On October 11, 1975, the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) began its run. This show allowed new comedians to get their start, like Gildna Radner, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrel, Rachel Dratch, Kenan Tompson and Kristen Wiig.
On February 16, 2025, SNL celebrated its 50 year anniversary. As Bill Murray said on Weekend Update (a segment on the show) lots of people are creating lists for SNL50. He even included his own list. So, I thought a student journalist at an art school should put her list into the bunch. This is peak creativity right here.
For each season I watched three skits from that season to decide which were the best.
Now, here is my opinion on the 10 best SNL seasons from the past 50 years.
Season 2
Consumer Probe – I have seen this skit before watching all of these skits. I found it funnier the first time, but I still laughed this time, and if anyone wants to give me a bag of glass, I’ll take it.
Weekend Update: Jane Curtis Flashes – I found this more empowering than funny because she was standing up to Chevy Chase and all the men on the show since SNL and comedy in general is so male-heavy. The problem persists today, but has gotten better.
Extremely Stupid – Out of all the season two skits I watched, this was my favorite skit. It was so dumb but those ended up being the best skits. Also, I laughed so hard when they started breaking.
All in all, it’s not my favorite season but it was quite funny.
Season 15
Wayne’s World – This is a classic, the skits and movies are hilarious and one of the best SNL skits.
Church Chat – These skits have not been my favorite and do bring up some anxiety but I get the appeal and why they are so funny.
The Hero – This skit involves a man who just woke up from surgery with just his face, nothing else, but the doctor continues to talk about how losing your legs are the worst. It’s so funny how the doctor keeps coming back to this after saying each body part the man lost.
This season is really funny and started the hilarious Wayne’s World franchise.
Season 18
Matt Foley: Van Down by the River – This is skit is definitely in my top three skits, , maybe even number one. Chris Farley is one of the funniest men to ever live and the silliest of the characters in general is great. On top of that, David Spade and Christina Applegate breaking up makes the skit even better. I could easily watch this skit over and over again and laugh every time. (I have.)
Superman’s Funeral – Seeing the cast’s impressions of all these different superheros is of course really funny and Batman’s speech was also very lovely.
After the Halloween Party – Having both people be clueless is really funny and only identify as their halloween costumes just tops it off.
Though all of these skits are hilarious and some of my favorites, Matt Foley is my favorite character SNL has ever made so I am very biased towards this season.
Season 19
The Denis Show: Five Weeks Later – This is the most dramatic skit ever and it’s perfect. I’ve never dated anyone, and this is what I imagine it’s like if you were still in love with someone after breaking up. I watched most of these skits in my media class, and it was so difficult not to laugh out loud.
Lunch Lady – If you haven’t watched an Adam Sandler song, what are you doing? Go watch one now. Sandler’s songs are already hilarious and have a lot of heart to them, but Chris Farley’s interpretive dance was the best dance I’ve ever seen. (Sorry but not sorry to all the dance majors.)
Gaps Girls at the Food Court – This skit is so funny. Chris Farley, David Spade, and Adam Sandler as girls is just hilarious. Seeing Spade and Sandler trying not to break while Farley says a joke is amazing, and comparing their character interpretations to the originals is great.
I feel like I am repeating what I’m saying, but I really don’t know what else to say because these skits are truly hilarious and this cast is one of the best.
Season 25
How’s My Driving – This reminds me of a newer skit called, Cancelling Cable. Its really funny how when they are on one side of the phone line you only get one side of the conversation instead of showing both.
More Cowbell – When talking about the best of SNL, you have to bring up More Cowbell. The brilliant skit is the best there is. My only thing is that I have a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.
Dr. Beamans’s Office – Will Ferrel has played a doctor multiple times on the show, and I think this is my favorite one. Legend says there are still patients waiting for their test results.
I always forgot how funny each one of these skits are and I should be watching more of season 25.
Season 29
Debbie Downer at Disney World – This skit should be on everyone’s top ten skits. Rachel Dratch is perfect for this role, and everyone should watch this skit at least once in their life.
Cooking Class – Having all of these crazy characters together in one room is quite funny and does make fun of restaurants for having hair or band-aids in their customers’ food.
Z105: The Morning Madhouse – Alright settle down, this skit is really silly but the voices are really funny and Jimmy Fallen being all of his own workers just makes it better.
I didn’t think all of the rest of the skits were as funny as Debbied Downer but they proved me wrong and I should be watching more skits from that era.
Season 34
Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Address the Nation – Tina Fey and Amy Pohler are the ultimate duo. Whenever they are asked to do something together, it always kills.
Celebrity Jeopardy! Kathie Lee, Tom Hanks, Sean Connery, Burt Reynolds – One of the best impressions ever and Will Ferrel always knocks that socks off everyone’s feet and his reactions to the celebrities’ unhinged answers sounds like something Alex Terbek would say.
I am Your Mother – Every skit that Fred Armisen is in is absolutely hilarious, and this skit is no exception. This skit shows Fred Arminen’s character going over the top for an acting role.
I had already watched all of these skits before writing this article and they still made me laugh when I rewatched them for the tenth time.
Season 37
What’s Up With That – Breaking into song in the middle while someone is talking may be annoying but is normal for Broadway and really funny for the audience.
The Californians: Stuart Has Cancer – If you have gone to California then you will know that this skit is completely accurate. Besides that, the dress rehearsal is even better and worth checking out. The whole series is hilarious and if this gets turned into a reality show I would watch it.
Weekend Update: Stefon on Spring Break’s Hottest Tips – I thought about which Stefon I would put, and I ended up with this one. It’s hilariou, Bill Hader is one of the best comedians there is, and one day I hope to acquire his level of comedy.
Similar to season 19, you can clearly tell who my favorite cast members are and my favorite types of skits–very stupid and silly.
Season 42
Star Wars Auditions – Having the actual actors in there is great and the auditions are always a really funny way to show the cast’s impression.
Sean Spicer Press Conference – Melissa McCarthy’s Sean Spicer impression is absolutely hysterical.
Amazon Echo – I have watched this skit about 89,675 times, and it’s great, I will be getting this for my grandmother.
Not the best season but quite funny nonetheless.
Season 43
Diner Lobster – The message is to John Mulany. Hello, I love these skits so much and how you turn some of the best musicals into silly songs about a lobster in a diner or sushi at Laguardia Airport. It’s perfect and I love it.
Papyrus – As a student taking a Graphic Design class, I love how SNL made a skit about typography and how complex a font can be. The skits are great, and Ryan Gosling was the perfect person for this role.
Another Close Encounter – I think these skits were meant to be dumb, and they are. They are hilarious and so is Kate Mckinnon.
Though some of the newer seasons don’t hold up as much as the older ones, there are still some jems, just not as often, but this season is pretty funny.
Do not take any of this personally: it’s just a nerd’s opinion and I hope you found some good skits to laugh to.
