On the landscape of American late-night television, Saturday Night Live (SNL) has etched its name with its signature blend of sketch comedy and variety. A recurring and highly anticipated segment within the show is the commercial advertisement parody, often strategically placed after the host's opening monologue. These parodies, with many crafted under the direction of James Signorelli, have become a staple of SNL, finding their way into prime-time clip shows and specials.
A Legacy of Ad Parodies
Over the years, SNL's ad parodies have become a cultural phenomenon, celebrated in specials like the April 1991 show hosted by Kevin Nealon and Victoria Jackson, and a 1999 follow-up with Will Ferrell. These parodies tap into the familiar tropes and trends of advertising, exaggerating them for comedic effect.
Exploring SNL's Parody Commercials
SNL’s ad parodies span a wide range of products and services, each skewering aspects of consumer culture with wit and satire. Here are some examples of SNL ad parodies:
16 and Pregnant Spinoffs
A November 2010 ad satirizes MTV's penchant for spinoffs, lampooning the network's 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom franchises. The parody highlights the trend of networks capitalizing on popular shows with endless variations, complete with an altered logo to "MTV: Maternity Television."
24-Hour Energy for Dating Actresses
This parody targets the perceived trials and tribulations of dating actresses. It suggests that dealing with their quirks and demands can be exhausting, necessitating a supplement to provide the energy needed to handle their constant rehearsing, foreign accents, and emotional swings.
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ABBA Christmas
This infomercial spoof promotes a fictional, never-released album of holiday songs from "The Fleetwood Mac of cold weather," featuring SNL cast members and alumni. The parody reimagines ABBA's classic tunes with holiday-themed lyrics, creating a humorous juxtaposition.
Aerotoilet
This ad introduces an inflatable toilet, similar to an Aerobed, ideal for accommodating guests at large parties. It plays on the absurdity of creating a portable toilet solution for social gatherings.
Airbnb
This skit features Natalie (Chloe Fineman), who rents her home through Airbnb, but finds herself stuck with a European guest, Oolie (also Fineman), due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. Oolie's discourteous manners become a source of comedic frustration for Natalie.
Alaska Airlines
After a real-life incident where a door plug broke off one of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, this parody sees Alaska Airlines reassuring passengers with hyperbolic safety measures. The humor arises from the airline's over-the-top attempts to restore public confidence.
The Al Pacino Accused Murderer Biopic Series
This parody mocks the trend of biopics, particularly those focusing on controversial figures. It features Al Pacino playing various accused murderers, highlighting the entertainment industry's fascination with true crime stories.
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Almost Pizza
Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, and Nasim Pedrad promote a fictional pizza product, spoofing DiGiorno pizza commercials. The humor comes from the exaggerated claims and absurd scenarios typical of food advertising.
The Amazing Alexander
This 1986 ad promotes a Broadway performance by a stage hypnotist, played by Jon Lovitz. The parody exaggerates the testimonials of audience members, who unanimously praise the show while under hypnosis, even comparing it favorably to CATS.
Amazon
This skit satirizes typical Mother's Day gifts available on Amazon, highlighting the impersonal and commercial nature of the holiday.
Amazon Go
This parody plays on the convenience of Amazon Go stores, where customers can simply grab items and leave without checking out. The skit adds a layer of social commentary by showing Black customers being wary of the concept, hinting at racial profiling concerns.
American Express
This 2015 parody features Chris Hemsworth recalling how people said he was too tall, too blonde, and too muscular to make it in show business, mocking the credit card's celebrity-driven ad campaign.
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American Girls
This Season 48 film trailer reimagines the American Girl dolls with historically-accurate backstories, mirroring the adventures of the Barbie line but with a focus on historical context.
American Taser
This skit features a series of people demonstrating the latest models of tasers by shocking each other, highlighting the absurdity and potential dangers of self-defense products.
America's Turning Gay
A parody of uplifting ad campaigns for 7 Up and Dr. Pepper, this skit humorously suggests that America is becoming increasingly gay.
…and More
This series of skits features Tina-Tina Chenuse (Jenny Slate) promoting stores that stock personalized novelties, with each store name ending with "and More." The skits share the recurring elements of Tina-Tina introducing herself and the store names ending with "and More."
Annuale
This ad promotes a medicine that allows women to have only one period per year, satirizing the desire for convenience and control over bodily functions.
The Apocalypse
This parody applies the themes of romantic comedies and holiday films to the world's end, creating a humorous juxtaposition of genres.
Aron's List
This skit introduces an online service similar to Angie's List but with lower fees, thanks to its roster of less-qualified plumbers and carpenters.
Asian American Doll
A Barbie parody that promotes "the doll that's Asian American" and has been designed to be as bland as possible so that it's as inoffensive as possible.
Ass Angel Perfume Jeans
This skit presents jeans that mask "secret little lady scents" with various aromas, including lavender and industrial chemicals, playing on the idea of overly specialized and absurd products.
Aw Nuts! Mom's a Ghost!
This skit combines the tropes of family sitcoms with supernatural elements, creating a humorous and absurd scenario.
Baby Spanx
This ad promotes elasticized shapewear for babies, mocking the pressure to conform to unrealistic body standards from a young age.
Bad Idea Jeans
This commercial features scenes of people discussing "bad ideas," with the text "BAD IDEA" appearing after each scene. The humor comes from the relatable and often regrettable decisions people make.
Banshee
NBC staff announcer Ed Herlihy pitches a collection of audio speakers that serve in your place when you can't attend a funeral.
Bartenson's Grocery Store
Kathy and Suzanna-Anne-Helen (Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant) promote the items shoppers fearing the COVID-19 pandemic bypass in favor of traditional staple foods.
Bathroom Cobra
To keep his girlfriend (Cecily Strong) from discovering the big stink he just left in the bathroom, episode host Vince Vaughn leaves this real-life venomous cobra on the floor.
Be My Quaran-Tine
Nick (Alex Moffat) hasn't had time to find that special someone… until he self-isolates during the COVID-19 pandemic and finds a person who shares the same interests, thoughts, etc. as he does - that person being himself.
Beta Force
Testosterone supplements meant to give men vitality can at times work too well, turning them into overtly aggressive alpha males (especially in bed).
The Beygency
A 2014 film trailer in which episode host Andrew Garfield goes on the run from mysterious agents, all because he "turned against his country" and professed to not entirely being a fan of Beyoncé's music.
Big Brawn Feminine Napkins
Parodying Brawny paper towels, this ad shows giant lumberjack Will Ferrell turning pulp from wood into a super-absorbent menstruation pad.
Bird Bible
"Your family will never be bored by scriptures again" thanks to this kid-oriented pictorial version of the Bible, promoted in a March 2014 ad, that substitutes human figures with images of birds.
Black Widow: Age of Me
Marvel Studios reciprocates with this Season 40 film trailer centered around Black Widow (episode host Scarlett Johansson, reprising her role from Marvel's Cinematic Universe).
Blaine Hotel
Part of an early running gag on Weekend Update, this ad bumper has Don Pardo announcing that guests of SNL stay at the Blaine Hotel, but is usually preceded by Update reports of serious incidents.
Blue River Dog Food
The first, from 2014, finds Cindy and Pat (Cecily Strong and episode host Seth Rogen) offering a testimonial for Blue River, which takes an abrupt turn when Cindy lashes out at the lack of integrity of their previous brand.
Born This Way baby clothing line
From "Osh Kosh F*gosh" comes this more inclusive collection of infant wear for parents who don't want to automatically assume their toddler will conform as heterosexual or cisgender when they grow up.
Brad Pitt
Taran Killam parodies Pitt's rambling 2012 pitch work for Chanel No. 5 perfume.
Broadview Security
A parody of the actual Broadview Security commercials that infer that women living alone in large houses are the most likely to be victimized by any man she meets.
Brogaine
"Because no one wants to be the bald guy in the frat," this version of Rogaine is designed for male college students suffering from premature hair loss.
Broken
CBS premieres this show centered around a family of professors (portrayed by Vanessa Bayer, Cecily Strong, and episode host Tom Hanks) who are all diagnosed with depression on the same day.
Brutal Marriage Movie
This cut-for-time trailer from Season 47 promotes a movie documenting the overly dramatic struggles between a married couple played by "two [scene-chewing] actors who fully expect Oscars" (Heidi Gardner and episode host Rami Malek).
The Bubble
This November 2016 ad promotes a proposed domed community (formerly the New York City borough of Brooklyn) with a diverse, progressive atmosphere.
Buddweiser Light
A parody of the Bud Light "Bring Out Your Best" ad campaign, featuring hockey player Joe Piscopo mentally readying himself against faceoff opponent Robin Williams.
Bug-Off
Will Ferrell appears in this parody sketch of Roach Motels. Rather than simply killing a cockroach, this bug trap painfully tortures them and "gives them a lot to think about."
Bunny Business Soundtrack
Ahead of the release of an animated motion picture about "a couple of bunnies with a lot of ambition," its accompanying soundtrack is promoted in this Season 35 ad.
Business Garden Inn & Suites & Hotel Room Inn
Whether you're staying for business travel, interventions, or "after-prom hand stuff," this budget hotel will provide "every amenity required by law."
Calgon laundry detergent
A May 2000 parody of Calgon's long-running ad set in a Chinese laundry.
The Chad & Mrs. O'Malley Irish Drinking Songs Hour
Hear them sing deep-cut and loosely original songs… along with a random assortment of non-Gaelic tunes.