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Are These SNL's 10 Funniest Faux Commercials?
Target Lady, Bass-O-Matic, 3-Legged Jeans and more
Live, from New York … Commercial parodies spanning 50 years.
Since its 1975 debut, Saturday Night Live has spoofed the zeitgeist like no other TV series. And it’s faux adverts rank among the show’s wisest, wittiest and wackiest commentaries on consumer culture and the fickle American psyche.
Indeed, brands frequently leverage SNL’s sketches in actual campaigns, blurring the line between marketing and fiction. (We’re looking at you, CeraVe and VW.)
Ahead of SNL’s 50th anniversary bash this weekend, Muse staffers selected our 10 favorite parody spots from all eras of the show.
We could have chosen 50 funny clips, maybe more. But, we believe these picks—presented in no particular order—represent an awesome cross-section of timeless not-ready-for-prime-time satire.
‘Target Circle Week’
Kristen Wig flips the script on retail so darn hard. Ultimately, she portrayed the Target Lady in real spots too.
‘December to Remember’
Seasonal humor packaged with Timothée Chalamet, Beck Bennett and Heidi Gardner. The latter steals the sketch.
‘Duolingo for Talking to Children’
This one speaks an oddball language all its own, but just about everyone can relate.
‘Mom Jeans’
The perfect funny fit. So … shapely? Just remember: “I’m not a woman anymore. I’m a mom.”
‘Bad Idea Jeans’
Another denim delight. Great line deliveries plus a pre-Better Call Saul appearance by Bob Odenkirk.
‘3-Legged Jeans’
And AGAIN with the jeans. Awesome earworm: “A leg and a leg and leg.” Crank up that boombox!
‘Activity Pack Super Bowl Commercial’
Vanessa Bayer goes long for the score. Totino’s should’ve run this in SB59 instead of its alien ad.
‘Amazon Echo’
Never gets old. A tuned-in take on tech foibles with Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon.
‘Bass-O-Matic’
One of SNL’s earliest and most enduring faux spots. Dan Aykroyd’s energy is bass-tastic!
‘Bass-O-Matic, 40th Anniversary’
A fishy concept still swims four decades later. “Wow, that’s good bass!” Yes, it certainly is.
