The 25 most iconic 'SNL' sketches from the 21st centry

Another great Christopher Walken moment from Saturday Night Live. His Dr. Winter interviews Dr. Levitt (Chris Parnell), who happens to be a centaur, the mythical half-man, half-horse. Dr. Winter seems less interested in Dr. Levitt's professional qualifications as he is about how the candidate handles himself in various, hypothetical sexual situations. There are times when Walken keeps from laughing, which only adds to the fun. 

Less than a month after the attacks of September 11, SNL took a gambling with moving on playing on America's resurgence in patriotism. Will Ferrell played Dale McGrew, who took his office's new policy about dressing in patriotic fashion to the extreme by wearing a half shirt with "USA" across the chest and stars-and-stripes bikini shorts. While guest host Seann William Scott did a good job of keeping it together, SNL cast members Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler weren't always able to do the same.

Four of SNL greats -- Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Rachel Dratch -- slipped into their overly comfy, but hideously unfashionable jeans for this memorable sketch as a non to Mother's Day. Complete with the "Mom Jeans" label on the back, this look for those who say "I'm not a woman anymore, I'm a mom." We also love the short haircuts and Rold Gold pretzels. 

Justin Timberlake has essentially made a second -- or third -- career out of stealing the moment on Saturday Night Live. During the second episode of Season 29, Timberlake sports an omelette costume to promote the grand opening of Omeletteville, all while singing and dancing to the latest pop hits in a move to attract customers. All while telling folks to "bring it on down to Omeletteville." And it is in direct competition with neighboring Benny's and its bacon-and-egg costume-wearing employee (Chris Parnell). It certainly rates among Timberlake's best SNL offerings.

The first of two classic SNL sketches from when Lindsay Lohan hosted the show, but the aforementioned Rachel Dratch stole the scene. In this particular sketch, SNL  audiences are introduced to Dratch's iconic Debbie Downer character. Amid the popular character family breakfast at Disney World, Debbie consistently, but hilariously, ruins the mood, with her distressing and disturbing facts regarding such topics as mad cow disease, a train explosion, heat stroke and feline AIDS. Adding to the hilarity are cast members Jimmy Fallon, Fred Armisen, Amy Poehler, Horatio Sanz and even Dratch, plus Lohan, trying to keep a straight face -- which had the crowd in stitches.

Another gem from the May 1, 2004, episode, Rachel Dratch brilliantly stars as Harry Potter, with Seth Meyers playing Ron Weasley. Both are stunned to see pal Hermione (played by Lindsay Lohan) back from an impressive summer growth spurt. The obvious innuendos make for another legendary comedic moment with

"Lazy Sunday" was practically an overnight sensation when it debuted as a digital short on Saturday Night Live, then enjoyed massive internet success. It was written by The Lonely Island, co-founded by Andy Samberg, along with his SNL co-star Chris Parnell. The short story of two buddies spending a lazy Sunday afternoon munching on Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and enjoying The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the perfect tribute to the ultimate day of relaxation.

Another classic from The Lonely Island, and starring Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake. The digital short remains one of the most controversial moments in the history of Saturday Day Live. The first word in the title was bleeped out a total of 16 times when it aired, as reported, due to FCC regulations. Of course, it left fans of the show talking about it. Which, obviously, is the point. And, another great SNL moment from Timberlake.

The debut of this recurring sketch is about a snooty Manhattan clothing store, complete with even more judgemental and hilarious rude salespeople. Jimmy Fallon is a regular throughout the history of the sketch's life, while Sean Hayes appears in this particular episode, and naturally, is stoically brilliant with his insults. Fallon, on the other hand, tends to ruin the sketch with his continued penchant for trying to keep from laughing. However, even Hayes' struggles to do so during Horatio Sanz's appearance as the unlikely Jeffrey's customer or a sauve Will Ferrell on a motorized scooter.  

Yes, The Lonely Island boys are at it again. Paying homage to the final moments of the Season Two finale of the Fox hit The O.C. when Marissa shot Trey. In the SNL  spoof, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig star, along with Shia LaBeouf. The digital short is more of an inside joke, and perhaps not everybody's cup of tea. However, fans of The O.C. should see the humor.

Together, Tina Fey and pal Amy Poehler delivered many memorable SNL moments. Perhaps none more so than when they held a non-partisan press conference as Sarah Palin (Fey) and Hillary Clinton (Poehler) to kick off Season 34. A bitter Hillary does not want to be in the presence of Palin, who famously notes "I can see Russia from my house." Together, though, they plead to Americans not to resort to sexism when it comes to the 2008 election -- or these two prominent female politicians, in general. The yin-yang between the two comedians remains second to none.

A spoof of the Lennon Sisters on The Lawrence Welk Show, the hilarious Kristen Wiig portrays, Dooneese, the awkward outcast among the four Maharelle sisters, which the three other are attractive and quality singers. She sports doll hands, a large forehead and singers about finding a dead cat and eating it. Much to the chagrin of her proper sisters, but highly entertaining to the studio audience and SNL fans around the world. 

Marvel fans were clamoring for a Black Widow standalone film. So, SNL gave it to them when Scarlett Johansson hosted towards the end of Season 40. Black Widow: Age of Me, sees the butt-kicking female Avenger working as an intern at a fashion magazine and looking for love in New York City. Though the trailer for this rom-com spoof drew laughs with the Studio 8H crowd, not sure the hardcore Marvel fans would get in board. 

Arguably Kate McKinnon's most memorable character and SNL  sketch. McKinnon's Miss Rafferty tells a much different and hilariously disturbing tale of an alien encounter than those of her friends (Cecily Strong, host Ryan Gosling). While her pals talk of beautiful bright lights and a general pleasing experience, the chain-smoking Miss Rafferty explains how aliens watched her pee in a steel bowl without wearing pants and slapped her "knockers." Strong, Gosling and the sketch investigators Aidy Bryant and Bobby Moynihan, as well McKinnon, struggled to play it straight, which only added to the hilarity.

With Adam Driver as host, the spoof of Undercover Boss. His Kylo Ren character disguised himself as radar technician Matt to see the inner workings of his First Order Starkiller Base operation. He soon realizes the work of a commoner in the regime isn't all that easy and not everybody is friendly or happy with their work life. Of course, Driver's every-man character is what fans love about the sketch. It's an episode that is still widely talked about. 

Days before 2016 presidential election, SNL broke out one of its ballsiest sketches of all time. Black Jeopardy, with Kenan Thompson playing host Darnell Hayes. Keeley (Sasheer Zamata) and Shanice (Leslie Jones) were two the contestants, and a third was Doug, a MAGA-hat-wearing white man, played by Tom Hanks. Doug proved to be the star of the show, brilliantly answering the questions so well that he impressed his fellow contestants and house. Was it a we-can-all-get-along moment for the country? The attempt was worthy, even if the hope of racial harmony remains as far-fetched as ever.

Melissa McCarthy first graced us with her presence as volatile Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer. From there, it was game on. McCarthy was so over the top as the incompetent talking head that it was hard to tell the difference between the two of them. We still can't get enough of McCarthy's Spicer using the podium as a weapon to attack the press. Highly underrated during the sketch is Kate McKinnon as Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos

More memorable Saturday Night Live comedy from Ryan Gosling. This time, Steven continues to be obsessed with the font (papyrus) used in the visible title/logo of the massively successful film Avitar. It's a ridiculous obsession, but serious enough to keep Steven up at night and seek therapy nearly 10 years after the movie's release. It's another example of how SNL writers and cast can take something seemingly mundane and turn it into a successful part of the show's legacy.

Pete Davidson decides to make a music video with SNL 's trio of Ben Marshall, John Higgins, Martin Herlihy, titled "Three Sad Virgins." Though intended to be a parody, it pretty much rails on the guys and their physical and sexual deficiencies. Of course, the house comes down when musical guest Taylor Swift shows up and continues to rip the three boys. Though they seem to be fine with her chiming in. 

Billie Eilish proved she's not just a talented musician when she teamed with the great Kate McKinnon as front desk employees Kathlyn and Kathreen for an ad about a garden-variety modest family, business-type hotel -- Business Garden Inn & Suites Hotel & Room Inn -- we've stayed and likely regretted. Of course, the creepy twosome often breaks character while delivering a laundry list of those all-too-familiar amenities associated with these types of hotels. Finneas' cameo as the jaded bellhop/night manager.The in-house doctor only adds to the fun.

It can be argued that this was the night comedian Nate Bargatze officially introduced himself to mainstream comedy lovers. In this particular sketch, Bargatze played George Washington, where he offered his dream for a future America to his Revolutionary War troops. He mostly delivered details about units of measurement that did not always make sense or proved he had no idea what he was talking about. "A melting of measurements." But what about racial equality?

One of the most talked about SNL sketches in recent memory. Beavis (Ryan Gosling) and Mikey Day (Butt-Head) are part of a live audience at a NewsNation town hall about AI. Saturday Night Live veteran Heidi Gardner as host Bobbi Moore, seemed surprised to see their likeness during the sketch, cracking up on several occasions. Leading Gosling to also nearly break character. The result became a viral sensation in the hours and days after the sketch aired, and perhaps the defining moment on Gardner's SNL career.

The first of two from Ariana Grande's turn at hosting SNL to celebrate the show's 50th season. Here, Chloe Fineman plays the beloved, and presumed ditzy Jennifer Coolidge talking to herself in the mirror (where Grande as Coolidge is the reflection) while applying lip color in preparation for a big date that night as part of a Maybelline commercial. Of course, the dialogue is all over the place, but it definitely keeps the laughs coming.

Instead of giving a traditional wedding speech and toast, the bridesmaids (host Ariana Grande, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Sarah Sherman) of Kelsey (Chloe Fineman) deliver through song (spoofing Sabrina Carpenter's hit "Espresso"). With Grande purposely and hilariously singing off-key, they proceed to chronicle Kelsey's infidelity during her bachelorette party weekend with the suave Domingo (Marcello Hernandez), who eventually makes a surprise appearance at the wedding. Much to the dismay of the confused groom, Matthew (Andrew Dismukes).

Former SNL cast favorite Pete Davidson makes an appearance, along with fellow customer Andrew Dismukes, for this sketch about a creepy Duane Reade employee (John Mulaney) cashier highlighting the finer points of this version of the dependable NYC drug store through show tunes. The standout out being Andy Samberg's dead bear carcass courtesy of RFK Jr. Be careful, the store's computer is down, so the only acceptable payment methods are cash and sex. Meanwhile, Davidson's request to buy a gallon of questionable milk sets Mulaney off