As Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrates its milestone 50th season in 2024, it’s clear that the iconic sketch comedy series is still going strong. Despite criticism that the show isn’t as funny as it used to be, SNL has continued to produce some of the most brilliant and hilarious sketches, memorable digital shorts, and single sketches that have fans in stitches.
One of the most notable sketches is the “Star Wars Undercover Boss: Where Are They Now?” sketch, starring Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. The setup is brilliant, with Ren discussing his personal drama, including killing his own father, and trying to navigate his role as an intern. The deadpan delivery and references to “OK, boomer” and “Deez nuts” make it a standout.
Another classic is the “Baking Championship” sketch, hosted by Eddie Murphy. The concept is simple: each contestant reveals their baked good, and the judges are shocked and disgusted by the creations. This version, with Eddie Murphy, is among the best, with a hilarious exchange involving garlic and pasta.
The “Cancelling Cable” sketch, hosted by Kieran Culkin, is another crowd-pleaser. The customer service agent is incredibly unhelpful, and Culkin’s reactions are natural and relatable. The sketch is a masterclass in comedic timing and escalation.
The “Spirit Halloween” sketch, hosted by Nate Bergatze, caught the attention of the Spirit Halloween store, which responded with a scathing comment. The mock commercial pokes fun at the store’s habit of popping up overnight in empty retail locations, capitalizing on economic strife. Despite the controversy, the sketch remains hilarious and brought a lot of free publicity to the store.
The “Black Jeopardy” sketch, hosted by Eddie Murphy, is a spin-off of the classic “Celebrity Jeopardy!” sketch. The recurring character, Velvet Jones, is a huckster trying to sell his books and music, while the other contestants are oblivious to his antics. Tom Hanks’ edition from seven years ago is also worth watching, where he plays the only white man on the panel and a very obvious MAGA supporter.
Beavis and Butt-Head sketch, hosted by Ryan Goslin (Image via Getty)
The “Murder Show” digital short, hosted by Nick Jonas, pokes fun at America’s obsession with true crime. The sketch is a musical number about how people enjoy relaxing time while watching shows about satanic killers, cults, and cannibals. It’s relatable and ironic, with many viewers nodding their heads in recognition.
The “Stu” sketch, hosted by Jason Bateman, is a holiday-themed parody of Eminem’s hit song “Stan.” Pete Davidson plays Stu, a man who writes a letter to Santa about his frustrations and desires. The sketch is a masterclass in building tension and surprise.
The “Lisa From Temecula” sketch, hosted by Pedro Pascal, is a recurring character played by Ego Nwodim. She’s out for dinner with friends when she becomes increasingly offended and frustrated. Pascal’s reactions are priceless, and Nwodim keeps a straight face despite the chaos around her.
The “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch, hosted by Ryan Gosling, is a standout. He and Mikey Day, who played the titular characters, even appeared on the red carpet in costume. The sketch is a clever commentary on AI technology, with Gosling’s character being oblivious to his resemblance to Beavis.
Finally, the “Close Encounter” sketch, also hosted by Ryan Gosling, is a fan favorite. Kate McKinnon’s physical comedy and antics are the highlight, and Gosling’s reactions are priceless. The sketch is a perfect combination of physical comedy and cast members having fun for their own sake.
Saturday Night Live’s 50th season is shaping up to be a brilliant and hilarious ride, with plenty of memorable sketches and hosting appearances. Despite the naysayers, SNL remains a comedy institution that continues to push the boundaries of humor and creativity. With its diverse range of sketches, SNL continues to entertain and delight audiences, solidifying its place as one of the most iconic and beloved comedy shows of all time.
