It's hard to believe that we have been blessed with half a century of Saturday Night Live, lovingly referred to as SNL. From its humble beginnings in 1975 to the household name it is today, we have watched as budding comedy stars launched their careers on late-night TV. Let's take a look back at the show's most iconic moments, from great sketches to hosts and other shenanigans!
1. NBC's Saturday Night Episode 1 (1975)
[Source: NBC/dailymail.co.uk]
It only makes sense to start at the beginning! Host George Carlin kicked us off with the first episode of NBC's Saturday Night, which aired on October 11, 1975. We were introduced to "The Not Ready for Prime Time Players", show regulars Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, George Coe, Garrett Morris, Lorraine Newman, Gilda Radner, and Michael O'Donoghue. (Bill Murray is recognized as a "Not Ready for Prime Time Player" but wasn't part of the cast until 1977.) Billy Preston and Janis Ian were also the esteemed musical guests. The cold open sketch, The Wolverines, featured Michael O'Donoghue and John Belushi before the iconic introduction by Chevy Chase. "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
2. Richar Pryor Hosts Saturday Night (1975)
[Source: NBC/salon.com]
SNL has a long history of criticizing politics and including biting social commentary. Only seven episodes into the series, Richard Pryor was the first person of color to host SNL at Lorne Michaels' insistence. Writer and comedian Paul Mooney wrote some of the routines, including the "Word Association Interview," one of the show's best (and most infamous) sketches. The episode also included the first appearance of John Belushi's recurring character, Samurai Futaba.
3. Joe Cocker and John Belushi Duet (1976)
[Source: NBC/ultimateclassicrock.com]
John Belushi was well-known for his John Cocker impression before the singer ever stepped on the SNL stage. (And Belushi was also famous for the impression before his SNL years!) He first sang "You Are So Beautiful", but his second song of the night was far more memorable. They had a duet performance while singing "Feelin' Alright", complete with matching outfits and hair. It was certainly an iconic moment in Saturday Night's history with musical guests!
4. The Coneheads' First Episode (1977)
[Source: NBC/insidehook.com]
Season 2 of NBC's Saturday Night introduced the world to the Coneheads, a family of bald extraterrestrials with conical noggins. They were first portrayed by Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman. The sketches revolved around an alien family trying to fit into suburban life, but their appearances, voices, and mannerisms were distinctly incorrect. The characters were an instant hit, resulting in an animated special and a live-action film.
5. The Birth of the Blues Brothers on SNL (1978)
[Source: NBC/thedailybeast.com]
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd had a mutual interest in music, which blossomed into the Blues Brothers. In a sketch they performed in 1976, Belushi and Aykroyd sang and played the harmonica together as part of an all-bee band. Aykroyd owned the Holland Tunnel Blues Bar, where he and the SNL cast members would unwind. Dan and John began forming their own Blues Brothers band outside of the confines of Saturday Night. It wasn't until 1987 that they would sing as the Blues Brothers Jake and Elwood on SNL.
6. David Bowie Performed Live on SNL (1979)
[Source: NBC/theguardian.com]
If you need to know anything about David Bowie, it's that he puts the "art" into music artist. You are presented with a combination of audio and visual spectacle that's hard to match! David Bowie performed three songs, all with vastly different stage costumes. During "The Man Who Sold the World", Bowie wore an oversized, Dada-inspired PVC tuxedo. "Boys Keep Swinging" featured a marionette costume, while "TVC15" had him in a dress with a pink toy poodle.
7. Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood Debuts (1980)
[Source: NBC/gamerant.com]
SNL started to die off in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but Eddie Murphy is often credited with revitalizing the show. One of his most popular recurring characters, Mr. Robinson, debuted in 1980. Mr. Robinson was a parody of Mr. Rogers from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, displaying similar mannerisms and cadence when speaking. However, he was an impoverished man living in an inner-city setting, where he gently taught viewers about racism and squatter's rights.
8. Fear Brings the Fear on Halloween (1981)
[Source: NBC/Loudwire.com]
John Belushi was a music man, and he convinced Lorne Michaels to allow Fear, a punk band, to appear on the show for its 1981 Halloween episode. Allegedly, Belushi wanted to keep it as authentically punk as possible, so they included a mosh pit around the stage with dozens of punk fans slam dancing. They scared the regular SNL audience members and damaged equipment, so they got banned from the show!
9. James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party (1983)
[Source: NBC/ultimateclassicrock.com]
Eddie did several impressions on the show, but one of his most iconic was singer James Brown. He rocked out in style in a glistening robe while absolutely nailing the singing style and mannerisms of James Brown as he got into a hot tub on stage. James was well-known for his "hah!" and "ah!" screams while he sang, which Eddie used to his comedic advantage, pretending that the water was too hot to get into. Even James Brown himself couldn't deny that the act was fabulous!
10. The Church Lady Debuts on SNL (1986)
[Source: NBC/gamerant.com]
The Church Lady was introduced on SNL's season premiere of season twelve. Dana Carvey played her in his first episode as a cast member, and the rest is history! Church Lady was a pious, condescending figure who ran a "church chat" talk show. Any guests on her talk show would usually be called to task for their alleged sins, as pointed out by the Church Lady. (With a healthy heaping of Satan-loving accusations.) Well, isn't that special?
11. The Emergence of Hans and Franz (1987)
[Source: NBC/ew.com]
Another season premiere, another new character unlocked! Season 13 of SNL saw the inception of Hans and Franz, a pair of bodybuilders with thick accents and an aggressive teaching style. Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon played the characters, wearing stuffed grey sweat suits and weight-lifting belts. (Not to mention the gapped teeth!) They took inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger, complete with posters and cutouts of the bodybuilder and actor. They nearly scored a movie deal with Hans and Franz at one point, but it ultimately fell through.
12. Wayne's World Makes Waves (1989)
[Source: NBC/primetimer.com]
The first Wayne's World sketch popped up in the middle of Saturday Night Live's season 14 in 1989. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey transformed into Wayne and Garth, a pair of metalheads with a public-access television show they broadcast from their basement. The characters became so popular that a Wayne's World movie premiered in 1992, with a sequel in 1993. Party on!
13. Sprockets and the Rise of Dieter (1989)
[Source: NBC/vulture.com]
Dieter is another incredibly popular Mike Myers character who came to SNL. He first appeared in the "Sprockets" segment of the seventeenth episode of season fourteen in 1989. The character was a caricature of German art culture of the 1980s. Like Hans and Franz and several other characters and sketches, Dieter had a canceled film adaptation. It led to several lawsuits against Mike Myers for lost money spent in pre-production.
14. Chippendales Audition Sketch (1990)
[Source: NBC/gamerant.com]
While the "Chippendales Audition" sketch is mired in controversy, it was the vehicle that drove Chris Farley to stardom in his SNL career. In the sketch, conventionally attractive Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley audition for roles as Chippendales dancers in front of a panel of judges. People have criticized the sketch for its blatant use of Chris Farley's weight as humor, but we have to hand it to Chris—when he commits to a bit, he goes all the way. It was the first sketch to feature Farley in a starring role, and he became a much more prominent cast member after the sketch aired.
15. Sinead O'Connor Rips Up the Pope (1992)
[Source: NBC/nytimes.com]
Art and activism have always gone hand-in-hand, and Sinead O'Connor's appearance on SNL in 1992 had an impressive impact that changed the trajectory of her career. In an acapella cover of Bob Marley's "War", she changed the line "fight racial injustice" to "fight sexual abuse", after which she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on live television. It was certainly an eye-opening moment ahead of its time, as she was mocked afterward and banned from future SNL appearances. However, hindsight is 20/20, and we're not laughing now.
16. Matt Foley Debuts on SNL (1993)
[Source: NBC/gamerant.com]
Before we kick off here, we need you to know that Matt Foley lives in a van down by the river! Chris Farley played the character when it debuted in 1993. He's a very overweight, clumsy, awkward motivational speaker who tries to let you know that you won't amount to anything and instead will be living in a van down by the river, eating a diet full of government cheese. He shouts his advice from the top of his lungs while gesturing wildly and adjusting his uncomfortable belt. You'd better stay on track if you don't want Mat Foley to move into your house to give you horrible advice!
17. Mary Katherine Gallagher Makes Her Mark (1995)
[Source: NBC/cnn.com]
Superstar! Mary Katherine Gallagher was Molly Shannon's breakout character in 1995. The awkward Catholic schoolgirl is a walking contradiction. She has stage fright but is highly competitive. She's hyperactive but also has moments of reflection. Mary Katherine Gallagher is also incredibly awkward, accidentally flashing people in her schoolgirl skirt and sniffing her hands after putting them in her armpits. The character was so well-received that there was a 1999 movie, Superstar.
18. The Spartan Cheerleaders (1995)
[Source: NBC/hollywoodreporter.com]
More spirit, whoo! Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri play overeager high school cheerleaders who didn't make the squad but show up at other events to cheer. While the first sketch features them at a football game, subsequent sketches have them appearing at increasingly unusual events, including ping-pong games, a chess tournament, and a swim meet. "K-I-N-G, you can't take my king from me!"
19. The Start of Celebrity Jeopardy Sketches (1996)
[Source: NBC/screenrant.com]
"Celebrity Jeopardy" sketches began airing in 1996, parodying the television specials by the same name. The segments were a hoot, with comedians making their best celebrity impressions while an exasperated Will Ferrell acted as the host. Regular "Celebrity Jeopardy" segments ended in 2002 with Will Ferrell's departure, but they brought it back in 2015 for the 40th Anniversary special.
20. Mango Makes His First Appearance (1997)
[Source: NBC/cnet.com]
Who is the biggest diva on SNL? We'd say that title belongs to Mango. Mango dressed in tight gold shorts with a cropped pink top and matching pink beret and had a knack for making people infatuated with him. Mango was performed by Chris Kattan, who partially based the character on an ex-girlfriend. The running joke was that no matter the person, they would fall for Mango, from gang leaders to country music stars. However, "you can't have the Mango."
21. The Beastie Boys and Elvis Costello Take the Stage (1999)
[Source: NBC/threads.com]
A 1999 SNL 25th anniversary episode had Elvis Costello crash the Beastie Boys' set to sing "Radio Radio" together, a song that took the cast and crew by surprise in 1977. Elvis Costello and The Attractions had abruptly switched songs mid-broadcast to "Radio Radio", a stunt that allegedly got them banned from the show. (The music itself was anti-corporate-controlled broadcasting.) While the Beastie Boys were on set and breaking into their second song, "Sabotage", Elvis Costello appeared and abruptly switched to "Radio Radio".
22. More Cowbell Skit (2000)
[Source: NBC/parade.com]
How many songs can you name that include the cowbell? We're so glad that someone at Saturday Night Live noticed because it makes for a great comedy sketch! Music studio mogul Christopher Walken, well-known for keeping a straight face in even the funniest circumstances, kept his cool while demanding more cowbell from Will Ferrell during a staged recording of Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper". They do several takes while demanding more and more cowbell as the band grows increasingly frustrated.
23. Jeffrey's With Sean Hayes (2001)
[Source: NBC/screenrant.com]
While several actors pride themselves on their ability not to break during their comedy routines, some, like Jimmy Fallon, are remembered for frequently breaking character. In a 2001 sketch parodying fashion store, Jeffrey's, Jimmy Fallon just can't keep it together! The absurdity only increases when Will Ferrell, their boss, rolls onto the scene in a mobility scooter and pulls out a miniature cell phone hardly bigger than your fingernail. Both Hayes and Fallon break down for the rest of the scene.
24. Debbie Downer Ruins a Disneyland Trip (2004)
[Source: NBC/screenrant.com]
For being a Debbie Downer, the character had a fantastic debut on SNL in 2004. Debbie, played by Rachel Dratch, was with a group of friends getting a bite to eat at their Disneyland reunion party. While everyone was excited and trying to talk about the fun activities they planned to do next, Debbie would reply with depressing factoids that utterly ruined the mood. While cast members like Jimmy Fallon struggled to keep their act together, Rachel could hardly keep a straight face while delivering her ridiculous lines!
25. Little Sister Gets More Cowbell (2005)
[Source: NBC/ultimateclassicrock.com]
When Queens of the Stone Age initially took the stage, no one expected the epic cameo that was to come. Partway through singing their song "Little Sister", Will Ferrell came onstage dressed as Gene Frenkel, the cowbell-playing musician from the Blue Oyster Cult. He was entirely in character, dancing wildly while loudly hitting his cowbell. While the band members managed not to crack, we see a slight smirk from the band member on the left, as seen here. It was definitely a performance to remember!
26. D*ck in a Box (2006)
[Source: NBC/IMDb]
What do you get when you add Justin Timberlake to the comedy music group Lonely Island? You get SNL's classic "D*ck in a Box" skit. A pair of 90s-era rappers think they're so clever when they wrap their family jewels for Christmas instead of spending money on gifts for Christmas. It's played entirely straight, which only adds to the hilarity. Allegedly, the word "d*ck" was censored 16 times so the clip could air. However, the producers also published an uncensored version online, which went viral. The sketch went down in history as one of SNL's best Christmas skits.
27. MacGruber on SNL (2007)
[Source: NBC/vanityfair.com]
"MacGruber" is another beloved series of comedy sketches that parody a TV series—in this case, MacGyver. The television character was famous for escaping tricky situations with household items, some of which could be unexpected. On the other hand, MacGruber was usually attempting to defuse a bomb and would ask for utterly ridiculous or disgusting items or get distracted by personal issues, resulting in them blowing up and ending the segment. The character was popular enough to spawn a movie in 2010.
28. Stefon's First Sketch (2008)
[Source: NBC/CBR.com]
While Stefon became Bill Hader's most-recognized SNL character and a beloved staple of the "Weekend Update" segment, Stefon first appeared in a movie-pitching sketch in 2008. He and Ben Affleck approached a couple of movie executives to pitch their new film. While Ben's character emphasizes traditional values and the classic nature of the movie they intended to produce, Stefon went off the rails about the characters' physiques. It wasn't until 2010 that he would truly get his time to shine, making him a staple of the 2010s.
29. The Lawrence Welk Show Parody (2008)
[Source: NBC/people.com]
Kirsten Wiig played several beloved characters, including the oddball sister Dooneese on The Lawrence Welk Show parody. The Lawrence Welk Show was a musical variety show from the 50s that would frequently feature groups of entertainers singing and playing instruments. SNL took the idea and ran with it, creating the Maharelle Sisters Act from the Finger Lakes. Three conventionally attractive women would introduce themselves, followed by Dooneese, played by Kirsten Wiig. While everyone else sang about how kittens and rainbows were their favorite, Dooneese would sing about how she liked to chase cars and other bizarre things while wielding her baby doll hands with comedic effect.
30. Garth and Kat on the Weekend Update (2009)
[Source: NBC/bleedingcool.com]
Garth and Kat are another set of beloved characters with multiple appearances on SNL. The pair of musical guests were always caught unprepared, resorting to improvising while on a live broadcast. Comedians Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig admitted that their segments were always unrehearsed, so the performance was genuine. They often appeared in holiday segments, singing songs about Christmas, Mother's Day, and Halloween.
31. Drunk Uncle Appears on SNL (2011)
[Source: NBC/fatherly.com]
Do you have a drunk uncle? Saturday Night Live first introduced Drunk Uncle to the weekend update in 2011, and he was a smash hit. While brilliantly funny, the character reminded us of those family members who ruin holiday get-togethers as they complain about the kids these days. Bobby Moynihan played the character from 2011 until 2017 when he left the show. However, he reprised his role in a special guest appearance in 2022.
32. Sam Smith Vaults to Stardom (2014)
[Source: NBC/consequence.net]
SNL has a history of working with budding artists, but most had at least one album under their belt before going on the show. However, singer Sam Smith debuted on SNL in 2014 before their debut album came out in the US. They sang "Lay Me Down," followed by "Stay With Me," which later hit #2 on Billboard's Top 200. Appearing on SNL really helped to launch Sam Smith's career, which made the moment extra special.
33. Close Encounter (2015)
[Source: NBC/vanityfair.com]
"Close Encounter" was a sketch that aired in 2015 and became a recurring segment on the show. In the very first appearance, Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and Ryan Gosling talked about their alien abduction experience with two experts. While Cecily and Ryan had very serene encounters, Kate's was in stark contrast. (And continued to be that way in other segments.) Her unpolished and matter-of-fact demeanor ultimately broke her fellow actors, which is why the bit is so fondly remembered.
34. Star Wars Undercover Boss: Starkiller Base with Adam Driver (2016)
[Source: NBC/usatoday.com]
"I'm about 90% sure Matt is Kylo Ren." In a parody of the popular show Undercover Boss, Saturday Night Live featured Kylo Ren pretending to be Matt, the radar technician. While it is almost instantly apparent to most of the characters frequently seen in the break room, one incredibly dense stormtrooper doesn't recognize his boss or see through his obsession with Kylo. Hilariously, Kylo thinks he had all of them tricked. Still, he gets the last laugh with a grisly rejection of one of his officers' attempts to get a promotion.
35. The Dawn of David S. Pumpkins (2016)
[Source: NBC/tabletmag.com]
We won't lie when we say that David S. Pumpkins holds a very special place in our hearts. (We happen to love Halloween, after all!) Tom Hanks appeared as David S. Pumpkins in a "Haunted Elevator sketch, and he stole the show! While not a regular cast member, he was hosting that episode. The character was unexpectedly a hit and returned for several other appearances through the years at SNL. Also, in the same episode, Tom Hanks was hilarious in the "Black Jeopardy" sketch. Any questions?
36. Papyrus Font Gets Called Out (2017)
[Source: NBC/eonline.com]
Few fonts are as hated as Papyrus, except maybe Comic Sans and Wingdings. Apparently, the use of the font in a multi-billion-budget movie upset one of the writers at SNL enough that they used it as a basis for an entire sketch titled "Papyrus." In the cinematic sketch, we see Ryan Gosling slowly breaking down as he's haunted by the fact that the Avatar movie used Papyrus font for its logo. In an interesting turn of events, when Avatar 2 debuted, they kept the Papyrus font but instead made it very bold. Naturally, we got Papyrus 2.
37. Diner Lobster Meets Broadway (2018)
[Source: NBC/hollywoodreporter.com]
How does one strike comedy gold? According to SNL, you explain why people shouldn't order lobster at a diner to the tune of "Who Am I?", "Castle on a Cloud", and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from Les Mis. While Pete Davidson, the patron who ordered lobster, started cracking as soon as the singing began, the musical numbers were played hilariously straight and kept getting more theatrical. Honestly, we might order a diner lobster to see if diners try to talk people out of it in such a hilarious fashion!
38. Mr . Robinson's Neighborhood Reprised (2019)
[Source: NBC/hollywoodreporter.com]
After a long break from the show, Eddie Murphy hosted an episode of SNL in 2019 and brought back some of his most popular characters. The best sketch was undoubtedly when he reprised his Mr. Robinson role to teach us about gentrification and 23 and Me DNA testing. SNL has returned to a few older sketches or created sketch sequels, but this was an incredibly iconic moment.
39. Billie Breaks in the Hotel Ad Sketch (2021)
[Source: Will Heath/NBC/NBC.com]
SNL is not new to having musical guests turn into hosts, and Billie Eilish hosted an episode in 2021 that had one of the best sketches of the year. (She also made history as the first person born in the 21st century to host an episode of Saturday Night Live!) Billie and Kate McKinnon starred in a "Hotel Ad" sketch that poked fun at every basic hotel you have ever been to. It didn't take long for the singer to start breaking at the hilarity on stage as they joked about locked yogurt coolers and blankets the color of band-aids. Her brother even had a short appearance as a sketchy bellhop.
40. Lisa from Temecula Rocks the House (2023)
[Source: NBC/vanityfair.com]
Ego Nwodim had us laughing out loud at her character, Lisa, in the "Lisa from Temecula" sketch. She was loud and outspoken, but the funniest part was the physical comedy as she sawed away at an extra extra well-done steak. The steak was so tough that the entire table shook wildly, which was instantly hilarious. As she offered to cut pieces of steak for her fellow dinner guests to try, they quickly broke down at the hilarity of the situation. The pitcher that managed to dance all over the table and not tip over was comedic icing on the cake!
41. Bridesmaid Speech (2024)
[Source: NBC/people.com]
Speeches from the best man, maid of honor, bridesmaids, and groomsmen are typical at weddings, but putting people on the spot can get very cringey. In this SNL skit, it initially looked like the bridesmaids were prepared as they had an entire song at the ready. Still, things quickly fell off the rails when it became apparent that the bridesmaids were telling a story about the bride's recent casual fling. The awkwardly off-key singing by the four bridesmaids, including Ariana Grande—a talented pop singer and actress, made this sketch even funnier.
So much has happened in the past 50 years of Saturday Night Live that it's hard to mention absolutely everything! What are some of your favorite SNL memories? Which comedians are your favorites? We hope there are more laughs to come! If you're itching to wear an SNL costume for Halloween, you can find plenty to choose from at HalloweenCostumes.com.
