Live From New York…It’s 50 Years of Saturday Night Live
As its fiftieth anniversary approaches, Saturday Night Live (SNL) is gearing up for its special, which will air on February 16th. The show's tenure and star-studded cast have made it integral to our modern love of comedy, and specific skits have solidified themselves as iconic.
SNL has some truly memorable skits with a few having achieved universal praise—one of the most iconic being More Cowbell, starring Will Ferrell and guest host Christopher Walken. The skit follows a band recording a song, with Walken’s character insisting that Ferrell’s character add more cowbell. Decades later, the phrase “more cowbell” remains a pop culture staple, frequently quoted and even earning a place in Cambridge Dictionary.
Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, from the skit “Wayne’s World,” are some of SNL’s most iconic characters. Their skit revolves around two teenage friends who host a show in their basement. From ranking their favorite movies to hosting an array of legendary guests—including Aerosmith, Michael Jordan, and Madonna—the 20 skits featuring Wayne and Garth are unforgettable. Their impact was so great that they even inspired two feature films dedicated entirely to their adventures.
More recently, Marcello Hernadez’s portrayal of Domingo took the world by storm. The skit, starring Ariana Grande as a bridesmaid, follows four women singing at their best friend's wedding, recounting the bachelorette party to the tune of “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. Ultimately, they reveal their friend cheated on her fiance with Domingo, who pops up and sings the iconic last line that went completely viral. This skit is arguably the most popular SNL skit to come out of recent years.
With 980 episodes aired since its premiere, choosing a favorite SNL skit is no easy task. However, NBCUniversal Academic Year Interns and New York University students—who work closely with SNL—shared their top picks. The wide range of responses reflects the immense love for this classic show, though a few standout skits earned multiple mentions.
Diner Lobster is a skit featuring Kenan Thompson as the lobster Pete Davidson orders at a restaurant. Thompson breaks out into song, with all the diner staff joining as they pay homage to the music of Les Miserables and Davidson breaks character, which is a rarity. Another frequently mentioned character was Debbie Downer, brilliantly portrayed by Rachel Dratch. Known for her uncanny ability to sour any occasion with unexpected, bleak remarks—often about feline AIDS—Debbie became an instant fan favorite. Some of her most iconic moments unfold in skits set at Disney World, a Thanksgiving dinner, a lingerie party, and even a wedding. Her impact was so profound that in 2005, “Debbie Downer” was officially added to the dictionary, cementing her legacy as the ultimate buzzkill.
The list of legendary SNL skits and characters is endless, making it impossible to cover them all. However, one thing is certain—SNL has been a staple of American comedy for generations. With any luck, the show will continue for another 50 seasons, delivering laughter to audiences every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EST.