Top 50 Most Controversial SNL Sketches Ever

#50: “The White Potus”

Conservative backlash was to be expected with this Trump-themed parody of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” But it was outweighed by outrage over Sarah Sherman playing the Season 3 character Chelsea with an exaggerated Mancunian accent and prosthetic teeth. Even the original actress Aimee Lou Wood publicly criticized this jab as unimaginative and mean-spirited. She graciously accepted apologies from some “SNL” staffers, as well as flowers from Sherman. However, no formal apology on the show’s behalf was issued. Wood instead got the last laugh with a wittier callback in the promo for her 2026 episode of “Saturday Night Live UK.”

#49: “Pumpkin Patch” / “Puppy Pound”

The occasional plagiarism allegation is inevitable for a show that’s run as long as “Saturday Night Live.” It was hard to brush off when Ryan Hoffman and Nick Ruggia of the comedy troupe Temple Horses called out two raunchy sketches from Season 44. “The Pumpkin Patch” and “ Pound Puppy” were so similar to the concepts of two of their YouTube videos that legal action was threatened in 2019. No apology, credit, or settlement followed NBC’s claim that an internal review found no evidence of plagiarism. Temple Horses dropped the issue, but triggered a debate about whether this represented a coincidence or a power imbalance at independent creators’ expense.

#48: “Weekend Update: Baby Hippo Moo Deng on Fame”

Two events captivated social media in the summer of 2024: Chappell Roan’s videos on the burdens of celebrity, and the baby hippo Moo Deng. Bowen Yang portrayed the latter in a “Weekend Update” segment about being respectful of the Khao Kheow Zoo’s latest star attraction. This nod to Roan’s confession was itself meant to go viral on cuteness. Instead, the pop idol’s fans accused “SNL” of mocking her courage in setting boundaries as a public figure. Being one himself, Yang took to social media to voice his support for Roan’s reasonable requests. She, in turn, praised the bit on his podcast “Las Culturistas.” Still, it’s worth seriously remembering that even the most empowering stars are entitled to privacy.

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#47: “Gen Z Hospital”

Elon Musk plays a doctor at a hospital specifically for Gen Z. For many viewers, the sketch not only failed to authentically capture how Gen Z talks, but also went to unexpectedly offensive places. Critics argued that some of the lingo stemmed from African-American Vernacular English, which has been frequently appropriated on TikTok and Twitter. John Rickford, a Stanford University linguistics professor, called the sketch “an embarrassment,” claiming it “[negated] the powerful, positive ways in which African American English is used in everyday life.” Michael Che, who came up with the sketch, wasn’t familiar with AAVE until after the backlash. Che responded, “Look, the sketch bombed. I’m used to that. I meant no offense to the ‘aave’ community. I love aave. Aave to the moon!”

#46: “Charmin Bear”

The Season 48 premiere features host Miles Teller as a Charmin Bear who forsakes the family toilet paper business to become a dancer. It’s a generic parody premise, but it felt a bit too familiar to fans of YouTuber Joel Haver. He uploaded his own animated video about a toilet paper bear with stage dreams less than three months before the “SNL” episode aired. Haver considered the parallels striking, but urged his audience to lend the benefit of the doubt. This quelled the outrage and shifted discourse toward recognizing smaller creators. Still, it seems suspicious that “SNL” wiped their Charmin Bears sketch from their YouTube channel after the scandal.

#45: “D*** in a Box”

Censoring a song is easier when it isn’t performed live. With this iconic “Digital Short” song, it was clear that The Lonely Island and Justin Timberlake had delivered a winner. The song even won a Primetime Emmy. However, the title alone was a red flag for the FCC. “SNL” reached a compromise, airing the song with one particular word bleeped 16 times. “SNL” didn’t need the FCC’s permission to share the explicit version online, though. The uncensored cut received backlash from Parents Television Council president L. Brent Bozell, who called it “a new low for NBC.” That didn’t stop the song from becoming a viral sensation and breaking new ground for shows digitally releasing content too risque for network TV.

#44: “Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial”

The most talked-about trial of 2022 was bound to be brought before “Saturday Night Live.” Ultimately, a cold open sketch about Johnny Depp’s defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard was critically panned. The court of public opinion brought down an even harsher verdict. Social and mainstream media condemned this lazy reduction of the actors’ harrowing accounts of domestic abuse. Airing just days after particularly emotional testimony from Heard, the sketch fed into social media mockery of her mental health. Some argued that “SNL” went just as hard on Depp. At best, though, the insensitive muckraking was said to have brought nothing to the heady discussions beyond tabloids.

#43: “Danny’s Song”

Rainn Wilson hosted an unfortunate highlight of the recurring “Song Memories” bit in 2007. He and some drinking buddies take increasingly inappropriate trips down memory lane as the Loggins and Messina classic “Danny’s Song” fills the bar. Bill Hader’s story was of how a trip to the park allowed him to finally see beyond his father’s Down syndrome. This twist got a big laugh from the studio audience, as well as condemnation from the National Down Syndrome Society. NBC responded by censoring the line or cutting the sketch entirely in reruns. While that does technically ruin the joke, it's a reminder that Down syndrome is no cheap punchline.

#42: “Birthday Clown”

A party for one gets a little less lonely when a possible serial killer hires Dodo the Clown to keep him company on his 53rd birthday. This 2017 sketch sounds like it was made for host Louis C.K.’s dark humor. Then fellow comic and protégée Tig Notaro announced that she wrote the premise for a short film two years earlier. She alleged that the writer behind “Birthday Clown” had caught “Clown Service” during its festival tour. Notaro was so disappointed that this reportedly affected her already strained relationship with C.K. No representatives of “SNL” have commented on the situation, but Notaro’s supporters sure have.

#41: “The Claudine Longet Invitational”

It took “SNL” only a month to issue their verdict in the 1976 death of Olympic skier Vladimir “Spider” Sabich. Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin narrated a freestyle skiing competition with the obstacle of singer Claudine Longet, Sabich’s girlfriend, cleaning her gun. As disturbing as it was to hear gunshots dubbed over actual footage of wipeouts, Longet’s lawyer issued a cease-and-desist during the episode’s broadcast. The following week, announcer Don Pardo read “Saturday Night Live’s” first-ever formal apology. Despite efforts to suppress “The Claudine Longet Invitational,” the sketch is remembered for setting the show’s bar with bad-taste speculation. Longet was convicted of negligent homicide several months later.

#40: “Try Guys”

It was no prank when these online content creators hijacked headlines in September 2022. “SNL” teased media priorities by interrupting CNN coverage of the Russo-Ukrainian War to address the Try Guys firing Ned Fulmer over an in-office affair. Fans felt that this exaggeration of a comedy company’s PR crisis downplayed the reality of workplace power dynamics. “SNL’s” backlash became its own crisis when the sketch’s writer was doxxed. The Try Guys responded diplomatically by saying that they never thought they were important enough to be parodied. But some of their supporters taught “SNL” the hard way that even light entertainment is prone to serious scandal.

#39: The Kandahar Song

Forty-one days after the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, “SNL” threw a musical cocktail party. Many viewers were unsettled by the ironic celebration of the Northern Alliance’s conquest of Kandahar. That irony was lost when the sketch resurfaced just over 20 years later, after the longest war in U.S. history ended in victory for the Taliban. Former writer Michael Schur was among those who asserted that “SNL” was mocking the ignorant, largely elitist attitudes about the conflict at the time. Many of the circulated clips avoided the somber notes that put this into perspective. Still, even in 2001, supporters and critics of the War in Afghanistan were united by their discomfort with the arguably insensitive satire.

#38: Broderick at the Beach

Debutant host Matthew Broderick throws out his wholesome brand as a first-timer at a nude beach. A riff on the supposed etiquette in this environment ends up uttering the word “penis” 43 times. Kevin Nealon breaks the fourth wall to fib that this commentary on body positivity was enabled by NBC dissolving their Standards Department. Well, the audience called his bluff. The network received a record-breaking 46,000 complaints, mobilized by the American Family Association. This cost “SNL” major sponsors like Toyota. Censor William Clotworthy agreed that the bit was less-than-tasteful, but not obscene. The sizable yet dated outrage has since strengthened the bizarre sketch’s status as a classic.

#37: “Wayne’s World” & Clinton’s Daughter

“SNL” never claimed Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar to be a credible political endorsement. Still, their 1992 list of what they love about President-elect Bill Clinton stretched too far toward his then-adolescent daughter Chelsea. They teased her appearance, but assuredly threw around the terms “future fox” and “babe-in-waiting.” This drew so much outrage that Hillary Clinton sent a letter of complaint to Lorne Michaels. He and Mike Myers in turn issued statements of apology. The joke was jarringly cut in reruns, but “Wayne’s World” has never fully lived it down. Even heavy metal slackers need to have some boundaries.

#36: The Menendez Brothers

Court TV became appointment viewing as the trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez began in 1993. They were almost three years away from being convicted of their parents’ murder when “SNL” portrayed them fabricating twin brothers as scapegoats. This absurd innuendo was particularly controversial due to the brothers’ graphic testimony about the alleged sexual abuse leading up to the killings. Thirty-one years later, Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” inspired a revival in public discussion, along with a wave of Halloween costumes. “Weekend Update” poking fun at the insensitive trend only fueled criticisms that “SNL” never found a tasteful way to satirize the Menendez case, if there is any.

#35: National Workforce of Rethinking Disabilities

The biopic of activist John Davidson was celebrated for its thoughtful depiction of Tourette syndrome. Sadly, “I Swear” didn’t create as much global discourse as Davidson exclaiming a racial slur at the 2026 BAFTAs. “SNL” responded with a pre-taped “Cut for Time” sketch involving celebrities who falsely blame their scandalous behavior on Tourette’s. Mel Gibson, Bill Cosby, J. K. Rowling and others represent the National Workforce of Rethinking Disabilities… or N.W.O.R.D. The charity Tourettes Action condemned the gag for mocking disabilities and perpetuating the myth that people with coprolalia say what they secretly believe. For many, “SNL’s” dig at powerful people felt more like a painful reminder that the public still understands little about Davidson’s condition.

#34: Biker Chick Chat

It is not unheard of for someone to drop an accidental F-bomb on live television, but imagine doing so on your very first episode as a featured player. During the “Biker Chick Chat” sketch, Jenny Slate accidentally lets one slip, and you can instantly see that she is completely mortified. She has since denied the speculations that this was the sole reason she was fired after just one season. But years later, with a little perspective and distance, she decided to flip the narrative, questioning whether a man would have received as much backlash.

#33: Michael Cohen Wiretap Cold Open

Trump and his administration have been the source of many sketches over recent years, with countless big names jumping on the bandwagon. So when the scandal emerged about Stormy Daniels and Trump, we knew “SNL” would be quick to respond. While your political stance might affect how outrageous you find this cameo, the adult movie actress made quite a storm with her surprise appearance in the cold opening. A lot happens in this skit, but it’s the final few minutes that really grab our attention. And amidst all the action, Stormy had a message for the President...

#32: Safelite AutoGlass

This sketch first made headlines when Safelite AutoGlass tweeted their disappointment. The controversy only continued when “SNL” suddenly made it disappear without saying a word. The sketchy spoof commercial involves a Safelite repairman, played by Beck Bennett, who keeps smashing a woman’s car windshield in order to essentially stalk her teenage daughter, played by Melissa Villaseñor. While the sketch does a pretty good job mirroring the source material, these very dark added undertones just seem unnecessary. While “SNL” did their best to erase any memory of this sketch, the damage had already been done.

#31: “Conspiracy Theory Rock”

Robert Smigel’s “TV Funhouse” segments got away with a lot because it was animated. Maybe it was a different case when one sketch went after its own network under the guise of an educational cartoon. A 1998 parody of “Schoolhouse Rock!” musically speculated that a secret mega-monopoly is using the media to push corporate interests. Norm Macdonald being fired from “SNL,” allegedly over O. J. Simpson jokes, somehow had something to do with it. “Conspiracy Theory Rock” was curiously scrubbed from “SNL,” with Lorne Michael claiming that he just thought it was a weak sketch. Skeptics have called this a weak cover for NBC silencing internal criticism. That evidently wouldn’t be the wisest move for silencing corporate conspiracy theories.

#30: College Campus Hearing

December 2023 saw a high-stakes congressional hearing on a growing culture of antisemitism in American colleges. Just four days later, an “SNL” cold open spoofed the standoff with a lecture on covering up bigoted views with intellectual language. The university presidents were obviously the butt of the joke, written so frivolously that Cecily Strong canceled a surprise cameo reportedly out of discomfort. Jewish groups like the Anti-Defamation League felt that the sketch trivialized an issue that was escalating with the Gaza War. Wherever one stands on these heated issues, many agreed that “SNL” should sometimes put more thought into when and how to satirize sensitive subjects.

#29: “It’s Pat”

During the early ‘90s, Julia Sweeney originated the pop culture phenomenon Pat O’Neal Riley. The one-note joke of trying to determine the androgynous nerd’s gender didn’t just make for a popular “SNL” bit or a heavily panned film. It made trans and gender non-conforming audiences feel insulted, an issue that the public didn’t even consider until the community grew more mainstream decades later. Now-prominent critic and “Transparent” creator Joey Soloway branded it “anti-trans propaganda.” While Sweeney has emphasized that this was never her intent, she recognizes that “It’s Pat” is an issue that’s always deserved wide attention. She’s become so dedicated in her quest for atonement that it was a story arc on the Showtime comedy “Work in Progress.”

#28: “Shark Tank”

The sharks on “Shark Tank” can certainly be intimidating, but not as intimidating as the pitchers in this jaw-dropping sketch. With the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria taking center stage, this sketch dove headfirst into bad taste and never came up for air. The sketch ends with the pitchers being captured thanks to Daymond John, who’s played by Kenan Thompson. The real John wasn’t so amused, however. The Shark Group founder said that he “[wasn’t] excited about the topic,” and “found it a little insensitive.” However, John did appreciate the fact that he was the one who saved the world. A sensitive topic for sure, but it wouldn’t be the last time that “SNL” parodied this controversial group. #27: “Bambi 2002”

It’s a wonder how Disney was so lenient on rival company NBC after this “TV Funhouse.” Even if “SNL” avoided any legal action, “Bambi 2002” still pushed the envelope of how far you can go in satirizing a beloved Disney classic. Giving Bambi a 21st century makeover, this faux direct-to-video sequel is hilariously relentless in its sendup of corporate greed, shamelessly succumbing to the latest trends, and the essence of childhood. Robert Smigel wasn’t a huge Disney fan growing up, although he developed a love for their movies upon becoming a parent. That didn’t stop him from depicting Bambi’s mom with head trauma or an adult film version of “Pocahontas.”

#26: “Africa Tourism”

In this sketch, three women who all coincidentally have the same name explain why Africa is the best destination for divorcées of a certain age. Two things overshadow their monotone dialogue, however. First, there’s Adele repeatedly breaking throughout the sketch. Second, there’s the Black men in the background getting comfortable with other ladies. Some found the sketch ill-timed given the End SARS movement and ongoing police brutality. It didn’t help that about a month earlier, Adele posted an Instagram photo of herself sporting a traditional African hairstyle, which was criticized as cultural appropriation. Timing aside, some took issue with the usage of words like “tribesmen,” finding that the sketch objectified Black men, although others felt that White women were the real targets of the satire.

#25: Adrien Brody’s Dreadlocks

Going off-script is rarely, if ever, a wise idea on “SNL,” unless you’re looking to get on Lorne Michaels’s bad side. Adrien Brody’s urge to improvise would get him banned from “SNL.” It’d be one thing if the ad-lib was funny, but this incident demonstrates why Brody is probably better suited for drama than comedy. Introducing musical guest Sean Paul, Brody went rogue with dreadlocks and a Jamaican accent. And yes, Paul is Jamaican, which only made the bit more offensive. Michaels wasn’t the only one that Brody antagonized. Speaking with Howard Stern, Tina Fey called Brody “cocky,” and said he pitched “terribly unfunny ideas.”

#24: Regis Co-Host Auditions

With Kathie Lee Gifford’s exit, all eyes were on “Live with Regis” to see who would be the new co-host. The setup paved the way for the “SNL” cast to break out their impressions, with Tracy Morgan as Star Jones, Cheri Oteri as Barbara Walters, and Ana Gasteyer as Darva Conger. Things took an awkward turn when Jimmy Fallon popped up as Chris Rock, complete with a tooth gap and full makeup. While the impression was jarring in 2000, it gained even more notoriety two decades later when it resurfaced online. Fallon apologized amid the backlash, calling it a “terrible decision.” Rock didn’t express anger towards Fallon, calling him a “great guy” who “didn’t mean anything.” However, Rock still considers the impression “bad comedy.”

#23: “Jesus Visits Tim Tebow and The Denver Broncos”

Jason Sudeikis is known for playing the Devil on “SNL,” but it was his portrayal of Jesus that summoned a plague of controversy. As Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos thanks Jesus for taking the team so far, the Messiah Himself enters the locker room. Jesus takes full credit for their six-game winning streak, but requests that they start pulling their own weight. He gets the team pumped and also confirms that Mormonism is the real deal. There’s really nothing mean-spirited or anti-religious about the sketch, but whenever Jesus is satirized, there are bound to be naysayers. Televangelist Pat Robertson called the sketch “anti-Christian bigotry that is just disgusting.” Fox News’ Bob Beckel called it “despicable,” but it’s not like they’re “SNL’s” target demographic anyway.

#22: “What Up With That?: Samuel L. Jackson & Carrie Brownstein”

“What Up With That?” is a recurring sketch that never gets old, even if it basically recycles the same formula over and over again. Kenan Thompson’s Diondre Cole repeatedly sings the irresistible theme song, sidelining his high-profile guests and Bill Hader as Lindsey Buckingham. We usually know what we’re gonna get, but Samuel L. Jackson helped this iteration stand out. As the sketch wrapped, Thompson was apparently supposed to interrupt Jackson mid-profanity, but the timing was off. According to Thompson, the cue card only had an “F” on it, but Jackson went all-in and threw in an extra swear word. The incident led Jackson to believe that he was banned from “SNL,” although Thompson later clarified that he’s still welcome on the show.

#21: “Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank on the Financial Bailout”

Being an election year, 2008 offered no shortage of political material for “SNL” to work with. While most of it was comedic gold, there were a few missteps. One sketch featuring Jason Sudeikis as President Bush and Kristen Wiig as Nancy Pelosi proved so controversial that it had to be modified online. Satirizing the bailout, the sketch targeted Herb and Marion Sandler of World Savings, captioning them as “people who should be shot.” After being released online, NBC’s lawyers removed the sketch. While the Sandlers reportedly didn’t pursue legal action, NBC stated that they found “elements in the sketch that didn’t meet [their] standards.” The sketch was eventually reposted, albeit edited.

#20: Weekend Update: Pete Davidson's First Impressions of Midterm Election Candidates

With the 2018 midterm elections approaching, Pete Davidson offered his opinions on the candidates, but walked right into controversy. As a picture of ex-Navy Seal Dan Crenshaw appears, you can hear Michael Che laugh nervously off-camera. Pete isn’t thrown off in the slightest, and proceeds to mock the veteran’s war wound, which definitely upset some viewers – Crenshaw included. The following week, the newly elected representative was invited to appear on the show and given a chance for rebuttal. Pete was also made to apologize live on-air, something practically unheard of on “SNL.” Davidson later addressed the incident in his 2020 standup special “Alive from New York,” poking fun not only at himself and his apology, but once again at Crenshaw.

#19: Aer Lingus

It’s hard to say whether viewers were more annoyed by the lazy stereotypes in this sketch, the accents, or just the fact that it wasn’t particularly funny. The Irish airline crafted a tongue-in-cheek response, calling the sketch “unwatchable” in a Tweet written in the style of American President Donald Trump. Saoirse Ronan, who’s Irish, said she was surprised by the backlash and is actually a frequent flyer with Aer Lingus. Also, can anyone explain the joke about all the dogs? Of course, this wasn’t the only time “SNL” relied on Irish stereotypes and failed to stick the landing.

#18: Rosetta Stone

This commercial parody starts off innocently enough with some happy Rosetta Stone users showing off their newfound skills. In a rapid escalation of events, things take a turn for the creepy when we cut to some men who purchased the Thai version of the software for a rather perverse purpose. While most language programs teach simple conversational phrases, the Thai vocabulary seems to be tailored for very specific ends. The show received backlash from the Thai government, with the cultural minister demanding the clip be removed from YouTube for “tarnishing Thailand’s image.”

#17: “O’Callahan & Son’s Pub”

Season 20 is recognized as such a low point for “SNL” that it saw the show’s biggest-ever plagiarism scandal. Michael McKean and writer Jay Mohr’s monotonous ramblings as a pair of surly Irish bartenders were painful enough to watch. Then comedian Rick Shapiro came forward with claims that “O’Callahan & Son’s Pub” was lifted from one of his club routines. The allegation was solid enough for “SNL” to publicly acknowledge it and refuse to renew Mohr’s contract. He confessed in his 2004 memoir “Gasping for Airtime” that the sketch was plagiarized almost word-for-word. As much as we'd like to forget that Season 20 happened, the sketch “SNL” worked hardest to hide is ironically one of its most notorious.

#16: “Once Daily Estro-Maxx”

A 2011 pharma commercial parody features several male cast members as trans women taking a fast-acting hormone replacement. Although Once Daily Estro-Maxx was a few years before trans visibility surged in American media, a marginalized community's outrage was hard to hide. Advocacy groups like GLAAD slammed the reduction of a serious medical journey into a cheap gag steeped in stereotypes. Naturally, the critics have grown in numbers since the sketch first aired. Bill Hader apologized for offending the trans community in a 2014 interview with the Dallas Voice. But “SNL” has neither addressed nor removed the bit.

#15: Weekend Update: Leslie Jones

When People named Lupita Nyong’o the most beautiful person in the world, Leslie Jones’s response at the Update desk sparked serious backlash. Leslie acknowledged Nyong’o’s beauty, but also joked that back in the days of slavery, her own size and strength would have been considered more important – leading to a better love life. The sketch ignited a firestorm on Twitter, where commentators took issue with her casual approach. In a series of 15 tweets, Jones fired back, stating that the joke was about her painful realization that Black men aren’t really interested in her.

#14: Heroin AM

As will soon become apparent, “SNL” loves a good spoof commercial. In this case, they used the format of a typical pharmaceutical drug advert to introduce a much harder substance. It follows three parents who use Heroin AM to keep up with their hectic lives. This sketch divided viewers, with some unimpressed at how flippantly the issue was being addressed, especially as “SNL” alums Chris Farley and John Belushi succumbed to overdoses. However, others loved the sketch, crediting it as a good way to get America talking about an uncomfortable subject.

#13: First, He Cries

In this skit, host Bea Arthur plays a doctor delivering biopsy results to a couple – and it is not good news. The name of this sketch parodies NBC correspondent Betty Rollin’s book, “First, You Cry”, where she documents her struggles with breast cancer. However, this version has the self-centered husband playing the victim, as he’s distraught about living with his wife post-mastectomy. Not only did this prompt a barrage of complaints, but Bea Arthur received an angry phone call from a viewer who’d tracked down her hotel room number. On the flip side, Betty Rollin did write in to voice her support of the sketch.

#12: Weekend Update: Gov. David Paterson State of the State

“SNL’s” take on politics is usually comedy gold, but that doesn’t mean they don’t occasionally miss the mark. When Fred Armisen parodied New York Governor David Paterson, rather than focus on his political career or scandals, they focused on his blindness. Needless to say, the governor was unimpressed, accusing the show of relying on offensive stereotypes. However, when he appeared on the show beside Fred Armisen, it looked like it was all water under the bridge. He was able to laugh at his own expense, but also gave the cast a taste of their own medicine by throwing in some shots of his own.

#11: Djesus Uncrossed

If you’re going to parody Jesus Christ, be prepared to ruffle a few feathers. Christoph Waltz takes the lead in a movie trailer that gives this biblical story a Quentin Tarantino-style makeover. It’s incredibly gory and bloody. Plus, we’re pretty sure that the source material never included guns. Some religious groups were offended by this sketch, which portrays Jesus as super-violent, rather than forgiving. The Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement saying that they understood the show wanted to “provoke a humorous response,” but that it was “a distasteful portrayal.”

#10: Alan Dershowitz Visits Hell

You know those jokes where you don’t know whether to laugh or groan? In this sketch, attorney Alan Dershowitz makes a pit stop in Hell where he’s greeted with open arms by the Devil. In Hell, we meet the writer of “Baby Shark,” Flo from Progressive, Mr. Peanut and Mark Zuckerberg. But it’s Adam Driver’s Epstein who receives an audible mix of groans and laughter due to his edgy punchlines. From a pun about his death, to a joke about how the devil appears to him, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t wince even a little.

#9: World’s Most Evil Invention

While at a supervillain convention, the attendees compete for the most evil invention in the world. There’s a shrink ray and freeze gun – pretty standard villain stuff. But when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s character steps up, things take a seriously dark turn and even the other villains voice their outrage. A number of viewers objected to the skit, arguing that it trivialized sexual abuse. The sketch also takes a strange turn as it’s revealed that this has all been a disturbing commercial for White Castle.

#8: Teacher Trial with Ronda Rousey

You know when they say some things are better left to the imagination? Blurring fantasy and reality, this sketch sees a student testify in court after his affair with his teacher is exposed. The apparent joke here is that everyone is super impressed by a teen scoring with his teachers, despite the legal and moral implications. Some pointed out that if the genders had been flipped, no one would think this sketch was funny. Once again, “SNL” was under fire for joking about a serious subject, as some viewers argued they’d gone too far.

#7: Gonna Get Me a Shotgun

In this sketch, Garrett Morris plays a musically talented prison inmate who presents a song about his life philosophy. Morris later said this was his favorite skit, but he can only imagine how it would be received in the age of social media. According to him, the song was inspired by a racist old woman from North Carolina who had a similar song using the N-word. He argued that political incorrectness is what made “SNL” so great back in the day, but now people are too afraid of causing offense.

#6: Father Daughter Ad

Chris Rock’s “Shark Tank” sketch may have missed the mark. But it was this spoof of a Toyota commercial starring guest host Dakota Johnson and cast member Taran Killam that drove viewers to express their outrage on Twitter. At first, viewers are lulled into a false sense of security thinking that what they’re watching is a heartwarming moment between a father and daughter. Then a pickup truck full of heavily armed men comes into view. The controversial cherry on this dubious sundae is when a tearful father tells these men to look after his daughter and one responds. So really they couldn’t have been all that surprised that this sketch would incense viewers.

#5: Starbucks Verismo

You know when you go to a coffee shop and, let’s just say, it's not the coffee that’s bitter? Well, this sketch was about bringing that experience home with the Starbucks Verismo. The coffee machine is rude, stupid and incompetent. The female version, Verquonica, is no better. What viewers noticed, though, were stereotypical Black accents and jokes that reinforce negative stereotypes. Surely, there was plenty to laugh about without falling back on racist tropes to get to the punchline. Needless to say, the sketch left viewers with more of a sour taste in their mouths than expired milk.

#4: Uncle Roy

From 1978 to 1980, recurring host Buck Henry made “SNL” viewers squirm as Uncle Roy. Gilda Radner and Laraine Newman played the adolescent nieces he’d babysit with absurdly lecherous games. And if they were bad, Uncle Roy would get the spanking. Audiences at the time were split between uncomfortable amusement and utter horror over this boundary-pushing running gag. Lorne Michaels fought NBC’s pleas to ban Henry’s bit. Now, it’s considered so offensive that it's largely been buried in the “SNL” archives. It's one of the few times this has happened to an entire series of sketches, but fans have pretty much outgrown Uncle Roy.

#3: Word Association

We guarantee that this skit would never fly today. In a job interview sketch, Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor engage in a word association game. Things start out innocently enough. But the game soon exposes Chase’s character’s prejudices, becoming heated and racially-charged. In a climactic moment that makes us wince, Chase throws out the N-word – and Pryor isn’t taking it lying down. Paul Mooney, who wrote the skit, said it was inspired by his own interview for “SNL.” It’s been called one of the show’s most shocking, and greatest, sketches.

#2: Canteen Boy & the Scoutmaster

This recurring character played by Adam Sandler is considered an “SNL” classic, but this particular sketch divided audiences. Alec Baldwin plays a scoutmaster who makes obvious and uncomfortable sexual advances toward Canteen Boy. According to Baldwin, the sketch caused 300,000 phone call complaints and the loss of seven affiliates. The Boy Scouts of America weighed in on the controversy, too. In response to complaints, when showing reruns the sketch was preceded by a disclaimer saying that Canteen Boy is actually 27. Given the character’s childlike nature, though, the clip has a considerably darker tone.

#1: The Situation Room: Tiger Woods’s Accidents

“SNL’s” tone-deaf take on Tiger Woods’s affairs left some viewers understandably fuming. We see the golfer at press conferences; and every time the camera cuts back to him, he’s sporting a new injury, clearly caused by his wife, played by Blake Lively. Even his cries for help are turned into a punchline. Many viewers pointed out that if the roles had been reversed, it would never be treated so lightly. While some people did see the funny side, most thought the show had gone too far.

What are some “SNL” sketches that you feel went too far? Give your feedback in the comments below.