Top 10 Best SNL Cold Opens

#10: Volodymyr Zelenskyy vs. Donald Trump & Elon Musk (2025)

Kicking off our list is a more recent gem that showcased SNL's continued knack for timely political satire. Airing in March 2025, this cold open tackled the then-recent real-life meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. James Austin Johnson’s pitch-perfect Donald Trump, styling himself as the “president and CEO of Gaza Hotel and Casino,” immediately began chastising Mikey Day’s Zelenskyy. The hypocrisy was then amplified by the surprise return of SNL alum Mike Myers, who appeared as Elon Musk. The sketch brilliantly mirrored reports of Trump and Vance parroting Russian talking points and chastising Zelenskyy, turning a serious diplomatic incident into a biting, unforgettable satire of privilege, bluster, and absurdity.

#9: The Rock Obama (2015)

Imagine the calm, cool, and collected Barack Obama, but with an inner beast that just can’t take it anymore. That's exactly what we got with “The Rock Obama” cold open from 2015. Following his inauguration, the nation’s 44th president, portrayed by Jay Pharoah, seemed unflappable, but deep down, frustrations were brewing. Enter Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, playing Obama’s incredibly muscular, rage-fueled alter ego, who would emerge whenever a political opponent or even a minor annoyance pushed the president too far. The sheer absurdity of the concept, combined with Johnson's commanding physical presence and surprisingly nuanced comedic timing, made this sketch an instant fan favorite.

#8: First Debate: Donald Trump & Joe Biden (2020)

The 2020 presidential election cycle was, to put it mildly, tumultuous, and the first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was no exception. SNL perfectly captured the chaotic energy and sheer exasperation of that night with comedy legend Jim Carrey stepping into the role of Joe Biden, facing off against Alec Baldwin’s well-established Donald Trump. The cold open brilliantly recreated the pandemonium, with the moderator, Chris Wallace (played by Beck Bennett), struggling desperately to maintain order amidst the constant interruptions, crosstalk, and personal attacks. Carrey’s Biden frequently lost his cool, at one point using a remote control to pause Trump, giving him a moment of peace — which was a deeply relatable fantasy for many viewers.

#7: Michael Cohen Wiretap (2018)

The legal woes of Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, provided ample ammunition for SNL’s comedic brilliance, and this cold open from 2018 delivered in spades. With the news breaking that the FBI had seized recordings from Cohen, the sketch imagined what those wiretapped phone calls might have sounded like. The brilliance of this cold open lay in its rapid-fire succession of calls to various figures: Kate McKinnon’s Rudy Giuliani, Jimmy Fallon as Jared Kushner, and Scarlett Johansson as Ivanka Trump, each interaction revealing Cohen's increasing paranoia and predicament. The segment even featured a memorable cameo by Stormy Daniels herself, answering a call from Cohen in a moment that perfectly blended real-life drama with SNL’s satirical edge.

#6: Kavanaugh Hearing (2018)

The highly contentious 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh was a deeply serious and emotionally charged event, but SNL fearlessly tackled it with a cold open that perfectly distilled its most memorable and often baffling moments. Matt Damon delivered an utterly hilarious and committed performance as Kavanaugh, capturing the judge's impassioned, often angry, and tearful testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. From his defensive outbursts to his repeated insistence on his love for beer and collegiate social life, Damon’s portrayal was a masterclass in physical comedy and vocal mimicry. He brought a manic intensity to the role, mirroring the real-life spectacle and allowing SNL to satirize the perceived privilege and anger on display.

#5: Sean Spicer Press Conference (2017)

When Melissa McCarthy burst onto the scene as Donald Trump’s then-press secretary, Sean Spicer, it was an undeniable phenomenon. This particular cold open, a recreation of one of Spicer's infamously combative press conferences, transformed what could have been a simple impression into a tour de force of physical comedy and explosive energy. McCarthy didn't just imitate Spicer; she embodied his aggressive, often defensive persona, exaggerating his bluster, his use of props, and his propensity for shouting down journalists. Her performance was a whirlwind of rage, even brandishing a super soaker to emphasize her points. The brilliance was in the unexpected casting and the Oscar nominee’s fearless commitment to the character, turning Spicer into a cartoonish tyrant.

#4: Ford on the Phone (1975)

Venturing back to the very first season of “SNL,” we encounter a foundational cold open that helped define the show’s early comedic style: Chevy Chase’s iconic portrayal of President Gerald Ford. While Ford was, by all accounts, a capable and intelligent leader, Chase predictably pounced on his occasional physical clumsiness. This particular cold open brilliantly showcased this characteristic, depicting Ford attempting to navigate a simple phone call, only to inevitably stumble, fall, and knock things over in his Oval Office. The humor wasn't rooted in vicious political attack but rather in absurdist physical comedy that highlighted Chase’s unique talent for pratfalls.

#3: First Presidential Debate: George W. Bush & Al Gore (2000)

The 2000 presidential election was one for the history books, and the debates between George W. Bush and Al Gore provided SNL with rich comedic material. The cold open for their first debate perfectly captured the distinct and often contrasting personalities of the two candidates. Will Ferrell, in one of his most beloved impressions, brought George W. Bush to life with an endearing mix of folksy charm, malapropisms, and a knack for simplifying complex issues into easily digestible, if not entirely accurate, soundbites. Across from him, Darrell Hammond’s Al Gore was equally masterful, portraying the Vice President as overly intellectual, slightly condescending, and prone to exaggerated sighs and fact-checking.

#2: Sarah Palin & Hillary Clinton Address the Nation (2008)

It’s almost impossible to discuss iconic SNL cold opens without mentioning the unparalleled comedic chemistry between Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, especially in their roles as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton, respectively. Tina Fey's portrayal of Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was so uncannily accurate that it launched a thousand memes and became an integral part of the election's cultural narrative. Amy Poehler, meanwhile, played a weary, exasperated Hillary Clinton, still reeling from her primary loss, standing stoically beside Palin, then the governor of Alaska. It was a defining moment for both actresses and SNL, demonstrating the show's power to influence and reflect the national conversation with razor-sharp wit and undeniable star power.

#1: Steve Martin Turns the Cold Open Into a Musical (1991)

This particular segment broke from tradition, eschewing political commentary for a full-fledged musical spectacle. The scene opens backstage, where host Steve Martin appears rather indifferent to the upcoming show, idly flipping through a magazine, to the concern of cast members Chris Farley and Victoria Jackson. A pivotal moment arrives when Farley asks Martin to autograph a piece of classic SNL memorabilia: Martin's own iconic King Tut costume. Martin passionately sings about his rediscovered commitment to delivering an exceptional performance, embarking on a captivating journey that winds from backstage through the studio audience and ultimately onto the main stage. This unexpected and uplifting musical cold open was a testament to the magic of SNL, offering a genuinely funny and heartfelt ode to showmanship.

Do you agree with our picks? Which Saturday Night Live cold open made you laugh the hardest?

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