Chris Rock's 7 Funniest 'Saturday Night Live' Moments

Saturday Night Live has produced some amazing comedic stars in its 50-year history, creating household names in television, film, stand-up, and beyond. And a few former cast members have become so massive that they’ve eclipsed the show that gave them their start and become so legendary you almost forget they used to spend every Saturday night performing skits at Rockefeller Center. Chris Rock is without a doubt one of those stars. His career skyrocketed post-SNL and he became the model for many comedians who came after him.

Rock is set to return to his stomping grounds this week, hosting the sketch show alongside musical guest Gracie Abrams on the show’s historic 50th season. To celebrate Rock’s return, we’re taking a look back at some of the icon’s funniest and most memorable moments from seasons past. Here’s Chris Rock’s best SNL moments.

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Chris Rock’s Best and Funniest Moments on Saturday Night Live

“I’m Chillin’”

One of Rock’s most well-known skits from his tenure, “I’m Chillin’” was a parody cable access show “live from the projects.” Co-starring fan-fave SNL alum Chris Farley, the Onski (Rock) and B Fats (Farley) broke down the latest issues of the day while rhyming incessantly, often to the point of absurdity. They also don’t miss an opportunity to hawk ridiculous products “168th St. spring water,” which according to Onski is, “The only spring water to come directly from a fire hydrant.”

“My Son, College Graduate”

When Rock returned to host the show for the first time following his departure from SNL, he reminded audiences of the impeccable comedic delivery that got him hired in the first place. Teaming up with Tim Meadows, this skit follows a father who tried his best to be happy for his recently graduated son but seems to find any reason he can to take things personally. When Meadows says graduating college left him feeling “ecstatic” and Rock responds, “Ecstatic? Is that something they teach you up in that fancy school?… You can’t just be ‘happy’ like the rest of us?” The sketch hits on something so many can relate to—no matter how hard you try, making your parents happy is often an impossible (and in this case humorous) battle.

Related: Meet the Cast of ‘SNL’ Season 50

2020 Opening Monolgue

After Saturday Night Live spent a season “at home” during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, audiences were eager to see the show return to the studio and regain some sense of normalcy. To make a triumphant return, they needed a killer host, and that’s exactly what they got when they brought in Chris Rock. While pandemic humor may have felt “too soon” for some, his opening monologue cracked the audience all the way up, especially the first responders who were offered seats at the show for all of their tireless work. As Rock quipped, “They’re so good, we let people die tonight so they could see a good show.”

“Racist Bank Robbery”

When a couple of white ne’er-do-wells attempt to rob a bank, they find themselves in tricky territory as they realize the bank’s clientele is all Black. It’s not a good look for them, and the would-be hostages have more than a few choice words for the robbers who appear to be in over their heads. When the burglars attempt to explain themselves by saying, “You know how the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough rob banks,” an exasperated Chris Rock replies, “If you’re robbing a bank, rob the bank. We don’t have to hear your sorry-ass jokes too.” And when they attempt to take control of the situation by telling everyone to get down on the floor, they are met with indignant resistance. “I’ll tell you one thing,” says Rock, “I’m not getting on the floor in my good suit.”

Related: The Funniest ‘SNL’ Season 50 Skits, Monologues, Weekend Updates and Moments (So Far)

“Election Night”

In the first episode back following the results of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, SNL aimed to relieve the tension many Americans felt due to the largely unexpected outcome. The scene follows a predominately white group of friends as they watch the results come in live on TV, and throughout the sketch, they gripe about how they could have never imagined an outcome like this. As for the people of color in the room (Chris Rock and host Dave Chappelle)? Well, their reaction was a little less dumbfounded. When someone in the group exclaims, “This is the most shameful thing America has ever done,” Rock and Chappelle can only share a knowing glance and laugh.

Buster Jenkins on Weekend Update

One of Rock’s recurring Weekend Update characters, news correspondent Buster Jenkins, was known for stopping by the desk to give his takes on the day’s latest goings-on. His spirited ramblings always started out pretty levelheaded, but his level of no-nonsense often ended up becoming nonsense itself. Like when he offered his take on government-funded space programs. “You know how much those spaceships cost? $49 billion,” he says, “And what do they tell us? It’s dark up there. I could have told you that for a fried bologna sandwich!”

“The Dark Side with Nat X”

Perhaps Rock’s most memorable characters from his SNL career is Nat X, the host of a parody BET talk show where he interviews guests and sticks it to the man. “Who is the man?” you might ask. Well, Nat X has no problem clearing that up. “I think we all know who the man is,” he says, “I’m talking about the man who invented the game of chess. A game that for some racist reason cannot start unless the white piece moves first.” Nat’s no-holds-barred takes didn’t just leave the audience wheezing with laughter, but also some of his guests, like famed director Spike Lee, who made a surprise cameo and could barely keep it together.

Related: ‘SNL’ Reveals Next Three Hosts and Musical Guests for Season 50