Saturday Night Live has been delivering comedy gold since 1975, but let’s be honest—some of the best material came from the early days. Back when writers took risks and cast members weren’t afraid to commit to a bit, the show created sketches that still hold up decades later. Whether it was biting political satire, absurd characters, or brilliant wordplay, classic SNL found the perfect balance between smart and silly. Looking at today’s comedy, it’s hard not to appreciate just how sharp and well-crafted these legendary skits were.
1. The Olympia Café – “Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger” (1978)
John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray turned a simple restaurant scene into one of SNL’s most quoted moments. The Olympia Café had one rule—no matter what you wanted, you were getting a cheeseburger, chips, and Pepsi. Belushi’s Greek diner owner barked out orders at lightning speed, baffling customers and delighting fans. According to NBC, it might be inspired by a real Chicago cafe. Maybe.
The beauty of this skit wasn’t just the rapid-fire delivery but the way it captured the chaos of a real, no-nonsense eatery. Everyone knew a place like this, where the rules weren’t changing no matter how many times you asked. The fact that Belushi’s character was based on a real Chicago diner only makes it funnier in hindsight.
2. More Cowbell (2000)
Christopher Walken’s delivery and Will Ferrell’s fearless commitment turned this musical parody into an instant classic. Poking fun at Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” the skit imagined a recording session where one enthusiastic musician couldn’t resist overplaying the cowbell. Walken’s insistence that he had “a fever” and the “only prescription is more cowbell” took the absurdity to another level. Fittingly, the minds of Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell worked together in beautiful tandem to make this skit happen, according to NBC.
This sketch works because everyone plays it straight, even as Ferrell flails around in a tiny shirt, whacking his cowbell like a man possessed. Walken’s dry delivery makes it even funnier—he sounds dead serious about the importance of that ridiculous instrument. The skit has since become a cultural touchstone, proving that the dumbest ideas are often the smartest comedy.
3. Land Shark (1975)
Jaws fever had taken over in the mid-’70s, and SNL responded with one of its most unexpectedly brilliant parodies. Instead of a monstrous great white terrorizing swimmers, the Land Shark simply knocked on doors and lured people in with terrible disguises. Chevy Chase’s deep-voiced predator would try tricks like “Candygram” or “Plumber” before devouring his victims. It’s no wonder it’s still referenced to this day, writes Slash Film.
The genius of the bit was how it took something terrifying and made it so completely ridiculous. It played on the idea that people will open their doors for the dumbest reasons, no matter how obvious the threat. Nearly 50 years later, the joke still works—especially in an age where online scams and fake deliveries are all too real.
4. Point/Counterpoint – (1978)
Before cable news was filled with over-the-top debates, Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin perfected the formula on Weekend Update. The duo would take opposing sides of an issue, with Curtin playing it straight and Aykroyd always escalating to personal attacks. The most famous moment came when Aykroyd, with a smirk, dismissed her argument with “Jane, you ignorant slut.”
What made this sketch so great was its sharp writing and expert timing. It mocked the way serious debates often devolve into personal insults, all while Curtin rolled her eyes at Aykroyd’s ridiculous outbursts. As political discourse has only gotten louder and more absurd, this skit feels more relevant than ever.
5. The Bass-O-Matic (1976)
Dan Aykroyd’s ability to sell absolute nonsense was on full display in this spot-on parody of infomercials. With the enthusiasm of a seasoned salesman, he demonstrated the “Super Bass-O-Matic ’76,” a blender designed to turn an entire fish—bones and all—into a drinkable smoothie. It was fast-talking absurdity at its finest, with Aykroyd pouring out a glass of blended bass like it was a fine cocktail.
What made this sketch legendary was how perfectly it mimicked real infomercial energy. The pacing, the phrasing, and the ridiculous over-promising felt exactly like late-night TV ads. And while most SNL skits go for big, exaggerated laughs, this one played it straight, which only made it funnier.
6. Celebrity Jeopardy (1996-2015)
Will Ferrell as an exasperated Alex Trebek, constantly battling dim-witted celebrity contestants, was comedy gold. The fake game show worked because of its absurd but believable characterizations—whether it was Darrell Hammond’s crude Sean Connery, Norm Macdonald’s clueless Burt Reynolds, or Jimmy Fallon’s overly enthusiastic Adam Sandler. The questions were ridiculously simple, but the contestants still found ways to fail spectacularly.
The best part was watching Trebek slowly lose his mind as the game spiraled further into chaos. Every episode had a new batch of stars, but Connery’s childish insults toward Trebek (“Your mother, Trebek!”) remained a constant. Even today, nothing beats the sheer frustration in Ferrell’s voice as he realizes there’s no hope of anyone getting a correct answer.
7. The Samurai Delicatessen (1976)
John Belushi’s samurai character was a brilliant mix of slapstick, absurdity, and surprising skill. He played a chef who ran a deli like an ancient warrior, slicing meat and chopping sandwiches with precise, exaggerated sword swings. Instead of dialogue, he grunted and shouted in mock Japanese, somehow making it even funnier.
What made this work was Belushi’s full commitment to the role. He wasn’t just swinging wildly—he actually trained with a sword master to make his movements look real. It was a rare combination of silliness and skill, proving that great physical comedy never goes out of style.
8. Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood (1981-1984)
Eddie Murphy took the beloved Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and flipped it into a hilarious, streetwise parody. As Mr. Robinson, he lived in a rundown apartment, dodged landlords, and taught kids about real-world struggles like “How to Answer the Door When the Rent Is Due.” His wide-eyed innocence and sly delivery made it clear he was getting away with something.
The skit worked because Murphy nailed the balance between satire and charm. It wasn’t just funny—it was biting social commentary on poverty and race, all delivered through a smile. Even now, it remains one of SNL’s smartest and sharpest recurring bits.
9. Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker (1993)
Chris Farley’s unhinged, sweaty motivational speaker is one of SNL’s most beloved characters. Constantly warning teens that they’d end up “living in a van down by the river,” he threw himself around the stage with reckless abandon. David Spade and Christina Applegate could barely keep it together as Farley crashed through furniture.
The reason this skit remains iconic is Farley’s physical comedy—he wasn’t just yelling, he was throwing his entire body into the role. His exaggerated gestures, wild eyes, and barely controlled rage made even the simplest line hilarious. No matter how many times you’ve seen it, it’s impossible not to laugh.
10. Church Lady – “Well, Isn’t That Special?” (1986-1990, 1996, 2000)
Dana Carvey’s Church Lady was a pitch-perfect send-up of self-righteous moralists who always saw sin lurking around every corner. As the host of Church Chat, she would smugly interview celebrities, politicians, and cultural figures, only to condemn them with a knowing sneer and a sarcastic, “Well, isn’t that special?” The real kicker was when she blamed all society’s problems on “Satan,” drawing out the word for dramatic effect.
This sketch worked because Carvey absolutely nailed the character—pursed lips, condescending tone, and all. It was a perfect satire of pearl-clutching moral outrage, showing how people can twist anything into proof of their own superiority. Even today, when debates over morality and pop culture run rampant, Church Lady feels just as relevant (and hilarious) as ever.
11. The Coneheads (1977-1979, Various Returns)
Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman turned an absolutely bizarre concept into one of SNL’s greatest running gags. The Coneheads were an alien family with tall, bald, cone-shaped heads who insisted they were from France—even though they clearly weren’t. They spoke in stiff, overly formal English, devoured massive amounts of food, and struggled to blend in with human society.
What made this skit genius was its mix of surrealism and razor-sharp satire on suburban life. The Coneheads acted just weird enough to stand out, yet their attempts to assimilate mirrored the real struggles of immigrants trying to fit into American culture. It was silly, smart, and endlessly quotable—“Consume mass quantities” remains a catchphrase for the ages.
12. Wayne’s World (1988-1994, Various Returns)
Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s Wayne’s World was the ultimate slacker comedy, centering on two metalhead best friends hosting a low-budget cable access show from Wayne’s basement. With their signature catchphrases—“Party on, Wayne!” “Party on, Garth!”—they reviewed music, gushed over their favorite celebrities, and delivered absurd comedy bits like “Top Ten Babes of All Time.” The sketch’s freewheeling, fourth-wall-breaking style made it stand out from anything else on SNL.
What made Wayne’s World so brilliant was how it captured the joy of goofing around with your best friend. Wayne and Garth had an infectious chemistry, and their geeky enthusiasm for music and pop culture felt totally genuine. It was the rare kind of comedy that made you want to be part of their world—because it was just that much fun.
13. Buh-Weet Sings (1981)
Eddie Murphy’s parody of The Little Rascals’ Buckwheat was already funny, but Buh-Weet Sings took it to another level. This sketch imagined Buckwheat all grown up, launching a music career where he sang famous songs—but with his speech still completely garbled. With a beaming smile, Murphy belted out hits like “Fee Tines a Mady” (Three Times a Lady) and “Wookin’ Pa Nub” (Looking for Love), leaving the audience in stitches.
Murphy’s ability to turn a simple concept into comedy gold was on full display here. He played it totally straight, selling the idea that Buckwheat was a legitimate recording artist despite no one understanding a word he was saying. It was the kind of sketch that worked because of sheer commitment and flawless comedic timing—two things SNL doesn’t always get right these days.
14. Mr. Bill (1976-1980, Various Returns)
Poor Mr. Bill never stood a chance. This claymation character, created by Walter Williams, starred in a series of shorts where he was constantly subjected to brutal (yet hilarious) mistreatment at the hands of the off-screen Mr. Hands. Whether he was being crushed, stretched, or blown to bits, Mr. Bill’s high-pitched cries of “Oh nooo!” became one of SNL’s most iconic catchphrases.
What made Mr. Bill so brilliant was its mix of dark humor and childlike innocence. It parodied the cheerful tone of kids’ shows, only to take a hilariously violent turn every single time. Decades later, the little clay figure remains one of SNL’s most memorable characters—proving that sometimes, simple slapstick can be just as smart as any written joke.
Classic SNL skits worked because they had the perfect blend of sharp writing, fearless performances, and absurdity that still made sense. Today’s comedy often feels over-explained or reliant on easy laughs, but these sketches remind us that the best humor is both smart and ridiculous. Whether they were making fun of pop culture, politics, or just human nature, these moments still outshine anything on TV today. Maybe that’s why people keep going back to them—because great comedy never gets old.
