25 best cold-opens in SNL history
By David Rouben
15. Wayne’s World go to the movies before Wayne’s World 2
Of all the recurring sketches in SNL’s history, “Wayne’s World” is arguably their most famous one. It spawned two hit movies, contains some of the best catchphrases and is played by two of the best cast members in the show’s history.
Fresh off the heels of their successful first movie, their first sketch after it was, ironically, Wayne and Garth reviewing movies. All the films they mentioned came out in 1993, so they couldn’t review their own movie or its sequel since it would come out three weeks later. Adding that element of self-reference would’ve put this sketch over the top, but it’s already great as is.
Their “review” of Leprechaun, in which Wayne pretends to be a leprechaun and freak Garth out, only to snap him back to reality with pixie dust, was so popular it eventually made its way onto Wayne’s World 2.
The other notable reviews in this sketch included The Remains of the Day, which had Wayne uncharacteristically break it down with academic terms while Garth just said “it sucked.” And the review of the ultra sad My Life, which they pretended not to cry at only for their emotions to come flooding out while recounting the scenes, was gold too.
Even after Dana Carvey left, which he did in the season prior to this sketch, SNL kept finding excuses to bring “Wayne’s World” back. They both returned for the 40th anniversary special, but it was saved for the end, which made it a pleasant surprise when it came on. Because even several years after leaving the show, “Wayne’s World” left such a mark that it still gets quoted today. Party on, Wayne and Garth.