Random Best Saturday Night Live Sketches of the 80s (13 items)

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  (#1) Mister Robinson's Neighborhood

  Season 7, Episode 3
  10/17/1981

  'Mister Robinson's Neighborhood' first debuted in October of 1981. In this hilarious parody sketch of PBS's 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,' Eddie Murphy invites us into his dysfunctional home, where his wife has just left him ("I'm so glad that b*tch is gone!") and entertains visitors ("Who is it?!"), including a landlord who gives him an eviction notice. The word for today, kids, is "scum bucket."
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  (#9) Fernando's Hideaway

  Season 10, Episode 9
  4/13/1985

  Billy Crystal made his mark forever on 'Saturday Night Live' with the sketch 'Fernando's Hideaway,' which debuted in November of 1984. The skits continued into the following year as Crystal, playing actor Fernando Lamas, interviewed various celebrities and to let them know that "You look mahvelous!" Remember kids, it's always "better to look good than to feel good!"
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  (#4) James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party

  Season 9, Episode 4
  11/05/1983

  The James Brown Hot Tub sketch gets better with age. Yes, it was funny when it first aired during SNL's ninth season, but it's still very, very funny now. Classic Murphy humor.
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  (#3) Buckwheat Buys the Farm

  Season 8, Episode 15
  4/12/1983

  Ted Koppel opens this sketch, informing everyone that "Buckwheat has been shot" as he was leaving 30 Rock after an appearance on SNL. Video of the shooting is shown repeatedly, and friends of Buckwheat, including Alfalfa, are shown commenting on the tragedy (after watching the video, again and again). Ted Koppel's crew then takes the camera into Buckwheat's operating room, to show his surgeon the video too.

  It gets worse: Don't think I'm spoiling anything here by telling you that poor Buckwheat doesn't make it. Who killed him? Koppel's on the case. After a moving tribute to Buckwheat of course.
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  (#5) Pumping Up with Hans & Franz

  Season 13, Episode 1
  10/17/1987

  Who could forget Hans & Franz? Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon's first 'Pumping Up with Hans & Franz' first debuted during 'Saturday Night Live's' 13th season in October of 1987. Hans & Franz' Austrian jocks hope to follow in the footsteps of their famous cousin, bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, with their own training program. Unfortunately, no one can live up to their strength. Ever.
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  (#11) Master Thespian

  Season 13, Episode 8
  12/19/1987

  
  Jon Lovitz' 'Master Thespian' definitely deserves a place of honor on this list. Lovitz' portrayal of an over-the-top Shakespeare actor was featured in several 'SNL' sketches from 1985 to 1989. When the Master Thespian is asked to play Santa Claus at Macy's, he has some trouble understanding the true meaning of...improv. Master Thespian sees it as the "greatest challenge of his career."

  And, just because, here's a bonus: 'SNL' host Carl Weathers (random!) plays Othello - a little too well.

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