20 "SNL" Hosts Who Absolutely Nailed Their Monologues (2025)

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Most importantly, it's their opening monologue that sets the tone for the night and gives the audience a bit of an idea of how the show is going to play out. Here are the 20 best SNL monologues, ranked:

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Eddie Murphy is Saturday Night Live royalty and has graced the stage with many sketches that have left us laughing till we cried, from Buckwheat to Mr. Robinson there was never a dull moment. His 2019 monologue,where he made his return after 35 years of absence, was filled with comedic genius (and was interrupted by comedic legends Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle).

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Chris Rock, a comedy legend, made his return to SNL when he first hosted in 1996 but has made multiple returns to the stage as host and special guest. His monologue from '96 was by far one of the funniest monologues to date. With his takes on the election, his life after being on the show, and his ability to make regular life seem so hilarious.

Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The late Chris Farley, one of SNL's most beloved comics, had one of the best monologues in the show's 47 years of being on air. Sharing the stage with Chris Rock and Tim Meadows he overwhelmed the crowd with laughter. Farley made a huge splash in the industry through Saturday Night Live and his array of comedy movies.

NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The Saturday Night Live vet did not disappoint his first and especially his second time hosting. His effortless hilarious engagement with the crowd, and slightly uncomfortable Ryan Reynolds, made for a knee-slapping monologue.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The comedy icon was phenomenal when he hosted the show's Halloween episode in 2014. His musical number as "Helvis" with the cast was one for the books.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Steve Carell's monologue was great for his return to Saturday Night Live. The questions from the crowd and office cast members asking him to reboot The Office made for a side-splitting monologue.

Kevin Mazur / WireImage

The long-time SNL cast member made his return in a hilarious fashion. With help from fellow cast mate Chris Rock, they broke into song about how they both were fired from the show. The "I was fired" monologue goes down as a top Saturday Night Live monologue without a doubt.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Coming back from a terrible car accident, Tracy Morgan had no problem getting back into the swing of things when he hosted Saturday Night Live in 2015. With the help of 30 Rock cast mates Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, he was able to kick the show off with humor and grace.

Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The late great Bernie Mac's monologue for SNL in 2003 was filled with hilarious commentary on world news and how he went about traveling as a celebrity. His monologue goes down as one of the best in the show's history.

Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

David Spade is no stranger to the SNL stage after being a cast member for a number of years. While Spade has hosted the show a couple of times, it's his first time hosting it in 1998 that highlights his comedic prowess. His story on poly bears made for a hilarious monologue his first time hosting.

Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

No SNL list would be complete without Steve Martin, who's knocked it out the park every time he's hosted the show. His record 14th monologue was beyond comparison his best.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The legendary comic and Seinfeld creator's monologue was nothing shy of classic Larry David. Comparing commonalities with Quasimodo and speaking on the disturbing trends he's noticed about the men being accused of sexual harassment, made his appearance on the show very notable for the 43rd season.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Donald Glover's appearance as host and musical guest was a notable episode for SNL's illustrious history. His monologue consisted of mentioning his rejected audition tapes and his ability to do anything as a triple threat celebrity, helped make for a great opening monologue.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

When Chance The Rapper hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live, he left quite the impression. Both times he hosted he showed he was built for the grand stage. From giving $1million to Chicago public schools to breaking out in song and dance rapping about all things that are the second-best, Chance left his comedic and musical stamp on the show.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Tenured Saturday Night Live cast member Tina Fey made a splash when she hosted the in 2013. Embarrassing the new cast members by having them dance as a rite of passage made for a very memorable hosting monologue.

Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Amy Poehler's first time hosting the show was great as she reunited with old cast mates like Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers in her anxiety dream. She understood the assignment when she hosted the show filling the episode with hilarious sketches and great moments.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

When Aziz Ansari hosted Saturday Night Live his stand-up monologue was one that goes down in history as one of the best stand-up monologues. Hosting the day after then-president Donald Trump's inauguration would've been a challenge for anyone, but Aziz was able to keep everyone laughing while toeing a fine line between hilarious and offensive.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Many were interested and possibly nervous to see Kim Kardashian hosting Saturday Night Live. However, she showed amazing poise, and her humorous side from roasting her celebrity family members as well as taking shots at herself. She really surprised the audience with her monologue, making her episode one of the most watched episode in recent years.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Tiffany Haddish made history as the first Black female comic to hit the SNL stage and she absolutely killed it. Her monologue was humorous and witty, a truly historic moment for the show.