Top 10 Times Saturday Night Live Made Fun of Disney
#10: Lion King Auditions
Two years after giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the auditions for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “SNL” did something similar for the “Lion King” remake. The sketch provides a platform for the cast to share their best impressions while also putting a bizarre spin on an animated classic. Most of these potential casting choices are pretty out there, such as Nick Offerman as a hyena, Eminem as Simba, and Mary J. Blige as Pumbaa. At the same time, we could actually imagine some of these actors in a “Lion King” remake. Oprah as Rafiki, anyone? Cecily Strong’s impersonation makes us wish that Lin-Manuel Miranda had been in the movie. In the end, though, only John Oliver as Zazu made the cut. Sorry, James Corden.
#9: High School Musical 4
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It’s only a matter of time until Disney makes “High School Musical 4.” For now, however, we have this biting sketch with Zac Efron reprising his role as Troy Bolton. We also get to see Casey Wilson do a surprisingly pitch-perfect Ms. Darbus impression. Picking up a year after Troy’s first year of college, the Wildcat has an unfortunate reality check for the graduating seniors. East High is apparently the only school where people sporadically break out into expertly choreographed musical numbers. This comes as a shock to the students, who have committed much of their education to singing songs while learning rather obvious life lessons. It’s a sketch that will ruin your childhood in the best way possible, complete with an unfrozen Walt Disney.
#8: Black Widow Trailer
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Marvel eventually green-lit a standalone Black Widow movie. But only after years of everyone asking when Natasha Romanova would take center stage, including “SNL.” When Scarlett Johansson hosted in 2015, “SNL” gave Natasha a chance to shine, albeit not in the action movie we were hoping for. Instead, Natasha is settled with a cheesy romantic comedy. This trailer checks off all the classic rom-com cliches, from Natasha running in high heels, to her sassy boss, to a meet-cute with Ultron. At least Natasha finally gets a happy ending with Bruce Banner. As silly as it is, the sketch also makes smart commentary on Hollywood’s reputation for botching female-led superhero movies. Honestly, we’d gladly take this fake “Black Widow” movie over Catwoman’s cinematic solo outing.
#7: Disney Channel Acting School
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Just as Zac Efron poked fun at his Disney Channel roots, Miley Cyrus established in this sketch that her “Hannah Montana” days are long over. Paired with Raven-Symoné, played by Kenan Thompson, Cyrus gives aspiring child stars a few acting tips that’ll take them far on the Disney Channel. Cyrus pulls no punches, pointing out how characters on Disney sitcoms tend to scream their lines, disrespect adults, and wear over-the-top clothing. You might not have picked up on a lot of these tropes growing up. After watching this sketch, though, you’ll never be able to ignore them again. Making the sketch even funnier, Thompson technically comes from a Disney background as well, having made his film debut in “D2: The Mighty Ducks.”
#6: Frozen 2
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“Frozen II” was another big success for Disney, but that didn’t stop “SNL” from pointing out the film’s flaws. In a series of deleted scenes, Elsa, played by Kate McKinnon, finds herself lost in the Enchanted Forest. Elsa is lost in more ways than one, as she struggles to confront her sexuality. For the many fans who want Disney to give Elsa a girlfriend, this sketch is easy to get on board with. The film was progressive in other respects, but as far as the “SNL” writers are concerned, there’s still a problem with diversity. Elsa takes issue with the movie’s complicated plot as well. Wherever you stand in these debates, we can see why Olaf’s extra carrot was left on the cutting room floor.
#5: Bambi 2002
From the mid-90s to the late 2000s, Disney had a reputation for pumping out straight-to-video sequels to their animated classics. Many of them fell short of their predecessors, to put it mildly. In this TV Funhouse segment, we’re given “Bambi 2002,” a modernized take on the timeless Disney film. Being a 2002 animated feature, the new cool Bambi is naturally all about bullet time and hip hop. There’s also a handful of pointless celebrity cameos from the New York Yankees and Jared Fogle. Yeah, that aged great. Aside from being a priceless Disney sendup, the sketch is like a time capsule of early 2000s pop culture references. “Bambi 2002” may be back in the Disney Vault, but there’s always the live-action Dwayne Johnson remake.
#4: Disney Housewives
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The Disney Princess brand meets “The Real Housewives” — it’s a combination that’s guaranteed to spin comedic gold. Throw in the ladies of “SNL” and you can’t possibly go wrong. The casting is mostly dead-on with Vanessa Bayer as Snow White, Abby Elliott as Belle, and Kristen Wiig as a monumentally drunk Cinderella. Ironically, Nasim Pedrad plays Jasmine and would later portray her handmaiden in the “Aladdin” remake. Unfortunately for Jasmine here, Abu ends up on her dinner plate and Iago ends up in her bed. The drama only escalates when a catty Prince Charming shows up and Belle breaks out her boombox. Tears are shed, punches are thrown, and hair is pulled, but Lindsay Lohan’s Rapunzel thankfully has plenty to go around.
#3: Undercover Boss: Starkiller Base
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In the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, Adam Driver demonstrated how menacing he can be as Kylo Ren. Even while reprising the character on “SNL,” Driver managed to maintain a straight face and a domineering demeanor. It’s truly a testament to his gifts as both a dramatic and comedic actor. Going undercover at Starkiller Base, Ben has a hard time keeping his cool and his identity under wraps. He does befriend a lieutenant named Zack, although being responsible for his son’s death kind of puts a damper on things. The First Order leader is finally pushed over the edge when one stormtrooper laughs at the idea of Ren having an eight pack. Huh, we wonder if that inspired Rian Johnson when he made “The Last Jedi?”
#2: Debbie Downer in Disney World
Debbie Downer evolved into one of Rachel Dratch’s most iconic recurring characters, and it all began in this sketch. Being the ultimate buzzkill, it only makes sense to send Debbie to the Happiest Place on Earth. As the rest of the family attempts to enjoy a fun-filled Disney World breakfast, Debbie can’t resist chiming in with a few not-so-fun facts. When not even Pluto can take it, no amount of sugar will make the medicine go down. Debbie’s dialogue is so depressingly hysterical that the whole cast breaks character throughout, but this only made the sketch more memorable. If anything, the cast’s constant chuckling encourages the viewer to rewatch it multiple times in order to catch all the lines that were laughed over. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Finding Osama “The Little Mermaid” Took a Dark Turn Peter Pan Jim Parsons as Peter Pan, a Match Made in Neverland Aladdin This is Why Magic Carpets Aren’t Practical Transportation Middle School Kids Inspire Marvin When You Wish Upon a Star, Kenan Breaks His Leg Walt Disney’s Titey Still Better Than Those Actual Animated Titanic Movies
#1: Journey to the Disney Vault
A successor of sorts to “Bambi 2002,” this TV Funhouse segment lists off a slew of other Disney sequels that we wish we could see in their entirety. Sadly, they’re all in the Disney Vault, as are two children and their pal Mickey. The kids quickly find, however, that Disney has a few skeletons and frozen heads in the closet. “Journey to the Disney Vault” is not only hilarious, but surprisingly educational. While many of us are familiar with “Song of the South’s” infamous legacy, the sketch also touches upon Walt’s testimony before HUAC, the Disney Company’s abandoned plans to build an American history theme park, and the Jim Henson deal that almost was. Good thing that Scar is there to keep this all confidential.
