A hallmark of ‘Saturday Night Live’ has been capturing – and skewering – pop culture with sharp, smart, and sometimes sophomoric comedy.
Sport is not immune from that mission, including the games, athletes and announcers – right from the start on Oct. 11, 1975.
In the first episode of ‘SNL,’ which celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend, sports were part of the opening monologue when host George Carlin delivered his epic bit on the difference between football and baseball.
Sports have been a staple at ‘SNL.’ Maybe not every show. But enough to stay in touch with what’s happening with the people who are involved in the games we enjoy.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite sports-related ‘SNL’ sketches:
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Michael Jordan does not need Stuart Smalley’s help
Jordan, an NBA star, MVP and champion for the Chicago Bulls when this episode aired in 1991, sat down with Stuart Smalley (played by Al Franken), who needs to regularly reaffirm his self-worth. Jordan, we all know, did not lack confidence. Jordan can’t keep a straight face as Smalley tries to convince Jordan to believe in himself and that Jordan indeed deserves good things. And doggone it, people like him.
The funniest of the hot takes
It might not be laugh-out-loud funny, but there’s something brilliant about the way ‘SNL’ spoofs ESPN’s ‘First Take’ in this 2022 cut-for-time sketch. From the first question (‘Tom Brady: Exceptional or Very Exceptional?’) to the appearance of a fringe sports blog called ‘The SportsHorse,’ the details here are just so good. That includes Chris Redd’s impression of Stephen A. Smith — which, for our money, was one of the best impressions on the show in the past few years.
Here to pump you up
Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon were fantastic in ‘Pumping Up with Hanz and Franz,’ and the weightlifting/body building bit became a recurring skit with “Hear me now and believe me later,” turning into a catchphrase of the era. Arnold Schwarzenegger also made an appearance.
Sports as a metaphor
‘SNL’ went deep with a skit that mocked the idea that baseball is poetry, featuring Dana Carvey as venerable political columnist and baseball aficionado George F. Will.
Just trying to help the kids
Peyton Manning’s ‘United Way’ PSA digital short was really the first time we saw the Hall of Fame quarterback let his guard down and show a personality beyond buttoned-up, all-world quarterback. Watching Manning rifle passes, insults and expletives at kids as a dad-jeaned mentor goes from surprising to hilarious quickly.
Da Bears
‘SNL’ cast members and hosts lampooned Chicagoans, Bears fans and Mike Ditka’s mustache in Bill Swerski’s Super Fans sketch.
Cubs win, Cubs win!
There are no shortages of Harry Caray’s impersonations, but Will Ferrell’s over-the-top caricature works.
Taking aim at Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley
With Kenan Thompson as Charles Barkley and Jay Pharoah as Shaquille O’Neal, the pair made repeat visits to Weekend Update.
Poking fun at the Olympics
From the ‘All-Drug Olympics’ to John Belushi winning the decathlon on a diet of chocolate donuts (and cigarettes) to Kerri Strug appearing with her “brother” Kippy Strug, ‘SNL’ has had the Olympics and Olympic sports in its crosshairs.
Spartan spirit on display
Playing amped up wanna-be high school cheerleaders, Cheri Oteri and Will Ferrell owned one of the show’s most popular sketches of the 1990s. You know it’s a hit when the Spartan cheerleaders became Halloween costumes.
No match for LeBron James
Peyton Manning’s parody of a United Way ad will forever be the GOAT, but LeBron James was at the center of another pretty strong charity spoof during his only hosting appearance, in 2007. The sketch hinges on the performance of Jason Sudeikis as the overly cocky sports fan who thinks his time as a high school hooper means he can keep pace with LeBron. James and Sudeikis later teamed up for a Taco Bell commercial.
