Top 30 Chaotic SNL Sketches That Were NEVER Going to Go as Planned

When Heidi Gardner first turns around in this sketch, she sees Ryan Gosling in a blonde wig and fake nose. This starts a wonderfully bizarre scene that includes Beavis and Butt-Head lookalikes. Gardner’s reaction says it all as Gosling and Mikey Day trade places and draw more laughs. No dress rehearsal could prevent her from breaking at the sight of these chaotic looks. The host also loves to break in general, making this skit even more difficult to control. Both guys have to sit together by the end in another funny moment that the cast can’t take.

If it’s already hard to take a Bee Gees parody seriously, try doing it with falsetto voices. Jimmy Fallon plays Barry Gibb doing an incredible vocal impression that throws off Justin Timberlake. The latter singer plays the co-host, with a front-row seat to a hilarious setup. It’s so ridiculous that eventually Timberlake buckles after the absurd line-readings. The whole concept is already funny enough, but Fallon’s hyper performance really makes it even more unhinged. We’re kind of surprised that the other performers can keep a straight face at all. It’s no wonder they did this sketch so many times, setting up the pop star to laugh even more.

Whenever she appears on “Weekend Update” as Jeanine Pirro, Cecily Strong remembers to bring a drink. This particular sketch takes that concept to the extreme. She’s known to toss her drink directly at her co-star Colin Jost. In this version of the segment, Strong does that and more as a giant vat of wine appears. Jost breaks throughout as he becomes the target of several glasses full of alcohol. At a certain point, you might think that this entire skit is an excuse to prank him. It’s definitely chaotic, but it’s also extremely fun to watch the “Update” host break so much.

Reprising his role as Regine, Fred Armisen goes for broke in this physical sketch. He plays the girlfriend of Jason Sudeikis’ character and doesn’t have a problem entering other people’s personal space. This prompts laughter from various cast members as they try to hold on for dear life. Armisen ends up in the arms of his fellow co-stars, with even the most disciplined performers unable to make it through the scene without breaking. The whole thing comes crashing down after the lead actor’s foot hits the guacamole. Aidy Bryant and Vanessa Bayer are both forgiven for losing it, having to endure the “Portlandia” star’s crazy movements.

Despite their track record, Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz aren’t the only reason this sketch goes haywire. These two keep the energy loose in the beginning, but things get even crazier when Will Ferrell makes a grand entrance. The latter comedian shows up in his scooter with a small phone. His outfit, props, and overall vibe send Fallon and host Sean Hayes into a giggling fit. Ferrell doesn’t stop laughing either as he goes deep into his oddball character. It’s unclear if they could’ve ever done this scene without crumbling, with so many comedic variables operating at once.

You can’t completely control an animal in any situation. With that in mind, this idea makes for both chaos and unexpected moments in a sketch. The government’s newest weapon is a golden retriever, but in this scene, it’s also a natural comedy generator. A dog with human hands is both entertaining and a ticking time bomb. Giving the canine a sandwich, the scene becomes even more volatile as the co-star chows down. Cecily Strong tries to keep her cool in the face of uncertainty, but Mikey Day stands in the danger zone. Most of the performers look a little worried and that probably gives them another excuse to break character. Their hairy co-star doesn’t always cooperate, causing a frenzy in the final minutes.

Some “SNL” skits are crazy from the start, using their weird energy to propel them forward. “Doctors” is one such example with a strange tale of a surgery gone wrong. Ryan Gosling enters with long bangs and everything is immediately tense. Things only go downhill from there as each new element is harder to take seriously. By the time Gosling and Bowen Yang’s characters are selling cookies, this sketch is completely off the rails. There’s even a mishap where Molly Kearney clips Yang with a wheelchair. With plenty of mistakes, this entire scene was destined to crash in the funniest way possible.

Kate McKinnon almost unravels during the course of this sketch. She plays a doctor who’s supposed to be talking about Trump, but things quickly take a turn. Her accent alone is enough to break anyone. McKinnon’s interplay with Colin Jost only makes things harder, with the two on edge for most of this skit. Eventually, the lead comedian tries to take Jost’s blood pressure. The “Weekend Update” host stops the actress just short of her completely losing it. Her laughter brings this exchange to a chaotic climax, creating a hilarious break of the fourth wall.

It’s always entertaining when dogs show up on “SNL.” For this sketch, Cecily Strong’s judge tries to restore order when the animals do their own thing. The comedian also struggles through the script as the canines act up. Strong laughs as an erratic co-star doesn’t follow its cues. Nobody gets hurt, but you can’t help but wonder if any of the pets actually got loose. There’s nothing much the performers can do aside from racing through their lines. The controlled disaster gives the show even more entertainment value, providing a few hilarious and off-script moments.

We all wish that Kate McKinnon could be our fortune teller. In this scene, Adele’s customer and her friends receive information about their futures. McKinnon’s character then focuses on the singer. The comedian and the vocalist lock eyes, but it’s the latter that ends up breaking. It’s a subtle moment that truly tests Adele’s ability to keep a straight face. Clearly having a blast, the musician can’t hold back her chuckles as an “SNL” plays opposite her. Giving the performer a chance to go all out, this sketch includes an unexpected comedy factor that McKinnon brings to every scene. It was also bound to be another skit, with “Africa Tourism” showing that the “Rolling in the Deep” performer is prone to laughter.

Pedro Pascal sits down for dinner with an unexpectedly hilarious guest in this sketch. Ego Nwodim’s Lisa has opinions about almost everything, especially her well-done steak. She attempts to cut it and subsequently shakes the table. Pascal can’t help but laugh as the dining experience heads into extreme territory. Bowen Yang also breaks as Nwodim’s character reveals her absurd beliefs, finally succumbing to the ridiculous premise and set design. Just when you think that "SNL" doesn't make many mishaps anymore, this fantastic sketch comes along to remind everyone of the wonders of a beautiful accident.

Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch are the most lovably bizarre couple in this recurring sketch. Jimmy Fallon plays the single guy Dave, a fellow hotel guest that just wants to enjoy the hot tub. Fallon instead finds himself at odds with the two swingers. His reputation for breaking character continues in this sketch, which sees even Ferrell falling apart along with him. Drew Barrymore also steps in as a friend of the couple and barely escapes the scene without hiding a smile herself. With accents galore, this strange session only gets better with a few unplanned laughs.

Even back in the early days of “Saturday Night Live,” performers still ended up breaking on live TV. This famous sketch with Gilda Radner and Candice Bergen is one such example. Radner plays a somewhat inept person that can’t seem to get ahead. Bergen’s character functions as the brainy voice of reason, but she makes a mistake that says otherwise. The sketch completely fumbles with the guest host’s gaffe and she responds by laughing. Radner carries on without any sign of stopping, while her scene partner can barely hold it together through the extended speech.

Billy Crystal always has fun with his guests in the recurring Fernando sketch. During this journey to his hideaway, wrestler Hulk Hogan and actor Mr. T stop by to flaunt their muscles and attitude. The latter pumps iron throughout and even gets a chance at a one-liner. Crystal’s constant barrage of jokes finally breaks through the guests’ tough exteriors. The duo chuckles as Fernando’s wild personality proves to be too chaotic for them. Recovering with some spectacular comebacks, the comedian goes toe to toe with giants and completely transforms them with a few well-timed lines.

The famous Vogelcheck family has their son and his boyfriend over, introducing the latter to their overly affectionate behavior. Each and every member seems to kiss each other with reckless abandon. By the time Fred Armisen’s father gives a speech, he accidentally hits Bill Hader and sends the sketch into a spiral of laughter. The star-studded ensemble then tries to save Kate McKinnon with a daisy chain of life-saving kisses. Every passing maneuver is funnier than the next, making for a finale that nearly destroys the cast with the gleeful insanity of it all. Armisen and Hader in particular are never the same after the halfway point.

This party sketch receives an unlikely guest in the form of the injured Harry. All of the guests are reasonably alarmed by his massive head wound that causes many of them to run in fear. Dana Carvey lays down on the white couch, but a dog comes by to chew on him. Carvey holds on tight as the canine almost takes off his hairpiece. The actor tries to keep a straight face, while the audience loses it with laughter. It just goes to show that real animals with empty stomachs are always hard to control on live television.

On a tour of a vineyard, visitors receive a look at the bottling process in extreme detail. Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz are two workers speaking about the process of soaking corks, which sounds much different with their pronunciation. As a result, host Janet Jackson messes up her dialog as she tries to work through the absurd premise. Fallon and Sanz use their comedic accents to dish out more than a few double entendres, which only get raunchier as they keep flying by. Jackson seems to be having lots of fun reading the cue cards and enunciating the phrase in question.

Often considered one of the best “SNL” sketches ever, “More Cowbell” has a following all its own. Will Ferrell plays cowbell player for Blue Öyster Cult as they record “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” His enjoyable movements only intensify after some notes from the producer, played by Christopher Walken. The focus on all things cowbell, Ferrell’s moves, and Walken’s delivery only make things harder to stay focused. Jimmy Fallon and others try to maintain their composure and poorly hide their laughter through it all. We can’t blame them either, considering the comical intensity of the key performances.

Kate McKinnon plays her most outrageous character in the sketch "Close Encounter." She's one of three people who had contact with aliens, but the only one that had a much different experience. McKinnon's every phrase is absolutely hilarious with every subsequent detail of the extraterrestrials. Guest host Ryan Gosling quickly breaks down, sparking contagious fits of laughter from the other cast members. We couldn’t do much better considering the hysterically funny dialog. With the ill-fated journey well on its way, the ensemble barely recovers to say their lines and finish the scene. It also speaks to the sketch's staying power that the actress reprised the role.

Debbie Downer is a showcase for Rachel Dratch’s buzzkill character to ruin everyone’s day. For this sketch at Disney, the entire family has breakfast in an increasingly broken sketch. Nobody is safe as the various cast members break down one by one. Dratch struggles to land her punchlines while her co-stars hold back their giggling, eventually overcome by laughter herself. The chaos only makes the scene more enjoyable as the meal becomes bombarded by endless chuckling. By the time the lead actress has to say her big line, it’s much funnier knowing that she can’t even do it without cracking up.

Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon sometimes break during their shared “SNL” sketches. Selling cuts of meat from “bad animals,” the performers look like they’re ready to lose it in this “Weekend Update” feature. Colin Jost plays along as the duo continues to push through their sketch. Avoiding eye contact with each other, both actresses barely make it through the crazy script without breaking character. Their prop basket of raw meat also throws them for a loop as its pungent scent floods the set. Building off of the chaotic premise, the comedians have a field day with the writing and stumble through their remaining dialogue.

This sketch is what happens when live animals feature heavily on the show. With this idea about a cat adoption center, “Whiskers R We” forces Kate McKinnon and guest host Tiffany Haddish to handle multiple felines at once. The animals soon rebel as the cast attempts to keep the sketch on track. Playing referee to a basket of feisty cats, the actresses introduce more and more pets that don’t want to be there. McKinnon has her work cut out for her as she holds a hairless cat that’s ready to fight. Despite the distractions, the two performers complete the piece without any injuries or major catastrophes.

Among the more famous recurring sketches of its era, “The Californians” has taken on a life of its own with its parody of soap operas and the SoCal lifestyle. The direction-obsessed characters discover dramatic revelations about each other that prompt ridiculous reactions. Fred Armisen’s wild delivery throws off Bill Hader almost instantly, with the latter unable to contain himself as Armisen and Kristen Wiig play their parts with complete gusto. By the time the “Portlandia” lead makes a toast, his onscreen friend almost breaks once more. You can only imagine getting through a scene like this with some of the most brilliant comedic minds at the top of their game.

Will Ferrell leads this sketch as a doctor with questionable methods and a habit of taking long phone calls. As absurd as they come, this scene features several characters that seem eager to sabotage it at any point. The appearance of Tim Meadows only makes things crazier as he dances. While the couple awaits their child’s test results, the doctor frequently says dialogue that's hilariously misplaced. Even Ferrell ends up laughing along with scene partner Molly Shannon in this meandering sketch. You can tell the writers hit a dead end with the final product, but the performers manage to carry it to the finish line with a knowing wink.

Quarterback and guest host Peyton Manning joins a losing basketball team for this sketch. Hoping to rally his team in the locker room, coach Will Forte dances to a supposedly inspiring track. Various cast members try to keep a straight face and hold towels over their mouths to stop themselves from laughing. After some stellar moves, Manning joins Forte to dance along with him. The ironic track and Forte's flourishes are so ridiculous that everyone is seconds away from chuckling. Through it all, you can tell that the lead performer really goes for it in a sketch that almost destroys the cast.

In this sketch, Bill Hader plays an elderly man named Horace that joins his partner for a game night. The awkward gathering seems to be going well until Cecily Strong has to sit on Horace's lap. Considering the wacky script and direction, it's only a matter of time before somebody loses control. Hader later backs up and is unable to see as he begins pushing the table behind him. Taking half of the set with him, the performer stifles a laugh as he tries to deliver his lines. Melissa Villaseñor in particular hides her face as she giggles through the mistake. Thankfully for everyone, nobody was injured and the set didn't completely collapse.

This sketch might've been an excuse for two friends to try out their best comedic accents. As two talkative doormen, Bill Hader and Fred Armisen greet the people who exit their building with tales about Christmas. They also try to maintain their composure through the lengthy stories. As performers like Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan stop by, the main duo crack each other up with their zany personalities. Both actors crumble as they can't seem to get through their dialogue without laughing. Even Jamie Foxx spots them and tries to hold himself together. In a failed attempt to salvage the sketch, the main players make it all the more hilarious with their fumbled efforts.

With two of the funniest performers in "SNL" history leading the way, this sketch is one of the best moments of both Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph's time on the show. Their two models reveal a list of game show prizes in a string of visual gags. Doing poses and using accents, the comedians can't help but giggle during their presentation. Bill Hader also tries to mask his laughter as the piece goes off the rails. Showing off golf packages and chickens, there's no way any of the comedians could stay professional through this wacky scene. Along with fantastically funny stars at the helm, this sketch is so silly that it was bound to break down.

There are few "SNL" characters as iconic as Chris Farley's Matt Foley. In one of the show's finest moments, Farley wreaks havoc in a family’s basement. The entire scene works as a performance showcase that is so gloriously unhinged that nobody is completely ready for it. Getting up-close-and-personal with co-stars David Spade and Christina Applegate, the loud motivational speaker is so crazy that it's impossible for them to keep a straight face. The comedian even caps off the sketch by falling into a coffee table, showing the lengths he'll go for a laugh. With the feeling that the entire cast could have broken down at any minute, there's an added layer of comedic tension in this classic sketch.

Stefon is one of the most popular recurring characters in “Weekend Update” history with every sketch revolving around a ridiculous list of New York clubs. Each explanation involves increasingly bizarre venues that Bill Hader already has a tough time delivering, but co-writer John Mulaney makes it harder by changing the script at the last minute. This ensures that Hader trips up during the live show because he has to read several lines for the first time. With that knowledge in mind, it's amazing that the performer can get through any of his performances. It's also easy to see why he chooses to keep covering his face throughout his appearances.

Did we forget another chaotic “SNL” sketch? Let us know in the comments below.