A sketch from this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live is causing quite an uproar on the internet. The sketch, in which Dakota Johnson plays a young woman whose father sees her off before she joins ISIS, left many thinking that the subject matter was too dark to joke about. If you’re a fan of SNL, though, you know that the show has never shied away from controversy. Here are five sketches considerably more edgy than that one:
Word Association
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From the first season, Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor play a game of word association than turns sour when Chase begins using a number of racial slurs (to which Pryor consistently responds in kind). This sketch simultaneously seems far ahead of its time, yet also a product of its era. It’s unlikely that a sketch tackling racism in such a direct fashion would get on the air today.
Conspiracy Theory Rock
This Robert Smigel cartoon would be Jack Donaghy’s worst nightmare. The cartoon explains the concept of “Media-opoly,” in which a handful of corporations control what’s said on the news and what’s not. The cartoon takes some heavy shots at General Electric and is briefly interrupted by a “Please Stand By” message. Most amusingly, the sketch addresses the controversy over Norm Macdonald’s firing, claiming that it wasn’t caused by his joking about O.J. Simpson, but rather because Lorne Michaels and Marion Barry — another frequent Macdonald target — went to the same high school.
Tim Robbins’ Monologue
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This one goes into similar territory with Robbins — who was promoting Bob Roberts at the time — speaking out against General Electric. Similar to the “Please Stand By” joke in “Conspiracy Theory Rock,” this sketch features an interruption claiming the show has been canceled. It was all a dream in the end, and Lorne is safe in bed with Phil Hartman. It’s fair to assume this monologue would have garnered more controversy if not for what happened later in the episode. After her second performance, Sinead O’Connor tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II, which was enough to distract audiences from every other aspect of the episode.
Nude Beach
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Was this sketch a thoughtful critique of censorship, or just an excuse to use the word “penis” over and over again? Well… can’t it be both? Also, it’s the rare time Dennis Miller appears in a sketch outside of Weekend Update. His delivery of, “You could pick a lock with that penis,” is simply perfect.
Lord And Lady Douchebag
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These days, the word “douchebag” and it’s countless variations are a regular part of popular culture. The rules were a bit different 35 years ago, however, and broadcasting this sketch on national television was a direct challenge to network censorship. As with the nude beach sketch, it’s also absolutely hilarious. Who could forget this gem: “Give a man a sandwich and a douchebag, and there’s nothing he can’t do!”
Truer words were never spoken.
