The most debated SNL sketches throughout history - featuring Jimmy Fallon's blackface incident and Bill Hader's jokes about disabilities.

As Saturday Night Live celebrates it's 50th anniversary, we're revisiting some of the late night talk show's most controversial moments over the years.

In celebration of the major milestone, Peacock is debuting a brand new docuseries titled SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. This new four-part series directed by Jason Zeldes will premiere Thursday, Jan. 16 and give fans an all-new behind-the-scenes look at Saturday Night Live's rich history.

After 50 years of cracking jokes and taking aim at movies, celebrities, politics, and the entertainment industry, SNL has grown to become a significant part of American pop culture. And while the show has stood the test of time, it's not without a few bumps in the road. Check out the most controversial SNL sketches of all time from Jimmy Fallon's blackface to insensitive disability jabs.

Fallon Mimicking Chris Rock (2000)

A highly debated incident in the history of SNL occurred in 2000 during a skit featuring Jimmy Fallon impersonating Chris Rock. In this sketch, Fallon donned blackface to mimic his fellow comedian. Although Rock himself did not take personal offense to the performance, Fallon later expressed regret to his audience, acknowledging that such portrayals are hurtful to the Black community and are associated with a long history of racism and pain.

Two decades after the original sketch aired, a portion of it resurfaced on social media, prompting Fallon to acknowledge his regrettable decision. He stated: "In 2000, during my time on SNL, I made a grievous mistake by impersonating Chris Rock in blackface. There is absolutely no justification for my actions. I deeply apologize for this offensive choice, and I appreciate everyone for holding me responsible."

In an interview with The New York Times, Rock addressed the sketch and assured fans he was not hurt by the choice. He told the news outlet: "I’m friends with Jimmy. Jimmy’s a great guy. And he didn’t mean anything. A lot of people want to say intention doesn’t matter, but it does. And I don’t think Jimmy Fallon intended to hurt me. And he didn’t."

Danny's Song (2007)

In 2007, Saturday Night Live faced criticism for incorporating Down Syndrome into a comedic bit. In a sketch titled Danny's Song, actors Rainn Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, and Bill Hader came together for a dinner gathering. As they enjoyed their meal, the group reminisced about some of their favorite moments while Kenny Loggins' song Danny's Song played softly in the background.

As the group shared their increasingly peculiar memories, Hader's story resonated deeply with the audience when he made a light-hearted remark about the disability. During the skit, the star of Barry reminisced: "He adored this song. I vividly recall one amazing day at the park. We had an absolute blast. He was darting through the grass, chasing after squirrels. There was a fountain where we spent hours tossing in pennies. It was wonderful. That was the first moment I ever thought to myself: 'I have a dad. And not just any dad, but one with Down Syndrome.' He had a real passion for crayons."

周末更新：大卫·帕特森州长州情报告（2010年）

In a comparable manner, Saturday Night Live targeted former New York Governor David Paterson regarding his disability in a skit named Weekend Update: Gov. David Paterson State of the State. During the well-known weekend update segment, Fred Armisen depicted the politician as a bumbling fool due to his blindness. In the sketch, Fred appeared cross-eyed, looking bewildered while gazing into the incorrect camera, and eventually collided with the equipment. Following the controversial skit, the Governor stated that it had a detrimental effect on his public image.

In an interview with AM 970 The Answer, David discussed the SNL sketch, stating, "I have no problem with others poking fun at me; I often poke fun at myself. However, what I found disappointing about this skit was how people took my jokes and connected them to my service. Surprisingly, my approval rating actually dropped after that Saturday Night Live episode."

He went on to explain, "What I aimed to convey to the public is this: 'David Paterson has a job. Yet, 70 percent of blind individuals in this nation are without work, despite the fact that their educational achievements surpass the national average.' The troubling aspect of this situation lies in society's perception of disabilities; the stereotypical, comedic images of people colliding with obstacles are hindering their ability to secure employment." He humorously added, "You've teased me so much about my blindness that I almost forgot I’m black."

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial Opening Scene (2022)

In 2022, Saturday Night Live took a comedic jab at the trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, where Amber hinted at being a victim of domestic violence. While the highly publicized court proceedings were still in progress, SNL featured a cold open titled Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial. The skit included humorous references to the former couple, including the controversial moment when Amber supposedly left feces on Johnny's bed.

In the skit, Kyle Mooney portrayed Depp with his iconic ponytail, beard, and accessories. While he was on the stand during the trial, a lawyer inquired about his feelings upon discovering the "fecal matter." Depp's attorney quickly interjected, stating, "It may seem amusing, but this trial isn't meant to be entertaining."

Following the skit, numerous viewers expressed their anger over the jokes, especially since the trial was ongoing, deeming the humor deeply disrespectful given that Amber might have been a victim of abuse. Although the jury ultimately sided with Depp, a significant number of SNL fans felt let down by the show's apparent lack of empathy and thoughtfulness towards the actress.

Moo Deng News Comedy Sketch (2024)

On September 28, 2024, SNL faced criticism when Bowen Yang appeared to target pop artist Chappell Roan. During the sketch, Bowen portrayed the internet-famous baby hippo Moo Deng and humorously addressed the challenges of celebrity life. In the performance, the comedian made light of Chappell's grievances regarding the difficulties of living in the limelight.

In the midst of this, Bowen remarked: "For the last 10 weeks, I've been on the go without a break. I’ve been darting around, munching on lettuce, trying to take bites from a hose, and the reaction has been astounding." He then alluded to Chappell's TikTok outburst regarding fan harassment, stating: "Just a reminder, women are not obligated to you. When I'm in my enclosure, stumbling over items and nipping at my trainer's knee, I'm working. That’s what I’m here for. Please don’t shout my name or expect a photo just because you feel a connection with me, or because you admire my skills."

Yang’s co-star Colin Jost inquired, "Your experiences seem quite similar to those of Chappell Roan recently. Are you familiar with her?" Yang responded, "I’m just 10 weeks old, Colin, naturally I know Chappell Roan. And seriously, give her some space. She should take all the time she needs for her mental well-being… that’s how society operates. It elevates young women only to bring them crashing down with harsh judgments."

Following criticism for allegedly "mocking" the artist, Bowen shared an article regarding the situation on his Instagram story, stating: "Oh wow. 'Mocks'??? If my personal opinion and this article aren't crystal clear in terms of backing her, then I don't know what else to say. Everything she has requested has been entirely reasonable, and we can even relate it to another narrative about boundaries or something similar."