Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#1)

1.  (Chippendales ... Oct 27, 1990)

Much like Game Six of the 1986 World Series, I don't think I can watch this without crying.  It's that funny.  And how do Jan Hooks, Kevin Nealon and Mike Myers keep from laughing?  I remember watching this episode with my mom, who loved Patrick Swayze.  We both lost it.  I also remember this airing shortly after my Grandma died, and this was probably the first time I really let go and allowed myself to be happy since her death.  It's sad to think that both Farley and Swayze are gone.  Well, there you have it.  My favorite SNL moment of all time ...

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#2)

2.  (Behind the Music : Blue Oyster Cult ... Apr 8, 2000)

AKA Cowbell.  This is genius on so many levels, there are too many to mention them all.  Ferrell's shirt.  That wig.  Kattan's moustache.  Walken.  Fuckin' Walken.  Fallon losing it.  There is only one moment better ...

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#3)

3.  (The Barry Gibb Talk Show ... Oct 11, 2003)

This is the highest ranking recurring sketch of all time.  But I'll be honest.  I didn't realize that the theme song was a parody of an actual Bee Gees song until about 4 years ago (Nights of Broadway).  But as soon as I realized it, I bought it on iTunes, and now it's a playlist staple of mine.  Me singing the theme to this sketch is thee reason that Heather and I are no longer married.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#4)

4.  (Jizz in My Pants ... Dec 6, 2008)

Just like a lot of the great sketches, including several of the Digitial Shorts, you don't see it coming, but when it does, it absolutely kills.  For the first minute or so, this has the look, feel and sound of something MTV could have aired for the kiddies.  Andy Samberg's legacy is on the show is officially cemented.  If SNL ever has a Hall of Fame, he's in.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#5)

5.  (Synchronized Swimmers ... Oct 6, 1984)

This is most definitely the highest ranking sketch that a lot of you may not have ever seen.  For those of you who have seen it, you probably agree that this is an all time great.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#6)

6.  (The Chris Farley Show ... Oct 5, 1991)

They only did three of these, with Jeff Daniels, Martin Scorsese and Paul McCartney.  Scorsese and McCartney's were so good, it's so hard to choose which one to include.  I decided to go with Paul McCartney.  I think it was the line, "I wasn't really dead."

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#7)

7.  (Neil Diamond : Storytellers ... Feb 7, 1998)

I think one of the reasons I eventually skipped out on the Neil Diamond show at Summerfest, is that I would have been disappointment had this not happened.  As funny as this is, it's almost a shame that I can no longer hear or see Neil Diamond without thinking about this.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#8)

8.  (Office Patriotism ... Oct 6, 2001)

The week before this aired, Lorne Michaels asked Rudi Guiliani, "Can we be funny?", to which Guiliani responded, "Why start now?"  I remember bawling during this.  Pretty much everyone in the sketch breaks character, and you can see Ferrell is laughing, almost from the onset.  One of the great, great moments in the history of this great show.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#9)

9.  (9/11 Tribute / Paul Simon performs "The Boxer" ... Sept 29, 2001)

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#10)

10.  (Beatles Offer ... Apr 24, 1976)

Did you know that this was the basis of Dr Evil ?  Everything about this works.  The idea that the Beatles would say yes.  The actual check.  Having George Harrison try to cash in on his own, months later, only to get turned down.  I still need to find that VH1 movie, Two of Us, on DVD.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#11)

11.  (Dick in a Box ... Dec 16, 2006)

We were in Mt Vernon, IL, celebrating Christmas with Heather's parents the night this aired.  Gracie, who was just over a year old, was fast asleep, and Kathy and Tracy were in their own room.  I laughed so hard, I think I woke Gracie.  I don't talk to Heather much anymore, but we still argue about what they should have called this.  I think Dick in a Box is perfect.  She thinks it should have been called Cock in a box.  Dick is way funnier.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#12)

12.  (Cornelius Timberlake ... May 9, 2009)

This was the lead in to the "Mother Lovers" Digital Short, which did not make the list, but this was such a funny and clever idea, that I had to be reminded that this was the lead in.  JT's face when Moynihan questioned him, and his voice changing.  Brilliant.  Three more Timberlake moments left ...

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#13)

13.  (Nick Winters ... Jan 28, 1978)

If I had a nickel for every time I've sang this in the shower, I'd be a rich man.  Honorable mention to the  time Murray improvised the theme from M.A.S.H.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#14)

14.  (Love-ahs ... Feb 24, 2001)

I remember like it was yesterday.  Watching this live, the sketch just didn't seem to be building or going anywhere.  Then, the infamous phrase, "Ow ... my back", which turned something that could have been far from memorable into one of the great moments of all time on SNL.  Moments like this, where you don't really see it coming, are always classic.  It went from nothing to a volcano of laughter instantly.  The 100th Digital Short had a similar path.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#15)

15.  (Derek Steven's Choppin' Broccoli ... Oct 11, 1986)

"Get off the Shed" lands Will Ferrell on SNL, and he debuts it on his first show.  Same story here.  This is what Dana Carvey killed with during his audition, and ends up using it on his first show.  He has continued to perform this in his stand up routine through out the years.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#16)

16.  (Matt Foley : Motivational Speaker ... May 8, 1993)

I know this would be #1 on a lot of people's list.  When you get this deep into a list like this, you're splitting hairs.  But like I said earlier, Mr Farley still has two more entries to go on this list.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#17)

17.  (Olympia Cafe ... Jan 28, 1978)

Bill Murray puts this one over the top.  How many people on this planet can kill when they are simply nodding.  This is one of three entries from the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players".

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#18)

18.  (Bennett Brauer ... Mar 19, 1994)

Anyone out there that is not a fan of Chris Farley, time to change the channel.  Farley leads all performers with FIVE entries in the Top 20.  Will Ferrell has FOUR, and a certain host is featured in FOUR, but it's not Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Christopher Walken or Adrian Brody.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#19)

19.  (Paul McCartney performs "Get Back" ... Dec 11, 2010)

This was the last of five songs that McCartney did that night.  This was done right after goodnights, and was a fitting way to end one of the better shows in recent memory.

Fugazzi Grand II : SNL (#20)

20.  (Zagat's with Hank and Beverly Gelfand ... Feb 25, 1995)

There's that moment of on-air magic when Farley first puts his hand on Sandler's knee.  That look Sandler gives him.  Farley's clothes, his delivery.  Those wigs.  Brilliant.