Top 20 Times SNL Parodied Pop Culture

Taking on his character Kylo Ren, Adam Driver finds a way to make the villain a great comedic presence. This parody of “Undercover Boss” and “Star Wars” manages to do justice to both properties. Ren is terrible at disguising himself, setting up some hilarious interactions with co-workers. Driver also has amazing comic timing for such a dramatic actor. His role here as an emotionally stunted boss never fails to make us laugh, with the villain showing off his lightsaber and force powers. You can even watch a sequel, revisiting the greatness of this first entry.

In this “Weekend Update” segment, Vanessa Bayer shows off her spectacular impression of the “Friends” character. Her version of Rachel comes complete with a great haircut and an impressive vocal impersonation. She’s able to capture Jennifer Aniston’s iconic role and even play opposite the real actress. Aniston comes by to critique the performance, giving audiences a real-time comparison that’s especially funny. The pair have a hilarious exchange about how the guest star’s voice really sounds. At one point, the two performers both trade off catchphrases in another highlight. This entertaining sketch ultimately serves as a fitting tribute to a classic show.

This might rank as one of the strangest combinations ever in an “SNL” skit. Despite the degree of difficulty, the cast and writers find a way to blend both “The Hobbit” and “The Office” into one funny idea. There are references galore as the performers take Middle-earth characters into the corporate world. It’s as absurd as it sounds, while also being full of hilarious gags and pranks. There’s also an impressive amount of detail when it comes to the wardrobe and makeup. With Martin Freeman bringing his A-game, he joins comedic talents like Bobby Moynihan as they goof around in a bizarre and satisfying cocktail.

What did the characters in “The Sopranos” do in high school? This sketch answers that question with some funny impressions, while also taking inspiration from “The Carrie Diaries.” It includes Bobby Moynihan, Bill Hader, and Fred Armisen doing their best impersonations of the iconic cast. They also acknowledge that the timeline doesn’t quite work in a few meta jokes. It’s hilarious to watch gangsters deal with the everyday problems of teenagers, but there’s also the addition of some 80s flair. You even get to watch Tony and Carmela meet, with Moynihan and Kate McKinnon giving two convincing performances.

In this wonderfully bizarre sketch, Ryan Gosling plays a man who’s obsessed with the font of the “Avatar” logo. This sends him on an investigation that’s hilarious and thought-provoking. Gosling gives this skit his all, convincing people to go along with such a crazy premise. You don’t have to know anything about the James Cameron film or the Papyrus font to enjoy this one. The actor’s performance really shows off his skills as a compelling screen presence, playing a guy on the brink of a complete breakdown. You’ll probably never look at movie titles the same way again.

Kate McKinnon impersonates her fair share of celebrities as an “SNL” cast member. Her work as Justin Bieber stands as a highlight, finding a way to blend the performer’s personality and slick movements. Sending up the singer’s Calvin Klein ads, McKinnon can get a laugh with just a look. It’s a physical performance full of funny details from drumming to juice boxes. The chaotic parody follows the artist as he runs around, rides a scooter, and creeps out his co-star. It’s closer to Bieber than you might think, but it’s also an enjoyable impression full of outrageous comedy.

If you love this comic actor, you’ll definitely find something to enjoy in this homage to his career. Jim Carrey goes to a family reunion where everyone seems to be like one of his film characters. The performer interacts with some great impressions of his past roles, giving him a rare opportunity to play the straight man. This includes coming up against everything from “The Mask” impersonations to a surprise “Dumb and Dumber” reference. Several “SNL” cast members come out to try out some hilarious takes on Carrey’s catalog. The host ends up taking it all in stride, with the ability to poke fun at his eclectic resume.

In a gleefully odd scene, Ryan Gosling and Mikey Day play two men who look like the animated characters. They end up sending this TV interview sideways as the host and guest get distracted. Heidi Gardner plays the interviewer trying to hold it all together, but she breaks several times at the sight of her co-stars. We don’t blame her either considering what she’s up against. The script digs into this silly concept while also letting the cast fly off the handle. Gosling loves to laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” with this sketch giving him another chance to break.

When a detective and a cop show up at a mysterious apartment, the latter mentions that it looks like a famous sitcom set. Charlie Day’s character doesn’t know the show, making all of his references that much more ironic. Jason Sudeikis plays up his confused role as the latter hounds his partner for not knowing about “Seinfeld” or baseball. There’s even a cameo from a maniacal George Costanza, with Bobby Moynihan giving the scene one more curveball. It’s a dynamic and chaotic premise that always keeps you guessing. This ode to a classic show rewards fans of the series, but it’s not the first time they’ve parodied a Larry David program.

Some comedy sketches don’t need to make any sense to be effective. This one defies all logic, bringing the laughs as an entertainment legend tries to work a lamp. Kristen Wiig plays Liza Minnelli to absolute perfection. Full of sassy energy, this version of the actress loves to dance through her problems. We don’t know why she can’t turn off the light, but it’s great to watch Minnelli scramble. Wiig’s performance is a tour-de-force in comedic nonsense that never lets up. By the dramatic finale, we kind of wish she could keep the plot going with more lighting fixtures.

The concept of “We Are the World” seems ripe for parodies that include this fully loaded scene. For this skit, “SNL” conjures up a fundraiser for free-range chickens. The cast tries out their best musical impressions in a stellar lineup of talent. There’s a diverse list of singers that show up, including impersonations of Wilson Phillips, Mick Jagger, and the real Michael Bolton. There are also some surprise appearances from the likes of Adam Sandler’s underrated take on Axl Rose. The ridiculous lyrics only make this fake song even funnier, making for a fantastic mashup of 20th-century artists.

Inspired by a pivotal scene from the zombie show, Dave Chappelle brings back some fan-favorite characters from his own series. The performer turns the Negan bat moment into something that’s much funnier with a different cast. Chappelle plays Tyrone Biggums and others like Lil Jon, showing viewers what it might be like to see these guys in a zombie apocalypse. Every step of the way, the comedian reminds people why he’s a genius sketch player. As one head goes flying, this skit ends up giving the audience one more entertaining change-up. You’ll probably want to see a full parody episode after it’s all said and done.

Pete Davidson has said nothing short of a complicated personal and public life. He’s been very open about his struggles and relationships, with this music video providing him an additional outlet. It’s also a commendable parody of the song “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie.” Davidson takes the part in stride, making fun of his life in an unfiltered sketch. It’s both heartwarming and funny. Not only that, an impressive parody homage to the 2023 blockbuster. The comedian isn’t afraid to joke about his public image and mistakes. Through this song parody, the performer works out his inner demons with some killer production design.

Nobody ever said a parody of “Jaws” had to take place in the water. In the “Landshark” sketch, the aquatic predator tries to talk his way into women’s homes. His slick dialogue provides some of the funniest moments from the skit. The desperate efforts to get inside are funny on their own, with Gilda Radner’s character and others becoming gullible targets. Chevy Chase plays the shark as both understated and completely entertaining, with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi joining the scene with fun impressions of the “Jaws” cast. Much like the Steven Spielberg film, this sketch received sequels that carried on the enjoyable premise.

Bill Murray was a standout during the early years of “SNL,” with this character ranking high among his best roles. He loves to jump into random songs and do some goofy attempts at crowdwork. It permits the comedian a chance to sing and give a loving nod to “Star Wars.” His work as Nick gives the movie’s theme some memorable lyrics, taking John Williams’ music to a whole new level. Murray doesn’t mind belting out a few notes in a bold performance. Leaning into the role’s hokey presence, the performer relishes becoming a try-hard lounge act. You might even find yourself singing the same track after watching this sketch.

The Lonely Island was full of imaginative ideas, but few were as well-edited as this one. This sketch’s combination of editing, music, and surprises make it something of a groundbreaking piece. “Dear Sister” spoofs an episode of “The O.C.,” but it’s arguably become more famous than its inspiration. With some unexpected gunshots, the scene turns deadly as friends pull out weapons and fire at each other. By the time Kristen Wiig’s character shows up, the skit really goes off as the shots keep ringing out. It’s such an off-the-wall idea that begs to be watched over and over again.

Powered by the incredible Maya Rudolph, this “Hot Ones” parody really takes off. Rudolph initially plays Beyoncé as confident in the face of tremendous heat. The comedic actress disappears into the role, playing a sweaty and anxious remix of the vocalist. It’s an effective take on the wing-eating show while letting you know what happens when the milk doesn’t work. Fans of both the artist and the web series will find something to love here. Even as an exaggerated version of the singer, the former cast member helps create a hilarious disaster courtesy of hot food. The idea received a much-needed sequel with more gags and another fun performance from the lead actress.

Eddie Murphy was a definitive all-star on the “SNL” cast, playing all kinds of celebrities and original characters during his tenure. This includes his homage to the iconic host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Murphy’s presenter provides hilarious lessons to kids about all kinds of topics including nutrition and dealing with neighbors. With his spin on children’s programming, the comedian brings an unexpected edge to this new version of the series. The sketches rely on the performer’s great timing, facial expressions, and sudden shifts from calm to angry. It’s yet another example of why this comic is considered an exceptional talent.

With Bill Hader as the horror film star, this sketch brings together a lovable and strange mix of personalities. Hader’s Vincent Price tries to keep his cool as his celebrity guests show up and derail his program. The scene features some stellar impressions from the likes of Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig, and a fantastic performance from Jon Hamm. It feels like the perfect way to send up a particular era of Hollywood. With everyone bringing their a game, the special might as well be considered a holiday classic. Other incarnations of this skit welcome more talented guest stars, Liberace jokes, and incredible references to vintage celebrities.

This recurring sketch never fails to make us laugh and love the contestants. Will Ferrell’s version of Alex Trebek tries to wrangle an absurd lineup of absurd contestants. With every question and wrong answer, the game gets funnier as cast members impersonate a wide array of celebrities. The highlights include Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery impression and Norm MacDonald’s Burt Reynolds. As contestants come and go, “SNL” hosts and cast members show off their zaniest work ever. By the time you reach Final Jeopardy, you feel like you’ve been through a whirlwind of sharply written and silly comedy.