Top 10 Holiday Sketches from Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live (SNL) boasts a rich legacy of holiday sketches accumulated over five decades, with countless memorable moments. The show’s unique ability to blend observational humor with absurdity allows it to adapt to the evolving cultural landscape of America. As the series continues to innovate with a rotating cast of writers and performers, its holiday specials stand out, showcasing a delightful mix of parody and festive spirit.
This article highlights ten of the best SNL holiday sketches that not only capture the essence of the holiday season but also reflect the show’s hallmark absurdity and charm. Whether through recurring characters like Debbie Downer or outlandish takes on holiday movies, the sketches use the holiday backdrop to explore societal norms and cultural tropes with hilarity.
10 Beep Beep
Season 49, Episode 7
“Beep Beep”encapsulates the delightful absurdity of holiday gatherings, merging mundane traditions with escalating comedic tension. The sketch centers around a neighborhood holiday party where a bumbling husband struggles through the crowd, announciating his arrival with a comical “beep beep.”The situation escalates when another guest seeks to claim the last available space at the table, resulting in a hilariously intense showdown reminiscent of a thriller.
Featuring standout performances from Andrew Dismukes and Adam Driver, the sketch brilliantly balances humor and absurdity, culminating in a side-splitting appearance by Kenan Thompson that leaves the audience in stitches.
9 Dance of the Snowflakes
Season 39, Episode 9
“Dance of the Snowflakes”presents a captivatingly absurd and character-driven narrative. The sketch dives into the thoughts of performers as they awkwardly navigate a small-town holiday pageant, complete with ill-fitting snowflake costumes and cringe-worthy choreography. The inner monologues reveal a blend of self-awareness and escalating embarrassment, resulting in humor that resonates with anyone who has experienced similar situations.
| Cast of “Dance of the Snowflakes” |
| John Goodman |
| Kenan Thompson |
| Aidy Bryant |
| Vanessa Bayer |
8 Children’s Clothing Ad
Season 45, Episode 9
SNL frequently employs holiday sketches as humorous advertisements, and “Children’s Clothing Ad”is a prime example. This sketch cleverly mirrors typical commercial formats while humorously highlighting the absurdity of children’s clothing. The narrator candidly exposes the frustrations parents face with stylish but impractical outfits that lead to tantrums.
The relationships portrayed, especially between characters played by Mikey Day and Heidi Gardner, add depth, with their marital strife underscored by the chaos of children’s clothing. Kenan Thompson shines in this sketch, delivering a perfectly timed punchline that captures the relatable frustrations of festive parenthood.
7 The Chanukah Song
Season 20, Episode 7
Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song“has become a holiday staple on SNL, blending his signature humor with heartfelt tributes to Jewish culture. Performing with a guitar at the Weekend Update desk, Sandler tackles the lack of Jewish holiday songs, resulting in a catchy hit that celebrates Jewish celebrities and traditions.
The song has seen various iterations over the years, reflecting contemporary pop culture references, and it remains a beloved part of holiday celebrations, largely due to Sandler’s infectious enthusiasm.
6 NPR’s Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls
Season 24, Episode 9
NPR’s Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls showcases SNL’s knack for biting satire. This recurring sketch features the deadpan hosts discussing culinary delights, oblivious to the comedic innuendos involved. The holiday version introduces Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweddy, with his infamous “Schweddy Balls”dish igniting endless playful wordplay.
The humor is amplified by the hosts’ unwavering seriousness, contrasting the absurdity of their conversation topics, which creates an unforgettable sketch filled with clever innuendo and hilarious delivery.
5 Dick in a Box
Season 32, Episode 9
“Dick in a Box”marked a pivotal moment for the comedy trio The Lonely Island. Featuring Justin Timberlake alongside Andy Samberg, this skit hilariously transforms the concept of gift-giving into an outrageous musical number reminiscent of ’90s R&B.
With simple and absurd instructions for creating the titular gift, the sketch is highlighted by the duo’s charismatic performance, making it a comedic classic that continues to resonate with fans.
4 North Pole News Report
Season 45, Episode 10
Eddie Murphy’s legacy on SNL includes numerous memorable holiday sketches, with “North Pole News Report”standing out. In this skit, Murphy’s elf offers a comedic take on breaking news, portraying the chaos surrounding a polar bear’s rampage in Santa’s workshop. Murphy’s performance is a masterclass in comedic timing and eccentricity, skillfully capturing the essence of news reporting in a crisis.
3 Christmastime for the Jews
Season 31, Episode 9
“Christmastime for the Jews”is a standout among SNL’s animated segments, crafted by Robert Smigel. This humorous piece, featuring a catchy song sung by Darlene Love and styled like classic Rudolph specials, playfully explores what Jews can enjoy during the Christmas festivities.
Its vibrant animation and cheerful vocals combined with clever references to pop culture and holiday experiences create a delightful and timeless holiday offering from SNL.
2 It’s A Wonderful Life: The Lost Ending
Season 12, Episode 8
This sketch provides a humorous twist to the beloved movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,”tapping into audiences’ frustrations with a lack of consequences for the antagonist, Mr. Potter. Through Dana Carvey’s impressive impression of Jimmy Stewart, the sketch offers an outrageously comedic comeuppance, complete with exaggerated action movie dialogue.
1 Steve Martin’s Christmas Wish
Season 12, Episode 6
Steve Martin’s Christmas Wish exemplifies SNL’s brilliance in sketch comedy. The premise is straightforward: Martin delivers a heartfelt wish for peace but is quickly derailed by his self-serving desires. This contrast between sweet holiday visuals and Martin’s increasingly selfish requests creates a comedic masterpiece that cleverly critiques holiday sentiments.
Through Martin’s engaging performance, the sketch reveals the often-overlooked motivations behind holiday cheer, firmly establishing itself as the pinnacle of holiday sketches on Saturday Night Live.
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