Videos: Best ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketches of season 49

As host Jake Gyllenhaal said during his monologue in the “SNL” season 49 finale on May 18, 2024, “You can’t get to 50 without a little bit of 49.”

What began as a season of uncertainty delayed by the writers’ and actors’ strikes culminated in a run of truly legendary “SNL” sketches, showcasing cast members strengthening their comedic identities, writers taking risks with flying colors, and guest hosts not afraid of going all-in for the sake of the bit.

Here are the best “Saturday Night Live” sketches of season 49 (in my opinion), with full videos embedded for your viewing and laughing pleasure.

Note: For brevity’s sake, this countdown does not include monologues or Weekend Update features (though the latter finding its niche in constantly roasting Colin Jost is never not funny).

#10.) Subway Platform

In a new take on a Waffle House concept from season 48, this pre-tape sketch involves two businessmen conversing earnestly on a subway platform, oblivious to the chaos unfolding behind them on the train, visible to the viewer through the windows. Punkie Johnson is a highlight, her character using her purse as a weapon.

#9.) Tiny Ass Bag

This live sketch was written by Marcello Hernández, Ego Nwodim, and the Please Don’t Destroy trio of Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, and Ben Marshall (according to Hernández’s Instagram) — a ’92 Dream Team if there ever was one. In the sketch, characters played by Hernández and Nwodim (joined by episode host Adam Driver and musical guest Olivia Rodrigo) sell a “tiny-ass bag” on a shopping network, an absurd concept delivered with utmost confidence by all involved. And that’s itttttt.

#8.) Jumanji

Is “Jumanji” a noun or a verb? What does it mean to be Jumanji’d? These thought-provoking, philosophical questions are explored in this live sketch starring episode host (and “SNL” alumnus) Kristen Wiig and anchored by a very passionate Andrew Dismukes.

#7.) Home Videos

This fever dream of a pre-tape sketch imagines an adult child discovering life-altering news by watching home movies with his parents. Sarah Sherman, nailing the “kooky side character” as she often does, steals the scene as the grandma.

#6.) Papyrus 2

At nearly seven minutes, with the production value of a feature film, scripted by former “SNL” writer Julio Torres returning to the show, and co-starring former “SNL” cast member Kyle Mooney having a homecoming of his own, the pre-taped sketch “Papyrus 2” starring episode host Ryan Gosling elevates its 2017 viral predecessor with poise and even pathos. It carries a visceral awareness that it knows it has to deliver — and it does.

#5.) School Hypnotist

Episode host Ayo Edebiri absolutely soars in this live sketch. The star of “The Bear” and “Bottoms” fully commits to her role here as a student distressed by a classroom visit of a hypnotist named Mr. Fantasmic (hey, nice name). Andrew Dismukes’ reactionary comedy as Mr. Fantasmic accentuates Edebiri’s brilliantly panicked energy with calm charisma.

#4.) Please Don’t Destroy – Bad Bunny Is Shrek

This pre-tape sketch written and starring the Please Don’t Destroy (PDD) trio — Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, and Ben Marshall — posits Bad Bunny as the scribe of his own “Shrek” film. PDD’s frenetic humor paired with the memey reputation of the “Shrek” franchise (not to mention superstar Bad Bunny in the unlikely role of the sketch’s straight man) makes this the season 49 sketch that feels the “most” PDD.

#3.) Doctor

Ryan Gosling not only clearly has the time of his life every time he hosts “Saturday Night Live,” but seems to bring out the best in the cast and writers. Nearly everyone in the live sketch “Doctor” fights for their life to make it to the end of its unhinged proceedings without breaking character, whether due to Gosling and Bowen Yang’s stoic chemistry as Jeffrey Thank You and Dr. Please, respectively, or genuine flubs of the actors’ stage directions.

Yang had debuted Dr. Please earlier in the season, speaking one line in a Nate Bargatze sketch, but this follow-up feels like our first proper introduction to what could be the next great “SNL” recurring character. Just one question: Would you like some Cookie Crumbles?

#2.) State of the Union Cold Open

Topical comedy can provide catharsis toward world events, and “SNL” has a history of leaning into the collective commentary of public consciousness. To that effect, Scarlett Johansson made a surprise appearance in March with an uncanny impression of Senator Katie Britt’s rebuttal of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. As Britt had done, Johansson spoke directly into the camera during her four-minute monologue.

“I have the honor of serving the great people of Alabama,” Johansson as Britt remarked, “but tonight, I’ll be auditioning for the part of scary mom.”

#1.) Beavis and Butt-Head

If the 15 million YouTube views, 17 million TikTok plays, and 10 million Instagram Reel views are any indication, you may have already watched the live “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch one or seven times already. The Mikey Day- and Ryan Gosling-starring sketch possesses all the unpredictable components of an all-time great “SNL” moment (and “possesses” is the right word): A premise that expertly balances silly vs. smart, a turn (the moment the sketch’s main conceit or primary joke is first revealed) placed at just the right spot in the sketch’s pacing, and performances so funny even the actors can’t help but laugh.

Heidi Gardner is radiant in her now-infamous character break. Kenan Thompson is delightful in character’s dumbfounded frustration. Chloe Fineman and Michael Longfellow’s supporting “normal” performances ground the sketch in whatever small amount of reality it can achieve, both actors composed amidst the chaos but clearly thrilled to be along for the ride. Behind the scenes, Jodi Mancuso and Louie Zakarian’s excellence in hair and prosthetics, along with Day and writer Streeter Seidell’s script, make the sketch a knock-out.

Ryan Gosling was hosting “SNL” in the first place to promote his new movie, “The Fall Guy” (for which he also made a surprise appearance at Universal Studios Hollywood). The “Beavis and Butt-head” sketch became so instantly iconic that, despite no connection between the sketch and the film, Gosling and Day walked the red carpet at the world premiere of “The Fall Guy” in costume as their sketch characters. See them in action on the Attractions Magazine YouTube channel:

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