The Ten Best SNL Sketches of 2014
Stefon returns.
Saturday Night Live is celebrating its fortieth year on the air (several of them pretty good too). I jest. Like so many, I’ve loved it for the duration of my TV-watching life and spent countless hours impersonating its wild and crazy guys, quoting – maybe inappropriately – Mister Robinson’s Neighbourhood, and ending too many sentences with a declarative, “Goulet!” As you can imagine, I am impossible to be around.
It’s true Lorne Michaels’ long-running New York variety show is in a bit of a slump, as is normal when there’s no Presidential election to provide them with material, and especially when there are no breakout stars on the stage. SNL is indeed still recovering from the loss of mainstays Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen and Seth Meyers, not to mention their failed attempt in 2013 to hire a bunch of newbies, only to fire most of them. And let’s not forget the year began with the program mired in controversy, notably due to its historical lack of black women in the cast (a valid criticism they addressed through the hiring of Sasheer Zamata and Leslie Jones).
Here’s the thing, though: SNL is a perpetual work in progress and has been since 1975. Our rose-tinted memories of seasons past always put too much pressure on those trying to simply assemble the show in the present. Any episode from the so-called ‘golden eras’ featuring all-time legends Gilda Radner or Phil Hartman or Amy Poehler is beleaguered by the same issues that exist today: the week-long grind of getting to air regardless of whether they’re ready or not; last minute additions to cue cards; cast-members who are too new; cast-members who are too old; ill-suited hosts who stare blankly at the camera; audiences comprised of Justin Bieber fans who are left totally bewildered by nutso country-music parodies.
All those obstacles are surely part of the appeal by now. It’s precisely why SNL’s graduating classes become infamous, why we love reciting their scandalous backstage lore, and ultimately, why its best sketches become immortal. When the show works, there’s nothing quite like it on television. All it ever takes is a single memorable sketch for SNL to solidify its standing in our cultural consciousness. Here are the top 10 contenders from 2014.
But first, the honourable mentions: 12 Years Auditions, Dance Floor Killer, The Dudleys, Halloween Emporium, Mermaid, Monster Pals, Ooh Child, Representative Kelly, Resolution Revolution, and Videogame. You’re welcome.