5 classic “SNL” sports sketches: Here's why the new "SNL" sports comedy site is going to be amazing

"SNL" co-head writer Bryan Tucker has launched a new comedy site called "The Kicker"

Published October 28, 2015 6:39PM (EDT)

  (Yahoo/NBC)
(Yahoo/NBC)

Today in news that will make you LOL — well hopefully, at some point in the future — “Saturday Night Live” co-head writer Bryan Tucker is teaming up with comedy video website Above Average (owned by Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video) to launch a brand new sports comedy website called The Kicker.

According to the site's promo materials, The Kicker will feature "a unique take on daily sports news and hilarious video content, starring top athletes and celebrities and upholding a ‘for fans, for fun’ philosophy.” There’s already a bunch of good stuff on the site, featuring Kenan Thompson, Weird Al, Odell Beckham Jr. and a whole host of other comedy and sports personalities.

"We’d done some sports comedy on 'SNL,' but I thought maybe it was time for sports fans to have their own place to laugh," Tucker told Mashable."I know lots of comedy websites that do some sports content and some sports websites that do content that is funny," he said. "But I don’t know any sites that take on the world of sport for laughs."

While “Saturday Night Live” doesn’t cover sports as much as it covers politics or Hollywood, there has been some pretty top-notch sports humor over the years, and we’re excited to see what else Tucker comes up with on this new platform. To celebrate the site's launch, here are five “SNL” sports highlights from over the years.

1. This mockumentary featuring Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Martin Short as a team of synchronized swimmers is an undisputed classic from the oft-forgotten Dick Ebersol years. It might even be one of the best “SNL” sketches ever. See for yourself:

2. In 2011, “SNL” brilliantly lampooned Tim Tebow-mania in this topical sketch where Jesus pays the footballer a visit.

3. Perhaps the most iconic of “SNL’s” sports sketches is “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” about a group of Chicago sports fans — played by Mike Myers, Chris Farley, John Goodman and others — who love “da Bears,” look a lot like Mike Ditka, and eat aggressive amounts of Polish sausage. Check out Michael Jordan’s appearence below:

4. Is cheerleading truly a sport? Is chess? These questions might be up for debate, but the legendary status of "Spartan Cheerleaders at a High School Chess Tournament" certainly isn’t:

5. Peyton Manning is arguably one of “SNL’s” best athlete hosts, as evidenced by the brilliant faux-United Way PSA from 2007 which has the Super Bowl winner pummeling kids with balls, giving them tattoos, and lots of other good role model behavior.


By Anna Silman

MORE FROM Anna Silman


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Comedy Saturday Night Live The Kicker Tv