Watch: A Queer History of SNL, Part One

A little later this week, you’re getting the first episode about LGBTQ representation on SNL. I decided to share with you the video of the ten sketches we’re covering in this first episode. To recap, we’re doing all the LGBTQ-leaning recurring sketches in a two part episode to kick off the new season. Then, among the regular GEE episodes, we’re going to do more episodes focused on sketches within the different eras.

Technically, that first sketch isn’t really a recurring one, but it is built around Jane Curtin’s recurring Anita Bryant impersonation. There actually weren’t any LGBTQ recurring sketches in the “classic” era of the show, if you can believe it, and it seemed weird to talk SNL history without beginning with the original cast. Also, If you don’t see a given sketch in this list, it’s probably because it wasn’t a recurring sketch, but I’m aiming to pick it up in the later episodes. Believe me: I have a Google spreadsheet that now has nearly 200 queerish SNL sketches. We have a lot to cover!

Here’s what we are covering in this first episode, which takes us right up until the late 90s renaissance, a.k.a. the Will Ferrell/Cheri Oteri/Molly Shannon years. At least two of the sketches in this group are ones that aren’t streaming and are hard to find online.

Enjoy? (Your enjoyment is up to you.)

1. Deliverance II (s5e16 — Burt Reynolds, April 12, 1980)
2. Dion (s9e8 — Flip Wilson, December 10, 1985)
3. Nancy Reagan (s11e2 — Chevy Chase, November 16, 1985)
4. Coffee Talk  (s16e13 — Roseanne Barr, February 2, 1989)
5. It’s Pat (s17e3 — Kirstie Alley, October 12, 1991)
6. Lyle the Effeminate Heterosexual (s17e16 — Mary Stuart Masterson, March 21, 1992)
7. Mickey the Dyke (s22e8 — Martin Short, December 7, 1996)
8. Ambiguously Gay Duo (s23e20 — David Duchovny, May 9, 1998)
9. Jeffrey’s (s26e12 — Sean Hayes, February 2, 2001)
10. Mango (s27e9 — Ellen DeGeneres, December 15, 2001)