Watch Pete Davidson's 10 Best 'SNL' Sketches Since He Won't Be Hosting
It’s day one of the WGA writer’s strike and Saturday Night Live is among the late-night shows going dark in support. Pete Davidson, who was initially scheduled to make his SNL return this week, will no longer be gracing our screens with his Chad skits (RIP.) However, if you need a little of Pete's BDE in your life, there are other ways to get it.
Comedian may be his official title, but Pete Davidson’s influence spans beyond the comedy universe. You may know him for dating power icons like Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian. You may have loved him in horror-comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies. Or you may fondly recall his legendary eight-season run on Saturday Night Live.
Related: Everything You Need to Know about the 2023 Writers Strike
Since his departure from the show in 2022, there has been a 6-foot-1 Pete-shaped hole in the SNL cast. However, even without his hosting gig, fans are eagerly awaiting his return to TV with the premiere of Bupkis, a new series on Peacock co-produced, co-written and starring Pete Davidson himself.
To get ourselves amped for the Bupkis/keep ourselves from crying over what might have been, we’ve compiled 10 of our favorite SNL sketches starring Pete Davidson. Consider it essential research before the Bupkis premiere this Thursday, May 4.
Here are 10 of Pete Davidson's best SNL skits:
1. Weekend Update (The Mule)
To kick us off, we have a Pete Davidson classic with this Weekend Update segment. In addition to his impressive character work on the show, Pete shines when he is just being himself. This segment, in which he banters with comedian John Mulaney about the 2018 Clint Eastwood movie The Mule, is a great example of that. The two effortlessly bounce off each other while delivering solid jokes paired with solid comedic timing. A must-watch.
2. Movie Night
We’ve all been in this situation, unfortunately. This sketch takes the simple premise of watching sex scenes in movies with your family and plays it out to comically absurd heights. Pete Davidson plays an anxious son who can’t help but say the wrong thing at the wrong time. With Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Moynihan playing the parents, the payoff of this sketch is just beautiful.
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3. 100 Days in the Jungle
This sketch is truly my worst nightmare. The idea of having the wrong relative visit me if I were a contestant on a reality show would be enough to break me, and it’s clear Pete Davidson’s character here feels the same.
4. Zombie Apocalypse High School
It’s hard to out-perform Jim Carrey, but Pete Davidson comes pretty close in this sketch. Playing his zombie son, Pete manages to humanize the role of the “rabid zombie” in such a delightful way that when he eventually kills his father (spoiler alert), you can’t help but root for him.
5. Chat Horror Movie
Another Pete Davidson classic: “Chad.” The beauty of the Chad sketch is taking this aloof bro character and putting him in various situations. It’s an easy sketch to replicate since you can literally put this character anywhere and it will be funny, however Chad works best when the stakes are significantly heightened and the characters around him are providing the high-energy antics. Seeing the character confront his potential death in Chad Horror Movie makes this the best of the Chad sketches.
Related: Pete Davidson's Dating History
6. Meet Cute
As a rom-com enthusiast, this is the perfect sketch to me. Pete Davidson and Kristen Stewart’s characters stage a meet cute that goes horribly awry when they forget to set a place and time for their first date. As Kristen Stewart’s character takes us on a wholesome journey of getting ready for the date, Pete manically scours the city to find her.
7. Tucci Gang
Why is it that Pete Davidson plays questionable white rappers better than anyone? This is not the only rapper character he has played on SNL, but it is the most memorable. This sketch is both funny and educational, providing fun facts and hot takes about beloved actor Stanley Tucci. For example, it never occurred to me before but thanks to Tucci Gang, I do agree that Stanley Tucci would have made an excellent Doctor Strange.
8. Career Day
Everyone in this sketch is delivering top-tier comedic timing. Aidy Bryant plays an enthusiastic teacher hosting Career Day at a local high school and introduces Adam Driver, a haunting “oil man” who gives an incredibly disturbing speech to the class. Pete Davidson comes in playing Driver’s son “Mordecai.” This sketch is laugh-out-loud funny thanks to Adam Driver’s delivery, but is made even funnier by Pete’s grounded support.
9. Christmas Romance
While this sketch was cut for time, to me it is a Christmas classic. Pete Davidson manages to shine here without saying a word, which is truly impressive. And if you too found yourself wondering during that scene of the movie Love, Actually how Andrew Lincoln’s character carried so many cards to begin with, this sketch is for you.
10. Farewell Mr. Bunting
I wish I could go back and experience the thrill of watching Farewell Mr. Bunting for the first time again. The sketch begins earnestly, recreating the familiar ending to the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society, then spiraling into chaos. You may want to tread lightly if you’re easily nauseated, but this sketch is hands down a piece of art worthy of The Louvre.
If you're looking for even more Pete. You can also check out his new show Bupkis which is streaming only on Peacock starting May 4, 2023.
Next, Art Imitates Life: All About Pete Davidson's New Semi-Autobiographical Series 'Bupkis'