The 13 Greatest SNL Sketches in 50 Years of Saturday Night Live

      Here are the 13 greatest SNL sketches from the 50-year history of Saturday Night Live.

      What are your picks for the top SNL sketches? Share your thoughts in the comments.

      The Olympia Restaurant (1978)

      John Belushi in the Olympia restaurant sketch. NBC

      Early SNL sketches often felt spontaneous and could be uneven as the cast tried to sync up. Not this one: It portrays a typical morning in a Greek diner that refuses to change, featuring a straightforward, relatable premise and a charming slice-of-life vibe. The pacing is as satisfying as a morning routine.

      SNL is often recognized for its larger-than-life characters, but most of the performers in this sketch play it straight, enhancing its appeal. Gilda Radner shines as the customer who understands the diner, while Bill Murray delivers the funniest moment with his frantic nodding, using just a single word.

      The sketch becomes more meaningful knowing that star John Belushi’s immigrant father ran a struggling restaurant during Belushi's childhood in Wheaton, Illinois.

      Key line: “Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger, four Pepsi, two chip.”

      Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute (1979)

      NBC

      The legendary Margot Kidder, portraying a bank vice president on a business trip, is visited by Fred Garvin, a sex worker who embodies a wholesome Midwestern charm.

      Dan Aykroyd brings a dad-like warmth to the role of a kind-hearted gigolo, while Kidder plays the perfect straight-woman. The absurdity of the setup is balanced by their endearing vulnerability. Much like many Aykroyd characters, Fred Garvin laid the groundwork for future straight-played ridiculous roles.

      Though this sketch may not frequently appear on best-of lists, it deserves recognition. It’s also referenced in the fantastic new film Saturday Night, where Aykroyd is impressively portrayed by Dylan O’Brien.

      Key line: “Ma’am, you’re dealing here with a fully qualified male strumpet.”

      Buckwheat Dead and America Mourns (1983)

      NBC

      An edgy, satirical take on the frenzied news coverage following President Reagan’s attempted assassination in 1981.

      This sketch stands out as a highlight from the years following the exit of the original Not Ready for Primetime Players. Eddie Murphy is phenomenal, playing both Buckwheat and his assassin, John David Stutts.

      It also foreshadows years of constant news coverage characterized by the same lack of self-awareness as Joe Piscopo’s portrayal of Ted Koppel.

      Key line: “It’s good to see you all. Hi! I killed Buckwheat.”

      First CityWide Change Bank

      NBC

      With perhaps the simplest concept of any SNL sketch, this piece by legendary writer Jim Downey (who also stars as an eager service representative) expertly mocks seemingly genuine corporate advertising campaigns.

      The execution of this basic idea is spot-on.

      Key line: “We will give you the change, equal to the amount of money that you want change for.”

      Chippendales Audition (1990)

      NBC

      In this sketch, while everyone else plays it straight, Chris Farley goes all out as Barney, a determined young man aspiring to be a Chippendales dancer.

      Some, including the clever former SNL writer Bob Odenkirk, consider the sketch unkind to Farley. Yet, if you listen to his friends speak on Dana Carvey and David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast, you’ll learn that Farley was fully supportive of the sketch's premise – nobody has ever committed to a sketch more than he did.

      The sketch succeeds not because of the jokes aimed at Farley’s weight, but due to the sweet and sincere performances from everyone involved.

      Key line: “I wish I could just flip a coin and be done with it, but we can’t. We’re Chippendales.”

      Matt Foley: Van Down by the River (1993)

      NBC

      Everyone else—including Julia Sweeney, Phil Hartman, David Spade, and Christina Applegate—struggles to keep it together as Chris Farley shines as Matt Foley, totally commanding the scene.

      The original Matt Foley sketch originated from Farley’s collaboration with writer-performer Bob Odenkirk at Chicago’s Second City. By the time it reached SNL, it had reached its full, chaotic brilliance. It’s also a sketch with heart, making us empathize with all the characters involved.

      Key line: “He’s been down in the basement drinking coffee for about the last four hours so he should be ready to go.”

      Dillon-Edwards Investments (1999)

      NBC

      Another sketch that might not appear on many best SNL sketch lists, but it perfectly mixes absurdity with cleverness. Chris Parnell plays it straight as a father worried about his financial future.

      Its timing is impeccable, clocking in at under 90 seconds,