Throughout its 40+ year history, SNL has given us lots of Halloween gems. One of those gems has launched an animated special, while the others make their rounds in SNL's yearly Halloween collection. Some, unfortunately, have been forgotten about, left only for those willing to make the dangerous journey to NBC's website. No matter how they're viewed nowadays, all of these sketches have made a lasting impression.
Honorable Mentions: Martha Stewart on Halloween, A Girl's Halloween
I love these two sketches so much, but they don't quite make this list. One is a brand-new classic, while the other is a hilarious old favorite. They both fit the holiday in their own unique ways, and that makes them fun, festive treats that are great for the whole family. Okay, maybe not the whole family.
10- The Exorcist II
The Exorcist is a Halloween classic, and so is this parody. Laraine Newman plays a possessed girl who terrorizes priests played by guests Richard Pryor and Thalmus Rasulala. It's not as off-the-walls as it could be considering the premise, but it's effective parody at its finest. It's very entertaining to watch, and I love it. It's unfortunate that it seems lost to time and isn't featured on SNL Halloween specials, but at least it's on YouTube.
9- The Zimmermans: Halloween
The Zimmermans are fun and insane recurring characters, and this Halloween sketch might be the best of them all. It was fun and in the zany spirit of both Halloween and the Zimmermans. Plus, it features Ben Stiller, which makes it even better.
8- Rita DelVecchio's Halloween
I adore Cheri Oteri, and Rita DelVecchio is one of my favorite characters of hers. She's cranky, yet hilarious. Her hating trick-or-treaters just makes so much sense, because she is a miserable woman. She's definitely justified in some of her Halloween hatred, but that doesn't make this any less hilarious. Throw in Molly Shannon as one of her friends, and you make a great sketch even greater.
7- Geoff's Halloween Emporium
This thing is just so bizarre that it just works. Jim Carey as Geoff, the demonic owner of a Halloween shop, is comedic gold. Cecily Strong and Vanessa Bayer as workers that could care less that their boss is a demon is also great, and the ending of this is pretty perfect.
6- Happy Halloween... What?!
This is so great because it's unfortunately a very real (and uncomfortable) situation that happens in real life, taken to the extreme. Will Forte as someone who may or may not be a sexual predator is hilarious, and Jon Hamm's reaction to Forte's unclear message is great.
5- Clinton Halloween Party
The introductions of all of the Democrats at the Clinton Halloween bash like John Edwards and Mike on the cake here. It was an unexpected and hilarious appearance, especially with the buildup to it with the Obama mask. The Joe Biden/Chris Dodd bit was great too, because honestly, who wouldn't believe that Joe Biden would dress up as SpongeBob? Amy Poheler is one of two famous Hillary impressions, and this sketch definitely helps prove why that is true. Also, great witch costume.
4- Graveyard Song
Paul and Phil seem like nice guys. Also, really dumb guys. The scary residents of the graveyard are clearly annoyed with the not-at-all scary Paul and Phil's antics, but they don't really care and keep interrupting their spooky graveyard song. It's a pretty simple premise, but it works really well. Paul and Phil are super lovable and you can't help but feel bad for them here. The likability of both Jim Carey and Taran Killam really helps this sketch work, and I'm not sure it would have worked without them as Paul and Phil.
3- Vincent Price's Halloween Special
Bill Hader's Vincent Price is somehow the most sane person involved in this sketch, and that helps make it a Halloween classic. Vincent Price is a master of horror, yet is definitely more family friendly than Kristen Wiig's Gloria Swanson (who is a pirate, apparently), Jon Hamm's James Mason (who is not a spaceman), and Fred Armisen's Liberace. All of these impersonations are so great, and are varying degrees of over-the-top. It just works so well, and it's hard to pick a favorite out of them all. The sketch works so well and an SNL Halloween really isn't complete without it.
2- The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders
This parody of everything Wes Anderson is a perfect sketch. It's funny, it gives up Ed Norton's Owen Wilson impression, and it's just freaking over-the-top insane. All of the impressions packed into this sketch's short run time help make it one of their best Halloween sketches. It's a great parody of Anderson's bizarre (but effective) filmmaking style, and it's terrific from start to finish.
1- Haunted Elevator (David S. Pumpkins)
One question: were you expecting anything different to take the #1 spot? The newest sketch on this list takes the top prize easily, making a very lasting impression on me. While the others on this list are great, they couldn't hold a candle to Tom Hanks's lovable, grinning, pumpkin suit-wearing man (is he a man though?). Combine Hanks's enthusiasm with the hilarious reactions of Kate McKinnon and Beck Bennett, and you've got comedy gold. And don't even get me started on the b-boy skeletons.
What did you think of the list? What's your favorite SNL Halloween sketch? Let me know in the comments and vote in the poll below!
