These iconic sketches from SNL’s golden era prove that comedy in the ’70s was truly unmatched.
If you’ve never found yourself laughing uncontrollably until your cheeks hurt, it might be time to take a nostalgic dive into Saturday Night Live’s most unforgettable moments from the 1970s. This groundbreaking decade gave rise to sketch comedy that wasn’t just funny—it was brilliantly irreverent, deeply creative, and entirely original. It marked the beginning of a cultural shift in how America viewed humor, politics, and the absurdity of everyday life.
SNL in the ’70s wasn’t just a comedy show—it was a revolution. The cast was raw and electric, filled with future legends like John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, and Dan Aykroyd, who transformed seemingly simple ideas into timeless sketches. These skits didn’t just get laughs—they embedded themselves into the American psyche, becoming part of pop culture in a way that very few shows have ever achieved.
1. Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, Pepsi—The Greek Diner That Made Fast Food Famous
In the Olympia Café sketch, the formula was hilariously simple: no matter what you ordered, the answer was always “Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Pepsi!” John Belushi’s gruff cook, with his exaggerated accent and intense shouting, turned every line into comedy gold, writers at Billy Goat Tavern & Grill shared. Watching customers get flustered as they realized their options were nonexistent added to the sketch’s charm. The absurdity of the premise made it a laugh-out-loud moment every single time.
What really set this sketch apart was the energy. Belushi was a whirlwind behind the counter, creating a kind of organized chaos that audiences couldn’t get enough of. Even though the lines repeated with little variation, the delivery was everything—it was like comedic jazz, familiar yet thrilling. The catchphrase became a cultural staple, and the scene remains one of SNL’s most quoted bits to this day.
2. Land Shark Proves Even Door-to-Door Sales Aren’t Safe
SNL took the menace of Jaws and twisted it into something utterly ridiculous with the Land Shark sketch. Instead of terrifying beach scenes, viewers were treated to a ludicrous predator knocking on apartment doors with a monotone “Candygram.” The idea that anyone would fall for such an obvious trick was what made it so funny—and somehow, people always did. It was the perfect parody of both horror tropes and human gullibility.
This sketch captured the surreal nature of SNL’s early days, where the line between clever and absurd was intentionally blurred. The Land Shark character, with its cardboard fin and emotionless delivery, was the antithesis of fear—which is why it worked so well, as reported by writers at Marvel Rivals Wiki. It was a brilliant exercise in playing it straight in the most bizarre scenario imaginable, and it remains one of the most enduring gags of the show’s formative years.
3. Weekend Update Delivers the News Like You’ve Never Seen Before
When Chevy Chase sat down at the Weekend Update desk, the world of fake news was officially born—but this kind was all about the laughs, as mentioned by Rachel Chang at Biography. With his trademark dry delivery and irreverent commentary, Chase gave viewers something entirely new: satirical news that was as clever as it was silly. His signoff line, “I’m Chevy Chase… and you’re not,” was instantly iconic and perfectly encapsulated the show’s irreverent attitude.
The beauty of Weekend Update was in its simplicity and boldness. It didn’t just poke fun at the news—it gave it a complete comedic overhaul, setting a tone that’s still imitated today. Chase’s on-air stumbles, misreads, and smirks only added to the charm. It felt raw, live, and unpredictable, which made it so compelling. This segment didn’t just inform with humor—it redefined how comedy could engage with current events.
4. The Coneheads Turn Everyday Life into Alien Awkwardness
The Coneheads were a bizarre, pointy-headed family of aliens trying desperately to blend into American suburbia. Watching them attempt to navigate barbecues, PTA meetings, and mealtime etiquette while spouting alien jargon was one of SNL’s greatest strokes of genius. Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin played the characters with deadpan sincerity, which only heightened the humor. The Coneheads weren’t just aliens—they were outsiders reflecting back our cultural oddities.
Their use of terms like “consuming mass quantities” or referring to beer as “liquid grain” wasn’t just silly—it was sharp satire. It forced audiences to examine how strange our everyday rituals might appear to someone looking in from the outside. The costumes were laughable, the delivery was dry, and the concept was wild—and yet it all worked seamlessly. The Coneheads were comedy aliens, but they were also weirdly relatable.
5. Samurai Delicatessen Makes Slicing Sandwiches an Extreme Sport
John Belushi’s Samurai Futaba character was unforgettable—part chef, part warrior, and all chaos. When he stepped behind the counter of a deli, he turned a simple sandwich order into an explosive performance. He grunted, shouted, and swung his katana with reckless abandon, leaving terrified customers and destroyed bread in his wake. It was physical comedy at its finest, a blend of martial arts spoof and classic slapstick.
What made this sketch even more impressive was Belushi’s sheer commitment. Every movement was exaggerated, every sound was deliberate, and every reaction was priceless. It wasn’t just the swordplay—it was the contrast between his samurai seriousness and the mundane setting that made the bit sing. Watching him “prepare” food like it was a life-or-death battle was as thrilling as it was hilarious. It’s a perfect example of how SNL used performance to elevate a simple idea.
6. Emily Litella’s Rants Prove You Should Always Double-Check the Facts
Gilda Radner’s Emily Litella was the patron saint of misunderstanding. Her recurring Weekend Update editorials were passionate diatribes on issues she’d completely misheard—like confusing “violence” with “violins.” Her commitment to her outrage, followed by the embarrassed and sheepish “Never mind,” became a punchline audiences adored. There was something so sincere and endearing about her character, even in her absurdity.
The genius of the sketch was in Radner’s delivery. She wasn’t just playing dumb—she was playing heartfelt, which made it all the more funny. Her confusion felt real, like something your sweet but out-of-touch relative might say at dinner. The character tapped into something universally human: the fear of getting it wrong. And by making it funny, Radner turned that vulnerability into comedy gold that still resonates.
7. The Killer Bees Showed Us Why Even Insects Can Be Funny
Only on SNL could a group of people dressed in bee costumes turn into comedic legends. The Killer Bees were absurd in the best way—giant, fuzzy insects that buzzed their way through completely unrelated sketches. Whether robbing banks or attending social gatherings, their presence was always ridiculous, which was exactly the point. The humor was in the contrast between their outfits and the normalcy of the situations.
What really sold the sketch was the cast’s unwavering commitment. They treated every scenario as if their bee personas were totally normal, which made the whole thing even funnier. It was a perfect example of SNL’s early experimental vibe—taking a random visual and running with it until it became something memorable. The Killer Bees might not have had a deep meaning, but their strange charm was impossible to ignore.
8. The Blues Brothers Turned Music and Comedy into Magic
Before they lit up the big screen, the Blues Brothers were a dynamic musical duo who brought serious soul to the SNL stage. Dressed in dark suits and shades, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi played Jake and Elwood Blues with such intensity, you’d swear they were real musicians. But they didn’t just sing—they entertained, danced, and cracked wise in a way that blended humor with high-octane rhythm and blues.
Their sketches weren’t just musical numbers—they were full performances that oozed charisma. Aykroyd’s jittery moves and Belushi’s powerhouse vocals made them more than just a gimmick. They captured the heart of blues music while poking fun at the genre’s seriousness. Watching them perform “Soul Man” wasn’t just funny—it was genuinely cool. They reminded audiences that comedy and music aren’t separate lanes—they can dance beautifully together.
9. Mr. Bill’s Misadventures Will Leave You Crying… with Laughter
Mr. Bill was an innocent clay character doomed to a series of increasingly catastrophic events, and viewers loved every minute of it. His wide-eyed expressions, high-pitched voice, and constant cries of “Oh nooo!” became instantly recognizable. The slapstick violence inflicted by Mr. Hands was both horrifying and hilarious, creating a strange but addictive blend of childlike visuals and dark adult humor.
What made Mr. Bill stand out was the unexpected emotional punch. You knew disaster was coming, and yet you still rooted for him every time. It was comedy born from inevitability, where the punchline was less about surprise and more about the painful buildup. The simplicity of the clay animation only amplified the absurdity. Somehow, the more Mr. Bill suffered, the funnier it got. It was tragic comedy at its finest.
10. Roseanne Roseannadanna’s Overshares Will Make You Cringe-Laugh
Gilda Radner once again stole the show with Roseanne Roseannadanna, the queen of awkward oversharing. What started as a serious editorial would quickly spiral into a tangent about her uncle’s earwax or some other wildly inappropriate anecdote. Her unfiltered honesty and exaggerated facial expressions made even the most mundane topics hilariously bizarre. She was a master at making the audience both laugh and squirm.
The beauty of Roseannadanna was in her complete disregard for decorum. She was loud, unrefined, and totally unbothered by social norms. It was comedy rooted in character, and Radner’s performance was fearless. Even as she crossed the line, she did it with such charm that you couldn’t help but love her. Her ability to derail a segment without ever losing momentum was pure comedic genius.
11. Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd’s Point/Counterpoint Sparring Was Savage and Hilarious
“Point/Counterpoint” was where satire and sharp-tongued banter collided. Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd faced off in mock debates that often escalated quickly into hilariously savage insults. Aykroyd’s infamous line—“Jane, you ignorant slut”—was delivered with such deadpan venom that it shocked and delighted in equal measure. Curtin’s calm but cutting comebacks made her the perfect foil, and their chemistry was electric.
The segment worked because it mimicked real debate shows, then completely dismantled them with over-the-top commentary. It was a parody that felt oddly truthful, reflecting how ridiculous some televised arguments could be. Curtin and Aykroyd didn’t just read lines—they sparred, and that energy made each segment unforgettable. It’s still quoted today because it was fearless, funny, and delivered with absolute conviction.