LINK: Click here

13. PRESS CONFERENCE
EPISODE: S42E14 (02.11.2017)
HOST: Alec Baldwin
MUSICAL GUEST: Ed Sheeran
Melissa McCarthy kills as Press Secretary Sean Spicer being antagonistic with the journalists. The large gum, dolls, leaf blower and podium on wheels are great prop comedy. Add in some of Kate McKinnon’s Jeff Session for some extra spice.
LINK: Click here

12. WILL FERRELL RETURNS
EPISODE: S30E19 (05.14.2005)
HOST: Will Ferrell
MUSICAL GUEST: Queens of the Stone Age
Will Ferrell is known for his friendliness so it is a lot of fun hearing his egotistical, mean-spirited inner monologue. "Finesse not Kenan."
LINK: Not Available

11. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
EPISODE: S39E01 (09.28.2013)
HOST: Tina Fey
MUSICAL GUEST: Arcade Fire
Jay Pharaoh does his awesome President Obama trying to defend his health care act. The string of cast members complaining about Obamacare is a great testament to the stupidity of some American people. Add in some Jesse Pinkman during the height of Breaking Bad and you got a killer cold open.
LINK: Click here

10. WOLVERINES
EPISODE: S01E01 (10.11.1975)
HOST: George Carlin
MUSICAL GUEST: Janis Ian, Billy Preston
It would be disrespectful not to include the very first cold open. It also happens to be funny as well. John Belushi’s accent is fun to listen to. It’s a silly gag but a great way to start this landmark series.
LINK: Click here

9. 9/11 TRIBUTE
EPISODE: S27E01 (09.29.2001)
HOST: Reese Witherspoon
MUSICAL GUEST: Alicia Keys
Back when Rudy Guiliani wasn’t a crazy person, he respectfully reopened New York with the SNL premiere after the September 11 attacks. Paul Simon’s “The Boxer” and the shots of the first responders is still moving to me. It also gets a fun interchange with Rudy and Lorne.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

8. DEBATE ‘92
EPISODE: S18E03 (10.10.1992)
HOST: Joe Pesci
MUSICAL GUEST: Spin Doctors
Debates became the standout cold opens during election years. This one featuring Phil Hartman’s Bill Clinton and Dana Carvey as both George HW Bush and Ross Perot is a classic. All the responses are perfectly crafted. (David Spade is the stand-in for Perot in wide shots of the three.). 
LINK: Click here

7. DIRTY SQUARE DANCING
EPISODE: S16E04 (10.27.1990)
HOST: Patrick Swayze
MUSICAL GUEST: Mariah Carey
I love the simplicity of the square dancing, and making it dirty with offensive lyrics is just a bizarre and fun way for Patrick Swayze to start the show.
LINK: Not Available

6. MILITARY BRIEFING
EPISODE: S16E12 (02.09.1991)
HOST: Kevin Bacon
MUSICAL GUEST: INXS
Operation Desert Storm was a memorable time in my teen years. I enjoy the dangerous questions the news reporters ask Kevin Nealon who has to dodge them. I love the Baghdad Times asking “Where are your troops and can I go there and count them?” Same shtick but works.
LINK: Click here

5. THE TONIGHT SONG
EPISODE: S17E09 (12.14.1991)
HOST: Steve Martin
MUSICAL GUEST: James Taylor
Talk about a crowd-pleaser. After some coaxing from cast members, Steve Martin decides to give a crap about the show and breaks out into song and brings everyone on board. I used to think this was his monologue but instead it is one of the most satisfying cold opens of SNL.
LINK: Click here

4. SANTA CHENEY
EPISODE: S31E09 (12.17.2005)
HOST: Jack Black
MUSICAL GUEST: Neil Young
Part of one of the best episodes in SNL history, Darrel Hammond’s Dick Cheney is slick as a Santa getting kids to make outrageous political wishes.
LINK: Click here

3. BIDEN’S ROOM
EPISODE: S37E21 (05.12.2012)
HOST: Will Ferrell
MUSICAL GUEST: Usher
Jason Sudeikis playing VP Joe Biden as a petulant child is pretty funny considering Joe eventually becomes president. The reveal of Biden’s imaginary friend as Will Ferrell’s former President Bush elevates this cold open.
LINK: Not Available

2. A NONPARTISAN MESSAGE
EPISODE: S34E01 (09.13.2008)
HOST: Michael Phelps
MUSICAL GUEST: Lil Wayne
Talk about meeting expectations with Tina Fey starting her guest starring run as Sarah Palin. Seeing Amy Poehler’s Hilary Clinton filled with constant annoyance and Palin’s utter stupidity is perfection. The highlight will always be “I can see Russia from my house.” So funny.
LINK: Click here

1. JOY RIDE
EPISODE: S18E04 (10.24.1992)
HOST: Christopher Walken
MUSICAL GUEST: Arrested Development
While I love hearing Dana Carvey nail that Ross Perot impression, Phil Hartman steals the show as the shell shocked VP nominee Admiral Stockdale. The idea of dumping his VP in the forest is priceless but the running to catch up to the car makes this hysterical and the best cold open in my opinion.
LINK: Click here