Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Will Ferrell’s impressive array of Saturday Night Live sketches is kind of a big deal. From his unconventional portrayals of Alex Trebek and George W. Bush to the way he can transform himself into the craziest of characters, Ferrell is one of most beloved sketch performers in the history of the vaunted late-night institution. Whether he was portraying a character with uncontrollable anger issues (Get off the shed!) or who just so happened to be mind-numbingly inebriated (to Bill Brasky!), the comedian was 100% committed to every single sketch in which he appeared.
Before Ferrell moved on to dominate Hollywood with highly-quotable comedies like Anchorman, Elf, and Step Brothers, he sharpened his comedic chops live from Studio 8H in New York City on Saturday nights.
Narrowing down Will Ferrell’s comedic brilliance to ten sketches was not an easy endeavor. We tried to create a list that included a number of beloved favorites as well as a few hidden gems you may have missed; a collection of bits and characters that can be enjoyed by fervent fans and novice admirers alike.
If you’re having a cruddy day or are just in need of a quick chuckle, you’ll love this collection of Will Ferrell’s best SNL sketches!
'Family Dinner'
Oh man. The confidence of this freakin’ sketch. It’s only five minutes long and nobody even speaks for the first 30 seconds!
“Family Dinner” is definitely a slow cooker as the tension simmers, escalates, and then erupts in a hilarious blaze of glory. With memorable lines like “I wish you weren’t a liar,” and “I drive a Dodge Stratus,” this classic is definitely on the short list of Ferrell’s best sketches.
“I am a division manager! I can do 100 pushups in 20 minutes!”
'More Cowbell'
Oh, hey. Speaking of classics, how about a little more cowbell?
There are so many little things that make “Cowbell” memorable — the manipulation of expectations, Gene’s tiny shirt, Bruce “cock of the walk” Dickinson — but it’s Ferrell’s physical comedy that elevates a good sketch to an all-time sketch.
“Guess what? I gotta fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!”
'Crazy Doctor's Office'
I’d be a lying son of a vondruke if I didn’t admit that I’m partial to the first Dr. Beaman sketch from 2000, but the sequel is still a silly mix of random and absurd humor.
Ferrell’s upbeat demeanor mixed with his insane insults provide some laugh out loud moments, and like most Will Ferrell/Jimmy Fallon sketches, it concludes with the future Tonight Show host unable to contain his laughter.
“I love Hungry Hungry Hippos. Oh, I didn’t know they had tournaments? What? Third place! That’s fabulous!”
'Ted Brogan'
The premise of “Ted Brogan” is solid gold: It’s a sketch about a woman who gives birth to a 37-year-old dude. The specifics (Cat-Man) and abnormal dialogue (take it sleazy, giddy-up and go, outtie 5000) are vintage Will Ferrell.
“Oh, crud. I think I lost my watch in there. It’s a gold Seiko set to mountain time. You don’t mind if I take a little gander do ya?”
'Celebrity Jeopardy'
I’ll take Beloved Sketches for $200, Alex.
The character traits here are top-notch. Kathie Lee loves wine! Tom Hanks is dumb! Sean Connery hates Trebek! This sketch is truly a soup to nuts delight. Additional gold stars for the category “States that end in Hampshire,” and Tom Hanks getting his hand caught in a pickle jar.
“And by the way, Tom, that is a pen, not a microphone.”
'Janet Reno's Dance Party'
This recurring gem reeks of an exhausted, 4:00 in the morning “what if we just did this?” brainstorming sesh.
The premise — Attorney General Janet Reno hosts a teenage dance party in her basement — sounds so absurd that you’d think it’d bomb hard, but nope! It kills. The music, Reno’s gruff demeanor, it’s still such a joy to watch.
Rudy Giuliani: You box dirty!
Janet Reno: Then how comes my conscience is so clean?
'Dissing Your Dog'
Cute puppies + an overly sarcastic Ferrell = comedy gold.
This clever conceit posits that you can train your dog through sarcasm and verbal ridicule.
“Oh, right, Margaret, you wanted prime rib. Here’s the deal: The Palm wasn’t taking reservations, and I didn’t even try Morton’s because I understand they have a new chef. So for now, let’s just go with the Alpo, okay? I know it’s not your first choice but keep in mind, you’re a f–king dog!”
'Sculpture Class'
Nobody plays a confident odd ball better than Will Ferrell.
Once again Will uses his prodigious gift for physical comedy and an array of specific quirks to create a disreputable yet mesmerizing character.
“That’s cool! I just took a test this morning. Yeah at the free clinic for hepatitis. I kicked ass too. I got an A, two B’s, and a C.”
'Evil Boss'
Despite an incredible performance by Ferrell, this early 2001 sketch — which features overt misogyny, racism, and murder via trident — hasn’t aged well in terms of political correctness. But some of the specifics — Ferrell’s casual dance after verbally berating Tina Fey, the “I am actually going to murder you” line, the repeated trident stabbings — are great beats.
It’s all sorts of inappropriate, but then again, it’s not easy running the best, well the fourth best, in-flight magazine in the business.
“Office politics. Sometimes I think this place is like Ally McBeal.”
'Jacob Silj'
YOU NEED TO BEGIN JACOB SILJ BLURBS IN ALL CAPS.
This classic Weekend Update desk piece stars Ferrell as a boisterous reporter suffering from a voice related medical condition called voice immodulation, an affliction that makes it impossible for Jacob to control the volume of his voice. Once again, Tina Fey is the perfect foil for one of Ferrell’s wonderfully eccentric characters.
“Numerous prominent Americans suffer from this debilitating disease, Tina, including the guy who played Raj on ‘What’s Happening?’ and tennis great Pete Sampras.”
