SNL: 5 ’90s Sketches That Are Underrated (& 5 Overrated)

By the time the show heads in the 1990s, Saturday Night Live has been racking up hit after hit with the skits and talents it produced. With an assured leadership under its original creator, Lorne Michaels, America’s leading sketch show had reached new heights in comedy, for better or worse.

That can be seen from such hyped sketches from that decade. For every Ladies Man, there is a Stuart Smalley. And for every Mary Katherine Gallager, there is a Pat. And they have movies of their own. While considering those popular skits, recognize also the decade’s underrated yet hilarious sketches.

10 Underrated: The Richmeister

Even Rob Schneider was in quality sketches during his time in SNL. His most famous is arguably The Richmeister. The character is an attention-seeking office employee who sits around the copy room and interacts with his coworkers as they use the copying machine. The Richmeister calls them by name and remarks them for “Makin’ Copies!”

While his obnoxious nature grated a few of his coworkers, most of them tolerated Richmeister and found him meek. And yet, the best attribute about Rich is that he is the least obnoxious Rob Schneider character.

9 Overrated: Total Bastard Airlines

Total Bastard Airlines is a cast ensemble sketch, but it is really a David Spade showcase. He and the week’s host are a pair of impolite flight attendants who pester the exiting passengers, declining to answer any of their questions or requests and greets them passively with an offhand “buh-bye”.

With the sketch appearing twice, it made a solid impression as an all-out hilarious segment that it was touted as one of the best SNL 90’s sketches. And thanks to Spade, the phrase “buh-bye” is anyone’s way to greet goodbye.

8 Underrated: The Culps

Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer play the musical couple Marty Culp and Bobbi Mohan-Culp. Marty plays the keyboard, and Bobbi is the lead vocalist. And the two perform classical medleys of current pop songs for many school events. Though in between performances, they tend to comment about the students mocking them, or just joke around.

Both Ferrell and Gasteyer work of each other well, both in their musical number and their interactions as a middle-aged couple attempting to adapt to modern song trends. Though, this makes their unseen son embarrassed.

7 Overrated: The Roxbury Guys

More on Ferrell, he and Chris Kattan made their generation’s “Two Wild and Crazy Guys!” with the Butabi Brothers. The duo are habitual clubbers who (sometimes along with the week’s host) jump from one nightclub after another to flirt and pick up women, only to irritate them with their gyrate dancing.

However, their most notable gimmick is traveling to each shindig with bobbing their heads to the song “What Is Love” by Haddaway. That part (specifically with Jim Carrey) became so famous that there was a movie about the sketch.

6 Underrated: Bill Brasky

Created by Ferrell and Adam McKay, Bill Brasky is the subject of a drinking binge between three or four businessmen friends who would drink in a non-alcoholic establishment and boast about their encounters with their acquaintance Bill Brasky. Their stories often range from exaggerated tall tales to raunchy exploits. Though their stories made them sour, the friends toast to Brasky.

Some SNL cast members featured frequently include Ferrell, Tim Meadows, Ana Gesteyer and David Koechner. And probably it is this recurring sketch that inspired the satirical factoids about Chuck Norris.

5 Overrated: The Delicious Dish

SNL cannot resist this recurring sketch. The Delicious Dish is a parody of an NPR radio show that centers on culinary specialties prepared by the guests. The show is hosted by the gloomy Margaret Jo McCullen (Ana Gasteyer), Teri Rialto (Molly Shannon) and Lynn Bershad (Rachel Dratch, who replaced Shannon).

The hosts discuss the featured dish with the guest. However, their exchanges include double entendres in describing the food. The most popular installment is with Alec Baldwin’s Pete Schweddy and his catchphrase “no one can resist my Schweddy Balls”.

4 Underrated: Mango

While Mr. Peepers is an underrated favorite, Mango is Chris Kattan’s best recurring solo character. He is a male exotic dancer and an attraction for a strip club. Sporting a pink top, tight gold shorts and spangled beret, he woos any patron of any gender. And they all seemingly fall for Mango and his moves.

His nationality remains ambiguous, even though he spoke with a Hispanic accent. Mango’s true gimmick is driving his customers (usually played by the host) insane with his over-the-top dancing, his vague phrases and his butt-slapping.

3 Overrated: Matt Foley

During the ’90s, Chris Farley made an impact as a standout performer, following the footsteps of John Belushi. And he was featured in many notable sketches like Gap Girls, Bill Swerski’s Superfans and The Chris Farley Show. But his most popular character is Matt Foley.

Matt Foley is a motivational speaker, who is anything but. He encourages his audience, but neuters his reassurances by highlighting his failures. Farley was explosive as Foley, mastering physical comedy with his frequent pratfalls and exaggerated gestures that the cast cannot help but break character.

2 Underrated: Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer

Likewise, his friend Phil Hartman made an impact as the “everyman” performer and master impressionist of the show. Despite being underestimated, his tenure in SNL has been described as an important cast member. While Officer Miller is a fun recurring character, his most popular bit is Keyrock, the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.

Keyrock is a Neanderthal from the Ice Age, thawed up by scientists in 1988. He studied law and served as a defense attorney. Keyrock tends to use his traits as a “simple-minded caveman” to manipulate others and gain leverage over cases. And Hartman gave such an absurd yet hilarious performance.

1 Overrated: Celebrity Jeopardy!

Finally, there is always the reliable Celebrity Jeopardy!, which debuted in 1996. It is hosted by Alex Trebek (Ferrell), and each segment features three celebrities (one of which is played by the host). The third contestant would either be Burt Reynolds (Norm Macdonald) or Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond), or both.

However, after each subsequent episode, the categories are dumbed down to accommodate the contestants’ incompetence and vanity. However, the most popular gag was Connery pestering Trebek about his “manly” sexuality and sexual exploits with Trebek’s mother. It is so tremendously popular that several categories were also featured in the real Jeopardy!.

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