Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a staple of American television since 1975, known for its mix of satire, outrageous humor, and iconic sketches. Over the years, SNL has had countless unforgettable moments that have shaped both the show and the world of comedy. For fans of the show, the 1990s will always hold a special place as one of its most groundbreaking decades. From memorable celebrity hosts to sketches that pushed boundaries, the ’90s delivered some of the most hilarious episodes that continue to evoke laughter and nostalgia.

In this article, we revisit the 10 funniest SNL episodes from the ‘90s, ranked from bottom to top, offering a glimpse into the quirky world of Saturday Night Live.

Season 15, Episode 13: Tom Hanks and His Out-of-Body Experience

The journey through SNL’s funniest ‘90s episodes begins with Season 15, Episode 13, where Tom Hanks delivers a memorable performance in a surreal out-of-body experience. As Hanks prepares to give his monologue, he suddenly finds himself floating above the stage, encountering his ghostly self. Hanks’ hilarious antics, including dancing and cursing out his personal frustrations, make this one of the most entertaining moments in SNL’s history.

The episode also features a hilarious sketch in which Donald Trump argues with his wife Ivana over their prenup. This foreshadowing of Trump’s future persona only makes the sketch more amusing today.

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Season 21, Episode 20: Jim Carrey’s Wild SNL Appearance

When Jim Carrey graced the SNL stage in Season 21, Episode 20, he was already one of the biggest stars of the ’90s. Known for his over-the-top comedy, Carrey’s performance on SNL was just as zany as his roles in Hollywood. From his energetic monologue, where he even gets into a playful argument with director Adam McKay, to his numerous comedic sketches, Carrey’s appearance was a tour de force of physical humor and improvisation.

One of the standout moments of this episode was Carrey’s parody of Bill Clinton, where the president announces he’s resigning to focus on his campaign. The sketch also serves as a chilling foreshadowing of Clinton’s later scandal, making it both funny and eerily prophetic.

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Season 18, Episode 4: James Stockdale’s Unprepared Debate Performance

Season 18, Episode 4 serves up one of the most unforgettable political sketches of all time. The episode takes a jab at James Stockdale, the vice-presidential candidate chosen by Ross Perot in the 1992 elections. Stockdale famously appeared unprepared during a debate, and SNL recreated this moment with hilarious results. The sketch features Stockdale questioning his purpose in life with the now-infamous line, “Who am I? Why am I here?” — a direct reference to his real-life debate blunder.

The episode also includes Christopher Walken’s iconic cowbell sketch, where he pushes musical guests to play the instrument more, creating a comedic masterpiece that has been endlessly quoted by fans.

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Season 18, Episode 13: Alec Baldwin’s French Teacher Sketch

In Season 18, Episode 13, Alec Baldwin’s comic genius is on full display. Baldwin, usually known for his dramatic roles, takes on the role of a French teacher who is obsessed with his own accent. The sketch involves Baldwin’s character trying to correct a French native speaker, leading to a series of hilarious missteps. His exaggerated obsession with his accent leads to a moment of physical comedy that makes this episode a fan favorite.

Beyond Baldwin’s performance, the episode features memorable cameos, including Paul McCartney, and a raucous performance from Adam Sandler, further cementing the episode’s place in SNL history.

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Season 17, Episode 1: Michael Jordan Hosts SNL

When basketball legend Michael Jordan hosted SNL in Season 17, Episode 1, it was a surprising yet delightful choice that resulted in one of the most entertaining episodes of the decade. Known for his serious demeanor on the court, Jordan proved he had comedic chops with a series of hilarious sketches. Among the most memorable was a parody of Jordan’s infamous commercials, which take an absurd turn when he endorses hardcore pornography.

The episode also features a hilarious segment with Reverend Jesse Jackson reading from Green Eggs and Ham in his signature preacher voice, which remains one of the most unique and funny moments in the show’s history.

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Season 16, Episode 4: Mariah Carey, Patrick Swayze, and Walmart’s Rant

Season 16, Episode 4 is a delightful mix of absurd political commentary, celebrity cameos, and downright weird sketches. The episode opens with Mariah Carey and Patrick Swayze bringing their own brand of charm to SNL, while Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, makes a hilarious appearance, ranting against tax hikes. His attempt to offer $100,000 to anyone who opposes the new measures only ends up being a comical failure, as he ends up giving away most of the money he intended to save.

The episode also features a clever parody of the film Ghost, where Chris Rock impersonates Whoopi Goldberg in a role that’s both funny and surprisingly accurate. The segment with Buster Douglas, a former world champion boxer, asking for advice after a knockout, rounds out an episode that is rich in variety and comedic brilliance.

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Season 17, Episode 18: Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown’s Presidential Debate

In this politically charged episode, Season 17, Episode 18 features a humorous twist on the 1992 presidential election debates. In a sketch, Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown decide to be amicable and agree on what topics to avoid to protect each other’s public image. The absurdity of their “gentleman’s agreement” is further highlighted when Clinton suggests swapping wives as a sign of camaraderie, only for Brown to remind him that he isn’t married.

The episode also features Jerry Seinfeld’s iconic monologue and numerous sketches that riff on his popular sitcom. Seinfeld’s deadpan humor shines through, particularly in a sketch where he struggles to teach history to a rowdy class of students.

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Season 15, Episode 18: George H.W. Bush Gets High

Season 15, Episode 18 is packed with bizarre and hilarious moments, starting with an unforgettable opening scene in which President George H.W. Bush accidentally gets high on marijuana-laced glaucoma drops. The mix-up leads to Bush speaking in complete gibberish, creating a surreal and side-splitting sketch.

Alec Baldwin’s first hosting gig also takes center stage in this episode, where he opens his monologue with an unexpected and humorous performance, simply posing and letting the audience admire his “good looks.” The rest of the episode follows suit with absurd sketches and bizarre scenarios, making it one of the most unique episodes of the decade.

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Season 16, Episode 17: Frank Sinatra Seduces Nancy Reagan

Season 16, Episode 17 kicks off with a provocative and hilarious sketch featuring Frank Sinatra and Nancy Reagan. The sketch imagines Sinatra seducing the First Lady while President Ronald Reagan addresses the nation in the background. It’s an audacious and absurd moment that perfectly captures the show’s knack for pushing boundaries.

The episode also includes other politically charged sketches, including one where the Kennedys are shown as a fun-loving, party-obsessed family. A segment later on featuring Chris Rock as “Lizard Man,” where he repeatedly sticks his tongue out, adds a touch of the bizarre to an already outrageous episode.

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Season 17, Episode 17: Sharon Stone and the Iconic Leg Cross

Ending our list with a bang, Season 17, Episode 17 is unforgettable thanks to Sharon Stone’s infamous Basic Instinct leg-crossing moment. Stone recreates the iconic scene while the camera cuts to various audience members, whose reactions are nothing short of hilarious. From awkward glances to open admiration, the audience’s diverse responses only add to the humor.

This episode is packed with great sketches, including various men attempting — and failing — to hit on Stone, leading to some of the weirdest and funniest pickup lines in SNL history.

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These 10 episodes from the ’90s showcase the brilliance of Saturday Night Live during a decade that gave rise to some of the most memorable moments in television comedy. Whether it’s through political satire, outrageous parodies, or iconic hosts, these episodes remain a testament to SNL’s ability to make people laugh no matter the decade.