Spooky Snippets on Saturday Night Live
Austin Price, Editor in Chief
Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a sketch comedy show that has been on the air since 1975. Known for its iconic guest hosts, both celebrities and musicians, SNL has proudly presented comedic entertainment for over four decades. The show airs live from New York. Some of their most well-known content includes comedic sketches, satirical news and digital shorts, and popular musical acts. With such a long history of entertainment, Saturday Night Live has also been home to some stellar, spooky, and silly Halloween sketches. And so, as a designated Spooky Season Enthusiast and SNL fan, I present to you the top Spooky Snippets on Saturday Night Live.
Haunted Elevator (ft. David S. Pumpkins)
First, we have my all-time favorite SNL Halloween sketch, “Haunted Elevator (ft. David S. Pumpkins)”. The premise of this sketch is simple, with a couple visiting a Halloween attraction, “100 Floors of Frights”. However, unexpected spooks are quickly revealed with a flair, as the legendary Tom Hanks portrays an original character, David S. Pumpkins. With curly hair and a pumpkin blazer, David S. Pumpkins is “his own thing!” However, Pumpkins doesn’t arrive solo, but is flanked by two B-boy skeletons, played by Bobby Moynihan, and Mikey Day, who also helped create the character and write the sketch. The unusual trio leaves onlookers initially confused, but the final moment is a jump scare like no other!
David Pumpkins Returns
Up next is the sequel to “Haunted Elevator (ft. David S. Pumpkins)”, “David Pumpkins Returns.” Tom Hanks reprises his iconic role, with his character now a fan favorite for all Halloween enthusiasts. Not complete without them, Pumpkins brings back his B-boy skeletons, again played by Bobby Moynihan and Mikey Day. The David S. Pumpkins and B-boy skeleton experience has become a cult classic for the Spooky Season. The premise around this sketch is again, a haunted attraction with unsuspecting visitors along for the ride. The visitors enter the attraction “Cellblock 666” and are quickly introduced to iconic Halloween villains like Michael Myers and the Annabelle doll. However, these well-known characters are interrupted by the grand entrance of David S. Pumpkins and his trusty, B-boy skeletons. Riders are both awed and dumbfounded by their routine. Once again, a spooky surprise completes the sketch.
Best Friend's House
Up next is a little less Halloween themed, but still spooky in its own way. Think more true crime, less Halloween time. Ariana Grande stars in this musical sketch. Acting as a young girl visiting her best friend’s house, Grande begins a crooning melody that reflects the nostalgia of childhood BFFs and the joys of sleepovers. However, this soothing song quickly turns sinister as the mysteries of her best friend’s house starts to emerge. Hidden clues scattered throughout the house lead to the ultimate terrifying truth. Watch the sketch for yourselves and you’ll agree, only Ariana Grande could make such a scary song so beautiful.
Chad’s Horror Movie
The spooky sketches continue with a visit from one of my favorite SNL characters, Chad. Played by Pete Davidson, Chad has become a special guest on various SNL sketches. He’s known for his nonchalant nature and laidback outlook on life. His reactions, or lack thereof, serve as a comedic staple for other sketches with tense situations. This sketch is no different. Opening with Chad chilling at home, watching TV, the sketch quickly turns into a replica of the iconic phone call scene in Scream (1996). The caller is revealed to be a former acquaintance of Chad, seeking revenge for high school problems. While the mission of the caller is comedic on its own, the performance by John Mulaney as he plays the caller, Ferguson Tyler, nails down the levity. Mulaney’s take on unresolved teenage angst is amazingly accurate, and the deadpan, minimal responses from Chad escalate the scene into scary silliness.
Firelight (Taylor Swift)
We’ve arrived at number 5 on the list making this sketch the perfect halfway point. Number 5 is a sketch I will watch every time it pops up on my YouTube feed. “Firelight (Taylor Swift)” combines a few of my favorite things; Taylor Swift, Twilight, and Halloween hilarity. Set as a parody of the hit movie, Twilight, Taylor Swift plays SNL’s version of Bella Swan while Bill Hader plays her love interest, SNL’s version of Edward Cullen. The obvious parallels between the source material, Twilight, and the SNL version, Firelight, are hilarious and act as a playful mimicry of Twilight’s appeal and success. Now I’ll admit it, I love Twilight. It is an ultimate comfort movie for me (as is the rest of the series), because it reminds me of a simpler time before I had adult responsibilities. However, just because I love something doesn't mean I can’t laugh at it. SNL teases the Twilight film with overdramatic acting, cringy line delivery, and the infamous green/blue hue of the original film.
Haunted House (Hugh Laurie)
Next, we have a sketch featuring one of my favorite actors, Hugh Laurie. (Editor’s note: I’m a huge fan of House and The Night Manager, both of which feature this excellent English entertainer. I highly recommend). This sketch is another parody of popular, mainstream entertainment. “Haunted House (Hugh Laurie)” is a spooky spoof of ghost hunting shows and paranormal investigations. Now, I don’t want to spoil the sketch, but let’s just say that what’s usually a tired trope becomes a long-lasting laugh, allowing viewers to appreciate cheesy comedy in an unintentionally silly situation. Also, bonus points for Hugh Laurie’s elegant English accent, enhancing an embarrassing circumstance.
Ghost Chasers
Continuing our list is another farce of ghost hunting TV shows. “Ghost Chasers” presents a similar situation as “Haunted House (Hugh Laurie)”. However, this time it incorporates a cast of believers, historians, and a paranormal skeptic. Played by Leslie Jones, the on-call scientist and die-hard skeptic of ghosts and ghouls, joins a team of investigators beginning their journey into a so-called “Haunted Mansion”. Leslie’s character quickly turns to a believer of the paranormal and provides a logical approach to the team’s findings being “let’s get the hell out of here!”. Unfortunately for her, the rest of the oblivious team, set on proving and connecting with the spirits, continues their journey, and chaos ensues.
A Girl’s Halloween
Next, we have an ode to the realities of being a girl on Halloween. “A Girl’s Halloween” is a comical retelling of a Halloween night that nearly every girl in their 20s has experienced. Featuring Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong, and Vanessa Bayer, three friends embark on an intended “chill and quiet” Halloween celebration. Unfortunately for the trio, this relaxed approach does not last long. The girls quickly spiral into the realities of uncomfortable costumes, excessive drinking, and the party culture that festers on Halloween night.
Hallmark Horror
I’ll be the first to admit that I love Hallmark Christmas movies. Nothing gets me into a merry spirit more than unrealistic, cheesy love stories. Give me a writer from New York that goes back to her small town for Christmas and meets her childhood crush, completely abandoning her fiancé back in the Big Apple for a guy she barely knows, and I am satisfied. Our next spooky season sketch is a Halloween version of the classic Hallmark Holiday collection. Featuring Nate Bargatze and Chloe Fineman as caricatures of the country boy and city girl stereotypes, this sketch is a fabulous rendition of finding love in all the haunted places.
Spirit Halloween
Our final sketch of Spooky Snippets on SNL is the true way to experience Halloween in America. I give you a trip to the one and only Spirit Halloween. From the rushed store openings to the creepy employees, with cheap materials and off-brand costumes, this sketch gives an accurate look into a beloved October tradition. Dive into your childhood memories as you watch the most realistic look into retail holiday shopping.
That concludes our Spooky Snippets on SNL. I hope you enjoyed this tour into some of the funniest and scariest sketches in Saturday Night Live history. SNL is currently in the midst of their lineup for Season 51. While it doesn’t look like their current season will feature any Halloween episodes (their loss if you ask me), there’s always hope for next season!