Jimmy Tango’s Fat Busters is one of my favorite skits of all time. It’s so weird and unexpected. I remember watching it and thinking it was the funniest thing ever.
I also came here to say that it is pretty incredible to me that the Debbie Downer sketch and the Harry Potter sketch were literally in the same episode...both hysterical affff
The Adam Driver episode from 2020 with the chill monologue, Star Wars undercover boss, The Science Room, Del Taco Shoot (Aw Man I’m All Out Of Cash!), Medieval Times and the ketchup sketch was an all time banger, IMO.
That's because people remember the sketches they don't remember which episode it was on. And from start through at least the 90's tons of the sketches were repeats that were in a lot of different episodes.
So be a good boy and list each individual episode.
It’s incredible you think anyone would remember a specific episode and when it aired, especially when we’re talking about a sketch show. Do you live in reality with the rest of us?
Emma Stone is always good. Billie Eilish had some amazing chemistry with Kate McKinnon that made those sketches hilarious. Any episode with Mulaney is good. Same goes for former cast members who come back as hosts.
First that comes to mind is Jim Carrey’s first hosting appearance. It’s 1996 and he’s becoming the biggest comedy star on the planet, but when he gets to SNL he still absolutely COMMITS to it. The characters they have him playing are top-notch. The writers knew who they were getting and Carrey really looked like he was into every sketch.
Bill Hader as the puppeteer with viet nam flashbacks, George Washington's Dream, Beatles auction with Ringo, Beatles with Albert Goldman, Paul Simon remembers everyone except Artie. Ands I vaguely remember one where Susan Day played one of the Brady kids and they ran into the partridge family?
Also Mick jagger imitating Keefe, Phony Bennett, Paul & Chris Farley
Ands iconic but not funny, Paul Simon/Ladysmith debuting Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes and Homeless, and Radiohead "National Anthem"
This episode was one for the books. I was terrified that hosting would ruin him. Stand up comics often don’t fare well when they have to act. They wrote to his strengths and it was clear he showed up and did the work and really wanted it to be a great show.
'This boulder is too large, I could lift a smaller one' was one of the catchphrases at my highshool. There's nothing funny about it, and that's what makes it hilarious.
Every Christopher Walken episode from the 2000s is a winner. Along with Blue Oyster Cult there’s an unhinged Census Taker skit with Tim Meadows. Oh and the series of sketches called The Continental. Colonel Angus. So good.
That's what gets me about that episode. The Cowbell sketch wasn't even the best sketch that night. The Census Taker was fucking gold. Also, the musical guest that night was Christina Aguilera, and she killed it.
I don't enjoy SNL I think Mad TV and In living color are better.
More Cowbell is without a doubt one of the most hilarious pieces of sketch comedy I have ever seen.
Whatever episode the alien abduction with Kate MacKinnon leads is. Ryan Gosling is the celebrity guest and he just fucking loses it laughing. Every other more seasoned cast member breaks but they're able to get their lines out when laughing. Gosling actually needs a moment a few times.
I think it's the funniest SNL skit I've ever seen.
https://youtu.be/PfPdYYsEfAE?si=VrJvGW0ksxvQWNtf
They did a new one just this past weekend. Not as good as the original, but Gosling still lost it
[https://youtu.be/iDtgChc7voY?si=s3TEkIzfiN5GxO\_v](https://youtu.be/iDtgChc7voY?si=s3TEkIzfiN5GxO_v)
It's hard to top the original, but I loved how they really took it a step further with Gosling this time. And him just trying to hide his head laughing makes it all the more better
Colonel Angus with Christopher Walken was amazing. Also The Continental is an absolute classic.
And of course More Cowbell.
Walken just consistently kills it on SNL.
Lawrence Welk Show with Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig with the tiny hands dancing. "I like can I touch" "whooaah!"
https://youtu.be/n9yoVvMCOsU?si=FRkT3EZX65eQUIrE
Robert DeNiro’s homeland security press conference listing fake terrorist names that were called in by pranksters
https://youtu.be/dwYtFt4agqo?si=q_5odab-d3Dh6lzM
Pedro Pascal's episode is still one of my all-time favorites. This past weekend's episode starring Ryan Gosling might be tied for first place.
However, back in 2002ish, Al Gore hosted and did a fantastic job.
there was a solid stretch where all they had to do was pull off a reasonable impression and literally just say the crazy shit that the real person actually said. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin was so often just her saying direct, wild-ass quotes
Damon portrayed Kavenaugh in a much more understated and down to earth manner than Kavenaugh himself even possessed. He would’ve come off as cheesily over the top had he gone for accuracy.
I am always perplexed by people who insist the very eary SNL days were the best. There are low points, insolated and protracted, but MUCH of SNL's best work is well past the early days.
Richard Pryor / Gil Scott-Heron (S1 E7)
Candice Bergen / Frank Zappa (S2 E10)
Eric Idle / Kate Bush (S4 E8)
Don Rickles / Billy Idol (S9 E11)
George Wendt and Francis Ford Coppola / Philip Glass (S11 E13)
William Shatner / Lone Justice (S12 E8)
Tom Hanks / Keith Richards (S14 E1)
Christopher Walken / Bonnie Raitt (S15 E11)
Alec Baldwin / The B-52’s (S15 E18)
Linda Hamilton / Mariah Carey (S17 E6)
Christopher Walken / Arrested Development (S18 E4)
David Alan Grier / Silverchair (S21 E8)
Jim Carrey / Soundgarden (S21 E20)
Garth Brooks (S23 E14)
Ray Romano / The Corrs (S24 E15)
Conan O’Brien / Don Henley (S26 E14)
Jack Black / Neil Young (S31 E9)
Jon Hamm / Coldplay (S34 E6)
Jon Hamm / Michael Bublé (S35 E13)
Jamie Foxx / Ne-Yo (S38 E9)
Woody Harrelson / Kendrick Lamar (S40 E6)
Dave Chappelle / A Tribe Called Quest (S42 E6)
John Mulaney / Jack White (S43 E18)
Adam Driver / Halsey (S45 E11)
Anya Taylor-Joy / Lil Nas X (S46 E20)
Pedro Pascal / Coldplay (S48 E12)
Nate Bargatze / Foo Fighters (S49 E3)
All of these episodes have multiple strong/iconic sketches with virtually no (or, at most, maybe one or two) weak ones.
One of my all time favs has to be Danny DeVito in the early-mid 90s. Not sure what year but the monologue was a great musical number and he was Simon’s guest in the bathtub doing drawings. ASS LOOKAH!
[Matt Foley the Motivational Speaker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2VIEY9-A8)
[More Cowbell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVsQLlk-T0s)
[Stefon](https://youtu.be/vwm_N2PCUz8?t=190)
[Close Encounters](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfPdYYsEfAE)
[The Love-ahs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqeQLV04kwU)
[Jingleheimer Junction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iDOCLOqFyw)
[Weekend Update Joke Swaps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qCtFDMS9o)
[Norm MacDonald's Weekend Update OJ Simpson jokes that he was fired from SNL for.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SSVIg4Noqc)
[Norm MacDonald's hosting monologue a year and a half after he was fired from SNL.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofXxinOtPiQ)
3 words: Nealon, McDonald, Lovitz. Any sketch they were in is gold, but I don't think any single episode can be called the funniest.
I also liked Rob Schneider so what do I know.
Eddie Murphy, Lookin pa nub.
Van down by the river.
Any of the alien abduction ones with Ryan Gossling.
The Beavis and Buttheas sketch with Ryan Gosling.
MORE COWBELL!
Just YouTube those.
S05E16, 1980 Burt Reynolds hosted
In an all time classic opening sketch, Burt refers to Garrett Morris as "a n**ger in Hollywood", then in a later one Bill Murray and Jane Curtain are excited because celebrity Burt Reynolds is picking up their 15 and 16 year old daughters to have sex with them back at his hotel.
You can't do comedy like that anymore. And probably shouldn't have then
The weekend update Christmas tradition thing they do now is amazing. And on the recent episode, Caitlyn Clark popping up on weekend update was really good.
The episode where Eddie Murphy returned is really good and has a couple of really bizarre skits, the one and only episode with Don Rickles, the one with Betty White and the one with Pedro Pascal.
Justin Timberlake hosted episodes and all the continued bits that came from those --
The Lonely Island songs & celeb collabs, The 'Bring it on down to \_\_\_-Ville' skits, The Barry Gibb Talk Show, etc!
Don't make me sing / don't make me dance with Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Fallon is up there.
Every single episode of "the Californians".
Debby downer.
Kylo Ren in undercover boss as Chad the radar technician.
These just popped into my head so they must be among my favorites.
I think my all-time favorite episode is still Kyle MacLachlan. September 29, 1990. Season 16, episode 1. Musical guest Sinead O'Connor (not the one where she tore up the picture of the Pope). First episode of Chris Farley and Chris Rock. Hilarious in retrospect cameo by writer Conan O'Brien in the Twin Peaks sketch. Pretty much every segment in this ep is a banger.
[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w5AghdxCdE0](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w5AghdxCdE0)
Celebrity Jeopardy is always a good time.
Underrated one featuring the great Phil Hartman [Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzAFqrxfeY)
The [Nate Bargatze as General George Washington](https://youtu.be/JYqfVE-fykk?si=GWUkdiqLvKWMf5N_) was an insta-classic.
And Emma Stone knocked it out of the fucking park with the [Mama Cass sketch](https://youtu.be/q2710NcijHY?si=yIs816_8KNeQbm_M).
These amused me and they still hold up really well
The Rock attending the Most Evil Invention Contest still cracks me up
https://youtu.be/z0NgUhEs1R4?si=BORoGcf9NEtip_zf
Meet Your Second Wife game show:
https://youtu.be/MJEAGd1bQuc?si=fSLWhMkAl0dp6khv
I recall one that I think has been blacklisted and removed from syndication. I wanna say it was Chris Elliot. He was playing the dad who drove the babysitter home. He offered her a Zima from the glove compartment. It was funny as shit as I remember, but obviously not really meant for these times.
My parents taped the Christmas episode with Paul Simon in the 80s, and maybe it's because I watched it a lot, but I consider it a classic. The homemade gift exchange with the castaway couple, Frankenstein, Tarzan and Tonto singing Christmas songs, the begger on the subway coming up with multiple gimmicks to garner donations, and the Master Thespian playing Santa Claus. I think there might have been a Sweenie Sisters sketch in there too.
Tbh as someone whose watched SNL since the 90s, theres not many episodes that are great but many sketches that are great!
As a horror fan, a big fave:
[Tasty Toaster Tarts](https://youtu.be/rF9ZIdEnZU0?si=IuW9jzdG7RZ_yQvh)
[Dylan McDermott or Dermot Mulroney](https://youtu.be/XGqSn5Cnw74?si=8iwVotydOJz3WLVR)
[Totinos](https://youtu.be/izhvfRP4DZo?si=wIoulqvaCNO8oV3r)
[GE Big Boys](https://youtu.be/vZRzJJcq6Rs?si=BkWu0fQVwKgY0hou)
Oops I Crapped my Pants
Apparently most of my faves not mentioned by others are commercials lol
The first episode Adam Driver hosted is fantastic, with the stand out skits being Career Day and Undercover Boss.
Pedro Pascal’s episode was also very good. A lot of very solid sketches.
John Mulaney’s first time hosting was great.
I would have to say the Thanksgiving episode of 2006 is up there with the best. Timberlake hosting with "Santa's My Boyfriend" cold open, Target Lady, the first Barry Gibb Talk Show, and of course the legendary "Dick in a Box" Digital Short.
Season 34, Episode 4 - 18 October 2008. Anne Hathaway hosting.
It has Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, first appearance of The Lawrence Welk show with the Finger Lakes sisters, and Mark Wahlberg talking to animals. Seth and Amy on Weekend Update. Best of all it has a perfect Mary Poppins sketch with Anne Hathaway doing a perfect impression of Julie Andrews. Solid all around.
The sketch itself was amusing, but there is a moment in Maine Justice where Jason Sudeikis makes Jamie Foxx laugh, and then inexplicably kisses his arm to make it worse. Absolutely wheezing with laughter the first time I saw it [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VUZYxr0MA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VUZYxr0MA)
i know Dave Chappelle is a divisive figure these days, but i think his 2016 appearance (the episode right after Trump won) and his most recent appearance in 2022 were really funny sketch-wise plus the monologues were funny. Daniel Kaluuya's ep last year was also really funny (really good monologue as well from him)
I'd have to go with Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks for my all time.
Q "What a skinny woman can do for you?"
A "Not a damn thing."
Alec Baldwin/Sandler in Canteen Boy. So awkward.
To show how times have changed, there was a skit where Buck Henry was a pedo babysitter, which at the time was considered funny.
I doubt you can find it nowadays.
Heather Locklear/Janet Jackson May 14, 1994. The”Amazing Time Savers” sketch is hall of fame for me. The joke creeps up and comes out of nowhere, and her commitment to the bit is top tier. Wayne’s World goes to Melrose Place and the Coffee Talk sketch round it off. Classic 90s SNL.
The Jim Carrey 1996 episode was an all time banger The hot tub lifeguard The “ride the snake” weight loss plan Him joining the Roxbury guys
Don't forget The Joe Pesci Show, where he mercilessly roasts himself (while doing his Jimmy Stewart impression).
RIDE THE SNAKE
My dad actually taped that one because he knew we loved Jim Carrey! We watched it *so* many times!
I became a lifeguard about 8 years after that, and my parents to this day quote the hot tub lifeguard skit to me.
Jimmy Tango’s Fat Busters is one of my favorite skits of all time. It’s so weird and unexpected. I remember watching it and thinking it was the funniest thing ever.
Last week I made out with Scott Baio at a party
I watched the shit out of hot tub lifeguard as a kid
“I’ll see you…. In HELL”
Scan me!
This is the first thing that came to mind. That episode is a classic. I'll see you in HELL
The Lindsay Lohan episode from around when Mean Girls came out is the one I always think about, with the first Debbie Downer.
And the very famous Harry Potter sketch
Came here to say this. Between the Debbie downer and the Harry Potter skit. So good
That was my first full episode I watched live as a kid. Really set the bar high for a long time
I also came here to say that it is pretty incredible to me that the Debbie Downer sketch and the Harry Potter sketch were literally in the same episode...both hysterical affff
Any time Ryan Gosling or Adam Driver host is pretty solid.
Adam driver as the oil baron and Pete Davidsons dad is incredible.
AND SO YOU SHALL
“Look at me, boy. Look at your father.”
PAPYRUS!!!!
There is a part 2 that just came out online
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID!!!
The alien abduction ones have me gasping for breath they are so damn funny
Yup!! Coot-coot and poop-shute!!!
2 and 3 were definitely made for the sole purpose of making ryan gosling break. He couldn't even handle Kate McKinnon sitting there
Her smashing his butt cheeks together was legendary
The Adam Driver episode from 2020 with the chill monologue, Star Wars undercover boss, The Science Room, Del Taco Shoot (Aw Man I’m All Out Of Cash!), Medieval Times and the ketchup sketch was an all time banger, IMO.
Add McCarthy to that too. Her Sean Spicer especially
For me it’s Goodman, Baldwin, Timberlake.
Whenever John Cena is on SNL the whole episode is good.
The first Mulaney episode was fantastic. Diner Lobster, Switcheroo, real intros of Hollywood hills, and the cut for time wedding toast
The Sean Connery Jeopardy bits will always be my favorite
Your mother will always be my favorite, Trebek.
"Not in the 'R's", well that's not what your mother said last night.
[удалено]
It’s funny. It’s funny because it’s uh... bigger than, you know... a normal hat.
Turd Furgeson, it’s funny.
ANAL BUM COVAH
I’ll take ‘The Rapists’ for $500.
I can't read the words 'let it snow' without hearing Sean Connery reading it wrong.
LE TITS NOW TREBEK
Potent potables for 500.
A petit dejeneur…that’s a French category so we’ll just skip it
$Texas
I’ll take Swords for 500! …That’s S-words.
The number of people in this post asking for best episodes posting individual sketches is too damn high.
That's because people remember the sketches they don't remember which episode it was on. And from start through at least the 90's tons of the sketches were repeats that were in a lot of different episodes.
Right, but that’s what OP asked for. And what sketches were repeats used in multiple episodes aside from “Best Of” episodes?
So be a good boy and list each individual episode. It’s incredible you think anyone would remember a specific episode and when it aired, especially when we’re talking about a sketch show. Do you live in reality with the rest of us?
[World's Most Evil Invention -](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0NgUhEs1R4)
This guy gets it!
Stop saying that!
How on earth did that get passed standards and practices, let alone the Rocks PR people, is beyond me.
Because of the White Castle ad
Search out the episode Conan O’Brien hosted in the early 2000s. Fantastic.
Emma Stone is always good. Billie Eilish had some amazing chemistry with Kate McKinnon that made those sketches hilarious. Any episode with Mulaney is good. Same goes for former cast members who come back as hosts.
Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks is one of my favorites
Same episode he did David Pumpkins
Nuh uh. That’s how they getcha.
That is one of the most well thought out skits I’ve seen on the show. It’s really well done and Hanks just completely nails it.
Keenan plays the hosting duty on that skit flawlessly
The one with Chadwick Boseman is still one that I pull up and watch because it's so damn funny.
No paprika
[удалено]
Eddie Murphy as James Brown Good Gawd! It’s HOT in the HOT TUB!
gonna make ya wet gonna make ya sweat
Especially the one he did a few years ago. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard.
The one where Chris Farley lives in a van down by the river.
Went to far down the list for this
[Schmitts Gay w Adam Sandler and Chris Farley](https://youtu.be/hCOSejS1SSY?si=rfzP_XEs_7BNgXKK)
If you've got a big thirst, AND you're gay...
First that comes to mind is Jim Carrey’s first hosting appearance. It’s 1996 and he’s becoming the biggest comedy star on the planet, but when he gets to SNL he still absolutely COMMITS to it. The characters they have him playing are top-notch. The writers knew who they were getting and Carrey really looked like he was into every sketch.
"Ride the Snake!"
How has nobody suggested [Cork Soakers](https://youtu.be/Deqx-Xb-yHY) with Janet Jackson?
Bill Hader as the puppeteer with viet nam flashbacks, George Washington's Dream, Beatles auction with Ringo, Beatles with Albert Goldman, Paul Simon remembers everyone except Artie. Ands I vaguely remember one where Susan Day played one of the Brady kids and they ran into the partridge family? Also Mick jagger imitating Keefe, Phony Bennett, Paul & Chris Farley Ands iconic but not funny, Paul Simon/Ladysmith debuting Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes and Homeless, and Radiohead "National Anthem"
Susan Day and the Brady Kids https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5Z4HmRLpHI/?igsh=bW5haW5lOXQyamU4
[Career Day](https://youtu.be/t7HD2xG92-0?si=5A942W0ehlZBZOBJ) Adam Driver never breaks character. It’s amazing and hysterical.
You are weak like H.R. Pickens
Who's H.R. Pickens?
Exactly
Nate Bargatze’s episode was probably the best for total skit quality I’ve seen in a long time.
This episode was one for the books. I was terrified that hosting would ruin him. Stand up comics often don’t fare well when they have to act. They wrote to his strengths and it was clear he showed up and did the work and really wanted it to be a great show.
All of the [Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey](https://youtu.be/9wuVjTrl8lY?si=7b9iTDwlCZkmQKkb)
Bill Murray as a fat out of shape Hercules. "I will lift that boulder, as soon as I put and end to your despotic rule, *Laertes*
'This boulder is too large, I could lift a smaller one' was one of the catchphrases at my highshool. There's nothing funny about it, and that's what makes it hilarious.
I need more cow bell!
Every Christopher Walken episode from the 2000s is a winner. Along with Blue Oyster Cult there’s an unhinged Census Taker skit with Tim Meadows. Oh and the series of sketches called The Continental. Colonel Angus. So good.
There are huge chunks of time... At night... Where I'm just asleep. It's ridiculous.
That's what gets me about that episode. The Cowbell sketch wasn't even the best sketch that night. The Census Taker was fucking gold. Also, the musical guest that night was Christina Aguilera, and she killed it.
More Cowbell is probably the best single skit in SNL history
I don't enjoy SNL I think Mad TV and In living color are better. More Cowbell is without a doubt one of the most hilarious pieces of sketch comedy I have ever seen.
Whatever episode the alien abduction with Kate MacKinnon leads is. Ryan Gosling is the celebrity guest and he just fucking loses it laughing. Every other more seasoned cast member breaks but they're able to get their lines out when laughing. Gosling actually needs a moment a few times. I think it's the funniest SNL skit I've ever seen. https://youtu.be/PfPdYYsEfAE?si=VrJvGW0ksxvQWNtf
"Yeah, well, that missed me a little bit."
YEAH LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR ME. Kate fucking killed me. I love that skit so much.
They did a new one just this past weekend. Not as good as the original, but Gosling still lost it [https://youtu.be/iDtgChc7voY?si=s3TEkIzfiN5GxO\_v](https://youtu.be/iDtgChc7voY?si=s3TEkIzfiN5GxO_v)
It's hard to top the original, but I loved how they really took it a step further with Gosling this time. And him just trying to hide his head laughing makes it all the more better
THE MOLECULAR MAN
Yes, came here to say Conan’s episode! Great from too top to bottom.
EL HOMBRE DE LOS MOLECULOS
Massive head wound Harry.
Alec Baldwin perv scout leader. Alec Baldwin sketch, dog kissing.
Colonel Angus with Christopher Walken was amazing. Also The Continental is an absolute classic. And of course More Cowbell. Walken just consistently kills it on SNL.
Lawrence Welk Show with Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig with the tiny hands dancing. "I like can I touch" "whooaah!" https://youtu.be/n9yoVvMCOsU?si=FRkT3EZX65eQUIrE
I am Gumby dammit!
Robert DeNiro’s homeland security press conference listing fake terrorist names that were called in by pranksters https://youtu.be/dwYtFt4agqo?si=q_5odab-d3Dh6lzM
Pedro Pascal's episode is still one of my all-time favorites. This past weekend's episode starring Ryan Gosling might be tied for first place. However, back in 2002ish, Al Gore hosted and did a fantastic job.
Pedro Pascal's episode was overall one of the best.
The episode Betty White hosted is top tier and has amazing sketches throughout
Belushi imitating Cocker, more cowbell, Farley Chippendale dancer.
Skitwise, the Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh cold open was incredible.
there was a solid stretch where all they had to do was pull off a reasonable impression and literally just say the crazy shit that the real person actually said. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin was so often just her saying direct, wild-ass quotes
Damon portrayed Kavenaugh in a much more understated and down to earth manner than Kavenaugh himself even possessed. He would’ve come off as cheesily over the top had he gone for accuracy.
I am always perplexed by people who insist the very eary SNL days were the best. There are low points, insolated and protracted, but MUCH of SNL's best work is well past the early days.
Chevy Chace and Richard Pryor Word Association
Richard Pryor / Gil Scott-Heron (S1 E7) Candice Bergen / Frank Zappa (S2 E10) Eric Idle / Kate Bush (S4 E8) Don Rickles / Billy Idol (S9 E11) George Wendt and Francis Ford Coppola / Philip Glass (S11 E13) William Shatner / Lone Justice (S12 E8) Tom Hanks / Keith Richards (S14 E1) Christopher Walken / Bonnie Raitt (S15 E11) Alec Baldwin / The B-52’s (S15 E18) Linda Hamilton / Mariah Carey (S17 E6) Christopher Walken / Arrested Development (S18 E4) David Alan Grier / Silverchair (S21 E8) Jim Carrey / Soundgarden (S21 E20) Garth Brooks (S23 E14) Ray Romano / The Corrs (S24 E15) Conan O’Brien / Don Henley (S26 E14) Jack Black / Neil Young (S31 E9) Jon Hamm / Coldplay (S34 E6) Jon Hamm / Michael Bublé (S35 E13) Jamie Foxx / Ne-Yo (S38 E9) Woody Harrelson / Kendrick Lamar (S40 E6) Dave Chappelle / A Tribe Called Quest (S42 E6) John Mulaney / Jack White (S43 E18) Adam Driver / Halsey (S45 E11) Anya Taylor-Joy / Lil Nas X (S46 E20) Pedro Pascal / Coldplay (S48 E12) Nate Bargatze / Foo Fighters (S49 E3) All of these episodes have multiple strong/iconic sketches with virtually no (or, at most, maybe one or two) weak ones.
Van down by the river
One of my all time favs has to be Danny DeVito in the early-mid 90s. Not sure what year but the monologue was a great musical number and he was Simon’s guest in the bathtub doing drawings. ASS LOOKAH!
[Matt Foley the Motivational Speaker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2VIEY9-A8) [More Cowbell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVsQLlk-T0s) [Stefon](https://youtu.be/vwm_N2PCUz8?t=190) [Close Encounters](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfPdYYsEfAE) [The Love-ahs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqeQLV04kwU) [Jingleheimer Junction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iDOCLOqFyw) [Weekend Update Joke Swaps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qCtFDMS9o) [Norm MacDonald's Weekend Update OJ Simpson jokes that he was fired from SNL for.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SSVIg4Noqc) [Norm MacDonald's hosting monologue a year and a half after he was fired from SNL.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofXxinOtPiQ)
My personal favorite is Bruno Mars hosting, he's very good in the skits and there's an excellent Stefan also
3 words: Nealon, McDonald, Lovitz. Any sketch they were in is gold, but I don't think any single episode can be called the funniest. I also liked Rob Schneider so what do I know.
The skit with Will Forte in the locker room with Payton Manning
Eddie Murphy, Lookin pa nub. Van down by the river. Any of the alien abduction ones with Ryan Gossling. The Beavis and Buttheas sketch with Ryan Gosling. MORE COWBELL! Just YouTube those.
Papyrus lives in my soul.
Adam Drivers first and 2nd episodes were fantastic
Shatner Christmas Episode
I saw this episode before I had ever seen “It’s a Wonderful Life” but it was still funny.
Eddie Murphy’s most recent Christmas episode. Every single sketch was hilarious.
What's Up with That?
Ben Affleck, season 29 ep 15 Justin Timberlake's first few appearances
Never taunt Magic Fun Ball.
[Romano Tours - Adam Sandler](https://youtu.be/TbwlC2B-BIg?si=k0shnyzqRXYjmf8K)
Betty white. Her talking about her muffin, the census, the whole episode was great.
Toonses the driving cat Colon Blow Schwetty Balls Van down by the river Adam Sandler songs Most of the fake commercials
S05E16, 1980 Burt Reynolds hosted In an all time classic opening sketch, Burt refers to Garrett Morris as "a n**ger in Hollywood", then in a later one Bill Murray and Jane Curtain are excited because celebrity Burt Reynolds is picking up their 15 and 16 year old daughters to have sex with them back at his hotel. You can't do comedy like that anymore. And probably shouldn't have then
Dan Aykroyd in Bassomatic.
All the Steve Martin episodes from the 70s.
Every episode with Stefan!!
SNL doesn't really have any funny episodes, rather they have a lot of really funny skits spread out over 939 episodes.
The weekend update Christmas tradition thing they do now is amazing. And on the recent episode, Caitlyn Clark popping up on weekend update was really good.
The Seth MacFarlane season premiere from 2012 has one of the best hit-to-miss ratios of any single episode I’ve seen
The Best of Will Ferrell is usually my go to, but that’s not really a “best episode”
The Jamie Foxx episode with Maine Justice is my personal favorite episode of the past twenty years.
From recently loved Bill burrs Sam Adam skit, and Beavis and Butthead https://youtu.be/je1NIf8GeeY https://youtu.be/86qKgK0asGo
The Richard Pryor episode in season 1
The episode where Eddie Murphy returned is really good and has a couple of really bizarre skits, the one and only episode with Don Rickles, the one with Betty White and the one with Pedro Pascal.
Justin Timberlake hosted episodes and all the continued bits that came from those -- The Lonely Island songs & celeb collabs, The 'Bring it on down to \_\_\_-Ville' skits, The Barry Gibb Talk Show, etc!
Dan Ackroyd as Julia Childs in [The French Chef](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSxv6IGBgFQ). I was 8 when I watched that on a tiny B/W tv.
Don't make me sing / don't make me dance with Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Fallon is up there. Every single episode of "the Californians". Debby downer. Kylo Ren in undercover boss as Chad the radar technician. These just popped into my head so they must be among my favorites.
I think my all-time favorite episode is still Kyle MacLachlan. September 29, 1990. Season 16, episode 1. Musical guest Sinead O'Connor (not the one where she tore up the picture of the Pope). First episode of Chris Farley and Chris Rock. Hilarious in retrospect cameo by writer Conan O'Brien in the Twin Peaks sketch. Pretty much every segment in this ep is a banger. [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w5AghdxCdE0](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w5AghdxCdE0)
Celebrity Jeopardy is always a good time. Underrated one featuring the great Phil Hartman [Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzAFqrxfeY)
I've been rewatching Ryan Gosling's skits this week (because he was on last show) and they're all awesome
Anything from the first cast.
The [Nate Bargatze as General George Washington](https://youtu.be/JYqfVE-fykk?si=GWUkdiqLvKWMf5N_) was an insta-classic. And Emma Stone knocked it out of the fucking park with the [Mama Cass sketch](https://youtu.be/q2710NcijHY?si=yIs816_8KNeQbm_M).
Honestly the Wiig/Hader era had mounds of gold. My favorite seasons of all time.
These amused me and they still hold up really well The Rock attending the Most Evil Invention Contest still cracks me up https://youtu.be/z0NgUhEs1R4?si=BORoGcf9NEtip_zf Meet Your Second Wife game show: https://youtu.be/MJEAGd1bQuc?si=fSLWhMkAl0dp6khv
I recall one that I think has been blacklisted and removed from syndication. I wanna say it was Chris Elliot. He was playing the dad who drove the babysitter home. He offered her a Zima from the glove compartment. It was funny as shit as I remember, but obviously not really meant for these times.
Two of my favorite sketches. Alexa Silver Alternate Ending to Its a Wonderful Life The 40th Anniversary episode was also off the charts.
My parents taped the Christmas episode with Paul Simon in the 80s, and maybe it's because I watched it a lot, but I consider it a classic. The homemade gift exchange with the castaway couple, Frankenstein, Tarzan and Tonto singing Christmas songs, the begger on the subway coming up with multiple gimmicks to garner donations, and the Master Thespian playing Santa Claus. I think there might have been a Sweenie Sisters sketch in there too.
Tbh as someone whose watched SNL since the 90s, theres not many episodes that are great but many sketches that are great! As a horror fan, a big fave: [Tasty Toaster Tarts](https://youtu.be/rF9ZIdEnZU0?si=IuW9jzdG7RZ_yQvh) [Dylan McDermott or Dermot Mulroney](https://youtu.be/XGqSn5Cnw74?si=8iwVotydOJz3WLVR) [Totinos](https://youtu.be/izhvfRP4DZo?si=wIoulqvaCNO8oV3r) [GE Big Boys](https://youtu.be/vZRzJJcq6Rs?si=BkWu0fQVwKgY0hou) Oops I Crapped my Pants Apparently most of my faves not mentioned by others are commercials lol
Any episode with Chris Farley. Also, the episodes when Seth McFarlane, Adam Driver and Larry David hosted.
You have to fight the bear!
Cowbell
The Rock and Ryan Gosling both had episodes that have a ton of priceless stuff.
The Tom hanks episode with Black Jeopardy and David S. Pumpkins
I really enjoyed Penelope (Kristin Wig) who was a one-upper. She was hilarious.
The Peyton Manning and Seth McFarlane episodes came to mind first. Also, Jim Carrey's episode in '96.
Gotta have some cowbell
The first episode Adam Driver hosted is fantastic, with the stand out skits being Career Day and Undercover Boss. Pedro Pascal’s episode was also very good. A lot of very solid sketches. John Mulaney’s first time hosting was great.
The one with Queen Latifah as host where Will Forte sings "Give Up the Ham".
[The Falconer. Whenever they use the entire cast, it’s gold](https://youtu.be/51Xgxid_ZHQ?si=dLasuq0EBG9BOfGQ) Donald! NOOOOOO!
I would have to say the Thanksgiving episode of 2006 is up there with the best. Timberlake hosting with "Santa's My Boyfriend" cold open, Target Lady, the first Barry Gibb Talk Show, and of course the legendary "Dick in a Box" Digital Short.
The episode with Richard Pryor was pure comedy gold and peak SNL.
Season 34, Episode 4 - 18 October 2008. Anne Hathaway hosting. It has Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, first appearance of The Lawrence Welk show with the Finger Lakes sisters, and Mark Wahlberg talking to animals. Seth and Amy on Weekend Update. Best of all it has a perfect Mary Poppins sketch with Anne Hathaway doing a perfect impression of Julie Andrews. Solid all around.
Not sure the actual episode, but Jackie Rogers Jr’s $100k jackpot wad was a favorite. Haven’t seen it in years, it may not hold up.
"More Cowbell", "Meet your second wife", "Dick in a Box" and the Spartan Cheerleaders
Meet your second wife or Tom Hanks in Black Jeopardy are some of my all time favorite skits
Michael Sarazzin hosting in the 70s. Best skit: “Josh Ramsey V.D. Caseworker.”
I loved Celebrity Jeopardy skit wise and the Ambiguously Gay Duo. Always great for laughs.
[Potato Chip ](https://youtu.be/4asQ1-vUugA)
The sketch itself was amusing, but there is a moment in Maine Justice where Jason Sudeikis makes Jamie Foxx laugh, and then inexplicably kisses his arm to make it worse. Absolutely wheezing with laughter the first time I saw it [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VUZYxr0MA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VUZYxr0MA)
Nate Bargatze Washington Dream. Gd, I rolled.
As a more "recent" skit, Back- Pack Fashion show might be top 5 for me 😅
Bill Murray as Hercules
i know Dave Chappelle is a divisive figure these days, but i think his 2016 appearance (the episode right after Trump won) and his most recent appearance in 2022 were really funny sketch-wise plus the monologues were funny. Daniel Kaluuya's ep last year was also really funny (really good monologue as well from him)
I'd have to go with Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks for my all time. Q "What a skinny woman can do for you?" A "Not a damn thing." Alec Baldwin/Sandler in Canteen Boy. So awkward. To show how times have changed, there was a skit where Buck Henry was a pedo babysitter, which at the time was considered funny. I doubt you can find it nowadays.
Chopping Broccolieehheeee!!
I just gotta include [Lunch Lady Land](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY14zcUM9SI) - prime SNL. Sloppy Joe's, slop, sloppy joe's.
Debbie downer is so painfully unfunny I can’t believe that’s your favorite
Heather Locklear/Janet Jackson May 14, 1994. The”Amazing Time Savers” sketch is hall of fame for me. The joke creeps up and comes out of nowhere, and her commitment to the bit is top tier. Wayne’s World goes to Melrose Place and the Coffee Talk sketch round it off. Classic 90s SNL.
Fat man in a little coat in a van down by the river. Chris Farley was too funny for this world.
Schwetty Balls
James Brown celebrity hot tub.
Black jeopardy with Tom hanks
The View with Tracy Morgan as Star Jones...."Yes, I am a lawyer!"