Video Summary

The text shares a recap of memorable comedic moments from "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) that humorously poked fun at athletes and sports. The video countdown starts with a retired sportsman stating his commitment to remain involved with Bayless Bowl, setting the stage for the ensuing sketches. Highlighted segments include Charles Barkley's energetic impersonation of Shaquille O'Neal, which showcases their dynamic camaraderie. A skit titled "First Date" cleverly addresses O.J. Simpson's past in a comedic light, while another pokes fun at NFL player introductions by listing players’ scandals instead of their achievements. Nate Bargatze’s golf sketch presents a series of comedic mishaps that disrupt a game, encapsulating the absurdity of unexpected challenges in sports. The text also references classic segments from earlier SNL seasons, such as a mockumentary featuring a fictional quarterback, Steve Martin's character brandishing a firearm during a game, and John Belushi humorously endorsing "little chocolate donuts" for athletic training. In other memorable sketches, Al Franken and Michael Jordan address self-doubt on a fictional self-help show, and Peyton Manning plays a comically aggressive mentor to children, depicting a caricature of an overly intense athlete. The piece concludes by inviting viewers to share their favorite comedic athlete moments on SNL, emphasizing the show's long-standing tradition of blending sports and humor.

Full Video Transcript

0s: No, I never really done that. It was
1s: just I retired, but I'm still going to
3s: be a sportsman for Bayless Bowl.
5s: >> Welcome to Ms. Mojo. And today we're
8s: counting down our picks for the best
10s: times the show poked fun at athletes and
12s: or their respective games.
14s: >> Because I'm good enough,
16s: I'm smart enough,
18s: and doggone it, people like me.
22s: >> Number 10, the NBA on TNT. Not every
26s: athlete is prepared to play on SNL, but
29s: Charles Barkley has just the right
31s: energy for the gig.
32s: >> Tonight I welcome the newest member of
33s: TNT family, Superman himself, Shaquille
35s: O'Neal.
36s: >> It's me.
37s: Shaq.
38s: I'm here now.
40s: I'm on TV, on set.
42s: >> He's got an offbeat sensibility that
44s: fuels many awesome sketches during this
46s: parody of Inside the NBA. Barkley chose
49s: to play Shaquille O'Neal instead of
51s: himself. Kenan Thompson gets the glory
53s: of playing Barkley in this exaggerated
55s: parody.
56s: >> Well, at least Shaq got four
58s: championship rings.
59s: >> Oh, yeah, he got four rings, and it
61s: sounds like they're all stuck in his
62s: throat.
63s: >> [laughter]
65s: >> Toning down his voice, the former NBA
67s: star does a great job as a more reserved
70s: O'Neal. Thompson then gets to play up
72s: his impression and lets his co-star
74s: score on a few occasions. It's not too
76s: far off from a segment on the actual
78s: sports program.
79s: >> I predicted Charles Barkley would gain
81s: all that weight back, and he'll be fat,
83s: and he'll star in Free Willy 2.
87s: >> [laughter]
88s: >> First of all, dummy, there was already a
91s: Free Willy 2.
92s: But I'd rather be in Free Willy 2 than
94s: Kazaam 1.
95s: >> Number nine, First Date. Taking a clever
98s: swipe at an infamous celebrity, this
100s: skit examines a date with a surprise.
103s: Gal Gadot's character doesn't know the
104s: backstory about O.J. Simpson.
106s: >> I did have a nickname for a little
108s: while, Juice.
110s: >> [laughter]
111s: >> As in Juice is loose?
113s: >> Loose from what?
115s: >> Just a juice container, I guess.
117s: >> She believes she's just eating another
119s: random guy, failing to realize why
121s: others might like or hate him. Keenan
123s: Thompson's role relies on underselling
125s: the moment and doing some hilarious
127s: reactions.
128s: >> You know, I got to confess something.
129s: Uh,
130s: this steak is incredible. You want some?
133s: >> Sure, why not?
134s: >> All right, cool. Just give me a second.
136s: For some reason they gave me a plastic
137s: knife.
138s: >> It does include a clever use of dramatic
140s: irony, letting Gadot play ignorant as
143s: her co-star contends with his pop
144s: culture status. Various people interact
147s: with the former athlete as his larger
149s: reputation comes to light. Tapping into
151s: a funny concept, this scene parodies the
153s: cultural figure from a completely
155s: different angle.
156s: >> So, you're an athlete,
159s: I have to ask, how is it that you're
162s: still single?
164s: >> It's a mystery.
165s: >> Number eight, NFL intros. For die-hard
168s: football fans, they know the concept of
170s: the player introduction. This sketch
172s: highlights scandals in the NFL with the
174s: hilarious reversal.
176s: >> Devon Washington, I punched the mailman.
178s: That's federal, baby.
181s: And I'm the punter, tax fraud.
183s: >> Instead of each athlete announcing their
185s: alma mater, they describe their various
188s: crimes and allegations. These citations
191s: range from horrifying to absurd as each
193s: new person steps up. The likes of Keenan
196s: Thompson, Pete Davidson, and host Chris
198s: Pratt add to the list of funny gags.
201s: >> Barry Jackitis, I did some weird stuff
202s: on a cruise ship.
205s: Greg Watkins, I was on that cruise, too.
206s: It's pretty fun.
207s: >> There's even an appearance from the
209s: opposing team, featuring the cast
211s: switching up their hair and jerseys for
213s: new characters. It used comedy to
215s: capture serious news with a
216s: crowd-pleasing delivery.
218s: >> The players look less athletic.
220s: >> I noticed that as well.
221s: >> Now, will the players be discussing the
223s: punishments they received for their
224s: offenses?
224s: >> Well, no, there weren't any, so we're
226s: not going
226s: >> Number seven, golf tournament. There's
228s: always a chance that you lose your ball
230s: on a course, but rarely does a golf game
232s: go this badly.
234s: >> Noel checking for birds, smart move. All
237s: clear. Lines up his shot and
241s: slicing into some trees and
245s: >> Nate Bargatze plays an unlucky pro that
248s: keeps disrupting the local ecosystem. He
250s: accidentally hits a bird and later takes
253s: on a turtle. With this comedy of errors,
255s: Bargatze's athlete starts to lose his
257s: concentration and his sponsorships.
260s: >> It seems Nike has asked to cover their
262s: logo. Noel not too happy.
264s: >> Really?
265s: Nike called.
266s: >> The commentary only takes this concept
268s: further as the onlookers start to turn
270s: on the golfer. Using his laid-back
272s: humor, the host works wonders with his
274s: understated style. This nightmare trip
277s: through the fairway keeps you on your
278s: toes with each new insane problem.
281s: >> Oh my god!
282s: Oh, the chipmunk!
284s: Bad start to the second day of play for
286s: Noel here
288s: at the Oakmont Classic.
290s: Back after this.
291s: >> Number six, Weekend Update, Olga Korbut.
294s: Going back to the first seasons of SNL,
296s: the writers used sports in early
298s: segments like this one.
299s: >> Now, we know that Olga must be terribly
301s: disappointed and crushed by Nadia's
303s: success. Olga's was the favorite to win
305s: and now out of nowhere Nadia comes
307s: along, wins the medals, becomes the
308s: darling of everyone, and Olga is left
310s: alone, a crushed, forgotten, sadden
312s: figure at a has-been at the age of 21.
315s: >> Weekend Update host Chevy Chase cuts
317s: away to correspondent John Belushi and
319s: his chat with athlete Olga Korbut.
322s: Bending the rules, the show lets the
324s: performers mess around with Russian
325s: accents and gibberish. Gilda Radner does
328s: fantastic voice work leading up to her
330s: big line.
331s: >> I would like to take that balance beam
333s: and stick it in her eye.
335s: >> Belushi even takes a rare backseat here,
337s: allowing his scene partner to play an
339s: opinionated gymnast. We all wish that
341s: this kind of Olympic interview would
343s: actually happen. It's also a showcase of
345s: three cast members from the original era
347s: of Saturday Night Live.
349s: >> She says she likes and admires Nadia
352s: very much and wishes
353s: >> [laughter]
354s: >> uh nothing but good luck in the future.
356s: >> Number five, Weekend Update, David
359s: Ortiz's post-retirement plans. Kenan
362s: Thompson has appeared as this Boston Red
364s: Sox legend several times on SNL.
370s: >> [laughter]
371s: >> I'm sorry, all all of that is lunch?
373s: >> Yeah, that's right. Big Dominican lunch
376s: with Big Papi.
377s: >> [applause]
379s: >> The fictional version of the slugger
380s: joins Weekend Update to talk about his
382s: retirement, but there's also his
384s: fascination with food. Thompson's
386s: pronunciation is a highlight of the skit
388s: that proves David Ortiz should be in
390s: advertising.
391s: >> You would do like basketball and
392s: football, but they too fun and fast.
395s: Try baseball.
397s: >> [laughter]
398s: >> You hit a ball with a stick and then you
401s: run a little bit
402s: with baseball.
404s: >> [laughter]
405s: >> Selling the concept of baseball and
407s: parody apps like Welp, this athlete
409s: character is especially funny during his
411s: readings. The performer plays well off
414s: of Colin Jost and even cracks up at one
416s: point. Having played this role so many
418s: times, the veteran sketch player easily
420s: slips into this larger-than-life
422s: impression.
423s: >> You looking for a good seafood
424s: restaurant in Cleveland?
426s: Well, I CAN'T HELP YOU.
428s: >> [laughter]
431s: >> I LIVE IN BOSTON, MAN.
433s: HOW I KNOW WHAT'S happening in
434s: Cleveland?
435s: >> Number four, NFL Films, Four Fathers of
438s: the Game, The Gun. Taking a look at
440s: old-time football, this sketch explores
442s: a fake player's secret weapon.
444s: >> And there was
446s: uh with good reason, I should add, some
448s: uproar about a player brandishing a
450s: firearm during a game.
452s: But technically, there were there was no
454s: rule against it.
455s: >> Billy Van Gogh is a quarterback that
457s: scares his opponents with a literal gun.
459s: Taking the field, he fights back with a
462s: comical advantage. Steve Martin plays
464s: the athlete reminiscing about his crazy
466s: past. It's all set up like a real
468s: documentary, complete with hysterical
470s: interviews and pictures from the games.
473s: >> We were undefeated going into the
474s: championship game, and we would have won
476s: it all if not for
479s: the incident.
480s: >> By the championship game, Gun was
483s: getting a little cocky.
485s: He would openly drink on the sideline,
488s: said it made him even more intimidating.
491s: >> You then get to hear what happens when
492s: the Gun accidentally throws away his
494s: greatest asset. Martin and his co-stars
496s: fill out a roster of funny older men
498s: describing an old pastime with effective
500s: performances.
502s: >> I had no choice but to kick Gun out of
504s: the league.
506s: And thus ended
508s: one of the greatest football careers
510s: I ever seen.
512s: >> Number three, little chocolate donuts.
515s: Taking aim at the Olympics and
516s: advertising, this older segment is an
519s: SNL classic.
520s: >> I logged a lot of miles training for
521s: that day, and I downed a lot of donuts.
525s: >> John Belushi plays the unlikely athlete
527s: that needs a little something extra to
528s: prepare for the decathlon. Instead of a
531s: protein shake, the performer mentions
533s: needing this surprise treat. It's a
535s: simple and hilarious change from the
536s: typical formula of diet foods.
539s: >> It tastes good, and they've got the
540s: sugar I need to get me going in the
542s: morning.
543s: That's why little chocolate donuts have
544s: been on my training table since I was a
546s: kid.
547s: >> Seeing Belushi advertise this product,
549s: the skit makes you want to laugh and eat
551s: little chocolate donuts. It's also an
553s: opportunity for the man to steal a
554s: sketch with some physical comedy. The
556s: fact that he's smoking a cigarette makes
558s: this fake ad even funnier.
560s: >> Little chocolate donuts, the donuts of
563s: champions.
564s: >> Number two, daily affirmation, Michael
567s: Jordan. Stuart Smalley is a nurturing
569s: presence with his own TV show. For this
572s: episode, he welcomes NBA superstar
574s: Michael Jordan.
575s: >> And I can imagine that a night before a
577s: game, you must lie awake thinking
581s: I'm not good enough.
583s: Uh everybody's better than me.
586s: I'm not going to score any points. I
588s: have no business playing this game.
592s: Well, not really.
593s: >> The host talks to his guest about
595s: imposter syndrome, negativity, and
597s: self-care. Playing along, the Bulls
600s: legend takes Smalley's advice and talks
602s: to himself in the mirror. This gives the
604s: basketball player one of his best
606s: moments on SNL.
607s: >> I don't have to be a great basketball
609s: player.
611s: I don't have to be a great basketball
613s: player.
614s: I don't have to
616s: dribble the ball fast or
618s: throw the ball into the basket.
622s: >> [laughter]
624s: >> I don't have to dribble the ball fast or
626s: throw the ball in the basket.
629s: >> As he repeats after his co-star, Jordan
631s: tells himself affirmations, no matter
633s: how silly they might sound. Al Franken
635s: manages to stay in character even when
637s: the guest performer can't. It's
639s: especially funny to watch such a serious
641s: athlete try to be so positive and
643s: self-affirming.
644s: >> This show is your dream.
646s: That's a good dream.
647s: You deserve to have dreams come true.
651s: Feel better?
653s: Would you like a hug?
654s: >> Number one, United Way Peyton Manning.
657s: Volunteering with kids, this quarterback
659s: has an interesting way of giving back to
660s: the community. His time with the youth
662s: of America involves playing aggressive
664s: football and yelling. Peyton Manning is
667s: a natural here, becoming an awful person
669s: as he unleashes verbal tirades.
671s: >> Okay, I'm sorry. Do you want to lose? I
674s: throw, you catch. It's not that hard,
676s: okay?
677s: All right, get out of here.
678s: >> These life lessons even happen off the
680s: field as the man teaches children how to
682s: break into a car. Manning snaps into his
685s: fake persona with ease, portraying an
687s: awful version of himself.
689s: >> I'd have to kill a snitch. I'm not
691s: saying I have, I'm not saying I haven't.
693s: You know what I mean.
695s: Whatever.
696s: >> You almost wish the athlete would appear
698s: on the show more often. Before it's all
700s: over, he serves up more than a few
702s: notable line readings and some
704s: ridiculous advice.
705s: >> Spend time with your kids, so Peyton
707s: Manning doesn't.
708s: >> Did we forget another hilarious skit
710s: with an athletic flair? Let us know in
712s: the comments.