Best of SNL (Seasons 1-10): Funniest & Most Rewatched Sketches | EPISODE 1

#10: “Paul Simon's Monologue Worries”

Season 2

You might think this is one of those “SNL” sketches dreamed up at 3 a.m. when everyone’s half-delirious, and honestly, it probably was. But for Simon, it was also a chance to show audiences a lighter, sillier side of himself. The sketch takes a meta turn when he can’t get over how ridiculous he looks, yet he sells it so well that we’re left wondering, is this just a gag, or is Simon genuinely defending himself to the audience? His back-and-forth with Lorne Michaels feels so real that it’s easy to believe it’s happening for real. It’s simple, brilliant, and forever iconic.

#9: White Like Me”

Season 10

Eddie Murphy wasn’t just a breakout star on “SNL,” he was among the reasons many people tuned in. And this sketch shows exactly why. Playing off the 1961 book “Black Like Me,” Murphy disguises himself as a white man to see how different life really is. It's really quite ingenious; his “white guy” look is hilariously unconvincing, yet the reactions he gets are so over-the-top accommodating it’s absurd. He gets free stuff, extra kindness, and a glimpse of a world he never expected. It’s sharp and yet so ridiculous. Murphy’s an expert in using satire to expose truths while making us laugh the whole way through.

#8: “Landshark”

First Seen: Season 1

Season one definitely leaned into the violent side of nature, from the home invasion of Killer Bees to the series’ very inaugural skit. In this send-up of “Jaws,” Chevy Chase plays a shark who doesn’t swim up on you; he just knocks on your door. His “disguises” are barely believable: plumber, delivery guy, candygram, and even a dolphin. Yet people still fall for it, only to be gobbled up the second they open up. It tapped into the shark panic after the movie’s release, became a fan favorite, and was such a hit that it resurfaced several times, including during the 40th Anniversary special.

#7: Roseanne Roseannadanna

First Seen: Season 3

You can’t talk about early “SNL” without mentioning Gilda Radner and her legendary characters, Lisa Loopner, Baba Wawa, Emily Litella, and the absolute legend, Roseanne Roseannadanna. Roseanne is loud, messy, and totally unhinged. Each sketch starts with a viewer question, usually from “Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey.” She immediately goes off on wild, random, typically gross personal stories that have nothing to do with the question. Yet it never fails to get the laughs. She always ends with her famous catchphrase, which we’re still quoting to this day. The character lived on long after the show, and it’s easy to see why.

#6: “Word Association”

Season 1

Some moments are totally of their era, but their legacy still holds strong. Yep, that's one example, and the “Word Association” sketch is another. Chase plays an interviewer giving an interviewee, played by Richard Pryor, a word association test. It starts off innocent but quickly gets shocking, with both men trading increasingly offensive racial insults. The power flips, and Pryor ends up on top, becoming maybe the best-paid janitor ever. One story says writer Paul Mooney wrote this sketch to vent about backstage tensions, while Chase recalls it as a team effort. Either way, it has a tight hold on its place in the “SNL” hall of fame.

#5: “James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party”

Season 9

You know those sketches where you can’t quite put your finger on what makes them so brilliant, but you just know you’re watching comedy history in the making? This is one of those. Eddie Murphy gives an unforgettable impression of James Brown, showing how the singer might handle a song about getting into a hot tub. The sketch is clever because it doesn’t try too hard. Murphy just does his thing, letting the laughs happen naturally. It’s funky, funny, and just perfect. And come on, who among us has been able to resist getting into a hot tub without singing about it first?

#4: “The Festrunk Brothers (“Two Wild and Crazy Guys!”)”

First Seen: Season 3

Say it with us now. Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin burst onto season three as The Festrunks, two Czechoslovakian brothers trying to be cool in America and missing the mark in the funniest ways. They strut around like they’re the hottest thing in town, convinced their tight, cheesy outfits and swagger make them god’s gift to “American foxes.” The magic of this sketch comes from their loud, exaggerated delivery and totally off-target use of American slang. These guys give us pure goofy energy and they’re convinced they’re the life of the party. Hey, who are we to argue with two wild and crazy guys?

#3: “Mister Robinson's Neighborhood”

First Seen: Season 6

You know Mister Rogers and his calm, friendly neighborhood? Well, you're in Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood now. Eddie Murphy perfectly captures Fred Rogers’ gentle tone, but everything he says shows how different his world is. Instead of teaching kindness, he teaches survival, street smarts, and how to get by in a tough urban setting. It’s hilarious, for sure, but it’s also sharp social commentary on poverty, racism, and inequality. The sketch was one of Murphy’s first big hits on “SNL,” proving his comedic genius and helping the show during a rough patch. Of course, he had to bring Mr. Robinson back when he hosted in 2019.

#2: “The Olympia Restaurant”

First Seen: Season 3

Welcome to Olympia Restaurant, want a tuna sandwich? Grilled cheese? Coke? However, if you’re craving a cheeseburger, chips, and a Pepsi, you’ve come to the right place. The genius here lies in the relentless use of a few simple lines. The repetition, delivered with mounting frustration, becomes funnier with each utterance. The premise was inspired by the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago, which you can still visit today for a classic “Cheezborger” and “Cheeps.” The real Tavern even leaned into the spoof, fully owning its accuracy. Apparently, Chicago natives Don Novello and Bill Murray still enjoy swinging by for a Doublecheezborger” whenever they’re in town.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Prose and Cons,” Season 7

Bringing a Whole New Meaning to Poetic Justice

“King Tut,” Season 3

A Popular Exhibit Gets Disco Funky

“Bass-O-Matic, Season 1”

The Best Blender Pitch We’ve Ever Seen, Where Do We Get One?

“Samurai Hotel,” Season 1

Samurai Futaba’s First Outing & Well, It’s Nuts in an Iconic Way of Course

“The French Chef,” Season 4”

Dan Akroyd Gives Us His Best Julia Childs…on a Bad Day

#1: “Blues Brothers: Soul Man”

Season 4

Some sketches grow so big they’re best remembered for their lives beyond “SNL.” The Coneheads not only got a movie but may have even inspired “3rd Rock from the Sun.” Still, few characters define this era more than the Blues Brothers. The idea began at the Holland Tunnel Blues bar, a favorite hangout for the cast that Aykroyd had rented out. It was there that John Belushi caught the blues bug, and the band was born. While not their only appearance, “Soul Man” is probably their most famous. They went on to make two movies and left a pop culture legacy that’s lasted far beyond Studio 8H.

Which SNL sketch do you think defines its early days? Let us know in the comments.