Although the format of the iconic sketch comedy show has been a little different during the pandemic, SNL has returned to a more familiar formula, with sketches in the studio, celebrity hosts, and musical guests.
From callbacks to fan-favorite characters and hilarious guest spots to timely hot topic skits from beloved cast members and a few viral new ideas, there have been some incredible sketches in 2021, and some have risen above the others to become the best of the year.
"Viral Apology Video"
Anyone who's a regular YouTube watcher knows that apology videos for the sometimes questionable antics of content creators are very common. All of the drama and problematic behavior is one reason why some think YouTube was better in the 2000s.
So, it's especially funny that SNL took an opportunity to poke fun at YouTubers' oftentimes insincere apologies that are mostly followed up by more irresponsible actions. The sketch aired during Daniel Kaluuya's episode and he played core cast member Kyle Mooney's friend and co-creator.
"Driver's License"
Regé-Jean Page was one of the best SNL hosts of 2021 and this sketch really let him have fun with a simple-but-effective concept: a group of guys getting really into singing along to "Driver's License" by Olivia Rodrigo at a bar.
At first, the singing is soft and embarrassed, but eventually, the bros start belting out the song and even get on top of the pool table. They start having in-depth discussions about the lyrics, the inspiration, and even Taylor Swift.
"Robinson's Mail-In Stool Testing"
In Owen Wilson's episode, two of the newer cast members were featured in a totally underrated sketch about a mail-in stool sampling business. The business owners were making a commercial for the service and kept going over the top about how they weren't going to play with the samples people sent in.
Wilson plays a good straight man in this sketch and the brilliantly subtle comedic style of Andrew Dismukes and Sarah Sherman was highlighted in a way that made them stand out as talented new additions to the show.
"Amusement Park"
Another sketch that put the spotlight on Kyle Mooney was "Amusement Park," where a group of teens is figuring out how to split up on a ride. The cast may be some of the oldest actors playing teens in this sketch, but they've really perfected that awkward teenage energy when out in groups and coupling up.
In this case, it's that no one wants to ride with the life-size doll of "The guy from Soul." Even the fact that they just keep calling him "The guy from Soul" until Mooney finally corrects them with his name is hilarious. They keep pairing up with their crushes "for height" on the ride and Mooney has to fight to not be stuck holding the giant doll again.
"Hot Ones With Beyoncé"
Maya Rudolph came back to host for the second time since she left the show, and her episode was hysterical. She is one of the most talented celebrity impersonators on Saturday Night Live and in this sketch, she played Beyoncé as a guest on an episode of Hot Ones.
For those unfamiliar with the popular YouTube show, Hot Ones features host, Sean Evans, who interviews celebrities and together they must eat chicken wings that are doused in progressively spicier hot sauce. Beyoncé, who is always composed and put-together, starts to panic and sweat from the second wing, with hilarious consequences. She even chugs a glass of milk to try and relieve the spice.
"Chad On Mars"
Chad is a fan-favorite character played by Pete Davidson, who fans may not know was one of the youngest-ever comedians to join the SNL cast. In the sketch, Chad is simple-minded, but for some reason, he's irresistible to everyone in the world. He routinely gives funny little one-liners, like saying "safety" after he passes wind and a quick "okay" whenever he's asked to do something.
Chad is responsible for fixing the oxygen supply at a base on Mars. Elon Musk, who was hosting the show, directs him from Earth. Chad is doing his normal comedic routine of quick, simple responses, along with his childish humor, and even vanishes when a crew member says she's pregnant with his baby.
"Pelotaunt"
SNL poked fun at the fact that some people respond better to negative encouragement than positive by creating a passive-aggressive Peloton product. Instead of cheering the user on, the bike uses settings like "Snotty Disdain" or "Insincere Praise" to motivate them to work out.
Peloton instructors are usually so positive and exuberant -- sometimes even overly so -- and it is true that not every naturally responds to that kind of coaching and sometimes anger is a better motivator. Bowen Yang actually rolls his eyes and walks away from the bike at one point as Melissa Villaseñor calls out, "Wait! Come back!"
"Women's Theater"
In Regina King's episode, she took part in a sketch called "Women's Theater," in which a high school has a cancellation, so they hire "a feminist theatre ensemble that performs feminist monologues at 11 pm at an underground bookstore that serves Moscato."
This is another skit that just uses one simple thing to create an incredibly funny scenario. The group had to change their material to make the language high-school appropriate and it's immediately obvious and awkward. The gag just gets funnier every time they use another metaphor in their performance.
"The Muppet Show"
What if Statler and Waldorf actually got in trouble for all of the heckling they do from the balcony? In "The Muppet Show," Kenan Thompson, the single longest-running SNL cast member, and Keegan-Michael Key, who hosted, are bouncers in a theater that don't think any of their one-liners are funny and repeatedly yell at them to shut up.
It's obvious that Key and Thompson had a lot of fun with this sketch, and audiences can see them smiling as their interactions with The Muppets get more and more heated. There's even a great physical comedy moment when Statler and Waldorf get beat up out of view and reappear with bruises.
"Twins"
John Krasinski hosted Saturday Night Live back in January 2021 and the live audience was losing it during this sketch. Krasinski plays a financial analyst doing an interview hosted by Cecily Strong and Beck Bennet. As the interview continues, his bizarre Victorian-garb-clad twins appear behind him and say some completely bizarre but hilarious things.
Kate McKinnon, who plays one of the twins, is one of the best comedic actors out there. She's one of the best at keeping a straight face, even when other cast members are breaking. Even so, she does give a little smile every now and then to let fans know she's having fun.