Politics can be nasty. We've seen that for several months now, as our country went through the grueling process of choosing someone to lead it. Through all that nastiness, it can be tough to see the good in things. If you watched Saturday Night Live at all during this election season, you know they're great at cutting through that nastiness to remind us that we can laugh at ourselves even in the midst of controversy, and that there are still reasons to laugh. Here are some of the greatest moments from SNL's collection of 2016 presidential election sketches to put you in a better mood amidst the arguing and negative attitudes:
6. "Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton Town Hall Debate Cold Open"
"I'd like to begin by attempting a casual lean." - Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton
The Town Hall debate, as SNL put it, was quite possibly the "worst ever presidential debate." This SNL sketch plays on Hillary Clinton's cold, robotic nature during the debate and Donald Trump's seeming to loom over her as she spoke. They even throw in a tribute to the once-loved Ken Bone. Although this sketch did ease a bit of the tension from the debate, it was also the one that finally caused Donald Trump to respond to Alec Baldwin's portrayal of him.
5. "Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton Third Debate Cold Open"
"Let me just make sure I said everything I wanted to say... Okay, I'm good." - Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump
This sketch, featuring Tom Hanks as FOX moderator Chris Wallace, turns some of the craziest parts of the third debate into laughing matters.
4. "Democratic Debate Cold Open"
"I'm an outsider. I don't have a Super PAC. I don't even have a backpack. I have to carry all my stuff loose in my arms like a professor." - Larry David as Bernie Sanders
One of the greatest parts of SNL's election coverage has been Larry David's portrayal of Bernie Sanders. This sketch, featuring Sanders and Clinton as well as the other, lesser-known former Democratic candidates, is one of the greatest.
3. "Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton Debate Cold Open"
"He hasn't released his tax returns, which means he's either not that rich..."
"WRONG."
"...not that charitable..."
"WRONG."
"...or he's never paid taxes a day in his life."
"Warmer." - Kate McKinnon & Alec Baldwin as Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump
Of the debate sketches, this one probably has the most packed into it, which makes it one of the funniest.
2. "Hillary Clinton/Donald Trump Cold Open"
"Donald Trump has singlehandedly ruined so much of what we, as Americans, hold dear: kindness, decency... Tic-Tacs..." - Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton
At the beginning of this sketch that takes place from each candidate's headquarters, McKinnon and Baldwin give us their usual spot-on satirized versions of Trump and Clinton, but this sketch differs from the others in that it has a bit of a twist. As this one aired the Saturday before Election Day, it was not only just as iconic as the others, but it was a nice attempt to unite viewers before the big day.
1. "Celebrity Family Feud: Political Edition"
"Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello, Steve. When does this thing actually start? The whole thing is 'hello.' My grandmother can knit a sweater in that time." - Larry David as Bernie Sanders
As this sketch doesn't feature either major party's presidential candidate, it carries much less tension while still poking fun at our country's situation. It even features some unexpected guests like portrayals of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Christie, Sarah Silverman, and Vladimir Putin. One of the most light-hearted and iconic of the political sketches, this one's worth watching more than once. Maybe several times.
