I first discovered “Saturday Night Live” the way a lot of kids did—through an older, slightly cooler classmate.
It must have been in 1978 or 1979. Richard Shaw was the biggest kid at Spoede School — not just in height but in presence. Every Monday morning, he’d show up on the blacktop playground behind the school, full of energy, describing sketches he’d seen, mimic voices I didn’t recognize, rattling off names like Belushi and Aykroyd and talk about a show that sounded unlike anything I had ever seen. I wasn’t just intrigued—I was obsessed. Not with the show itself (yet) but with how Richard convinced his parents to let him stay up so late to watch it.
So, I started my campaign. I pestered my parents for weeks, arguing my case with the same level of passion as if I were trying to extend bedtime permanently. Eventually they caved. Not all the way but far enough—I could stay home alone while they went out on Saturdays. That meant one thing: My siblings were going to bed at 5:30 p.m. (Sorry guys.) That gave me five glorious hours alone, fighting to stay awake so I could finally watch this mysterious show on our Sony Trinitron.
The rest, as they say, is history.
And speaking of history, “SNL” turns 50 on Sunday, Feb. 16. Over the years, it’s had plenty of Jewish legends, Jewish sketches and iconic Jewish moments—some hilarious, some heartfelt and some so over-the-top they could only happen on “Saturday Night Live.”
My favorite Jewish moments in ‘SNL’ history
From Gilda Radner to Andy Samberg, “SNL” has had no shortage of Jewish talent and Jewish humor. Here are some of the best moments that made their mark:
- Gilda Radner’s “Jewess Jeans” (1980)
Long before fake ads were a staple of the show, Radner nailed it with her parody of a Jordache jeans commercial. The tagline? “You don’t have to be Jewish…but it wouldn’t hurt.” Classic.
- Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song” (1994)
Few “Weekend Update” moments have lasted as long in pop culture as Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song.” Whether you’re Jewish or not, you probably know at least one line—like “Paul Newman’s half Jewish, Goldie Hawn is, too, put them together, what a fine-lookin’ Jew.”
If you really want to indulge, here are all four versions by Sandler.
- Coffee Talk with Linda Richman (1990s)
“Talk amongst yourselves…” Mike Myers created one of the most over-the-top yet somehow dead-on Jewish characters in SNL history with Linda Richman, inspired by his own mother-in-law. It was a skit that defined an era.
- Drake’s Bar Mitzvah Rap (2014)
Drake—yes that Drake—embraced his Jewish roots when he hosted “SNL,” performing a bar mitzvah rap that mixed hip-hop and Hebrew school humor. Best line? “I’m Black and Jewish, don’t be foolish.”
- Jon Lovitz as Hanukkah Harry (1989)
Move over Santa. Lovitz gave us Hanukkah Harry, a Jewish version of Kris Kringle who delivers presents when Santa gets sick. What did Jewish kids get? Socks and chocolate coins of course.
Before it happened last year, the last time Hanukkah and Christmas aligned was 2005, the same year this video inpired me to make a guide all the Chinese restaurants open on that magical day and night.
- Jewish Elvis (2011)
Saturday Night Live couldn’t resist an Elvis bit during its Austin Butler-hosted Christmas show, but it wasn’t Butler in blue spandex—it was Sarah Sherman, reimagining The King as Jewish Elvis.
- Larry David’s Bernie Sanders (2016)
Larry David’s “SNL” guest stints as Bernie Sanders were so spot-on even Bernie himself had to admit, “He does me better than me.”
- Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy (2012-2017)
Played by Vanessa Bayer, Jacob was a Jewish 13-year-old whose “Weekend Update” bits involved awkward speeches and oversized Yankees yarmulkes. The comedic embodiment of every Jewish parent’s dream-turned-nightmare.
- The “SNL 40” Jewish Q&A with Jerry Seinfeld & Larry David (2015)
During the 40th anniversary special, Seinfeld took audience questions—only for David to interrupt, asking: “Was I really a writer on ‘SNL?’” The answer? Yes, but only for one season.
