‘SNL’ Stars Revive Classic Holiday Sketch With Samuel L. Jackson

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As a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live, I can’t help but feel nostalgic and thrilled to see Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon bring back their iconic characters Margaret Jo McCullin and Terry Rialto for a Capital One ad. Their dry, deadpan delivery of double entendres is as delightful as ever, and it’s always a treat to see them in action.

Perfectly timed for the festive season, two ex-stars from Saturday Night Live have revived one of their iconic skits for a commercial produced by Capital One.

Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon, famous on a variety show from the 1990s to the early 2000s, once again took on the characters Margaret Jo McCullin and Terry Rialto. They are the presenters of the fictional NPR program called “Delicious Dish,” where they are well-known for their humorous, nearly understated comments filled with double entendres about their guests’ unfortunate treat names.

The new ad was unveiled via a Today Show segment, linked below. The clip finds Margaret Jo and Terry sitting down with Capital One spokesperson , who has whipped up some “sweet buttery buns” for the ladies to try.

“You have a really great set of buns, Sam,” Gasteyer says in her hilariously monotone voice.

This time, the snack is less risqué since it’s a national TV ad rather than an SNL skit, where the humor can get a bit explicit. Previously, radio hosts have indulged in treats like Florence Dusty’s Dusty Muffin, offered by Betty White, and notably, Schweddy Balls, a creation of chef Pete Schweddy (portrayed by Alec Baldwin).

Gasteyer developed the concept for Delicious Dish while working with The Groundlings improv comedy company in Los Angeles. Later, when she joined SNL, she brought this sketch along and introduced Shannon into it. The idea was inspired by two real-life radio programs: The Splendid Table, known as a radio show for food enthusiasts, and Good Food on L.A.’s KCRW station.

The Most Infamous Delicious Dish Sketch Almost Didn’t Happen

The “Schweddy Balls” skit is often considered one of the best episodes of Saturday Night Live, frequently appearing on top lists found online. Its fame even led Ben and Jerry to create a Schweddy Balls-flavored ice cream. During the holiday season, this sketch becomes particularly well-known since it’s themed for that time of year. However, as Gasteyer explains, if network censors had their way, “Schweddy Balls” might not have been shown in that episode’s broadcast.

Nowadays, social media and YouTube can make almost any comic sketch popular instantly. However, when “Schweddy Balls” debuted in 1998, stronger sketches were typically positioned at the beginning of the show, presumably during peak viewership hours. As Gasteyer explained to Entertainment Weekly, it was Lorne Michaels who rescued “Schweddy Balls” from becoming forgotten: instead of letting it sink into obscurity, he gave it a chance to shine.

Lorne tactfully advocated for the mention of “Schweddy Balls,” but the producers initially preferred not to place it prominently in the show due to its adult nature, as such content is usually saved for late-night viewing. However, Michael recognized that the characters were innocent regarding the term “balls” usage and fought tenaciously to air it before midnight, which I admire. He consistently fights for work that deserves it, so this was a significant recognition.

Watch the new Capital One ad featuring Gasteyer, Shannon, and Jackson below.

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2024-11-29 04:34