SNL50 - Top 10 Game Show Sketches

 

So, as mentioned earlier, the sketches of SNL will be subdivided into a number of categories. It is too difficult, and sometime unfair, to pit a pre-taped to a regular sketch. Game show sketches also have their limitations. However, it is almost rare to have an SNL episode without a game show sketch of some kind. While some are one-note, there are some great ones out there. I did limit myself to only one iteration of a certain gameshow and only picked ten total.

10. WHAT IS BURN NOTICE?
EPISODE: S35E14 (02.06.2010)
HOST: Ashton Kutcher
MUSICAL GUEST: Them Crooked Vultures
It was a popular show on the USA network but no one knows anything about it. I kinda feel bad for those who created the show and those who are fans.
“Is it like NCIS?”
LINK: Not Available

9. SECRET WORD
EPISODE: S35E17 (03.13.2010)
HOST: Jude Law
MUSICAL GUEST: Pearl Jam
These ones are always so fun with Kristin Wiig going over the top as Mindy Gracin who doesn’t follow the rules. Jude Law and his clues are also a treat.
LINK: Click here

8. QUESTION QUEST
EPISODE: S49E06 (12.02.2023)
HOSTS: Emma Stone
MUSICAL GUEST: Noah Kahan
It’s all about the prize. Michael Longfellow does a great job taking over from Bill Hader.
LINK: Click here

7. MEET YOUR SECOND WIFE
EPISODE: S41E09 (12.19.2015)
HOSTS: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler
MUSICAL GUEST: Bruce Springsteen
Talk about getting ambushed. Fey and Poehler have too much fun making these guys squirm.
LINK: Click here

6. WHAT’S WRONG WITH TANYA?
EPISODE: S37E04 (10.15.2011)
HOST: Anna Faris
MUSICAL GUEST: Drake
Such great mockery of Lifetime movies. Anna Faris plays the mother role perfectly.
LINK: Click here

5. IT’S A DATE
EPISODE: S38E16 (03.09.2013)
HOST: Justin Timberlake
MUSICAL GUEST: Justin Timberlake
This is quite the cameo-fest with two legendary duos. Bobby didn’t have a chance.
LINK: Click here

4. JEOPARDY!
EPISODE: S25E03 (10.23.1999)
HOST: Norm MacDonald
MUSICAL GUESTS: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem
So hard to narrow down the many episodes of Jeopardy! but this one has both Sean Connery and Burt Reynolds and great categories. I think this is Will Ferrell’s Alex Trebek at his most frustrated. 
LINK: Click here

3. WHAT’S THAT NAME?
EPISODE: S36E22 (05.21.2011)
HOST: Justin Timberlake
MUSICAL GUEST: Lady Gaga
Every episode of this gameshow is awesome with people not knowing the name of people they interact with every day (there are other eps online). This one stands out as Justin Timberlake has issues trying to remember a member of NSYNC. So funny,
LINK: Not Available

2. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
EPISODE: S44E21 (05.21.2019)
HOST: Paul Rudd
MUSICAL GUEST: DJ Khaled
This game has the best guesses.
LINK: Click here

1. JAPANESE GAMESHOW
EPISODE: S20E08 (12.10.1994)
HOST: Alec Baldwin
MUSICAL GUEST: Beastie Boys
Chris Farley knocks it out of the park as an American on the wrong game show.
LINK: Click here

SNL50 - Top 30 Commercial Parodies

 

This was one of the hardest lists to cut down. I could probably make a Top 200 commercial parodies. I always enjoy their cleverness, their humour, and their social-commentary. Most of the ones below are ones that nailed the style and made me laugh and think. There were so many to choose from. I’m sad about the ones without links (a couple are American) because I would love for you to see them all. While most clip shows praise the funny Colon Blow and Mom Jeans, these are the ones that I loved best.

30. THE LOVE TOILET
EPISODE: S17E07 (11.23.1991)
A genius, if not disturbing, idea for those who are co-dependent and cannot be separated.
LINK: Click here

29. COVID
EPISODE: S48E05 (11.05.2022)
Way to look at the bright side of Covid!
LINK: Click here

28. COMPULSION
EPISODE: S13E04 (11.14.1987)
This is a pitch-perfect Calvin Klein parody. I miss Phil Hartman and his glorious voice.
LINK: Click here

27. COUPLABEERS
EPISODE: S50E13 (03.01.2025)
A little surprised something like this wasn’t introduced a lot sooner on SNL. This is from the 50^th season.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

26. HIBERNOL
EPISODE: S18E14 (02.20.1993)
Sometimes I feel like taking this product.
LINK: Click here

25. VELVET JONES SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
EPISODE: S07E03 (10.17.1981)
A classic featuring Eddie Murphy. Such a fun character and delivery.
LINK: Click here

24. DUNKIN’ DONUTS
EPISODE: S42E10 (12.17.2016)
Casey Affleck rules as a typical Bostonian who loves Dunkin’. I enjoy his smoking life hack.
LINK: Click here

23. ONLY BANGKOK
EPISODE: S29E15 (03.13.2004)
This three-part runner gets more and more out of hand. Add in Ben Affleck and Kelly Ripa for more fun. Unfortunately, only the first one is available.
LINK: Click here

22. SUPER BASS-O-MATIC ‘76
EPISODE: S01E17 (04.17.1976)
Dan Aykroyd is the perfect pitchman. I love Lorraine Newman’s response to drinking this monstrosity.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

21. HANDI-OFF
EPISODE: S13E06 (12.05.1987)
You know, that common problem: you’ve got extra fingers. Way to go leprosy!
LINK: Click here

20. FIRST CITIWIDE CHANGE BANK
EPISODE: S14E01 (10.08.1988)
So simple to make change for people. This would not work today as no one uses cash. There’s two parts.
LINK: Click here then here

19. WING PIT
EPISODE: S48E12 (02.04.2023)
A great escalation commercial with more wings than you could possibly handle.
LINK: Click here

18. UNCLE JEMIMA’S DOWN HOME
MASH LIQUOR
EPISODE: S25E11 (02.05.2000)
Love the “Song of the South” production value.
“What you swattin’ at?”
LINK: Click here

17. MORGAN STANLEY
EPISODE: S31E01 (10.01.2005)
The great twist at the end is worth it.
“Dammit Frank, grow a pair!”
LINK: Click here

16. NCI
EPISODE: S19E01 (09.25.1993)
Ah, those long distance phone companies. David Spade is perfectly cast making loads of promises including murdering your boss (offer void where prohibited by law).
LINK: Not Available

15. MOSTLY GARBAGE DOG FOOD
EPISODE: S35E02 (10.03.2009)
Dog food is expensive. I like that they highlight proper priorities. Take that Fancy Feast.
LINK: Click here

14. HAPPY FUN BALL
EPISODE: S16E13 (02.16.1991)
Great fine print for something so simple. I think my favourite is “Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.”
LINK: Click here

13. CRYSTAL GRAVY
EPISODE: S19E02 (10.02.1993)
This one actually fooled me. I thought I was watching a Crystal Pepsi commercial. Perfect use of Van Halen, phrases, and images. Well played SNL.
LINK: Click here

12. DUOLINGO FOR TALKING TO CHILDREN
EPISODE: S45E05 (11.02.2019)
I think I sometimes need this product.
LINK: Click here

11. GE BIG BOY APPLIANCES
EPISODE: S44E08 (12.08.2018)
Perfect commercial for the at-home-dad. Love how unnecessarily heavy everything is.
LINK: Click here

10. NIKE PRO-CHILLER LEGGINGS
EPISODE: S43E17 (04.07.2018)
We all know what people really do in their athletic wear. Other side of couch.
LINK: Click here

9. MEGA-MART  
EPISODE: S36E07 (11.20.2010)
Black Friday escalation becomes even more outrageous when they add the box cutters.
LINK: Click here

8. ASIAN AMERICAN DOLL
EPISODE: S40E10 (12.20.2014)
In a politically correct world, how would you design an Asian doll with ‘harmless accessories”?
LINK: Click here

7. VERISMO
EPISODE: S38E11 (01.19.2013)
The full Starbucks experience at your home. Love the non-functional machine. “Order for Amorfa.”
LINK: Click here

6. PHILADELPHIA ACTION FIGURES
EPISODE: S19E12 (02.05.1994)
There are toys for all types of movies. Why not the drama Philadelphia? All the accessories you would expect including the transforming Miguel, long-time companion with battle armor and dino-buddy and the courtroom action playset. “No, you’re fired!”
LINK: Click here

5. COOKIE DOUGH SPORT
EPISODE: S23E02 (10.04.1997)
Love the combo of trends of Gatorade and cookie dough. Smearing thick cookie dough all over themselves to “Love Hurts” is gross and priceless.
LINK: Click here

4. E.P.T.
EPISODE: S27E04 (10.03.2001)
I love that they go the opposite direction of waiting to find out if you’re having a baby. Awkward.
LINK: Click here

3. TACO TOWN
EPISODE: S31E02 (10.08.2005)
Another escalation masterpiece. Amazing it has a crepe and a pancake. So many why’s.
LINK: Click here

2. MACY’S CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
EPISODE: S45E09 (12.14.2019)
Starts typically but then becomes a nightmare of trying to get kids to wear itchy clothing.
LINK: Click here

1. UNITED WAY
EPISODE: S32E16 (03.24.2007)
Nothing quite like Peyton Manning pegging kids in the head with a football. Makes me laugh every time.
LINK: Click here

SNL50 - Top 20 Monologues

 

The host monologue is always left to the last minute. The writers do not like writing them so it is often the weakest part of the show. There are the formulaic standbys like questions from the audience or tour through the backstage but there are also some gems. Comedians have an advantage of using their standup so they are usually good. For this list, I restricted myself that I couldn’t do multiple appearances by the same host in order to spread the love.

20. EMMY ENVY
EPISODE: S16E02 (10.06.1990)
HOST: Susan Lucci
MUSICAL GUEST: Hothouse Flowers
With so many Daytime Emmy losses, Susan Lucci is able to laugh at herself with everyone in the cast taking their multiple Emmys for granted, including using them as corn cob holders and ammo in an Emmy fight. (She won the Emmy 9 years later.)
LINK: Not Available

19. ASIAN STEREOTYPES
EPISODE: S26E08 (12.16.2000)
HOST: Lucy Liu
MUSICAL GUEST: Jay-Z
Fresh from Charlie’s Angels, Lucy Liu, as the first Asian host of SNL, is willing to play into the stereotypes in a look back at her week. The clips include Lucy taking photos, giving massages, dry cleaning, cooking dog, rickshaw running and giving manicures. Don’t know if they could do this today.
LINK: Click here

18. NINE DIRECTION
EPISODE: S39E08 (12.07.2013)
HOST: Paul Rudd
MUSICAL GUEST: One Direction
Paul Rudd combats getting overshadowed by yet another musical guest by bringing in his Anchorman costars for some “Afternoon Delight” singing. 
LINK: Click here

17. FRED’S WONDER YEARS
EPISODE: S15E14 (02.24.1990)
HOST: Fred Savage
MUSICAL GUEST: Technotronic
Great Wonder Years idea hearing Fred Savage’s inner monologue as he goes through puberty very quickly on stage.
LINK: Click here

16. LEO REELS IN JONAH
EPISODE: S39E12 (01.25.2014)
HOST: Jonah Hill
MUSICAL GUEST: Bastille
Jonah gets a chance to brag about his acting chops and Oscar nominations but goes too far and has to be reeled in by Leonardo DiCaprio. A killer cameo. Leo’s only time on the SNL stage.
LINK: Click here

15. LIVER TRANSPLANT
EPISODE: S20E14 (02.25.1995)
HOST: George Clooney
MUSICAL GUEST: The Cranberries
A fun gag with George Clooney of ER fame doing a liver transplant in the studio. Lots of blood and fun.
LINK: Click here

14. NATE DOES STAND-UP
EPISODE: S49E03 (10.28.2023)
HOST: Nate Bargatze
MUSICAL GUEST: Foo Fighters
This was my first introduction to Nate Bargatze and I instantly fell in love with his stand-up skills. A great set that includes showers, donkey high dives, fighting orangutans, old moms, nose spray and reading.
LINK: Click here

13. CHARLIE TAKES QUESTIONS
EPISODE: S26E09 (01.13.2001)
HOST: Charlie Sheen
MUSICAL GUEST: Nelly Furtado
Charlie Sheen does the classic taking questions from the audience although they include how much could I charge as a hooker and how much do these drugs cost? He also reimburses Higgins for watching the terrible film Men at Work.
LINK: Click here

12. NOT GONNA SING TONIGHT
EPISODE: S36E22 (05.21.2011)
HOST: Justin Timberlake
MUSICAL GUEST: Lady Gaga
Most of Justin’s monologues have been great but this one sticks out. I was tempted to include Ariana Grande’s similar toned song done for the 50^th season, but JT got there first with this meta performance. He even got an Emmy for this song.
LINK: Click here

11. LOUIS DOES STAND-UP
EPISODE: S39E16 (03.29.2014)
HOST: Louis C.K.
MUSICAL GUEST: Sam Smith
Before his cancellation, Louis CK was one of the top comedians. Here he performs another killer set including feeling hungry, child’s plays, heaven, and treatment of women.
LINK: Click here

10. IMPRESSIONS
EPISODE: S39E21 (05.17.2014)
HOST: Andy Samberg
MUSICAL GUEST: St. Vincent
Andy gets to do a string of good and sub-par impressions with Seth Meyers cheering him on. Fortunately, for us, it doesn’t stop there.
LINK: Click here

9. SHANNEN’S WEDDING VIDEO  
EPISODE: S19E02 (10.02.1993)
HOST: Shannen Doherty
MUSICAL GUEST: Cypress Hill
Shannen Doherty had a reputation of being difficult to work with on Beverly Hills 90210. She is able to laugh at herself with this disastrous wedding video that involves pushing, arguing and a full on brawl.
LINK: Click here

8. EULOGIES
EPISODE: S48E08 (12.10.2022)
HOSTS: Steve Martin, Martin Short
MUSICAL GUEST: Brandi Carlile
These comedy icons have a beautiful friendship that is full of playful insults. Reading eulogies to each other is hysterical. Plenty of laughs abound.
LINK: Click here

7. JOHN DOES STAND-UP
EPISODE: S45E14 (02.29.2020)
HOST: John Mulaney
MUSICAL GUEST: David Byrne
I love John’s stand-up. He covers things like dads without friends, leap year, the constitution and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
LINK: Click here

6. MY SHOT
EPISODE: S42E02 (10.08.2016)
HOST: Lin-Manuel Miranda
MUSICAL GUEST: Twenty One Pilots
Fresh off of Hamilton, of course Lin-Manuel is going to do some singing about his excitement being a part of SNL. He is such a fan boy. His interaction with Donald Trump’s portrait is wishful thinking though.
LINK: Click here

5. ZACH DOES STAND-UP
EPISODE: S35E16 (03.06.2010)
HOST: Zach Galifinakis
MUSICAL GUEST: Vampire Weekend
Zach is a weird guy and brings a lot of laughs with his bizarre non-sequiturs. He reminds me a little of Steven Wright. Almost every line out of his mouth is comedy gold. A great stand-up set.
LINK: Click here

4. THE RANDIEST TIME OF THE YEAR
EPISODE: S38E10 (12.15.2012)
HOST: Martin Short
MUSICAL GUEST: Paul McCartney
Okay, Martin Short is on the list already but he was co-hosting and I could not pass up this incredible song with innuendos galore. Love the cameos of Kristin Wiig, Jimmy Fallon, Tom Hanks, Samuel L Jackson, Tina Fey and a llama. Even the opening banter is full of laughs.
LINK: Not Available

3. THE SNL OFFICE
EPISODE: S32E14 (02.24.2007)
HOST: Rainn Wilson
MUSICAL GUEST: Arcade Fire
The cast gets to have some fun portraying The Office characters. Fun stuff. Nice mini Karen cameo.
LINK: Click here

2. ONE DAY MORE
EPISODE: S38E07 (11.10.2012)
HOST: Anne Hathaway
MUSICAL GUEST: Rihanna
Nothing like the full cast coming together for a rousing musical number. Fresh off of Les Miserables, Anne and the cast sing about their one-day weekend. Some great voices in that cast.
LINK: Click here

1. FOUL BALLS
EPISODE: S27E07 (12.01.2001)
HOST: Derek Jeter
MUSICAL GUEST: Bubba Sparxx, Shakira
Of course, New York loves their Yankee shortstop. Watching Derek Jeter knock foul balls into the audience is an incredibly stupid idea but makes me laugh so incredibly hard.
LINK: Click here