Top 10 Perfect Sketch Comedy Skits of All Time

Okay, were bending our own rules here, since this Jim Carrey character appears across multiple sketches. But most of them play out in essentially the same way. Fire Marshall Bill will arrive wherever the sketch takes place. At first, hell point out some elementary safety hazards in a seemingly helpful way. But then, Bill will immediately make things worse than necessary, by starting a fire and otherwise injuring himself. And things usually conclude with Bill getting blown up. Fire Marshall Bill is Jim Carrey in his prime, performing outlandish physical comedy with a rictus grin. Whats not to love?

Accidents happen, but what happens after a hot dog car drives into a mens clothing store is basically a train wreck. The driver, played by Tim Robinson, makes it pretty clear it was him by wearing a hot dog costume. After he discovers that he wont be getting spanked for his transgression and that he cant pass the blame onto poor, poor Donald, the driver immediately switches tact. He instead decides to distract everyone with a lengthy monologue about porn sites, while casually stealing shirts. Shockingly, nobodys fooled. Frankly, the absurdity of the sketch, and wiener mans commitment to the bit make it as perfect as that ridiculous carwhoever it belongs to

This sketch sees Denny, an actor played by David Cross, audition for a sitcom. However, the line between whats real and whats the audition quickly blurs as he asks to use a chair. The producers, played by Dino Stamatopoulos and Bob Odenkirk, are continually baffled as Dennys monologue seems to be just improvisation. The escalation throughout is practically flawless, as Denny gets further and further through the speech each time after they interrupt him, until theyve finally seen enough. We dont know if wed give him a callback, but the kids got the goods.

Weve all heard older people talk up their difficulties during childhood like theyre delivering some kind of weird flex. This classic British comedy sketch, first debuting on At Last the 1948 Show, but often associated with Monty Python, takes this idea to a ridiculous extreme. A group of four well-off men from Yorkshire sit around drinking. After waxing nostalgic, they start trying to outdo the others by relating how terrible their lives growing up in poverty were. Each of their claims becomes increasingly bizarre, like having to eat gravel or work 29 hours a day. Each performance allows for some variation, but all of them are basically the same unbelievably funny sketch.

Kevin McDonald and Dave Foley play a couple of guys having lunch. Daves character mentions watching a movie the previous night whose name he cant remember. From his description, Kevins character realizes immediately that hes describing Citizen Kane. However, Dave refuses to admit hes wrong, despite being told repeatedly. The situation escalates until Kevin turns violent, and shows Dave that hes wrong. Not only do the sketchs stakes and laughs rise perfectly, its also tremendously relatable - weve all been here before. And sure, most of us probably dont go to the extremes of Kevins character. But if we had to compare this sketch to a film itd bedangitwhat was it called again?

Simple ideas executed well are always gonna find success. This sketch follows Keegan-Michael Key as Mr. Garvey, a substitute teacher with experience teaching in the inner city. However, he runs into unexpected problems taking roll call. His loutish and unruly students insist on strange pronunciations of their names like Aaron and Blake, instead of the objectively correct way - A-a-ron and Ba-la-keh. Mr. Garveys gradually increasing wrath is hysterical, and the sketch is endlessly quotable - to the regret of many who share the characters names. And it seems many people agree, considering its hundreds of millions of views on You-too-bey.

Basically from the moment this sketch aired, everyone became obsessed with it. The scene purports to show the recording of Blue Oyster Cults (Don't Fear) The Reaper, overseen by fictional producer Bruce Dickinson, played by Christopher Walken. While fictional band member Gene Frenkles cowbell playing annoys his fellow bandmates, Dickinson cant get enough. Between Will Ferrells hilariously over-the-top cowbell playing and Walkens many iconic lines, were surprised the rest of the cast held it together as well as they did - which isnt much. The More Cowbell sketch became not only an instant classic of sketch comedy, but also led to catchphrases and became one of the 21st centurys earliest memes. You gotta have more cowbell, baby.

Mr. Schlesinger, played by Harvey Corman, has a toothache and goes to a dentist. The problem is that Dr. Keefer, played by Tim Conway, is new at his chosen profession. Well, thats the first problem, at least. Dr. Keefer reveals new issue after new issue as Schlesinger writhes in pain. From Keefer being more experienced with treating dogs, to having to look up how to do things, every time you think he cant be a worse dentist, he somehow one-ups himself. By the time he accidentally injects himself with Novocain, the audience is howling with laughter and Corman is fighting for his life too. Good luck trying to keep a straight face watching this sketch - because its impossible!

Often regarded as the greatest Monty Python sketch, this routine sees a customer, Mr. Praline, played by John Cleese, attempt to return a recently purchased parrot to a pet shop. The shopkeeper, played by Sir Michael Palin, refuses to admit the obvious - the birds dead. Despite the so-called Norwegian blue being nailed to its perch and as stiff as a board, as well as Pralines many colorful descriptions of it being un-alive, the shopkeeper remains determined to keep his sale. The sketch has been performed by the duo many times, with many variations, particularly on the ending. But what hasnt changed is the sketchs brilliance or its legacy. The parrot may have given up the ghost, but its impact on comedy will never die.

Devised by Budd Abbott and Lou Costello, the Whos on First? sketch sees Abbotts character try to explain the names of baseball players at various positions to Costello. Unfortunately, each of the players have names like Who, What, and I Dont Know. Naturally, misunderstandings ensue - sometimes about the word naturally. The gradually escalating frustrations are flawless, and the timelessly clever wordplay never fails to make us laugh. This is maybe the most famous and ingenious comedy sketch ever created. While Abbott and Costello performed it many times and it has been imitated or referenced even more, it will never lose its appeal. Its appeal is the umpire, by the way.

Is there a masterful comedy sketch we messed up by forgetting? Guess what! Weve got a fever! And the only prescriptionis more comments!