It can be hard to come up with the funniest SNL episodes because of the fact that Saturday Night Live has a lot of comedy in it, and it has been decades long. The show has delivered never-ending characters, hilarious sketches, memorable hosts and an abundance of culture.
But not all episodes are as hilarious. Some skits are legendary, and some are consistently funny, from start to finish. So, some of the funniest SNL episodes are going to be based on your favorite comedians, eras, characters and comedy styles.
Will Ferrell’s characters are some of the things that some people enjoy watching. Others go for Eddie Murphy’s old-school routines or for Kristen Wiig’s indelible characters. In the interim, a lot of fans still come back to Celebrity Jeopardy, More Cowbell, and Matt Foley.
This guide delves into some of the most hilarious SNL episodes that you need to pay attention to. It also clarifies the reason why each episode is memorable, and what makes each episode’s comedy so good.
Table of Contents
Which SNL Episodes are the funniest?
Saturday Night Live follows a unique comedy formula. Every episode features a monologue, sketches, Weekend Update, music and characters.
The show is performed live so there’s always something that may appear unexpectedly, making the episodes even funnier. Sometimes actors lose their place in a scene, laugh at sketches in the scene, or naturally respond to ludicrous occurrences.
That live energy is something SNL can tap into that many other sitcoms can’t. A well-practiced joke can be effective, but a reaction that is unexpected can be memorable.
The show’s history also helps to explain its enduring impact. SNL developed characters and catchphrases that have become engrained in the fabric of popular culture. Rolling Stone recently featured characters of the show’s 50-year history.
So, for example, people who are looking for the funniest SNL episodes usually will recall some moments from an episode, not the episode itself.
Helpful listing of the funniest episodes of SNL
Let’s start with a quick overview before going into the details for each episode.
| No. | Host / Cast Member | Era / Year | Notable Sketch / Contribution |
| 1 | Nelson De Caires | Season 2, Episode 23 | Memorable comedy: “The Shark” |
| 2 | Allison Janney | 2001 | Miss Hatcher |
| 3 | Shrek 2 | 1999 | Various recurring characters |
| 4 | Alec Baldwin | 1990s–2000s | Celebrity Jeopardy |
| 5 | Will Ferrell | 2000s | Multiple classic sketches |
| 6 | Eddie Murphy | 1980s | Classic recurring characters |
| 7 | Tom Wilkinson | 2010s | Brilliant character comedy |
| 8 | Justin Timberlake | Multiple appearances | Notable sketches |
| 9 | Betty White | 2010 | Comedy inspired by Facebook |
| 10 | John Mulaney | Multiple appearances | Character and musical comedy |
| 11 | Melissa McCarthy | 2010s | Physical comedy |
| 12 | Kristen Wiig | 2000s–2010s | Character-driven sketches |
| 13 | Steve Martin | Multiple eras | Classic absurd comedy |
| 14 | Bill Hader | 2010s | Stefon and character work |
| 15 | Alison Gainer | Multiple appearances | Deceptive and political satire |
| 16 | Adam Sandler | 1990s and later | Musical comedy and nostalgia |
Thought this one is just as subjective as the ranking of what’s funny is subjective. But these shows and acts are some of the most memorable comic assets that SNL had.
Christopher Walken and the Famous More Cowbell Episode
The 2000 episode featuring Christopher Walken is a must-watch for anyone interested in the funniest SNL episodes.
A more famous part of the episode was the More Cowbell sketch. The image is a sketch of a recording session for the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult.
Will Ferrell stars as cowbell enthusiast Gene Frenkle. Christopher Walken is wonderfully weird in the role of producer Bruce Dickinson.
The more ridiculous the joke the more the cowbell is played by Ferrell, which makes it even crazier. As the other characters desperately attempt to keep calm and cool professionally.
The scene is even more enjoyable due to Walken’s cool delivery. He takes the weasel-faced, laughable cowbell fetishism very seriously.
This sketch eventually turned into one of the most iconic comedic moments of SNL. The Rolling Stone has singled out SNL’s famous catchphrases and said, in particular: “More cowbell!”
Why This Episode Still Works
The sketch is successful because all participants are whole-hearted. No one thinks the situation is funny.
That contrast is the source of the humour. Ferrell is quite frenetic and Walken remains all too quiet in the background.
This makes the sketch amusing even when it is viewed many times.
Scripted March in the snow
Alec Baldwin was playing in a time of great SNL regulars. Celebrity Jeopardy was one such fun tradition. The sketch changed the format of the regular quiz show into a matchup of hilariously stupid celebrities. Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell) got frustrated of contestants. But as people began to pretend to be famous, more and more ludicrous answers were given.
The sketch was successful as each character possessed a very different personality. But it’s not just that the contestants were stupid; they were positively stupid. All the wrong answers were even funnier with that distinction.
Another of SNL’s great assets is the fact that Celebrity Jeopardy is also made from one of SNL’s favorite talents. The program can basically be a standard TV program, but completely changed with extreme personalities.
Will Ferrell’s Best SNL Episodes
Will Ferrell is a must-have for any list of the funniest SNL episodes. Ferrell made himself one of the most recognizable actors in the show as he was all-in for the weirdos. He played exaggerated teachers, crazy businessmen, over-confident celebrities and moody characters.
The iconic Matt Foley character is a particular highlight. Foley is living in a van and he’s always warning the public to make bad choices in life. Chris Farley’s physique made the character even more memorable. But that’s not the last that Ferrell did to leave behind a handful of memorable sketches on SNL.
Escalation is a key element to Ferrell’s comedy. A character starts with a normal issue, after which he/she gets more and more silly reacting to it.
The situation eventually becomes totally ridiculous
The main reason is that Will Ferrell still makes good sense. Ferrell knows how to make physical comedy look natural. All his facial expressions, gestures and tones of voice are his characters.
Besides, he seldom gets embarrassed by the joke. Rather, he makes the audience think his character is “all business. As a result his sketches continue to draw the interest of viewers therefor.
What were the highlights of Eddie Murphy’s Classic SNL Era?
During the 1980s, Eddie Murphy became one of the programs biggest contributors, transforming the show. His performances portrayed the dominance of one performer on sketches, through timing, impressions, characters and confidence.
Murphy’s memorable characters include Buckwheat and Gumby. He was also a well known impersonator, and a skilled comedian. His performance on SNL laid the groundwork for his becoming one of the biggest stars in comedy. If you’re a viewer who’s looking for his/her first dose of the funniest SNL, Murphy’s time is a good place to start.
What sets Eddie Murphy apart?
For a relatively young actor, Murphy was very confident. He was very natural in his delivery, and his characters were often strong personalities. Moreover, he had a knack for switching comedy styles up. He worked in impressions, bizarre characters, celebrity satire and observational humour.
His episodes were particularly useful for the long-time viewers of SNL.
The Most Entertaining Episodes—Featuring Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake made himself one of SNL’s most popular celebrity hosts.
He was able to perform a lot of sketches because of his musical background. But he would be willing to look ridiculous, which made his comedy even stronger.
Timberlake was involved in some of the popular recurring sketches and musical comedy routines.
His SNL appearances also showed a vital lesson for star hosts. An entertainer doesn’t have to be a professional joker to provide memorable jokes.
Rather, it might be the confidence, the timing and the willingness to be embarrassed. For this reason, Timberlake’s snl episodes are considered some of the funniest snl episodes.
Physical Comedy by Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy was a big star, though, for embracing the physical comedy aspect of SNL. Her drawings tend to be quite exaggerated in terms of movement, fussy in terms of action and characters that don’t observe normal social rules. She never seems afraid of looking ridiculous. It means that her shows have a lot of comedic energy.
Her now-famous Sean Spicer impression also was part of her SNL legacy. But the funniest things that happen to her tend to be some of her smaller character decisions. That strange expression or abrupt move could be the thing that makes an ordinary line. This makes McCarthy’s performances very good to watch, if you are into physical comedy.
The day of the movie’s release
Kristen Wiig established numerous characters that came to be identified with today’s SNL. Her performances were frequently reliant on kitschy voices, crotchety social conduct and staunchness. Gilly and Penelope were both examples of characters that she could come up with that were instantly recognizable. Much of the humor that comes out of Wiig’s work is the repetition. One character sets up something weird and does it over and over until it’s ludicrous.
It might sound easy, but it’s the timing that makes this work. If you like good old-fashioned character comedy, Wiig’s episodes are destined to be on any list of the funniest SNL episodes.
Bill Hader and Stefon
Bill Hader’s Stefon is one of the most recognisable modern characters of SNL. Stefon is a weirdo nighttime reporter who is suggesting ever more bizarre places. His character was good since the expression he used in his face remained calm and he gave totally unreasonable descriptions.
The Weekend Update format is ideal. Seth Meyers is often the one who can’t keep his cool as Hader tries to keep his seriousness. The sketches are even more fun because of those moments breaking characters.
Hader also did impressions, dramatic roles and physical comedy onSNL. So new viewers can look forward to a lot of variety in his episodes.
Dick Clark’s 1964 “Man from the South”
It was a special moment for long-term television watchers when Betty White came on SNL in 2010. Her appearance came after an unusual social media campaign that invited the show to have her as the host. The contrast between White’s age and SNL’s younger cast was a natural comic, immediately established. But it was the episode that worked as she was totally committed to the material.
White wasn’t just a “beloved television icon” this time, but he was actually involved in the sketches. Some of the situations were outrageous and she made it even funnier because of her calm delivery. The juxtaposition of her wholesome public image and SNL’s irreverence provided several memorable moments.
Steve Martin’s SNL Legendary Appearances
Another big name that goes with SNL is that of Steve Martin. He has been the host several times but his significance is not only for these specific shows. He came to be deeply involved with the show’s fledgling comedy culture. Martin’s style is crazy, physical, wordplay and over-confident.
His iconic role and characters helped secure the reputation of SNL in its early days. Therefore, those who are seeking the funniest SNL episodes shouldn’t be limited to the newer seasons. Older episodes frequently show the number of modern comedy techniques developed.
Unusual Sketch Style by John Mulaney
John Mulaney was a new, intriguing face on SNL. He frequently uses a fine descriptive style and some bizarre set-ups in his comedy. One of his best features is sketches that gradually grow more ridiculous and are still serious. This can be illustrated with the well-known musical sketches surrounding New York and ‘Broadway’ style storytelling. Mulaney also knows how to construct a joke in an escalating manner.
A simple chat can step out of control and trigger a musical extravaganza or a social fiasco. This makes his episodes more suited to those who have a penchant for writing jokes.
Adam Driver’s Surprising Strong Performances
It may be the wrong actor for the comedy gig, but Adam Driver is definitely an interesting addition. But his dramatic vocation comes in handy on SNL. Driver is highly engaged in the unusual characters. He is not half to full shot man. He seems to take his work seriously which is all the funnier in the face of increasingly absurd situations.
This is why his episodes are surprisingly funny. He also explains why great SNL comedians are so often from surprising places. Conventional comedy experience is not essential for a performer. However, things can still turn out great if they are willing to commit and to make the right adjustments.
I Can’t Make This Up!15. The Last Week Of School
Tina Fey was one of the most influential writers and performers on SNL. Her political satire got iconic, especially her impression of Sarah Palin. SNL has always been a bastion of political mockery, and Fey’s efforts over the years are an example of how impersonation can break through beyond the walls of the comedy program.
Fey’s humor is not confined to political impressions, though. Her previous writing experience allows her to draft sketches that have good structures and well-thought out gags. As such, her episodes are still worth watching to those who like clever satire.
David S. Pumpkins Era Tom Hanks
SNL has featured Tom Hanks on multiple occasions and he has proven to be an all-rounder comedian. One of his most famous modern performances is when he introduced David S. Pumpkins. It was a wonderfully bizarre Halloween sketch because of the character’s strange costume, awkward dancing and the character’s unexpected confidence. Nobody will tell you why David S. Pumpkins exists and thus the punch line is funny.
Rather, the character just comes and plays. That intentional lack of explanation results in surreal comedy. If you are looking for weird and amusing humor, this episode is one of the funniest ones of SNL.
Make SNL Your Comedy Show.17. Use SNL as Your Comedy Show
No one has ever ranked the funniest SNL episodes. There are those who enjoy political satire. Some enjoy pretending to be a celebrity while many tend to prefer bodily humour.
Your favorite SNL phase may also play a part in your decision. If you’re a Kristen Wiig fan, you might like the more recent episodes. Some other viewer may prefer Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin or John Belushi. That, of course, is what makes SNL unique compared to a lot of other shows.
This is a book about the best episodes for different comedy styles
| Comedy Style | Recommended Performer/Sketch |
| Physical Comedy | Melissa McCarthy |
| Character Comedy | Kristen Wiig |
| Absurd Comedy | Tom Hanks |
| Musical Comedy | Justin Timberlake |
| Political Satire | Tina Fey |
| Freshman Theatre | Kenny Parker |
| Deadpan Humor | Christopher Walken |
| Impression Comedy | Alec Baldwin |
| Surreal Comedy | Bill Hader |
| High-Energy Comedy | Will Ferrell |
There are plenty of SNL episodes that are guaranteed to be hilarious, but how do you choose the funniest ones?
If you haven’t watched a series of episodes on SNL, don’t begin at random. Rather, pick episodes that you prefer based on your choice of comedy. If you’re looking for deadpan humor, go with Christopher Walken. If physical comedy suits you, then pick Will Ferrell.
In the mean time Kristen Wiig has some great character comedy. It is classic SNL history from Eddie Murphy. If you’re looking for modern-day absurdity, then you’ve got Tom Hanks and Adam Driver. Plus, Justin Timberlake does great musical comedy. You’ll be able to find your personal favorites quicker by picking episodes based on your interests.
Why SNL Comedy is Still Relevant
One of the reasons for the influence of Saturday Night Live is that it adapts and changes with culture. The show can react to political events, celebrity trends, Internet culture, entertainment news and social behavior, among other things. Meanwhile, its best characters are still familiar after all these years.
Recently, Rolling Stone Magazine wrote of how SNL has made memorable characters over the past five decades. It’s a longevity that’s why viewers are still looking for the funniest SNL episodes. The show is not just about retaining old comedy. It keeps on bringing in new comedians and styles. So, as each generation comes and goes, they will find their own iconic moments from SNL to cherish.
Final Thoughts on the Funniest SNL Episodes
The best SNL sketches feature great writing, amazing talent, hilarious hosts and weird stunts. More Cowbell sketch by Christopher Walken is a perfect example. Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Bill Hader and Justin Timberlake offer just as memorable reasons to watch SNL again. The best episode, however, is dependent upon your sense of humor.
Try Eddie Murphy or Steve Martin for classic comedies. For modern character comedy, check out Kristen Wiig or Bill Hader. If you want something really funny, you can’t go wrong with Tom Hanks or Christopher Walken. Meanwhile, political comedy buffs can delve into Tina Fey’s memorable moments.
Most of all, don’t make an entire SNL era out of one episode! The show’s biggest asset is that it’s incredibly diverse. After all, one person’s favorite episode could be another person’s least memorable night. That variety ensures that “Saturday Night Live” remains a 50-year-old show. But most of all, it means that this will allow them to see something funny they missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is considered the funniest SNL episode?
Many fans consider episodes featuring Christopher Walken, Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy, and Kristen Wiig especially funny. Personal preferences naturally influence the answer.
Q2: What is the most famous SNL sketch?
More Cowbell remains one of SNL’s most recognizable sketches. The sketch features Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell.
Q3: Which SNL host has been funniest?
There is no definitive answer. Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Christopher Walken, Justin Timberlake, and Tom Hanks have delivered memorable performances.
Q4: Which SNL era is the funniest?
Different eras appeal to different audiences. The original cast, Eddie Murphy era, 1990s cast, 2000s cast, and modern cast each offer distinctive comedy.
Q5: Where should beginners start with SNL?
Beginners should start with highly recognizable sketches. More Cowbell, Celebrity Jeopardy, Matt Foley, and Stefon provide excellent introductions.
Q6: Why does SNL sometimes have weaker episodes?
SNL produces live television under intense weekly deadlines. Therefore, some sketches naturally work better than others.
Q7: Are older SNL episodes still funny?
Yes, although humor changes with time. Classic episodes remain valuable because they showcase influential performers and comedy styles.
Q8: Who created the most memorable SNL characters?
Many performers contributed iconic characters. Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Chris Farley stand among the most memorable.
What makes SNL different from other comedy shows?
SNL combines live performance, topical satire, recurring characters, celebrity hosts, musical performances, and sketch comedy.
How can I find more funny SNL episodes?
Start with your favorite performers, then explore their hosting appearances and recurring sketches. From there, explore different SNL eras for variety.
